Kingdom Peace

Introduction

Children when they dress up - me as my dad (farmer).

A very external appearance. Not going to send a kid in a firefighter’s costume into a blazing apartment complex.

In a similar way, the Christian faith is so much more than just what it looks like on the outside.

The Christian faith is more than dress-up.

The Christian faith requires internal transformation.

This means that we can’t be content with simply being religious.

So, how do we live out the Christian faith? Jesus gives six examples.

Taking His audience back to the heart of the Torah to transform the heart of the disciple.

Torah / True Intention / Transformation

Torah - Don’t Murder

A direct link to the Ten Commandments.

Which, when you think about the latter six, a pretty low bar for the most part.

The occasional speaker at a church event, “I’ve broken all ten of the commandments!” Really?

So, as Jesus begins, he takes a basic commandment that was given to the “ancients” or the “OG Jews.”

The Law laid out consequences for murder, guidelines. It allowed for an appeal to elders.

But, ultimately, you would face judgement. A term that meant a small group of the religious leaders.

Finding a punishment that was just and fair.

Don’t murder. Point of clarity that murder is a specific kind of killing. Not a ban of war or of being a carnivore.

What this would lead to is an allowance for any outrage just beneath murder.

We are good at justifying our sin.

“Well, at least I didn’t kill the guy!”

Anything up to that sin would be deemed acceptable.

How close can I get to the sin?

Jesus points us to the question:

How close can I get to holiness?

This takes us to the true intention of the Torah.

True Intention - Reject Worldliness

Jesus is going to demonstrate three areas.

Not necessarily progression in the activities, but in areas.

This word for anger - one that is connected to violence. Long-term anger.

After the emotional burst happens and there is a seething that lingers.

Differentiate from a “righteous anger.” Some things should make us mad.

Abuse, anything bad happening to children, needless violence.

This is something different.

And when you have this towards your brother, you are liable for the same judgment as Murder.

An elevation of the feeling where it is on the same level as the action.

Second, “Raca!” It is an insult of someone’s intellect. “Empty headed!”

We use cousins of this phrase often. Anytime we speak in a demeaning manner towards someone, we are saying “Raca!”

And for them, the punishment is now up to the entire Sanhedrin, the full court of religious leaders.

This would be like standing in front of our Supreme Court, if they had authority over religious as well.

This is a major punishment!

Third, “Moron!” “Fool!” Remember this is a word related to morality or ethics.

In Wisdom literature, the fool was the one who disregarded the Torah and faced consequences for their illicit behavior.

So, to call someone a “moron” was to make a judgment on their spiritual life.

The result was to receive back what you have said. “The hell of fire.”

Jesus is warning against both internal and external expressions of anger.

There is an emphasis on those in the family of faith, but not exclusively.

Watch your heart and your mouth.

Luke 6:45 ESV

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Transformation - Make Peace

How do we do this?

Take responsibility for your actions.

Two examples:

First in vv. 23-24 - in church.

Anger disrupts worship.

The warning against just going through the motions of worship, of doing “good,” Make peace.

Good is the enemy of best.

Well, at least I’m going to church!!

Second in vv. 25-26 - in community.

The problems with debtors prison.

Anger increases difficulty.

For whatever reason, you don’t want to make it right, you don’t want to pay back what is owed.

Make it right or face more dire consequences.

Conclusion

Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The connection between them.

As we love others, it replaces anger. But, with what?

Replace anger with concern.

How that alters how we see someone, how we treat them.

Because that person you are lashing out at is either a brother or sister in the faith, who you have been called to build up, or they are someone who needs Jesus.

And your anger is not pushing them any closer to the cross.

They need to be loved.