More than Do’s and Don’ts
The Good News of Jesus • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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The Good News of Jesus - More Than Do’s and Don’ts
(Matthew 5.21-48)
Today’s point -
Jesus demands MORE of us than just following a list of do’s and don’ts
- Jesus declared in verse 17 that He came to fulfill the law and as the fulfiller (and in truth the author) of the law He alone has the authority to declare how it would apply to His followers…
21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. 22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire. 23 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you 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 with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you’re on the way with him to the court, or your adversary will hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.
They said - do not murder
Jesus said - don't be angry or speak harshly
- One note on the 6th commandment = some translations say kill instead of murder. This commandment is not a blanket command against taking another life. There are times taking a life is justifiable…
- Jesus says the same thing regarding anger against one’s brother (without cause). There were times Jesus showed anger, read OT we God acted in anger [all of which are completely justified and holy]
- Raca = basically a curse word meaning “empty headed”
- Fool = same as our word moron
- Obviously being angry with someone is not of the same level as murdering them and Jesus did not say it was - Jesus said it was a sin also…sin is sin in the eyes of God…different ramifications in this life
- How we relate with others will affect how we worship…forgive, act fairly, etc..
27 “You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. 28 But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
They said - do not commit adultery
Jesus said - don't lust after another
- Again, Jesus elevates what the law says past just physically acting on it to the attitude you hold in your heart and mind
- Jesus is not merely talking about a brief glance but the continued dwelling thoughts
- Thoughts are powerful and often lead to action
- Jesus is not literally telling us to take out our eye or cut off our hand, although it would be better than going to hell - reality is the eye and hand are not the problem
- We must deal with sin decisively
31 “It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce. 32 But I tell you, everyone who divorces his wife, except in a case of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
They said - divorce is ok for any reason
Jesus said - divorce should not be taken lightly
- This is contrary to some teaching which allowed divorce for “any good reason” even something as simple as burning the man’s food
- Jesus is emphasizing the importance of marriage
- There is also no indication that if a divorced person remarries both the husband and wife are in a permanent state of adultery (adultery is a forgivable sin)
- The heart behind an action is important
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord. 34 But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, because it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36 Do not swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.
They said - make your oath by God
Jesus - don’t swear just do it
- Everything belongs to God therefore we cannot make a promise with collateral that we do not own
- Our words should be so characterized by integrity we should not need more to be trusted…our integrity makes our words valid
38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
They said - if someone does bad to you do bad to them
Jesus said - if someone does bad to you do good to them
- Retaliation is not a mark of a Christ follower (this does not negate legitimate means of justice)
43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
They said - if they don’t like you, it’s ok to not like them
Jesus said - love everyone no matter who they are
- Hate your enemies is found nowhere in the OT as a command but someone along the way began to suggest this was ok…
- Love is the answer especially for your enemy
- God gives us an example - sun rises on evil and good, rain on just and unjust
- God’s standard seems unattainable but through Jesus and with the assistance of the Holy Spirit we have the ability… we are made perfect in Christ
