Sermon Tone Analysis

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.