GOSPEL OF MATTHEW - PURITY OF HEART

HONORING GOD WITH OUR THOUGHTS AND COMMITMENTS

Last week we looked at how Jesus was not only the antithesis Messiah but the next 6 sections of the Sermon on the Mount were antitheses teachings.  And we started by looking beyond the surface at looking at the heart of anger.  We saw that true righteousness is more than external obedience—it’s about a heart that rejects anger, a heart that seeks reconciliation, and a heart that resolves conflict quickly.  That is how we start to have a righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees.

Today we look at the Purity of Heart and having a pure heart honors God.

Let Us pray!

Sermon Title: Purity of Heart: Honoring God in Thoughts and Commitments

 Scripture Text: Matthew 5:27-32 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 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 your members than that your whole body go into hell. “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

1. Purity Begins in the Heart (Matthew 5:27-28)

Illustration: A small spark can start a wildfire. Just like a single unchecked thought can lead to destructive actions, our hearts and minds must be guarded against impurity (Hayman Fire).  

Key Idea: Jesus moves from commandment 6 – do not murder to commandment 7 do not commit adultery.

In His antithesis way Jesus teaches that sin is not just about external actions but about the desires of the heart. Lustful thoughts are just as dangerous as physical adultery because sin starts in the mind before it manifests in action.

Adultery usually involves at least 1 married person – but Jesus here extends it outside the bounds of marriage and is to engage in an activity that is morally wrong by God’s standards.

Jesus’ verb tense here even includes the idea of looking at a women lustfully with the intent of causing her to lust after him.

We must setup guardrails in our lives – both men and women.

Job 31:1 – "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman."

That is why we are to take every thought captive – 2 Corinthians 10:5 – We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Supporting Scripture:

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) – "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." 

Open-Ended Questions:

1. How do you protect your heart and mind from impure thoughts?

2. What practical steps can you take to ensure your thought life honors God?

2. Radical Action Against Sin (Matthew 5:29-30)

Illustration: Imagine a gardener removing weeds before they overtake the whole garden. If left alone, they will spread and choke out healthy plants. Likewise, we must be intentional about removing sin before it destroys us.

Key Idea: Jesus uses strong language to emphasize the need to remove anything that causes us to stumble. This doesn’t mean literal self-harm but a call to take drastic action & radical sacrifice against sin.

We must decisively deal with what our heart chases after especially when it is not God

Jesus is not literally calling for mutilation of the body but if we want to be in Heaven we are required to make radical sacrifices of what the world tells us will make us happy or fulfill us – temporary sacrifice for eternal rewards

What or who is occupying our heart – God and fleshly desires cannot coexist in our hearts – if we fill it with God – those sinful desires are pushed out – if we focus on the sinful desires we oppose God and push Him out.

Supporting Scripture:

Colossians 3:5 – "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry."

1 Corinthians 10:13 – "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear."

Open-Ended Questions:

3. What are some "weeds" in your life that need to be removed to pursue purity?

4. Are there any habits, media, or relationships that lead you into temptation? What steps can you take to eliminate them?

3. Faithfulness and Commitment in Marriage (Matthew 5:31-32)

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Illustration: Think of a bridge built to withstand storms. A strong marriage is built on faithfulness, trust, and commitment. If it’s neglected, cracks will form, and it may eventually collapse. Marriage requires constant care and investment.

Which bridge is your marriage built on?

The one on the right if one of the most famous and strongest bridges.  While it does sway in the wind – it will not fall down.  Even marriages founded in God and faithfulness and trust may have moments of swaying but it won't fall down.

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Key Idea: Jesus upholds the sacredness of marriage, emphasizing lifelong commitment and faithfulness. Divorce was being treated lightly in His time, but He calls for a higher standard of covenant-keeping.

Pharisee Hillel permitted for any good cause (burring your dinner included)

Pharisee Shammai same as Jesus – only for infidelity/adultery/sexual immorality

Here the Greek word for sexual immorality is the word porneia – where we get our word pornography

Jesus never commands divorce only permits it – last week – commanded to forgive, commanded to reconcile, commanded not lust or cause others to lust – but here it is not a command or a prohibition only permission if there is infidelity.

And with the permission to divorce due to sexual immorality most scholars agree it is inferred that remarriage is permitted

Supporting Scripture:

Malachi 2:16 – "For the Lord, the God of Israel, says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence."

Ephesians 5:25 – "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

Open-Ended Questions:

5. How can you strengthen faithfulness in your relationships, whether in marriage or in other commitments?

6. What steps can you take to ensure your relationships reflect God’s design and honor Him?

Conclusion & Call to Action

Key Takeaway: True purity goes beyond actions—it starts in the heart, requires radical removal of sin, and calls for faithfulness in our commitments.

Challenge: This week, take a step toward purity by:

Examining your heart and thought life, confessing anything that doesn’t honor God.

Identifying and removing any sources of temptation in your life.

Investing in faithfulness, whether in marriage or in your commitments to God and others.

BIG IDEA – True righteousness is not just about avoiding outward sin but about guarding the purity of our hearts, minds, and relationships.

Closing Scripture: Psalm 51:10 – "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."