Sermon on the Mount - The Law, Part 2

1. The Heart of Commitment: Understanding Divorce and Remarriage

Matthew 5:31 ESV

“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’

2. Radical Call to Faithfulness

Matthew 5:32 ESV

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.

3. The Power of Honest Words

a. Reject Empty Oaths

Matthew 5:33 ESV

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’

b. Speak Simple Truths

Matthew 5:34 ESV

But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,

Matthew 5:35 ESV

or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

c. Embrace Straightforward Speech

Matthew 5:37 ESV

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

4. Turning the Other Cheek: The Radical Call to Forgiveness

a. Challenge to Conventional Justice

Matthew 5:38 ESV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’

Matthew 5:39 ESV

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

b. Call to Uncommon Generosity

Matthew 5:40 ESV

And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

c. Commitment to Go Beyond

Matthew 5:41 ESV

And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

d. Compassionate Generosity Command

Matthew 5:42 ESV

Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

5. Loving Like Heaven: The Call to Radical Love

a. Redefining Love: Love All

Matthew 5:43 ESV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

Matthew 5:44 ESV

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 5:45 ESV

so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

b. Radical Aim: Perfect Love

Matthew 5:46 ESV

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

Matthew 5:47 ESV

And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

Matthew 5:48 ESV

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.