It has been reported that the Emperor Caligula would write out his decrees in very small letters and post them so high that no one could read them. Still, he enjoyed punishing offenders for breaking those laws.

It is time we reassessed modern discomfort with the fact that sometimes the Bible says, “Thou shalt not. ” They are placed in large letters so everyone can see. The purpose is not to harm us, but to help us live lives that are healthy and whole—where we are at peace with ourselves, our neighbors and our God.


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About The Author

A third generation preacher, Mike Shannon is Professor of Preaching at Cincinnati Bible Seminary of Cincinnati Christian University. He has served as a preaching minister, church planter, and college professor. His most recent preaching ministry was at the historic First Christian Church of Johnson City, Tennessee. In his nearly two decades at Cincinnati Christian University, Mike has served as both professor and Dean of the Seminary. He has also been an adjunct professor at Milligan College and Northern Kentucky University. Mike is the author or co-author of several books.

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When David Wallechinsky and Amy Wallace wrote the 90’s edition of the Book of
Lists (published by Little Brown and Company, 1993) they included of course,
the Ten Commandments. But in which of the book’s several categories did the Ten
Commandments belong? Certainly not under the category of People, or Family, or
Crime, or Sports, or Travel. They put them under the category of Advice. Perhaps
there was no other convenient category, but surely all will agree that the Ten
Commandments are more than advice. As Ted Koppell remarked in a speech at Duke
University, they are not the Ten Suggestions.

Yet there are many who do not take those commandments seriously. They say that
of course we’d be better off to follow them but they do not really regard them
as laws. But laws they are: the laws of God. To disobey any one of them is very
serious business.


View more sermon illustrations for inspiration for your next message.

About The Author

A third generation preacher, Mike Shannon is Professor of Preaching at Cincinnati Bible Seminary of Cincinnati Christian University. He has served as a preaching minister, church planter, and college professor. His most recent preaching ministry was at the historic First Christian Church of Johnson City, Tennessee. In his nearly two decades at Cincinnati Christian University, Mike has served as both professor and Dean of the Seminary. He has also been an adjunct professor at Milligan College and Northern Kentucky University. Mike is the author or co-author of several books.

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