King | Part 13

Scripture:

Matthew 5:31–38 NKJV

31 “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. 33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’

Introduction:

Last week we dealt with the heart.

1. Integrity

A. Christ is upsetting Cultural Norms

“You have heard it said…”

Jesus is addressing a common issue we face to daywithin the first word of his statement. The problem of misinformation and cultural ideaolgical infection seeping within the teachings and commandments of God.

When Jesus spoke he was keenly aware that the church was compromised and the original intent of the scriptures had been perverted to fit not what was correct, but what was comfortable. The pharisees and teachers of the law had taught “their” versions and interpretations of scripture.

Jesus comes in to challenge those thoughts. Today we face similar challenges as the battle for information and ideaology rages on in the world. A world where truth is now defined by the preference of a social media alogorithm.

There is no Berean study. People simple build foundational doctrine and beliefs on the post that most align with their presuppositions.

Acts 17:10–14 NKJV

10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. 14 Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.

So in that small statement, Jesus gives us a major principle: “Stop believing everything that you hear and trust the word of God!”

B. Jesus Challenges Divorce

Jesus challenges the Divorce culture of the day. Genesis 2:24

Genesis 2:24 NKJV

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

God intended for the marriage covenant to last forever.

Malachai 2:13-16 says:

Malachi 2:13–16 NKJV

13 And this is the second thing you do: You cover the altar of the Lord with tears, With weeping and crying; So He does not regard the offering anymore, Nor receive it with goodwill from your hands. 14 Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the Lord has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant. 15 But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. 16 “For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the Lord of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.”

God was displeased because the people chose to break the covenant of marriage for frivolous reasons and preferential choices. They just simply had a want for something different.

There was not a vocal rejection of God. There was a rejection through saying one thing and living in a way that displeases HIM. In short:

Power Principle: Divorce is not a reset button. It should only be used rarely, soberly, and prayerfully.

Power Principle: It is possible to obey with our lips and disobey with our life.

Marriage is right, holy and pure. God blesses the institution. Marriage has been under attack not only from those who push the “normalizing” of divorce, but also to those who look at being married and having multiple children as a negative. No doubt to hear this in our world today would make us just as uncomfortable and many were then.

Matthew 5:32 NKJV

32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

The exception is not a commandment to divorce. It is an exception where repentance and reconciliation are not possible.The heart of the matter is God wishes us to honor our covenants.

2. Honesty and Trustworthiness

Matthew 5:33–37 NKJV

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Jesus is telling us in this scripture to that our character should be such that a simple Yes or No should do. Trustworthiness is the mortar to building strong relationships

This extends to mom’s and dad’s keeping their promises to their children

Spouses keeping their promises to their spouse.

Workers Keeping the promise to give an honest days work for an honest days pay to their employers

Power Principle: We don’t have to swear to anyone to prop up the truth. The truth will stand on its’ own.

3.Choosing the High Road

Matthew 5:38–42 NKJV

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

The phrase eye for an eye was a way to describe justice properly letting punishments fit the crime.

Exodus 21:23–25 NKJV

23 But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

By Jesus’ day this phrase had been used as a tool for personal vendettas. The laws were designed to limit personal vengeance and put it in the hands of a non-vengeful third party.

We should not be set get even. It is our first natural reaction but we must fight it. We need to walk in SUPERNATURAL. forgiveness.

You cannot hate who you pray for

4. Loving our Enemies

Matthew 5:43–48 NKJV

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father 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. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Perfect or Christlike in:

character

Holiness - full of love and mystery

maturation - this is dependent on

We should be christlike in love