God Calls Us to More! 2/26/23
A. The Law. Matthew 5:17-20
17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws andteaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
The Law is the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and
Deuteronomy), also called the
1. Jesus’ job: fulfill the .
2. Our job: have
.
greater than the Pharisees.
B. Anger – a heart issue. Matthew 5:21-26
Teaching about Anger
21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’* 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot,* you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone,* you are in danger of the fires of hell.*
23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice* at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer,
* 5:21 Exod 20:13; Deut 5:17.
* 5:22b Greek uses an Aramaic term of contempt: If you say to your brother, ‘Raca.’ * 5:22c Greek if you say, ‘You fool.’
* 5:22d Greek Gehenna; also in 5:29, 30.
* 5:23 Greek gift; also in 5:24.
and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.
Anger. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Anger is a warning emotion that tells you something is wrong. Many times, when we sit with anger long enough, we learn its true name is grief.
Jesus calls us to . It’s not enough to not murder people. We are to attend to our emotions. To discipline ourselves to a higher standard. To rely on him and the Holy Spirit. And to not be angry people.
C. Adultery – a heart issue. Matthew 5:27-30
Teaching about Adultery
27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’* 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Last week we spoke about pure hearts. And here Jesus is saying lust is adultery of the heart. And that applies to men and women.
A startling call to a higher standard. Today and at that time.
Jesus’ call is:
1. To ________hearts.
2. To ________thoughts.
3. Only possible when we are to him.
D. Divorce – oh no! Matthew 5:31-32
Teaching about Divorce
31 “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’* 32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
Jesus lays down the highest standard for both sexes. Divorce might happen, but it was not meant to be.
Thank God for ______and ________.
E. Vows – integrity. Matthew 5:33-37
Teaching about Vows
33 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the LORD.’* 34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is
* 5:27 Exod 20:14; Deut 5:18. * 5:31 Deut 24:1.
* 5:33 Num 30:2.
his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
Our integrity is _______. There should be no need to swear an oath to make our promises true. The old “my word is my bond” handshake should be how we operate as Christians.
F. Revenge – a heart matter. Matthew 5:38-42
Teaching about Revenge
38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’* 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.
Jesus is giving us , not laying down ___________.
G. Love and Enemies Matthew 5:43-48
Teaching about Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’* and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies!* Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends,* how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. 1
What’s your move? What do you need to surrender to Jesus so you can grow deeper?
- Pentateuch
- Law
- Righteousness
- More
- Examine
6. Discipline
7. Surrendered
8. Grace / Forgiveness 9. Everything
10. Principles / Rules
*****ANSWERS*****
* 5:38 Greek the law that says: ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ Exod 21:24; Lev 24:20; Deut 19:21.
* 5:43 Lev 19:18.
* 5:44 Some manuscripts add Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Compare Luke 6:27–28.
* 5:47 Greek your brothers.
1 Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Mt 5:17–48.