Sermon on the Mount Wk. 5

Bible Passage: Matthew 5:27–32

Introduction:

Water, Ice, Steam

All three are different forms of the same thing.

At a molecular level, it is all H2O

Our main topic tonight takes many forms but it all boils down to the same thing within our heart.

Matthew 5:27–28 ““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 you do this external action, you’ve broken God’s Law.

There are still many ways we break the law of adultery today: Cheating on spouse, having sex outside of marriage.

Just like with Murder/Anger, Jesus has raised the standard merely from an external action, to an internal condition.

This immediately encompasses viewing, listening too, or reading pornographic material. (Screen, through music, in a book)

It gets worse, because all you really need to commit the sin of adultery is yourself.

The sin of adultery has many forms, but at its molecular core, it is lust in the heart. (Desiring physically what is not yours)

Remembering last week, Jesus has taken the two “Big Sins” (murder, adultery) and said this.

“I know you think you’ve got a shot to get to heaven because you’ve never committed those two sins, but i’ve got bad news for you. Because of your corrupt heart, you are a murder and an adulterer.”

You and I are murderers and adulterers.

Then Jesus gives us some even more bad news.

Matthew 5:29–30 “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.”

How far are you willing to go to remove sin from your life?

What are you willing to sacrifice, to rid your life of Sin?

Even removing the parts of our body that cause us to sin is not enough to cleanse our sinful hearts.

Matthew 5:31–32 ““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.”

This passage addresses a very specific aspect of divorce that relates to the previous passage

If you divorce someone legally just because you want to sleep with someone else, you are still an adulterer.

God hates divorce, because He loves marriage!

Big Idea: We all fall short, but through Christ, we can be transformed from the inside out, healing our hearts and relationships.

What should I do?

Stop letting yourself off the hook.

The same sin that you convince yourself is ok because its not as bad as others, is still the sin Jesus had to die for on the Cross

Cut sin out of your life.

REPENT (Die Daily).

Turn to Jesus!

Questions:

What does Jesus say about the relationship between thoughts and actions in Matthew 5:27-32?

How does this passage reflect the concept of sin originating from the heart rather than just external actions?

In what ways can we cultivate a pure heart to align our thoughts with God’s desires?

What specific steps can you take to remove harmful influences from your life that contribute to sinful thoughts?

What does Jesus teach about divorce in this passage, and how is it connected to the topic of lust?