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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 INTERPRETS the Scriptures, but - since Jesus is God, the One who created all things - He is also the One who INSPIRES the Scriptures to be written in the first place.

And those Scriptures, as we mentioned this last week, are about HIM!!!

John 5:39–40 (NET) 39 You study the scriptures thoroughly because you think in them you possess eternal life, and it is these same 21990843476623: BUT I SAY TO YOU (Mat 5:21-30)Jesus challenged the traditional interpretation of Scriptures with these words: “You Have heard that it was said…BUT I SAY to you…” Discover how Jesus digs beneath pious actions, exposes polluted attitudes, & offers forgiveness to those who follow Him.3: BUT I SAY TO YOU (Mat 5:21-30)Jesus challenged the traditional interpretation of Scriptures with these words: “You Have heard that it was said…BUT I SAY to you…” Discover how Jesus digs beneath pious actions, exposes polluted attitudes, & offers forgiveness to those who follow Him.3: BUT I SAY TO YOU (Mat 5:21-30)Jesus challenged the traditional interpretation of Scriptures with these words: “You Have heard that it was said…BUT I SAY to you…” Discover how Jesus digs beneath pious actions, exposes polluted attitudes, & offers forgiveness to those who follow Him.3: BUT I SAY TO YOU (Mat 5:21-30)Jesus challenged the traditional interpretation of Scriptures with these words: “You Have heard that it was said…BUT I SAY to you…” Discover how Jesus digs beneath pious actions, exposes polluted attitudes, & offers forgiveness to those who follow Him.scriptures that testify about me, 40 but you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.

3: BUT I SAY TO YOU (Mat 5:21-30)

Jesus challenged the traditional interpretation of Scriptures with these words:

“You Have heard that it was said…BUT I SAY to you…”

Discover how Jesus digs beneath pious actions, exposes polluted attitudes, & offers forgiveness to those who follow Him.

3: BUT I SAY TO YOU (Mat 5:21-30)

Jesus challenged the traditional interpretation of Scriptures with these words:

“You Have heard that it was said…BUT I SAY to you…”

Discover how Jesus digs beneath pious actions, exposes polluted attitudes, & offers forgiveness to those who follow Him.

Now Jesus calls on 6 laws from those Scriptures to show the stark difference between Himself and those who focused on outward ACTIONS of obedience without considering the inward ATTITUDE of obedience.

Matthew 5:21–26 (NET) 21 “You have heard that it was said to an older generation [CSB our ancestors; ESV those of old], ‘Do not murder,’ and ‘whoever murders will be subjected 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!” Listen to what Jesus would say to that.

22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says ‘Fool’ will be sent to fiery hell.

So while most everyone could say, “I’ve never committed murder”, most ARE guilty of being angry with a brother.279669183455Catch the Context: Jesus likely used brother meaning any other Jewish person in that culture.Catch the Context: Jesus likely used brother meaning any other Jewish person in that culture.Catch the Context: Jesus likely used brother meaning any other Jewish person in that culture.Catch the Context: Jesus likely used brother meaning any other Jewish person in that culture.

Catch the Context: Jesus likely used brother meaning any other Jewish person in that culture.

Catch the Context: Jesus likely used brother meaning any other Jewish person in that culture.

Now Jesus is digging down to the root of murder which is anger. This bitter anger reveals itself by our slandering insults & treating another person as a fool - a stupid, valueless, waste of DNA.

Jesus warns of more than just earthly judgment before the Jewish council (e.g. Sanhedrin); 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.

So, how is one to deal with this kind of anger? Jesus’ answer is quick and compelling.

23 So then, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother and then come and present your gift.

This is a BIG deal. Jewish people didn’t have altars like we have church buildings. To take your gift to the altar was to travel to Jerusalem. For people in Galilee this 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? YEP.

According to Jesus, true worship means we are right with God AND doing our best to be right with people created in His image.

Jesus gives another scenario of a person taking you to court. The principle is the same.

BIG TRUTH: Be quick to reconcile the relationship.

25 Reach agreement quickly with your accuser while on the way to court, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the warden, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny!

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).

And if you’re not right with God…Be quick to reconcile the 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’re at.

Be quick to reconcile the relationship.

One a side note, this does not mean Jesus nor His followers can never be angry. Jesus was angry at the right things, yet did not sin.

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

It is right to be angry when Hitler murdered 11 million people.

We are right to be angry when innocent human beings are being crushed in their mother’s wombs in the name of being “pro-choice”.

Later Paul writes these words.

Ephesians 4:26–27 (NET) 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on the cause of your anger.27 Do not give the devil an opportunity.

True worship means we are right with God AND doing our best to be right with people made in His image. Don’t wait long to make things right. Be quick to reconcile the relationship.

Then Jesus cues up an issue that would hit most men right between the eyes for the next 2 centuries.

Matthew 5:27–30 (NET) 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Most of the men in the audience had likely not participated in an adulterous affair. After all, in that day adultery could cost your life. 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.

How can we keep that from happening? Jesus offers a full-proof hyperbole that will help you walk in purity.

29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell.30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body 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 at His word 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.

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

First up, Joseph. Joseph wouldn't stay in the same room with the wife of Potiphar - I call her “Hotipher” - who was putting the moves on him. He literally ran away (see Gen. 39 & 1 Cor. 6:18).

On the other hand, King David took the 2nd look, and bit the hook. His lustful thoughts led to his lustful actions (see 2 Sam. 11).

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

I think there is a better way to deal with pornography than trash a computer, the principle still applies to us. We recognize & admit our sin. We turn from sin & turn to God…saying I love YOU more!!!!

Be quick to reconcile the relationship…with God & with people.

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