It Begins in the Heart
Notes
Transcript
Start these teachings with a reminder of what Jesus said at the beginning.
19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
We want to be great kingdom citizens.
21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. 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.
“If you haven’t killed someone then you are ok” — Rhaka (blockhead/idot), Moré (Fool) — Hate vs. Righteous Anger — Jesus called the Pharisees blind fools, Morés (Fools)
13 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you don’t go in, and you don’t allow those entering to go in. 15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to make one convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a child of hell as you are! 16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever takes an oath by the temple, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath by the gold of the temple is bound by his oath.’ 17 Blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?
We are often raised and taught in the church it’s never ok to be angry with people, but then we read things like this from Jesus, What does God say about being angry
16 The Lord hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to him: 17 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil, 19 a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.
God hates evil,
8 For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and injustice; I will faithfully reward my people and make a permanent covenant with them.
and we are told to hate evil
10 You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his faithful ones; he rescues them from the power of the wicked.
And unless you think that is just the Old Testament, Here is the NT
6 Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Jesus warned us about calling someone a fool, but Jesus called the Pharisees fools, So how do we understand this difference?
9 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
Where should our hatred be focused?
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.
So how should we act towards others who are committing these evils?
22 Have mercy on those who waver; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
we must have mercy on others and seek to snatch them from the fire while hating the sin they commit. So why was Jesus so harsh with the Pharisees? He said it
13 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you don’t go in, and you don’t allow those entering to go in.
Our Mercy can not be a false mercy. If we see injustice, (Show sinner mercy while ignoring victim?) We must take a bold stance against injustice for the victims.
21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. 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.
You are not just guilty after the act of murder, you are guilty at the act of hatred.
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.
If you have wronged your brother or sister, you should repent, so serious you should stop your worship
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. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.
If you have wronged an enemy, you should repent, Will not be able to pay what is due, will never get out, hatred makes a lousy kingdom, but repentance and mercy make a great kingdom
19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Let’s be great members of God’s kingdom so that the kingdom on earth will be great!!