June 18, 2017
Sermon on the Mount
Murder and Adultery
Matthew 5:21-30
This week we’re continuing our series on “The Sermon on the Mount.”
A really incredible thing about the Sermon on the Mount is that Jesus didn't save his heavy hitting and culture shifting commands for a private setting, and he didn’t just save it for people whose hearts he had already won over…
Actually, The Sermon on the Mount wasn't even planned, when Jesus was surrounded by people who needed to hear the truth of who He was, He gathered them together on a hill and he shared the truth with them:
- loud and proud
- out in the open
- with nothing to hide
And that’s what we’re doing in this series… We’re meeting outside, in the open, unashamed of the truth of who God is - wanting desperately to soak up everything we can about who that man is: A God who isn't ashamed of the truth, who has nothing to hide, and who just wants to draw his people back to him.
Murder
Matthew 5:21-26
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Eternal ramification of murder: No matter where we land on murder - anywhere from hate in our hearts to full out murder, the punishment is the same. We deserve to be separated from God.
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Earthly ramification of murder: Beyond what it does to your soul, having anger and malice towards someone else will ruin your life on earth too. For earthly punishment, the extent of the crime decides the extent of the punishment.
Adultery
Matthew 5:27-30
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, 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 right hand causes you to stumble, 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 go into hell.
Eternal ramification of adultery: Jesus takes the same stance with this issue from an eternal standpoint… It’s not about the “level” of sin because any amount of us falling from God, or failing to reach perfection leads to us deserving death.
Earthly ramification of adultery: Jesus goes very drastic with his explanation of the earthly ramificaitons and figuratively shows that we should go to whatever lengths necessary to take care of the sin in our lives. Are you so disgusted with your sin that you will do whatever it takes to get rid of it?
Communication Card
1. I will not try and define my sin by the world’s standards.
2. I will work on controlling my anger.
3. I will work on controlling my lust.
