9: But I Say... (Mt 5:21-30)

Welcome

BRAG ON JESUS! & PRAY

GREET THOSE AROUND YOU (Worship Team to Stage)

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Last week we talked about SALT and LIGHT LIVING - that we have the privilege and responsibility to

...Influence others to HONOR GOD by our Purity, Proximity, & Passion.

And I gave the example of how God uses us to influence little ones to follow in our footsteps, and I told you about little Waylon Beaty - and our special greeting to one another - BOOM SHAKALAKA! I saw him right after the service and thought…

I bet others would like to see this too so...

VIDEO Waylon Beaty

Turn to someone and fist bump them with “Boom Shakalaka”!

In our culture, If you’ve ever quoted Scripture to confront a sinful action or correct an untruth, you have likely heard a counter like this: “That’s just YOUR interpretation.”

You are then likely to hear something like this: “There are so many interpretations that we can’t know which one is true…so keep your interpretations to yourself, keep yourself out of others’ business, and let others think what they want.”

- That’s what happens when people begin to discount the authority of the Scriptures.

In Jesus’ day however, people WERE interested in how spiritual authorities interpreted and applied the Scriptures. They were quick to quote what ancient rabbis taught on the subject.

But Jesus didn’t do that.

Instead, as we are about to study, Jesus challenges the traditional rabbinical teachings of several well known Scriptures like this: “You Have Heard that it was said…do not murder and do not commit adultery…BUT I SAY to you…"

In doing so, Jesus digs beneath the FRUIT of our ACTIONS to the ROOT of our ATTITUDES.

And then...Jesus offers forgiveness to those will humble themselves and follow Him.

PRAY

CATCH the CONTEXT: Last week we saw the incredibly high view Jesus has of the Scriptures. Of course, if we BELIEVE the Scriptures, then Jesus is the One who not only rightly INTERPRETS the Scriptures, but - since Jesus is God the Son, the One who created all things - Jesus is also the One who INSPIRED the Scriptures to be written in the first place.

When you want to know what the AUTHOR intended, you can make an educated guess OR…you could just ask the author, BECAUSE...The Author is the Authority over what he wrote - therefore, the author can certainly explain what He means!

And that’s EXACTLY what we’re about to see today as Jesus explains what the Scriptures mean.

So, when Jesus says, “But I Say/I tell you”…then His interpretations trump mine…and YOURS.

And the Scriptures, as we mentioned this last week, are about HIM, as Jesus said:

Matthew 5:17 (NIV)

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

John, the apostle of Jesus notes another time when Jesus says something similar.

John 5:39–40 (NIV)

You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Now, as Jesus teaches this sermon on the mount, Jesus references 6 laws from those Scriptures to show the stark difference between how HE INTERPRETED the intentions of the Scriptures versus those who focused on outward ACTIONS of obedience without considering the inward ATTITUDE of obedience.

Matthew 5:21 (NIV)

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.’

When I talk with folks about Jesus who think they are good with God, they often say something like this: “I’m a good person. I go to church every now and then. And…I haven’t killed anybody.”

I always think, “Well…congratulations!”

Most understand that anyone who murders will be subject to judgment on earth, but Jesus digs down to the ATTITUDE that leads to the ACTION of murder.

Matthew 5:22 (NIV)

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.

This is the 1st of 6 times in this sermon where Jesus 1) quotes Scriptures - here from Ex 20:13 - and 2) then explains - NOT what other rabbis say it means - but what Jesus says it means - saying “you’ve heard it said, but I say to you/I tell you”.

And Jesus warns that it’s not just the ACTION of murder that a person must stay away from, but the ATTITUDE of murder - and that begins with being angry.

Before we go any further, I’m need to chase a rabbit real quick - Jesus does not mean that His followers can never be angry at what others do. Jesus was angry at the right things, yet did not sin.

Jesus was right to be angry when people dishonored God & mistreated people made in His image (e.g. purifying the temple John 2:13–22).

It is right to be angry when innocent people are mistreated, manipulated, murdered, or abused.

And…it is right to desire that justice to be served in all these cases. This why God has given us government - to protect the innocent & punish the wicked (Rm 13:3-4).

In this sermon however, Jesus is first talking about being deeply angry against those who are a part of the same faith family.

That’s what he means when he talks about being angry with a brother.

While the Greek text only uses the term for brother, it certainly doesn’t imply that it’s okay to be angry with a sister in in faith, hence the translators of the NIV & CSB including “or sister”.

Now, while most everyone that day and TO-day could say, “I’ve never committed murder”, many ARE guilty of being so angry with a brother or sister that they wish them harm.

This must grieve God, like it would any parent whose children hate one another. Hating a brother or sister should be cause for concern in your own life. The apostle John later writes...

1 John 3:14–16 (NIV)

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

If we’re willing to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters, we should certainly be willing to forgive one another and be reconciled to each other.

But the person who refuses to let go of the hate, is a murderer.

So now Jesus digs down to the root of murder which is anger. After all, anger leads to hatred, and hatred leads to murder. And while we might never lift a physical weapon to harm another, our bitter anger is weaponized by our slandering insults & treating others as fools - stupid, value-less, wastes of DNA.

And while those who slandered others - speaking untruths to harm their character - were in danger of facing judgment from the court (gr. Sanhedrin)...

Jesus warns of more than just earthly judgment by a human court ; Jesus is warning of an eternal judgment - being sent to fiery hell - the term for the burning garbage dump outside of Jerusalem (the Valley of Hinnom) that came to represent eternal punishment.

Remember when Jesus later warns that those who refuse to forgive others will not be forgiven by God (Mt 6:14-15)? So those who sit and soak in their anger against others, should be warned about judgment from God - if HE TOO refuses to forgive you.

So, how is one to deal with this kind of anger?

Jesus’ answer is quick and compelling for both the offender and the offended.

Matthew 5:23–24 (NIV)

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

This is a BIG deal. Jewish people didn’t have altars in every community. To take your gift to the altar meant you traveled to Jerusalem. For people in Galilee (where Jesus was teaching) was a 3 day journey just to get there.

Does Jesus really expect them to leave the temple of God to take the dusty roads back just to get right with another person before giving God their offering? YEP.

According to Jesus, true worship means we are doing our best to be right with God AND doing our best to be right with people created in His image, especially those who we should consider our brothers & sisters.

BIG TRUTH: Disciples of Jesus should be quick to reconcile the relationship

But then Jesus gives a different scenario; this time not referring to a “brother or sister”, but to an adversary - yet the principle is the same.

We should be quick to reconcile the relationship - to make things right between us. Especially, when we have done wrong to another.

Matthew 5:25–26 (NIV)

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. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Here again, disciples of Jesus should be quick to reconcile the relationship.

Humble yourself. Make the phone call. Set up the appointment. Start the conversation. Ask for forgiveness. Pay the person back. Do YOUR BEST to be at peace with all men, as much as it depends on you (Rom. 12:18).

If not, judgment and prison could be next…and I think Jesus is once again referring to more than earthly punishment, but ETERNAL PUNISHMENT.

And if you’re not right with God…Be quick to reconcile THAT relationship.

Years ago I was out late during a DNow weekend checking on students. I forgot about a group and considered what to do. 2 State Troopers were parked close. I decided to get in the left hand turn lane and do a U-Turn at Cherry Lake crossroads.

One of the troopers thought I shouldn’t have done that and pulled me. Unbeknownst to me, they don’t allow U-Turns at a caution light -even when there’s a left hand turn lane. Evidently, I should have gone further until I could turn around.

BUT GOD really does allow U-Turns, wherever you are.

So, whether you have done something against your brother/sister, your enemy....or your God, don’t sit and just hope it will go away on it’s own. It won’t.

Instead...

BIG TRUTH: Disciples of Jesus should be quick to reconcile the relationship

Then Jesus speaks about an unspoken issue that would hit most people right between the eyes for the next 2 centuries.

Matthew 5:27–28 (NIV)

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Most of the men in the ancient audience had likely not participated in an adulterous affair.

After all, in that day adultery could cost your life through public STONING.

But just as Jesus dug below the ACTION of murder to the the ATTITUDE of anger, now Jesus digs below the fruit of adultery to the root of lust and coveting what and who isn’t yours.

Once again, Jesus quotes the Scriptures and then says…BUT I SAY/I TELL YOU - and rightly interprets the intention of the Scriptures.

While Jesus specially mentions a man’s lust for a woman, this certainly applies to a woman’s lust for a man AND any other strange sexual lust that might be around.

According to Jesus, to allow and feed sexual thoughts about anyone other than your spouse (heterosexual marraige), is to commit adultery in your heart.

After all, You don’t fool around in the BED unless you first fool around in your HEAD.

Thankfully, God and spouses CAN forgive adulterous actions and thoughts.

But for those who discount your own depravity and might be thinking,

“Sure I’ve allowed and fed sexual thoughts about other people, but WHO HASN’T?

It’s just natural. It’s okay to ‘window shop’ as long as you don’t touch the merchandise.”

Jesus says, “Nope. That’s adultery of the heart.” It is a sin against your spouse and a sin against God.

And if that doesn’t cause you pause, twist a knot in your soul, and make you want to hit your knees and cry out for God’s grace…then you might have a bigger problem - a calloused conscience which needs to be deep cleaned and made new.

There IS hope, however - SPIRITUAL SUGERY.

Matthew 5:29 (NIV)

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.

Matthew 5:30 (NIV)

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.

Well, there you have it….let’s pray.

This is hyperbolic language - an exaggeration to make a point.

If we took Jesus in a wooden literal way we would one have 4 opportunities to deal with this sin (2 hands & 2 eyes).

Jesus wants us to take whatever causes us to sin and do some spiritual amputation - get it far away from our lives. If it’s sexual temptation from a person or on a screen, put some distance between you and that person or that image.

We have a couple of ancient examples on how TO DO this and how NOT TO do it.

First up, Joseph. Joseph’ boss was named Potiphar. Potiphar’s wife started putting the moves on Joseph. We don’t know her name, so I call her “Hotipher”. When she first offered Joseph a good time, here’s how he responded.

Genesis 39:9–10 (NIV)

No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.

Genesis 39:11–12 (NIV)

One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.

This is an example of what it looks like to “gouge out your eye” or “cut of your hand”. Joseph LEFT.

And then there’s King David - who didn’t respond like Joseph did. David LINGERED.

2 Samuel 11:2–4a (NIV)

One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her.

David’s lustful thoughts led to David’s lustful actions (see 2 Sam. 11), and his whole family suffered because his adultery in his head, that led to adultery in his bed.

David eventually - AFTER being busted by Nathan the prophet - repented and was forgiven, but OH THE COST! What it he would have responded BEFORE that?

And what about US?

What if WE refuse to wait until we’re busted?

What if WE would approach our brother or sister and ask them to forgive us…OR extend forgiveness to them?

What if WE would seek out the person we have harmed - our adversary - and ask for their forgiveness, and pay them back what we owe?

Or what if we would run away from adultery in the head & in the bed? What if we gouged out or cut off the thing that is leading us to adultery in the head or in the bed & broke off that relationship with that person or that screen?

It’s not too late for God’s grace. You can TURN from your SIN and TURN to Jesus! Make things right with people & right with God.

BIG TRUTH: Disciples of Jesus should be quick to reconcile the relationship

In the 2008 movie Fireproof, the main character of the film has been busted by his wife for looking at pornography on his computer. As God deals with his prideful heart, he sees that while he hasn’t come close to the physical affair that she is close to experiencing, but he was guilty of many mental affairs.

Because of that, he takes his computer outside and beats it to smithereens. When his wife returns home, she is surprised...

to find roses in the place of the computer with a note that says, “I love you more!”

That’s what disciples of Jesus do. We recognize & admit our sin. We turn from sin & turn to God & other others and say… “I love YOU more!!!!” Please forgive me!

BIG TRUTH: Disciples of Jesus should be quick to reconcile the relationship

PRAY - asking this Question: What do I need to do with what I heard today?

Do you need to schedule a meeting with someone to seek forgiveness or extend forgiveness?

Do you need to turn from some sin? Who could help me?

* Booklet: “5 Steps to Breaking Free from Porn” by Joe Dallas

We want to help you -

STAFF

DEACONS/WIVES or another brother/sister

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? (You might need to look back in your notes to help explain your answer.)

Read Matthew 5:17 & John 5:39-40. What would you say to a person who said THIS about him/herself today?

Discuss the significance of what it means when Jesus quotes Scriptures and then says, “But I say/tell you” (Mt 5:22, 28). What would you say to the person (even the person in you see in the mirror), who disagrees with how Jesus interprets the Scriptures?

Read Matthew 5:22-24 & 1 John 3:14-16. Why is hatred toward a brother/sister something that needs to be settled? Why is it good to settle differences quickly as opposed to taking your time to let them work out on their own?

Tell about a time when you experienced genuine reconciliation with another follower of Jesus (spend more time talking about the restoration than what caused the broken relationship).

Read Matthew 5:27-30. According to Jesus, how weighty is spiritual adultery of the heart (or the mind)? What is the correct response when tempted to lust after another? What are some practical ways we can stay away from adultery?

Do any of US need to approach another person to make things right with someone who has wronged us OR one we have wronged: a brother/sister in Christ, an adversary, a spouse…OR God Himself?

Share prayer needs and pray for one another.