Matthew 5:21-48

Righteousness Redefined: The Call to True Discipleship

Righteousness Reframes Anger

Matthew 5:21–26 CSB

21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment.

Jesus sites the 6th commandment-DO NO MURDER-along with consequence

Matthew 5:21–26 CSB

22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire.

Murder starts in the heart it is a heart issue.

Matthew 5:21–26 CSB

23 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

Everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.

Matthew 5:21–26 CSB

25 Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you’re on the way with him to the court, or your adversary will hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison.

Contempt follows—calling someone “Raca” (an Aramaic insult meaning “empty” or “blockhead”)

or “fool” escalates the offense!

Matthew 5:21–26 CSB

26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.

Matthew 18:15 CSB

15 “If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.

Reconcile!!!

Hard to be mean and hurtful when you are in person.

Satan wants you to isolate.

Purity Begins Within

Matthew 5:27–30 CSB

27 “You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery.

Jesus quotes the 7th commandment.

Matthew 5:27–30 CSB

28 But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Jesus intensifies the call to purity by linking lust with adultery!

Matthew 5:27–30 CSB

29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

Highlighting the significance of internal desires!

Matthew 5:27–30 CSB

30 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 the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

It is a HEART issue.

1 John 2:16 CSB

16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world.

It is a HEART issue.

James 1:14–15 CSB

14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

It is a HEART issue.

Faithful Foundations of Marriage

Matthew 5:31–32 CSB

31 “It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce. 32 But I tell you, everyone who divorces his wife, except in a case of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Jesus reaffirms the divine ideal from Genesis

—an inseparable union of man and wife, both spiritually and physically

—as a concession to human hardness of heart had permitted divorce.

Integrity in Every Oath

Matthew 5:33–37 CSB

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord.

In the ancient world;

Swearing oaths was ubiquitous;

Likely connected to the high value placed on words having power to affect reality.

Matthew 5:33–37 CSB

34 But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, because it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King.

Vow-making had become an elaborate way to wiggle out of promises

—a way to only partially fulfill one’s vows.

Matthew 5:33–37 CSB

36 Do not swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.

2 Corinthians 1:17–20 CSB

17 Now when I planned this, was I of two minds? Or what I plan, do I plan in a purely human way so that I say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 18 As God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes and no.” 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you—Silvanus, Timothy, and I—did not become “Yes and no.” On the contrary, in him it is always “Yes.” 20 For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in him. Therefore, through him we also say “Amen” to the glory of God.

Integrity of our words!

Jesus invites His followers to be people of truth;

Whose 'Yes' or 'No' reflect a heart aligned with God's truthfulness.

This point encourages integrity in communication, challenging believers to match their words with their hearts, just as Jesus perfectly embodies and speaks truth in everything.

Radical Righteousness in Response

Matthew 5:38–42 CSB

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

Jesus revolutionizes the principle of retaliation, advocating for radical love and non-retaliation.

Matthew 5:38–42 CSB

39 But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

This radical generosity and graciousness in relationships reflect Jesus' sacrificial love and forgiveness.

Matthew 5:38–42 CSB

40 As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Living with a grace-filled hearts that overcomes vengeance with love, just as Christ forgave us.

Love Like Our Lord

Matthew 5:43–48 CSB

43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

Jesus’ command to love enemies, which epitomizes the radical love He calls His followers to demonstrate.

Matthew 5:43–48 CSB

44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

This exemplifies the ultimate expression of righteousness, as believers are called to love as the Father loves.

This point should inspire us to actively love those who oppose us, shining Christ's light into a world that needs His transformative love.

Matthew 5:43–48 CSB

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Main Point

Discipleship is a radical commitment to being changed from the inside out. Heart Transformation