The Heart of the Matter (3)

Matthew 5 CSB

1 When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to teach them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 11 “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 17 “Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished. 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. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. 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. 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. 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. 27 “You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. 28 But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 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. 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. 43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 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. 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.

Intro: Last week we looked at the statement by Jesus that He did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfil. Not only does the moral and religious law still stand. Jesus in his next series of statements of “You have heard that it was said” amplifies the requirements of the Law. Not only does the Law to govern our outward actions, but the spirit of it was also to govern our hearts. In this passage Jesus delivers 5 “You have heard that it was said” statements. Each time the words that are coming next were to challenge the listeners previous interpretation of the Law. The point of each one these statements is not necessarily the individual sin, but rather He is using these statements to lift the law to new heights and show us it’s true nature.

So for the sake of the being true to the context of the main point, we will only briefly touch on each one of the sins mentioned. so that we do not lose sight of the forest through the trees.

I. Regarding Murder

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. 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. 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. 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.

In 5:25–26, Jesus urged the offender to settle an offense quickly at lesser cost, rather than delay and incur the judgment of higher authority. Similarly, in 5:29–30, he urged his students to pay the lesser costs that may be required to halt an adulterous heart early on, rather than allow the sin to develop fully and incur the final judgment of God. Because Jesus repeated this pattern twice, we may take from it another underlying principle: It costs less to address the root of a sin early on than to carry the weight of the consequences of the sin fully developed as well as the weight of judgment before God.

Weber, S. K. (2000). Matthew (Vol. 1, pp. 67–68). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

A. The Current understanding - The Law say’s do not murder.

B. The amplification: unrighteous anger/hatred is the seed from which the fruit of murder is grows.

1 John 3:15 CSB

15 Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

The Solution: Forgive like Christ!

II. Regarding Adultery

Matthew 5:27–30 (CSB)

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

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

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.

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.

A. The current understanding - Do not have physical relations outside of marriage

B. The Amplification - Adultery is the fruit of uncontrolled desire or lust toward a person that is not your spouse.

The current understanding was that as long as I don’t have physical relations with a person that is not my spouse, I then satisfy the Law. Jesus once again shows those who would have believed themselves to be perfect concerning the holiness of God that they do not meet the requirements. Here Jesus goes right to the root cause of marital unfaithfulness lust. The point is not that lust and adultery are exactly the same thing. Adultery of the heart is not the same as physical adultery. However , Jesus is making the point that the root cause of adultery lust is an offense to the Lord. In fact he goes on to show the seriousness of the sin by the following statements. Its better to lose your body parts and live this life maimed than it is to end up in Hell.

Jesus is showing once again that lust is a serious offense to the Lord, deserving of judgment.

It is amazing to me how many people will admit they reject the Bible and the gospel because they do not want God involved in their sex-life. They want to be able to do whatever they want.

Here Jesus condemns this sin and amplifies the Law. He raises in their eyes a new standard of holiness and purity.

Solution: Guard your thoughts through the Helmet of salvation and guard your eyes.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 CSB

8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation.

Philippians 4:8 CSB

8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.

Trans: Then Jesus transition to another form of Adultery.

III. Regarding Divorce

As we approach this subject and if you find yourself in this current situation, it is important to remember that this doesn’t make you a second rate christian. Your circumstances do not change the scriptures, but I will remind the audience today that the prohibition and comparison of lust to adultery would mean that there isn’t probably a person in this room that would not fall into the category of at the very least having commited adultery of the heart. This does not lessen the sting of its teaching or of its consequence, but it should make us all thankful for the grace of God.

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.

A. The current understanding - I can divorce for any reason as long as I provide a written bill of divorcement.

Matthew 19:8 CSB

8 He told them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts, but it was not like that from the beginning.

Divorce in Moses’ day was an accepted cultural practice. It was so-ingrained into the culture(hardness of their hearts) of the people the law was given as a way to regulate and control it. It was far from God placing his seal of approval on it. In fact, Jesus says, “It was not this way from the beginning.” In other words divorce is not God’s plan.

B. The Amplification - Jesus said, that divorce and remarriage outside of this perquisite is the same as adultery.

To better understand where this idea came from we have to go back to the O.T. Divorce in Moses day was running rampant. It was a huge problem not just within Israel but also through the ancient world. Many divorces were taking place instantaneously. A husband and wife would have a dispute and they would divorce. The divorced spouse would than find a new husband, but after things would cool down the first husband might want her back and the wife may also want to return. So then another divorce would take place and she would return to her first husband.

So the law of divorce delivered by Moses was not intended to say that divorce was God honoring if done correctly but rather the law was enacted to help regulate the problem and to stop the spousal swapping that was taking place. For this reason, we Jesus in Matthew 19:8 say that the bill of divorcement was given because of the hardness of the your hearts.” In fact, Jesus goes on to say “it was not like that from the beginning” In other words, the original design in marriage was for marriage to last for a lifetime.

Jesus did seem to offer one exception to this clause “except in the case of sexual immorality” If it was found out that a spouse was having relations with another person either prior to their wedding during their betrothal period or afterward they had biblical grounds for divorce.

“causes her to commit adultery. It was understood that in Moses day a woman would need a husband to provide for her. To be without a husband would in most cases be a life of extreme poverty. So out of survival a woman would need to remarry. So If a husband simply was displeases with his wife and decides to divorce her he caused her to commit adultery. And a man that marries a divorced woman also commits adultery. So once again Jesus does not lesson the requirements of the law but rather increases them. We see that

Divorce is not a means to escape marital strife or to seek out happiness, but was designed as a last resort for a hardened heart. Either the hardened heart of a single spouse or the both of them. Divorce was not to be seen as acceptable but answering the problem of a sinful condition.

Of course we see one other qualifier mentioned later on in scripture.

Solution: If possible stay married, work on your marriage. Seek counseling if your struggling.

IV. Regarding Oaths

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. 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. 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.

A. The current understanding - Keep your vows to the Lord

Leviticus 19:12 CSB

12 Do not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God; I am the Lord.

Oaths were only necessary when the reliability of the persons word is suspect. So Jesus once again amplifies the law by getting to the root of the problem - honesty

B. Amplification: Do not sware a vow by anything at all. Simply let your word be your bond.

Oath swearing is not really something that we take seriously in our current culture. In this day many oaths were legally binding. Many people would use the name of the Lord in an oath as a symbol of there sincerity. We hear people lightly use this a frame of reference in the usage of “ I swear to God” But hear Jesus tells us not to make such foolish oaths. How can we swear by things that we have no authority over or control. Leviticus 19:12 tells us do not break any oath that was invoking God’s name because in that way we profane Him. We lower the world’s view of the God. Instead our word should mean something by the merit of our own character. Yes should mean yes and no means no.

V. Regarding Vengeance

Matthew 5:38–42 CSB

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

A. The current understanding - An eye for an eye.

Eye for and eye – In the mind of the listeners vengeance was perfectly acceptable as long as the person was entitled to some sort of retribution from the actions of others.

B. Amplification: Don’t be so concerned with your own personal rights instead go above and beyond to show the grace of God to those who would oppress you.

VI. Concerning Your Enemies

Matthew 5:43–48 (CSB)

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

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.

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.

A. The Current understanding - I bare no burden of responsibility to care for my enemy

B. The Amplification - Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.

Application: There is one main point or theme of all of this teaching. It is possible to go through the motions of obedience to the law but completely miss the the spirit of which the law was intended to produce. In other words, there is outward conformity, but yet inward failure.

Our heart should match the outward expression of our faith. The hardest part of obedience to the Lord is not in the action but rather in the heart.

As we looked at each one of these “You have heard that it was said statement as I mentioned at the beginning. The point of this was not so much the individual sins mentioned. In fact, you could replace them with really any sin and still come up with the same main application.

This is about going through the motions of obedience, looking the part of a Christ-follower but yet having your heart far from God. So many people in churches today, look the part. They are moral good citizens maybe even serve in some capacity in the church. They may even tithe, Yet their heart isn’t really passionate about the things of God. Instead, they focus mostly on keeping the external works of being a good person, a good church member.

Are you passionate not about the things of the law but rather allowing God to change your heart for greater service to him.

Or maybe you were once passionate about pursuing the heart of God, but due to the cares of everyday life like a marriage that has no intentionality you’ve lost that drive to truly pursue more.

God doesn’t desire that we go through the motions of obedience only to have a callused heart toward Him and his work. He doesn’t desire obedience only but rather a heart that is turned to Him.

Example: Think of King David. David did some pretty awful things at times. He was a murderer. He was full of lust that lead to adultery. He was at times vengeful and was going to kill Nabal on the account of nabals refusal to feed David’s men after they had protected them.

Yet David was a man after God’s own heart. He was repentant and not only sought obedience but through his Psalms you could hear his desire to know the heart of God in all matters of life.

Are you like David? Your passed sins are forgiven but have you allowed to affect your heart. Are you pursuing the heart of God in all things. Do you need to ask God to rekindle a passion in your heart for Him?

Pursuing holiness is not just about behavior modification and obeying the law(although one cannot be pursing holiness with out it . Pursuing the external obedience to the law is Just the beginning. It’s the starting point but Jesus wants more from us. He want us to be that passionate bride of Christ, that thinks about him and pursues his heart.

This passion for him will protect us from sin.

Practical Illustrations: 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude (12-140: The Secret to Holiness (Godliness))

Living a pure life takes total commitment. Therefore, we must be very careful: what we hold on to will also hold on to us.Just out of reach from my window stretches a wire which carries a heavy current of electricity for light and power. It is carefully insulated at every pole that supports it, and it is carried well out of common reach.… Yet the doves light on it and take no harm.… The secret is that when they touch the full-powered wire they touch nothing else. The give themselves wholly to it.My danger would be that while I touched the wire I should also be touching the earth through the walls of my house, and the current would turn my body into a channel for escape. But they [the doves] rest wholly on the wire and experience neither dread nor danger. They are one with it, and they are safe.So would God have us seek our safety in complete self-surrender to His power and love. It is when we reach one hand to Him, while yet we keep fast hold on some forbidden thing with the other, that we are in danger.Are you holding on to something that is forbidden? It’s time to let go and let God take over!