A Greater Righteousness (2b)
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Announce text: Matthew 5:21-32
Key Text: Matthew 5:21-32
Greeting
Question: length of sermons too long?
Doesn’t mean they will be shorter (all the time)
If HS is moving, we will not squelch the SPIRIT - stop HIS work
We will continue to follow HIS lead & allow HIM to move
ALWAYS!!!
I do want to be sensitive to what we can reasonably digest
might be different for everyone
Constantly learning and wanting to improve in practical aspects of preaching
BUT I will ALWAYS defer to HS
We are all on a personal journey in our spiritual growth
challenge is to provide both “milk” & “meat”
If you ever have questions about what I have preached, please ask me
talk afterwards, email, phone call, office visit
Review
Matthew 5:17-48, first part of main body of JESUS’ message
Beginning in v.21, JESUS gives 6 teachings (BP: case studies) of how to apply the ethics HE has been teaching (Beatitudes)
JESUS uses a formulaic pattern to introduce each teaching
begin with variant of “You have heard that it was said ...”
followed by ...
a command from the Torah
paraphrase of several commands
or an interpretation of the command, like those of the Pharisees
Roman oppression - couldn’t live out commands, like they could when free
religious leaders came up with practical applications to honor original laws with their interpretations
talked previously about how those interpretations cause conflict with different views
then later, a variant of “but I say to you ...”
but (Gr. de) is a conjunction that connects the original command with what JESUS is saying about the command
HE isn’t doing away with the law, as HE said previously
HE is expanding on it to fulfill the Law - fill it to the full
sees commands as incomplete pointers to a more expansive righteousness
HE is modeling a relationship between what HE is saying to the command/interpretation that HE wants HIS followers to emulate
when HIS followers do this, they display the underlying Wisdom of GOD
they live a life that ...
fulfills the Torah
and become salt, light, city
Baseball game in 1894
That illustration reminds us how one unchecked conflict can unleash widespread devastation. This powerful story framed our launch into JESUS' first "case study" in the Sermon on the Mount, expanding on the Sixth Commandment—"You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17)—from legal repercussions to the heart's smoldering roots. Amid today's eroding rule of law, JESUS affirms Torah commands as pointers to deeper righteousness, modeling for followers a life as salt, light, and a city on a hill—embodying GOD's wisdom in relational dignity and harmony that resonates with observers, even in persecution.
The Big Idea shines through: GOD's command against murder discloses HIS deep affection for humanity, compelling believers to protect our hearts from anger's grip and to uphold the divine image in every person. In Matthew 5:21–48's six teachings—expansions—JESUS unveils Torah's fuller intent for KINGdom living. In the last message, we introduced the first of three transformative truths to propel us from outward compliance to inward renewal. The first transformative truth is that we must surpass superficial standards (vv. 21–22).
JESUS inverts norms, linking murderous rage (tied to Cain's unchecked anger in Genesis 4:6–7) to local court accountability, contemptuous labels like "good-for-nothing" (raca, Aramaic for "empty one") to Sanhedrin judgment, and "fool" (moros, origin of "moron") to Gehenna's hellfire.
This shocking progression—diminishing actions but intensifying penalties—exposes how we usurp GOD's evaluator role, devaluing lives as worthless. When we belittle others, it distorts us like murder itself; R.T. France notes the paradox where casual insults signal contempt GOD equates with killing's upstream heart.
Gehenna, from Hebrew *Ben Hinnom*, evokes divine retribution rooted in monarchy atrocities (Ahaz and Manasseh's child sacrifices in 2 Chronicles 28 & 33; Jeremiah 7:30–32's "Valley of Slaughter"), where human fires rebound on perpetrators—a vivid warning that destruction sown reaps its own harvest. Yet, every soul holds infinite worth in GOD's eyes, revived by HOLY SPIRIT's power to illuminate differently as "lights of the world." JESUS scrambles our values to spark reflection: Where have we judged another's dignity?
Continue the self-examination this week—let HOLY SPIRIT transform resentment into honor.
This morning, we will continue with truths 2 and 3.
Announce text again: Matthew 5:21-32
Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
21 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’
22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
23 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
25 “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
26 “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.
26 “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.
Prayer for added blessing to the reading of the Word
Message
Message
A childhood accident caused poet Elizabeth Barrett to lead a life of semi-invalidism before she married Robert Browning in 1846. There's more to the story. In her youth, Elizabeth had been watched over by her tyrannical father. When she and Robert were married, their wedding was held in secret because of her father's disapproval. After the wedding the Brownings sailed for Italy, where they lived for the rest of their lives. But even though her parents had disowned her, Elizabeth never gave up on the relationship. Almost weekly she wrote them letters. Not once did they reply. After 10 years, she received a large box in the mail. Inside, Elizabeth found all of her letters; not one had been opened! Today those letters are among the most beautiful in classical English literature. Had her parents only read a few of them, their relationship with Elizabeth might have been restored.
Daily Walk, May 30, 1992.
Introduction
Introduction
The Big Idea again: GOD’s command against murder reveals HIS heart for humanity, challenging believers to guard their hearts and relationships against anger and to honor the dignity of all people as created in GOD’s Image.
Righteousness in the Bible describes a world where individuals treat one another with dignity and respect, diligently resolving conflicts by doing right by each other. To discern this way of living, JESUS, in line with Israelite teachers, pointed to the ancient Scriptures—the Torah and Prophets, the Hebrew Bible—as the source of GOD's Wisdom. Meditating on the laws given to ancient Israel uncovers divine principles for relational harmony.
These timeless laws remain relevant today, to guide us in righteous conduct. In the Sermon on the Mount, JESUS exemplifies this by citing a Torah command and unveiling the deeper wisdom it embodies.
We will continue with part two of the message:
Cherishing Human Life: The Heart of God's Wisdom
Cherishing Human Life: The Heart of God's Wisdom
This morning, we will continue digging into the original command JESUS is highlighting and the Wisdom of GOD that JESUS draws out from the original command. Again, the Scripture JESUS was quoting is the 6th commandment from the Ten Commands and is found in:
13 “You shall not murder.
In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, JESUS challenges the traditional understanding of the commandments, revealing that the root of murder lies in unresolved anger. HE emphasizes that maintaining a pure heart is crucial, showing that GOD’s commandments are concerned not just with external actions but with internal motivations and relationships.
Today, as we dive into JESUS' radical expansion of the commandment against murder, we'll uncover how HE calls us from superficial obedience to profound heart change. We are going to finish the three points about GOD’s Wisdom JESUS draws out from the command, “You shall not murder.”
So, these are three transformative truths from the text that challenge us to move beyond surface-level righteousness toward a life of love, forgiveness, and urgent peacemaking.
The first transformative truth that we looked at last time and reviewed this morning is that we must surpass superficial standards.
Three Transformative Truths:
1. Surpass Superficial Standards
1. Surpass Superficial Standards
The second transformative truth is we should value reconciliation over rituals.
Three Transformative Truths:
1. Surpass Superficial Standards
1. Surpass Superficial Standards
2. Reconciliation Over Rituals
2. Reconciliation Over Rituals
Imagine arriving at church, ready to engage in worship, yet you have unresolved tension from a fractured relationship because you behaved horribly or said something awful to someone the night before or even that morning, and you left it there - that was how you departed from that person. JESUS says: Don’t think that you are right with ME, and that you’re ready to worship. Your worship will fall on deaf ears. Go make peace first!
In the remaining verses of our text this morning, JESUS begins providing examples of how we move beyond surface-level righteousness toward a life of love, forgiveness, and urgent peacemaking. This is how we are to demonstrate we value others the way the FATHER does.
23 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
Building on the contempt that fuels anger, JESUS here shows how unresolved devaluation of another blocks our worship—honoring others' dignity isn't optional; it's the gateway to approaching GOD. As we reflect back on the previous verses, we understand the context of the phrase, “your brother has something against you”, isn’t a scenario in which they’re offended over a simple misunderstanding or incorrect perception of something. Rather, there has been a legitimate wrong done here - a soul-wound type of offense. This is a situation in which the very core or essence of a person has been attacked and disregarded. We have put ourselves in the place of GOD, evaluated this person’s worth, and deemed them worthless by our actions and words.
In the post-Atonement world in which we live—meaning, now that JESUS died on the cross as the final sacrifice for sin, making atonement with GOD and making it possible for our relationship with GOD to be repaired—we no longer are required to offer animal sacrifices for our sin. However, we are called to be living sacrifices to the LORD, and it is tied to worship - our spiritual act of worship.
1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
When we are living in offense with someone, things aren’t right between us. When we haven’t done right by them, we aren’t living righteously. We have sinned, and our worship is in vain. Listen to the words of YHWH:
21 “I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 “Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings.
23 “Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.
24 “But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
King David sums it up succinctly in Psalm 66:18:
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
Later, JESUS called such people hypocrites, as HE echoed the same sentiment in Mark 7:6-8, as HE quoted from the prophet Isaiah:
6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.
7 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’
8 “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”
So, back to our context, worship without relational wholeness is hollow—hypocritical; reconciliation is the true offering. Worship must flow from a heart that acknowledges sin, repents, and seeks GOD's forgiveness. Merely reciting prayers or singing hymns while persisting in known sin is “worship in vain.” JESUS prioritizes mending broken bonds over religious formalities, echoing GOD's heart for unity as a form of praise.
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!
JESUS embodies this as our Ultimate RECONCILER, bridging humanity to GOD through HIS Blood—now we extend that bridge to others.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross ...
So, JESUS calls us as believers to address conflicts and seek reconciliation before offering worship, suggesting that actual peace and unity are a form of worship. By seeking reconciliation, we not only follow JESUS’ command but also embody HIS reconciling work on the cross.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
What about you, Beloved? Is there anyone you need to seek reconciliation with? If someone has something against you, or you have something against someone—reach out before next Sunday's worship. Text, call, or meet—what's one step toward making amends this week?
This leads us to the third transformative truth: We must be prompt in our peace-making.
Three Transformative Truths:
1. Surpass Superficial Standards
1. Surpass Superficial Standards
2. Reconciliation Over Rituals
2. Reconciliation Over Rituals
3. Prompt Peace-Making
3. Prompt Peace-Making
Next, JESUS warns of a courtroom you can't escape: the court of unresolved conflict. Why wait for judgment when peace is one conversation away?
25 “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
26 “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.
Like a lawsuit escalating to prison, unchecked disputes lead to spiritual bondage; settle quickly to avoid divine reckoning.
In JESUS' time, imprisonment for debt was a common legal practice used by creditors to exact payment from debtors. When debtors could not pay, creditors would bring them before a judge who would sentence them to imprisonment until they became solvent. This created a particularly harsh situation since imprisoned debtors had no opportunity to work and earn money to repay their debts, making it nearly impossible to secure release. The conditions in debtor's prison could be severe, with some debtors facing "tormentors" - court-appointed officials who used methods such as heavy chains, near-starvation rationing, protracted labor, and bodily tortures. Some creditors even took matters into their own hands, personally seizing debtors and casting them into prison. The system was designed primarily to pressure debtors or their friends to pay the ransom for release, though death in prison was always a possibility. JESUS used this harsh reality of debtor's prison as a vivid illustration, warning that just as a debtor would remain imprisoned until paying "the last penny" (the smallest Roman coin, the quadrans), unresolved spiritual conflicts could lead to similar spiritual bondage.
Scripture repeatedly urges us to settle disputes quickly, humbly, and with a soft answer.
Here is a practical guide to resolving disputes from Scripture:
Address the issue immediately (Matt 5:23-24).
23 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
2. First, speak privately (Matt 18:15).
15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.
3. Listen before responding (James 1:19).
19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;
4. Answer gently (Prov 15:1).
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
5. Seek forgiveness & pray together (James 5:16).
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
6. If necessary, involve a trusted 3rd party (Matt 18:16).
16 “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.
7. Aim for peace, even if met with resistance (Rom 12:18).
18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Paul kind of summarizes this checklist in Ephesians 4:2-3, where he demonstrates it all starts with and must be done with humility.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Humility is the foundational building block of all that follows. If we do not resolve matters quickly, strife will grow into deeper division.
Reference to opening illustration
The metaphor JESUS uses in vv.25-26 underscores forgiveness as proactive wisdom, transforming bitterness into CHRIST-like grace. It serves as a way of dealing with impending divine judgment by reconciling with adversaries. In CHRIST, we are freed from eternal judgment, we have forgiveness, and we experience inner transformation of the heart. HIS urgency models how we pursue peace as ambassadors of HIS KINGdom.
Beloved, don't let anger simmer—act today! If you are harboring bitterness, resentment, unresolved anger for someone, or if you know someone else is because of something you’ve done or said, I encourage you to act swiftly in resolving this matter as soon as possible. Anger, bitterness, and resentment have no place in the heart of a child of GOD. It is absolutely necessary that we work toward peace in living out the righteousness CHRIST modeled. If you’re struggling with forgiveness, ask HOLY SPIRIT to help you make this lifestyle change. You may need to first let go of the pain, so that you can focus on the healing HE wants to bring. Then you will live a life that reflects a heart transformed by Love and GOD’s Wisdom.
So, pj … What’s the point?
Conclusion
Conclusion
JESUS gets at the root of the matter … where did it start? With an internal heart attitude, and it wasn’t the pure in heart the FATHER seeks and the JESUS already addressed.
As we wrap up this morning, let's allow Jesus' words to sink deep into our hearts. We've walked through the flames of His wisdom: from the hidden sparks of anger that can incinerate relationships like that fateful 1894 Baltimore ballpark fire, to the radical interruption at the altar demanding reconciliation first, and on to the inescapable courtroom of unresolved grudges that imprisons the soul. These three transformative truths—surpassing superficial standards, choosing reconciliation over rituals, and pursuing prompt peacemaking—aren't mere ideals but God's divine blueprint for lives ablaze with love rather than destruction. At its core, the command against murder pulses with His passion for every image-bearing soul, calling us in a contempt-riddled world to douse division with humility, grace, and urgent mercy, empowered by the Spirit who raised Christ from the dead.
Beloved, let today be your pivot: Search your heart now—who emerges with an unhealed wound, unspoken apology, or crumbling bridge? Don't let it fester; this week, ignite change with a text, a call, or a face-to-face moment of softened words and attentive ears, echoing Elizabeth Barrett's persistent letters of hope. Remember, we're not alone—Jesus, our Great Reconciler, embodied this on the cross, burying grudges in grace and swapping hell's fire for heaven's welcome.
Time of response & introspection before Communion
Closing prayer & benediction
Let's pray:
HEAVENLY FATHER, kindle in us a thirst for YOUR wisdom; shield us from anger's embers, pull us into reconciliation's delight, and drive us to KINGdom Peace. In CHRIST's renewing name, amen.
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
24 The Lord bless you, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’
Scripture records the following words in v.27:
“So whenever they use my name to bless the Israelites, I will bless them.”
So, receive and go with the blessings of YAHWEH!
