How Do You Destroy an Enemy? You Make Them a Friend!
Easy to say, is it easy to do?
Matt 5:43-48
Love Your Neighbor
Love Your Enemy (do loving things for them)
Pray for Your Enemy (pray daily for them)
As we do these things, we become more like Christ.
As we do these things, we will find it harder for someone to still feel like an enemy.
Read MoreMatthew 5:33-42 – How Will People Know We Follow Jesus?
Oaths
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to
the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is
God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great
King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need
to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. [a]
Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ [b] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an
evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone
wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile,
go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants
to borrow from you.
“I say to you” – divine authority and Kingdom ethics
+ Jesus is again drawing out the real significance of the Old Testament law
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to
the Lord the vows you have made.’
“Do not break your oath” – alludes to:
Leviticus 19:12
2 “‘Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.
Numbers 30:2
2 When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not
break his word but must do everything he said.
- Do not perjure yourself…don’t lie
+ “…to swear” does not mean to curse or use bad words, but to affirm the truth of a statement while
calling on God to judge oneself if it is in fact untrue.
+ Jesus is basically saying “don’t swear at all”
+ TO CLARIFY: There are oaths that are consistent with God’s character and demands even in the New
Testament
2 Corinthians 1:18
18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.”
Galatians 1:20
20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.
+ Given the elaborate hierarchy of laws of first century Judaism on oaths, Jesus declares that it would be
best to avoid them altogether…not because of the commandment, but because of their traditions.
+ The Lord’s name was not to be used falsely, so the Jews developed a “theology of oaths”
34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for
it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head,
for you cannot make even one hair white or black.
+ Basically, Jewish leaders viewed swearing by “heaven’, “earth”, “Jerusalem” or one’s head as
less binding than swearing “by God” – they weren’t swearing by God, so they were releasing
themselves from the promise they were making
- Jesus responds by stressing that each of these items belongs to God in an important
way, so that the conventional Jewish distinctions are not genuine.
Isaiah 66:1
66 This is what the LORD says:
“Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
Where will my resting place be?
- Heaven is God’s throne – earth is His footstool – Jerusalem is His city and He numbers
the hairs of our heads and chooses their color.
Matthew 23:16-22
16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone
who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the
gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means
nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which
is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar
swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the
one who dwells in it. 22 And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who
sits on it.
+ The Jews apparently reasoned that, because a lien could not be put on the temple or altar,
then oaths invoking those objects were meaningless. Jesus maintains that the temple, gold, altar
and gifts all point to God and remain equally sacred – so oaths taken in their name remain
equally binding.
+ All that being said, No promise can ever be made, no word ever spoken without it being done in the
presence of God
+ Jesus is pointing out their deep-seated dishonesty – their lies masquerading as theology (whoa)
THE POINT IS: Let your YES mean YES and your NO mean NO. We should not have to call on God to
witness what we say because God is watching us and present as we speak, knowing our hearts through
and through. Jesus’ followers should be people whose words are so characterized by integrity that
others need no formal assurance of their truthfulness in order to trust them.
37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. [a]
+ Jesus said that anything beyond straightforward honesty comes ‘from the evil one’’
+ Do you start sentences with “to be honest”, or “honestly” to drive home your point? What
does that say about the rest of the time?
We know now what this is saying…what is this NOT saying?
1. This is NOT talking about oaths in a court of law. It’s highly unlikely that this is what Jesus was talking
about. He was obviously prepared to speak under oath during His trial:
Matthew 26:63-64
63 But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the
Son of God.”
64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man
sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” [a]
+ When He was under oath, Jesus broke the silence He had maintained in the earlier part of the
proceedings as though recognizing the binding nature of being put under oath.
2. This is NOT talking about being “brutally honest” letting your venting, attitude, irritation, jealousy and
arrogance masquerade as actual honesty.
+ “I just call it like it is. That’s the way I am”. “The truth hurts”… Don’t confuse honesty with
being a unkind. Christians can be really good at this. Our arrogant frankness masquerading as
honesty
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ [b]
“Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth…” – Jesus is alluding to:
Exodus 21:23-24
23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand,
foot for foot,
Deuteronomy 19:20-21
20 The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil thing be done
among you. 21 Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
+ These were speaking of justice, not retaliation. In fact, it was done to limit, and if necessary, restrain
retaliation.
+ Christian kindness should transcend even straightforward retribution
3. In light of prevailing ethical thought, Jesus contrasts radically with most others of His day in stressing
the need to decisively break the natural chain of evil action and reaction that characterizes human
relationships.
39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the
other cheek also.
+ “resist” often used in a legal context
+ Jesus’ teaching similar to 1 Corinthians 6:7 against not taking fellow believers to court, though
it could be translated “do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you”
+ But we are to resist evil:
James 4:7
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Striking a person on the right cheek suggests a backhanded slap from a typically right-handed aggressor
and was a characteristic Jewish form of insult.
+ The only legal recourse against this insult is to take someone to court…similar to libel or
defamation of character
+ Jesus teaches us not to trade such insults, even if it means receiving more
( In NO way does it require Christians to subject themselves or others to physical danger or
abuse)
+ Don’t make your “rights” the basis for your relationships with others. Jesus is teaching us that
standing on OUR rights and seeking to have OUR dignity reaffirmed is not the Christian response
to an insult.
+ Will anyone be won for the Kingdom by your retaliation?...by standing for your rights?
40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
+ Clearly limited to a legal context. If a coat was taken as a financial pledge, it had to be returned
by nightfall, because for some, it served as both clothing and bedding.
- One must be willing to give as collateral an outer garment – more than what the law could
require, which was just an inner garment (Exodus 22:26-27)
Exodus 22:26
26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset, 27 because that cloak is the only
covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am
compassionate.
+ Coat and shirt are contemporary parallels to cloak and tunic
+ Jesus’ point is this: when His followers meet with opposition and persecution, they should not stand
on their legal rights. Instead, where the sin of others abounds, grace in them should abound much more.
In that, we will be like Him.
41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
+ Referring to the Roman conscription of private citizens to help carry military equipment for Roman
soldiers
The soldiers didn’t have the right to make someone go more than a mile. Jesus is saying to do it
voluntarily.
+ Simon of Cyrene – forced to carry Jesus’ cross
+ The Jews hated this practice because it publically illustrated the humiliation of being a
subjugated people.
+ Jesus’ point here is that the Christian does the unexpected, because grace makes him or her
seek to win others by love rather than retaliate on the basis of rights.
4. Each of these commands require Jesus followers to act more generously than what the letter of the
law demanded – sometimes literally “going the extra mile”
+ Not only are we called to reject and avoid retaliation, but to positively work for the good of
those with whom we would otherwise be at odds.
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
+ Jesus presumes that the needs are genuine, and commands us not to ignore them.
+ This was not a legal duty
Romans 13:10
10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
+Only when we show love, grace and sacrifice for the sake of others, will they see what the God-given
meaning of the law really is…the “but I tell you”…Then, they will understand that our citizenship is in the
Kingdom of Heaven
BE DIFFERENT than what the world would teach and expect
BE SELFLESS (think of your SELF less)
BE HONEST without being unkind
BE KIND
BE OBVIOUS
+ The works of the flesh disqualify us for the Kingdom of God because they break God’s law, but there is
no law against the fruit of the Spirit, those things whose opposites the law forbids.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Matthew 7:15-20
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are
ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from
thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree
bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good
fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by
their fruit you will recognize them.
+ Way too many Christians who are not demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit
By our fruit, people will know us. - They can trust us when we speak.
Matthew 5:33-42 – How will people know we follow Jesus? 07/24/22
Matthew 5:33-42
Matthew 5:33
Leviticus 19:12
Numbers 30:2
2 Corinthians 1:18
Galatians 1:20
Matthew 5:34-36
Isaiah 66:1
Matthew 23:16-22
Matthew 5:37
Matthew 26:63-64
Matthew 5:38
Exodus 21:23-24
Deuteronomy 19:20-21
Matthew 5:39
James 4:7
Matthew 5:40
Exodus 22:26
Matthew 5:41
Matthew 5:42
Romans 13:10
Galatians 5:22-23
Matthew 7:15-20
Read MoreMatthew 5:27-30 – The Heart of the Matter is the Matter of the Heart
Jesus moves on from the 6 th to the 7 th commandment…”You shall not kill”
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ [a] 28 But I tell you that anyone who
looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye
causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body
than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it
off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go
into hell.”
Exodus 20:14 – “You shall not commit adultery” One of the 10 commandments
Leviticus 20:10 – Punishable by death
10 “‘If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the
adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.”
Jesus says “You have heard it said”. He is not quoting scripture or changing scripture, but referencing
man’s traditions around the old testament law.
+ Moses and the scribes did not emphasize the internal aspects of adultery, but just the external…the
act…which was punishable by death. For many, it became a conveniently narrow definition of sin. You
were either an adulterer or not, and if you were caught, you were dead.
Part of that narrow definition…
Deuteronomy 24:1 – References divorcing a woman because she is “displeasing”
If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about
her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house
1. According to some of the scribes, a man could divorce his wife if he grew “cool” toward her if he
didn’t like her cooking.
+ A law that was clearly intended to safeguard marriage and the women of Israel was turned
into an escape clause for self-indulgent men…also pious and proud
+ Jesus was speaking to these arrogant leaders who were counting themselves righteous,
knowing , but He knew the condition of their hearts. He knows the condition of our hearts too.
It was very natural, as it is today, for those of us who are non-adulterers to feel maybe a little smug or
conceited…the whole…”I haven’t done THAT”. “Jesus isn’t talking to me on that one.”
(Proverbs 11:2) When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
So in this passage, Jesus introduces a radically new standard.
Few of us have not crossed that line from attraction to lust at some time – this should fill us with a
poverty of spirit and a humility that realizes that we are spiritually bankrupt. It also should make us
amazed that God loves us the way He does.
+ Jesus carries us to a place that we never saw coming but was intended by God all along.
…”but I say…” Jesus is speaking with authority…
+The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart
+ In this life…in this world, much like Jesus saying hatred in our hearts being the same as
murder, the penalty is not the same as it is for murder, neither are the consequences of lust
literally the same as adultery, but God sees them as worthy of the same penalty…
+ Jesus calls a halt to this distortion of God’s word by saying that the lust that leads to adultery
will also lead a man to hell.
+ Adultery actually breaches several of the 10 Commandments: the commandment that forbids
it, coveting which leads to theft and even idolatry.
2. Jesus is not talking about looking or recognizing someone’s beauty, but lustfully looking or fantasizing
about more than just looks…a GAZE, not a GLANCE...and to Him (“But I tell you…”) it’s the same.
It starts in “The heart”…What does the Bible say about the heart?
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
3. We need to recognize that those thoughts and actions which, long before any overt sexual sin, makes
the possibility of giving into temptation more likely, and we must take dramatic action to avoid them.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
The crucible for silver…refinement of precious metals…to purify us
Proverbs 25:4-5
Remove the dross from the silver,
and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established through righteousness.
Consider God a silversmith refining us…impure stuff comes to the top under heat
James 1:2-4
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, [ a ] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of
your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect
and complete, lacking in nothing.
We need to leave our lives of sin behind…all sin, and allow God to refine us.
John 8:2-11
2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat
down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery.
They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of
adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were
using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning
him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a
stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left,
with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they?
Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
+ Jesus does not condemn her, but calls out the hypocrisy of those willing to stone her.
+ We don’t really know what Jesus wrote, but consider this possibility….
+ Jesus wrote in the sand twice…you could say that Jesus was drawing a line in the sand – for her
to step over and sin no more.
+ We need to draw a line in the sand in our own lives
4. How do we draw a line in the sand?
Colossians 3:5
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry.
Vs 29:
29: If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose
one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes
you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for
your whole body to go into hell.”
+ The eyes can entice the heart, and the heart, enticed by the eyes, directs the hands
+ Does Jesus want us to literally cut off our hand or pluck out our eyes?
No. He wants us to:
+ Realize where sin will take us and turn from it. Jesus said that Hell is the direction where all sin
leads
+ God has something better for all of us
+ Deal with sin aggressively, immediately and decisively. You don’t need to cut off your hands, but…
+ If you need to cancel Netflix, then do it
+ If you need to get a flip phone, then do that
+ If you need to quit your job to guard your heart, prayerfully consider it.
+ If you need to get rid of your romance novels, then do it
+ You may need better friends
Do whatever you have to do…for your eternal soul, for your marriage, for your children…
Jesus is also addressing you and YOUR sinful heart, me and MINE. He says to pluck out YOUR eye, not
someone else’s.
Matthew 7:4-5
4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a
plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see
clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
+ Don’t blame others for your sin…take responsibility for it. While there is truth in avoiding doing things
that cause a brother or sister to stumble, blaming how people dress or whether you are satisfied at
home for the condition of your heart, or the actions that come from it, is no different than the scribes’
escape clause for their self-indulgence. Jesus put that idea to death.
James 4:17
17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
Why did He have to say it? He doesn’t want us to go to hell. Sin takes us there. Period.
Francis Chan-
“Hell is the backdrop that reveals the profound and unbelievable grace of the cross. It brings to light the
enormity of our sin and therefore portrays the undeserved favor of God in full color.”
There is good news…He is good news, and a greater understanding of the depth and scope of our sin,
will give us a greater understanding of our need for a Savior.
Romans 5:8
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:9
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the
dead, you will be saved.
We’re saved by the cross…the same God that said “this is how I see it…” is the same one who rescues us
from it. The more we understand the depths and consequences of our sin, the greater appreciation and
desire we’ll have for the One who rescues us from it.
The Heart of the Matter is the Matter of the Heart – July 17, 2022
Scripture References
Matthew 5:27-30
Exodus 20:14
Leviticus 20:10
Proverbs 11:2
Jeremiah 17:9
Proverbs 4:23
Psalm 51:10
Proverbs 25:4-5
James 1:2-4
John 8:2-11
Colossians 3:5
Matthew 5:29-30
Matthew 7:4-5
James 4:17
Romans 5:8
Romans 10:9
Read MoreWhat's Up with Divorce?
Matt 5:31-32; 19:3-9
In 2021, there were 1.7 million marriages with 700,000 divorces.
1,000,000 million children see their parents’ divorce annually.
I was reading RC Sproul and the book by Harvard sociologist, Pitirim Sorokin, around the middle of the 20th century. He was pointing to the impending crisis in families between 1910 and 1948.
The divorce rate in:
· 1910 was 10%
· 1948 was 25%
Sorokin (historian of culture) said no civilization can survive when 1 out of 4 marriages are falling apart.
The divorce rate in:
· USA – 45% ---- in 1981 it was 53%
· Spain – 63%
· Belgium – 71%
· Global Divorce Rate projected for 2022 – 48%
Pharisees tried to trap Jesus. The thought was to get Jesus to offend the powerful or the religious.
Divorce for Sexual Immorality and Abandonment.
Church should comfort and confront.
Read MoreSeries: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance
Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26 (main)
Title: Why Reconciliation is Necessary and Urgent? (Darien Gabriel)
Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)
Summary of passage: Jesus lays out the principles and rules of kingdom living.
Bottom Line: Reconciliation with brothers and sisters in Christ is necessary and urgent.
Discussion questions for group and personal study.
1. Why does Jesus move from commands like "Do not murder"and "Do not commit adultery" to warnings against anger and lust?
What is the purpose of these antitheses?
2. Read Mark 7:20-23 again. How do our outward actions and reactions reveal the health of our hearts?
What is the solution to our evil actions?
3. Is Jesus teaching that anger and murder are equal sins? Why or why not?
4. Why is it important not to call our brother or sister "fool"?
What does this action reveal about one's heart toward one's brother or sister?
5. What is the principle from Jesus's illustration about giving an offering in the first-century context?
Can this principle apply to areas other than giving financially? How?
6. How does Jesus's warning to settle disputes contrast with appropriately using the legal system, for example, to further justice in the world?
7. Review the four important questions this chapter gives to assess your relationship with your brothers and sisters.
Are there people you need to reconcile with?
What steps can you take this week to do so?
8. How do Jesus's actions in the Gospel exemplify the type of reconciliation we should pursue?
9. What does this passage teach us about God's view of sin?
10. How do these antitheses relate to Jesus's call for a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees in 5:20?
Final Questions (optional or in place of above)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Opening to Sermon:
I have been at GCF for 16 years. Over those years there have been times when I’ve butted heads with someone. Sometimes it’s been with other leaders. We’ve said things to each other that we wish we could take back. We felt the sting of disunity and disharmony. I know what it’s like to try and worship under those circumstances. I know what it’s like to try and preach under those circumstances.
Jesus is going to challenge us to evaluate our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ. He’s going to tell us that reconciliation with people leads to authentic worship and reconciliation with God. He’s going to tell us it’s necessary and urgent.
Jesus starts out with a series of contrasts between what the Pharisees and teachers of the law say is the law and what Jesus the new Moses and lawgiver says is the law—and the heart of the law.
“I tell you” or “I say to you” — these phrases are basically 2 sides of the same coin.
“I tell” or “I say” — this is Jesus speaking with authority. Consider who’s speaking here. Our creator is speaking. No one has more authority in our life than he does!
“You” — this is who he’s speaking to. Anyone with the humility to listen. Anyone who wants to follow Jesus. Anyone wanting into the kingdom.
He’ll use this phrase every time he wants to set up a contrast between what the teachers of the law have taught (read traditions of the elders) and what Jesus would say is what the law says and means.
Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “It is written.” Because he’s not taking issue with the scriptures. He’s taking issue with the traditions the teachers of the law have built around the Law. This is where things got off track. This is what Jesus aims to correct and fulfill.
Jesus starts out with something that terrorizes our relationships—anger. He’s going to provide proper interpretation to this in the OT and then give 2 situations that illustrate that reconciliation is necessary and urgent. This may be the most challenging message you face this year. Throughly practical.
Jesus will continue to bring up key ethical considerations for the kingdom citizen in the passages to come. This is his focus in this section of the sermon on the mount.
Jesus will address reconciliation through this sin. Reconciliation is necessary and urgent in the family of God.
“Disagreement is inevitable. Division is a choice.” -Andy Stanley
I. Anger = Murder
Sinclair calls it murder without knives. When we harbor contempt in our hearts towards others that manifests itself in words, it’s not assassination but it can lead to character assassination. While the earthly consequences are vastly different in the short-term, they can lead to the same in the long-term. And God sees them as the same and what he thinks matters most.
Murder was against the law in Jesus’ day. (21)
Anger in the heart = murder in Gods’ eyes. (22)
“Raca” is like saying, “You idiot” with hate.
It’s attacking the intellect and it’s slander.
Name calling is much worse than we realize. (22)
“Jesus recognized that we cannot be trusted in our judgment of the seriousness of careless speech. We treat the damage we do with our lips very lightly because we do not see the corpses we leave behind. That is why Jesus invades our moral slumber by telling us how serious this is in the sight of God.” Sinclair Ferguson, P. 83
“You fool!” Is a moral judgment.
You’re judging the person’s character.
Slander is again in view.
Ex. “You’re a liar!” Can be this in some cases.
“…(Jesus) is simply stressing vividly that (these sins) are far more serious than most of us assume. In fact, our insensitivity to their real seriousness is indicative of the dullness of our spiritual senses.” Ibid.
II. Reconciliation is Necessary (23-34)
Why? Because it affects our ability to worship God.
Why? Because it affects the authenticity of our offering.
When we give, we should give cheerfully. This is difficult when you are not in fellowship with a brother or sister in Christ.
III. Reconciliation is Urgent (25-26)
Jesus tells us to deal with this quickly. Do not delay.
Delayed obedience is disobedience until you obey.
Better to get a bad deal with your brother than to leave it in the hands of the court.
You’re not responsible for how the other person responds. You can attempt reconciliation but you cannot control whether or not it happens.
Conclusion
Reconciliation is necessary for true worship.
Reconciliation is an urgent matter if you want to prevent others from taking matters into their own hands.
Who do you need to reconcile with today?
Do you believe Jesus knows best in this?
Will you submit to the authority of Jesus?
Pray
My notes
First murderer was Cain who killed Abel. (Gen 4)
Murder—the ultimate demise of a relationship.
Murder begins in the mind and heart. We’re guilty of murder in God’s eyes as soon as we dwell here. Murder is the progression of that internal fire left unrestrained or repented of. Cf. James 1:13-15
Notes from O’Donnell
“I say to you” was the key phrase of 5:17-48 not only because it’s repeated 9 times but because it summarizes 2 main themes:
Divine authority “I say”
Kingdom ethics “to you”
Now focusing on “to you”
We’re not to act like Pharisees in the unrighteousness “righteousness” but rather like God in his perfect love—loving others, even one’s enemies” p. 136
These 6 OT commands Jesus addresses put on this perfect love when applied as he commands.
Notes from Sinclair Ferguson
“The Law is the standard for evaluation in the kingdom of God (Matt 5:19), but not the standard for entrance into the kingdom. Rather than dispensing with righteousness, Jesus tells his disciples that unless their righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, they will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” P. 79
The statements following 5:20
share the same basic format
Are a contrast between what was said to those long ago and what Jesus tells them then. It’s a contrast
Between what things are said, AND
Between the people who say them
“But I say” is a statement of authority from Jesus the Christ.
“We might say, ‘I myself say.’ The issue at stake here is one of authority, not merely one of content.” P. 81
The words said to people long ago are not necessarily scripture. In some cases they even contradict. “This suggests very clearly that Jesus is not placing his own teaching directly against that of the OT.” P. 81
He is not dispensing with the law…he’s giving his exposition of it.
“The real contrast in this section is between
the meaning of the law according to Jesus and
The meaning of the law according to religious tradition and the ancient teachers.” P. 81
He does not say, “It is written,” but, “It was said.” He’s not referring to texts of scripture but traditions of men.
“Murder without Knives” p. 82
The law forbids murder. So naturally, they were asking the question what is murder exactly? This inevitably leads to a narrowing of the definition of murder. “Jesus points out that by doing this, the full force of God’s word is destroyed. Jesus explains that the commandment not only forbids the outward act but also every thought and word that seeks to destroy a man’s life.
Moreover, like every other command, by forbidding an activity, Jesus is teaching that we should take every possible step to promote the opposite. In this case, instead of murdering by hand or mouth, we should seek with all our powers to have right relationships with all of our brothers.”
“For Jesus, to kill with a knife, or to engage in character assassination through anger, or to belittle another by calling him ‘fool’ is part and parcel of the same spiritual sickness. Clearly, he does not mean that it makes no difference whether we gossip or stab, but he does mean that both activities reveal the same animosity of heart to our neighbors.” P. 82-83
“But the deliberate belittling of someone’s person because of the animosity and hatred of our own heart, and the desire to have mastery over them. That is murder.” P. 83
“Our words are the index of our true spiritual condition.”
“Jesus recognized that we cannot be trusted in our judgment of the seriousness of careless speech. We treat the damage we do with our lips very lightly because we do not see the corpses we leave behind. That is why Jesus invades our moral slumber by telling us how serious this is in the sight of God.” P. 83
“…(Jesus) is simply stressing vividly that (these sins) are far more serious than most of us assume. In fact, our insensitivity to their real seriousness is indicative of the dullness of our spiritual senses.”
“In the verses that follow (23-26), the necessity and urgency of reconciliation in place of animosity are stressed by two illustrations. Here Jesus is showing us that when an activity is forbidden in God’s word, its positive counterpart is commanded. If we are not to engage in physical or verbal murder, we are to engage in personal reconciliation.” P. 84
Illustration: “Picture a man in church. He is about to express his devotion tot he Lord in worship and in his offering. But he has not been enjoying fellowship with his brother. There is disharmony in the relationship. Jesus says the man should leave his offering, be reconciled to his brother, and then return to worship God with a clear conscience and full heart.
“The principle is clear: right relationships with others are part of the meaning of the commandment not to murder. They are essential if our righteousness is to go down deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees.”
“Jesus gives us another illustration. Two men are on their way to court to settle a dispute between them. They are re still arguing On the way! Jesus says the two men should settle the matter now, before they are in the courtroom with the judge. It maybe costly to settle it now; it will certainly be humbling. But if it continues, one man may find himself in prison and unable to get out until he has paid the last penny (5:26).”
Necessity and Urgency of Reconciliation
“They are, rather, illustrations of how vital it is to have right relationships with others. The illustration of the man in church underlines the necessity of reconciliation. The illustration of two men going to court underlines the urgency of reconciliation.”
Some of you need to get up right now and go try and reconcile with someone. You are free to go. Go!
“Animosity is a time bomb; we do not know when it will ‘go off.’ We must deal with it quickly, before the consequences of our bitterness get completely out of control. Most human relationships that are destroyed could have been preserved if there had been communication and action at the right time. Jesus says that the right time is as soon as we are conscientious that we are at enmity with our brother (Matt 5:23).”
“One further point should be noted from this section…(Jesus) is not urging us to share every thought in our hearts during the process of reconciliation…Jesus is not telling us to ‘hang out our dirty linen in public,’ but rather to real urgently and fully with all breakdowns in fellowship before the y lead to spiritual assassination.” P. 85-86
Notes from NAC, Blomberg
21-22: The one who murders stands condemned and therefore in danger of judgment. But there is a way out—repentance and faith in Jesus the Christ.
Brother = a fellow member of the religious community, usually referring to Jesus’ disciples.
It’s particularly bad for Christians to get angry at other Christians.
Murder
Swearing, cursing/cussing, insulting, name-calling with contempt
Slandering, judging
Judgment—>Sanhedrin—>Gehenna (i.e. eternal judgment)
23-24: Therefore, they urgently need to escape this judgment by dealing decisively with sin.
2 illustrations:
Worshipper called to personal reconciliation with someone else before worship/giving
Urgent reconciliation—out-of-court settlement between fellow litigants at least: 2 levels:
Legal—pay your debts or be imprisoned
Spiritual—pay your spiritual debts (sin)—oh wait, you cannot afford that. Therefore, turn to Jesus who has already paid for your sins on the cross.
Notes from Gregory Brown, Bible.org
V. 21-22 God sees anger towards another believer as murder in the heart and therefore making them liable and subject to judgment.
My question: If they are a believer, are they subject to the judgment of hell or just discipline? It reads like hell. But if they are a true believer and cannot lose their salvation, how do we reconcile this verse?
Jesus didn’t just say anger leads to murder. He said anger IS murder.
Cf. “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15
Summary of OT law is love God—love people.
“When others were mistreated, Christ was angry like a lion. When he was mistreated, he was gentle like a lamb.” Cf. 1 Peter 2:23
How to Maintain Peaceful Relationships
To maintain peaceful relationships,…
I. We must guard our hearts from evil thoughts including anger.
II. We must guard our tongues from evil speech—including slander. How?
Be slow to speak
Speak only gracious and edifying words
Remember God will judge our words
Submit our words to God
III. We must recognize that discord hinders our relationship with God.
Right relationship with others are necessary to have a right relationship with God.
IV. We must seek to resolve conflicts quickly.
We are to make every effort with no delay to reconcile our relationship with a bro or sis so we can avoid God’s discipline.
References/Bibliography:
“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes
“Matthew” by RC Sproul
“Jesus Manifesto” sermon series, by Darien Gabriel: https://youtu.be/x65i2tqFrXk
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)
“Exalting Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Akin (CCE)
Outline Bible, D Willmington
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)
ESV Study Bible
ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)
"Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth E. Bailey
“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson
Bible.org https://bible.org/seriespage/12-maintaining-peaceful-relationships-matthew-521-26
“CSB Christ Chronological,” Holman
Read MoreSeries: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance
Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20 (main)
Title: What Did Jesus Say about the Old Testament? (Darien Gabriel)
Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)
Summary of passage: Jesus lays out the principles and rules of kingdom living.
Bottom Line: We live out the law of Christ when we love people—our enemies and best friends—like Jesus would if he were in our shoes.
Discussion questions for group and personal study.
1. Matthew 5:17 teaches that Jesus fulfills the Old Testament Scriptures. In what ways do you see Jesus fulfilling the Old Testament?
2. How does knowing that the Old Testament points to Jesus change the way you read it?
3. Why do you think it is difficult for many to trust the accuracy of the Bible? Do you think your culture influences what you trust? Why or why not?
4. Why is Jesus's authority so important for trusting the accuracy of the Bible? Where does he get his authority?
5. Jesus teaches that all of Scripture should be obeyed. What parts of Scripture do you find most difficult to obey? Why? How might we help one another to obey those parts?
6. Reread the passages listed for obedience from John and 1 John. Why is love mentioned when speaking about obedience?
7. How does our obedience affect the way we are salt and light in the world (Matt 5:13-16)?
8. What is "righteousness"? Why is it necessary to be righteous in order to enter into God's kingdom?
9. How can we tell when we are pursuing an external, legalistic righteousness and when we are pursuing an internal, spiritual righteousness? What are some examples in your past of these two?
10. Read Ezekiel 36:24-28. How does this passage affect our understanding of how we attain a surpassing righteousness?
Final Questions (optional or in place of above)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Opening to Sermon:
What do you think about the Old Testament?
When you read the Old Testament, does it seem out of touch with reality?
Do you even read the Old Testament?
Ways Christians struggle with the OT:
Ignore it because we have the NT so therefore we don’t need it
Obey it out of context or as if it’s context is the same as the NT (i.e. after the cross vs before)
Use it to support our politics or ideology for life.
We can do better. But what do we do with the OT?
Q. What did Jesus say about the OT law?
A. That the OT law ultimately teaches us to love people like God does.
V. 17
“Do not think” — i.e. some did
“That I have come” — Immanuel, God with us—he came
“To abolish/destroy/set aside” — make irrelevant; Jesus is for the Bible and the Bible is for Jesus
“The Law and the Prophets” — refers to OT scriptures (Hebrew scriptures) but also includes all of Jesus’ words and the rest of the NT
“but to fulfill them” — some already other still to come
Examples
God told Adam and Eve about the “snake crusher” to come (Jesus)
Moses prophesied Jesus would come (he did)
God told David his son would be king forever (Jesus is)
Isaiah prophesied Jesus would be born of a virgin; that he’d be wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace
That he’d come and free the captives — Isaiah+
The new covenant — Jeremiah 31:31-34
He will
Return/come again
Defeat Satan/the dragon and his dark kingdom (Rev)
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his messiah and he will reign for ever more.” Rev 11:15
He will judge every person one day based on what they did, said and what they did with Jesus
V. 18
“For” - because
“Truly I tell you” - pay very close attention to what I’m about to say
This key phrase embodies 2 parts
I tell - Jesus’ authority
You - our ethic/our allegiance to his authority by grace through faith (character + competency)
Who is ‘I’ after all?
V. 20 + V. 48 Basic message: Don’t act like scribes and Pharisees but instead act like Jesus
God’s word will outlast the smallest letter and even the smallest pen stroke of a letter and in fact until it is fully fulfilled will last. I.e. you can count on it!
Dangers of Lawlessness—antinomianism
Scribes—highly trained experts in the interpretation and application of the law.
When walking down the street in their distinctive robes, people would stand in their honor, greeting them with “rabbi” “father” or “master” out of respect.
Pharisees were part of a movement in Judaism committed ot the meticulous obedience of the law.
Serving as a scribe was a profession.
Pharisees were a Jewish sect.
Some scribes were Pharisees and Pharisees likely chose their leaders from the scribes.
V. 19
“Therefore” - what’s the therefore there for?
“Anyone” - any person
“Who sets aside/relaxes/destroys (Gk. luo). Note v. 17 Gr. Kataluo = destroy, dissolve, overthrow, demolish
“Least of these commands” - they all matter
“In kingdom of heaven” - you’re still in; don’t obey to get in but obey because you’re in
“Teaches others accordingly” & “practices and teaches” = discipleship
Everyone is a disciple-maker: for good or evil; for light or darkness
“For” - because
“I tell you” - pay close attention
THESIS STATEMENT THAT UNIFIES SERMON ON THE MOUNT
“Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law”
righteousness = right living and right relationships i.e. love God—love people
not about legalism
248 regulations
365 prohibitions
613 total laws that were a man-made picket fence around God’s law but treated as God’s law
Not about the letter of the law alone
About the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law alone—love people by grace through faith in the One who love us so much (Rom 5:8)
“Not enter” - hellbound
“Kingdom of heaven” - kingdom of light, life, and love
Spurgeon’s prayer in light of v. 19, “Lord, make me of this your kingdom a right loyal subject, and may I both do and teach according to your word! Whether I am little or great on earth, make me great in obedience to you.”
Dangers of Legalism
V. 20
Superior righteousness focuses on: (Akin)
Spirit of the law rather than merely letter of the law
Internal matters rather than external matters (heart over hands)
More important rather than minor points of the law Ex. Justice over tithing Gross vs net
Manifesting divine character rather than merely keeping divine commands
Conclusion
Looking ahead to the rest of ch. 5 (next week), Jesus will show us how to interpret the OT commands in light of the law of Christ. Every example will be a relational command guiding us in how to love people like Jesus.
References/Bibliography:“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes“Matthew” by RC Sproul“Jesus Manifesto” sermon series, by Darien Gabriel: https://youtu.be/x65i2tqFrXk“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)“Exalting Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Akin (CCE)Outline Bible, D WillmingtonNIV Study Bible (NIVSB)ESV Study BibleESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)"Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth E. Bailey“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson
Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance
Scripture: Matthew 5:10-16 (main)
Title: How to Live out the Beatitudes Today
Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)
Summary of passage: Coming out of who Citizens of the Kingdom are in the beatitudes, Jesus describes what those citizens get to do in a dark and tasteless world.
Bottom Line: Jesus follows how to BE like Christ with how to DO like Christ. (Fruitfulness Matrix) (draw?)
Discussion questions for group and personal study.
Reflect and Discuss in your groups:
1. British pastor and author John Scott said at the Cape Town Lausanne Conference, “The greatest hindrance to the advance of the gospel worldwide is the failure of the lives of God’s people.” What do you think about John Stott's claim? Do you agree or disagree, and why?
2. Where do you see decay around you? Where do you see darkness?
How can you be salt and light in these places?
3. What is the connection between the Beatitudes and Jesus's call in verses 13-16?
4. How does a pure life impact our witness to the gospel? How might impurity also affect our witness?
5. What might it look like for your life to be "useful" in the kingdom?
6. What are some ways we can lose our saltiness and become useless in the kingdom of God?
7. How does this passage command and inspire international missions?
8. How do many Christians hide their light under a basket? What causes us to do that?
9. How does the light of the Christian lead to God's glory?
10. Consider the questions at the end of this chapter. Which strikes you as most convicting? Why?
Final Questions
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Opening to Sermon:
There is a salt and pepper shaker collection in our home that has generated much conversation over the years.
Who gets them when mom kicks the bucket?
Why are the ones on the table always empty?
Which ones will we use next?
Who gave us that set?
Use matzah to help people taste no salt. As each person comes into the room, give out to each person along with a slip of paper that says:
This cracker is to eat at sometime in this service. The explanation will come during the message. Feel free to eat it now or when I explain it in the message. God bless you.
The idea will be to show people a sample of how bad tasteless is.
We move from the beatitudes where Jesus describes to us what his people look and act like. We get more detail to this as we work through the entire sermon on the mount. But Jesus laid the foundation in verses 1-12. We’ll pick this up in v. 13 but I’m going to start reading in v. 10.
In v. 13-16 we’re going to answer the questions that Jesus answers on behalf of his fellow Kingdom citizens:
Who am I? (In light of being a kingdom citizen), and
What do I get to do as a kingdom citizen?
““You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:13-16 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.5.13-16.NIV
Notice right away that the words “You are” are grammatically emphatic. Jesus says what is true. You can reject it or you can believe and embrace it. But he says what is true. In Christ, you are salt and light. The question is, do you receive and believe this? (John 1:12)
Once again we see that Jesus acts as one with “All Authority.” This series is called “All!” because Matthew wants us to see that Jesus has all authority so that all nations will give him all of their allegiance. This is seen throughout the book of Matthew.
Who am I? What do I get to do?
This is a question of identity. We ask this question more than we think. Because intuitively we know that what we do flows from who we believe we are. Not necessarily from who we want to be or someone tells us we are. But who we really believe we are. This is why faith is so important.
Also, it’s not you CAN be salt and light. You ARE salt and light. You have all that you need in Christ to do what these imply you can do.
Jesus answers this question in 2 ways using metaphor:
We are the salt of the earth.
Why salt? Salt can do a lot of things. One commentator listed 11 things that salt does. But I agree with Hughes who tells us the passage gives us the one that matters to Jesus here. Salt flavors things. Salt is NaCl and it flavors things. Which is why you don’t usually choose to eat unsalted food. (Health reasons not withstanding)
Warning: Don’t lose your saltiness (i.e. usefulness—flavoring power)
Our flavoring power is a metaphor for us to bring flavor of Christ into our world. Now we still acknowledge that flavor can be received one of two ways:
Some will like it.
Some will hate it.
People respond to Christ in one of two these ways when he confronts them with the gospel.
They gladly receive it or
They reject it.
We are the light of the world. “This little light of mine” (sing?)
Why light?
Jesus said he is the light of the world in John 8:12. So why this? Jesus chooses to reveal himself to the world through his people. This is his strategy of blessing the world through us to bless us in the process.
Light does a lot of things too. But again context pushes towards the more obvious thing: Light shines. Light illuminates.
Warning: Light was meant to be seen. Therefore, don’t hide it. This implies we will be tempted to not “let” our light shine. If we don’t, what happens?
Good works don’t happen in our world in and through us. (Sin)
God doesn’t get the glory (light!) he deserves and uses to bless.
How does this fit with 1-12? When we live this way—meaning it’s the pattern of our lives—we will be persecuted.
Ex. When a husband loves and serves his life well in another country where maybe men don’t typically do that, he will stand out.
Some men will make fun of him and even be angry with him for suggesting this is appropriate.
Some men will see the good in it and change. Maybe even repent and believe.
Imagine a church—or a movement of churches—where everyone lived salty, bright lives in dark places! Boy wouldn’t they stand out! Like a bright city on a hill!
And yes there would be fireworks! Some would lead to peace-filled lives.
And some would lead to conflict where we’d have to love our enemies publicly.
But both would bring glory to God.
Conclusion
“David Brainerd, missionary to the American Indians, died at the age of 29. Reflecting on his life and calling from God, he said, Here I am, Lord, send me; send me to the ends of the earth; send me to the rough, the savage pagans of the wilderness; send me from all that is called comfort on earth! send me even to death itself, if it be but in thy service, and to promote thy kingdom. (Edwards, Life of David Brainerd, 224)” —Akin, p. 21
“Ion Keith-Falconer (1856-1887) was a Scottish missionary and Arabic scholar who died at the age of thirty-one. He won the world cycling championship in 1878 at the age of twenty-two but would leave all that behind and go to Egypt and later Yemen as a missionary for Jesus. He died from malaria after being married to his missionary wife Gwendolen for only three years. In the preface to his biography, Robert Sinker wrote,
A career of exceptional promise was early closed in the death of Ion Keith-Falconer. The beauty of his character, his ardent missionary zeal, his great learning, form a combination rarely equaled. . . . How noble a life his was. (Memorials, v)
What was it in this man that would cause him to give up all for the glory of King Jesus and the lost among the nations? I suspect it was this conviction buried deep in his heart that settled the issue:
"I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light." As was true of Ion Keith-Falconer, may it also be true of us: "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!" —Akin, p. 22
References/Bibliography:
“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes
“Matthew” by RC Sproul
“Jesus Manifesto” sermon series, by Darien Gabriel: https://youtu.be/x65i2tqFrXk
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)
“Exalting Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Akin (CCE)
Outline Bible, D Willmington
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)
ESV Study Bible
ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)
"Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth E. Bailey
“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson
Read MoreSeries: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance
Scripture: Matthew 5: (Main), Phil 2:5-8, John 15:1-6; Proverb 4:23
Title: What does Kingdom blessing look like?
Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)
Summary of passage: Kingdom citizens follow Jesus by being poor in spirit, mourn over sin and brokenness, are meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, and are persecuted peacemakers. Their allegiance to Christ is seen in the fruit of the Spirit outlined here.
Bottom Line: The pathway to kingdom blessing and life starts by dying to self.
Discussion questions for group and personal study.
Reflect and Discuss
1. Matthew 5:1-3 teaches that spiritual beggars will possess the kingdom of heaven. How does recognizing ourselves as spiritual beggars affect the way we live each day? How can we cultivate this identity more?
2. Citizens of God's kingdom should grieve over their sin and sin in the world. Are there some sins that seem easier for us to grieve over and some that we too often overlook? Why or why not?
3. What does it mean to give God a blank check? Is that call something you find inviting or scary?
4. How does God satisfy those who hunger and thirst
for righteousness?
5. Explain what "mercy" is. Why is being merciful a
requirement for receiving mercy?
6. How can we tell whether we are "pure in heart"? What does this mean for us, knowing that we will not be completely perfect until Christ returns (cf. 1 John 3:2-3)?
7. How does peace play a central part in the Bible's story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration? How can we reflect and participate in that story with our own peacemaking?
8. Why is persecution a necessary part of the Christian life? How does Christ's death and resurrection give us comfort in the face of
persecution?
9. How has persecution been a fuel for the spread of Christianity? What rewards does God promise for those who are experiencing persecution?
10. The Beatitudes describe a high calling for the Christian. How do our relationship to God and our relationships to one another give us the ability to act in these ways?
Final Questions (optional)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Opening to Sermon:
Jesus as the new Moses comes to fulfill the law in a way that looks like he’s destroying it. But, of course, he doesn’t destroy it. He brings it to full fruition by bringing new life through it.
We need to law to show us we can’t earn or deserve kingdom blessings. We need to surrender fully to Jesus Christ so he can rescue us and restore us. The law shows us our need for a savior. The gospel tells us the good news that even though we cannot earn our way into the kingdom, he has still made a way for us to get there…through Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross. His death, burial and resurrection!
“Jesus did not destroy the Law by fighting it; he destroyed it by fulfilling it!” —?
Illustration: You can destroy and acorn in 1 of 2 ways:
You can smash it between 2 rocks.
You can plant it in the ground and let it fulfill itself by transforming into an oak. —?
The point here is that the acorn was created/made to be broken. But when it’s broken as God intends it leads to life. If planted, it will dry out (die), and then life will come. It will sprout a new stem and leaf and begin to grow. It’s miraculous.
It’s a picture of what Jesus did at the cross.
It’s a picture of what Jesus does in those who are born again. (New life)
It’s what water baptism is supposed to picture. (Immersion specifically)
Jesus is calling us to come and see, come and follow, come and fish for people, come and die.
Have you ever been in a long line—say at Disney World—and you think you’re about to arrive at the ride itself only to turn the corner and see that you still have a long way to go?
Sometimes that’s what spiritual growth feels like. You grow and are making progress. But just as you start to feel like maybe you’ve arrived, you turn a spiritual corner and realize you are barely any closer than you were. You’ve come to realize (through scripture, grace) that God is way more holy than you imagined and that you have not progressed nearly as much as you think you have.
How does Jesus follow up his teaching, preaching and healing in Matthew 4? What will he do next? He lays out his kingdom manifesto. He wants to the world to know, understand and trust in how to become a citizen of his kingdom instead of the enemy’s. He lays out the blueprint for how his kingdom works.
Jesus shares who in the world receives supernatural and lasting blessings in life. Kingdom blessings.
It comes from God,
Through the Son,
By the Spirit.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3 NIV https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-3
Poor in Spirit = bankrupt of pride and self-sufficiency. Recognition that you have nothing on which to rely on for God’s blessing. Not…
Your reputation
Your holiness, purity, righteousness
Your pedigree, family
Your good works, church work, church position
Your special abilities
Your goodness
Like a branch cut off from the vine, we have no life or worth—we’re fire-worthy only.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Matthew 5:4 NIV https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-4
Those who mourn = Grieve over
Our sin
Other’s sin
Consequences of sin in our world
World’s brokenness
Our church’s lack apathy towards the gospel and sharing it
Lack of love for God himself
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
Matthew 5:5 NIV https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-5
Meek ≠ Weak; Meekness is power under control (like a racehorse or stallion after broken)
We too need to be broken (over our sin) before we can truly run with power under control.
Meekness is humble strength that belongs to the one who has learned to submit to difficulties believing God is working for your good through those difficulties (circumstances and people). —O’Donnell
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Matthew 5:6 NIV https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-6
“Hunger and thirst” - Jesus hungered and thirsted for righteousness. He acted justly, loved mercy and walked humbly with the Father. He did this fervently, zealously and wholeheartedly.
Jesus craved a world where relationships would be restored—vertically and horizontally.
Represents a constant pursuit of righteousness in our world and in your life.
By Kenneth Bailey:
“Once in my life I nearly died of thirst. While living in the south of Egypt, a group of friends and I traveled deep into the Sahara Desert by camel. As our trek began, the temperature soared to above 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade, and there was no shade. On our way, one goat-skin water bag leaked all of its precious contents.
With consumption high due to the heat, we ran out of water, and for a day and a half we pressed on while enduring intense thirst. The goal of the excursion was a famous well named Bir Shaytoun, deep in the desert. Our guide promised us that it was never dry—ah, but could we survive to reach its life-giving liquid silver? My mouth became completely dry, and eating was impossible because swallowing felt like the rubbing of two pieces of sandpaper together. My vision became blurred and the struggle to keep moving became harder with each step. We knew that if the well was dry, our armed guards would probably have forcibly seized our three baggage camels and ridden them back to the valley, leaving the rest of us to die. As I staggered on, my mind turned to this verse and I knew that I had never sought righteousness with the same single-minded passion that I now gave to the quest for water.
Yes, we managed to stagger to the well, and it was full of “the wine of God,” as water is named by desert tribesmen in the Middle East. In the process I learned something of the power of Jesus’ language. In a world where water was scarce and travel arduous, his listeners would have known what it meant to “hunger and thirst” after food and water, and thus could understand what Jesus was saying about an all-consuming passion for righteousness.”
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, Ken Bailey, pp. 76-77
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Matthew 5:7 NIV
https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-7
We love to receive mercy.
We do not love being merciful. Ex. Cancel culture
Being merciful and giving others what you think they deserve. It’s not judging them. It’s letting God judge them. (Unbelievers)
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Matthew 5:8 NIV https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-8
Pure = unpolluted by sinful attitudes, beliefs, words, actions or inactions. Bullseye living.
“Be perfect as your father in heaven is perfect.”
“Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (5:9)
Pacemaker vs. Peacemaker
Pacemaker = A pacemaker is a small, battery-operated device. This device senses when your heart is beating irregularly or too slowly. It sends a signal to your heart that makes your heart beat at the correct pace. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007369.htm
Peacemaker = Someone who senses when someone else’s heart is beating irregularly or too slowly and sends a signal that makes your heart beat with God’s again.
Peace is about more than the absence of conflict, violence, or war. It denotes a wholeness, completeness, orderliness and prosperity to the core of who we are as human beings. A blessing and manifestation of divine grace.
A peacemaker is one who actively pursues the making of peace at every level: From financial peace to relational peace with people to spiritual peace with God. As God’s children, we pursue what our papa pursues. And that is, fundamentally, peace (shalom). It’s what our soul craves and the kingdom brings about. Our leader is not called the Prince of Peace for no reason.
E. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Cf. 5:3) Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
When you hunger and thirst for righteousness, show mercy, keep a clean heart before God, and are a peacemaker, the world, the flesh and the accuser will attack you. You will be persecuted when you reflect this way of life. If they persecuted the prophets who lived and spoke this way, and they persecuted Jesus who lived and spoke this way, why would you not receive the same exact treatment.
Our bottom line again: We are called to Jesus’ vision to live as kingdom citizens in a fallen world.
We now have heard what that looks like—the good and the bad.
Jesus says, “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” for living this way.
Notice: Jesus is at the center of it.
Chiasm
Conclusion
Jesus was spiritually poor, though he never sinned. He humbled himself (Phil 2:5-8). Yet he fully relied on the Father and the Spirit while human.
Jesus mourned over the sin in our world. He was called a man of sorrows for this reason.
Jesus modeled meekness—divine power under control. He restrained or emptied himself to be fully human. What a sacrifice.
Jesus hungered and thirsted for righteousness.
One of the criticisms of the police in Uvalde, TX shooting was that they did not put their lives on the line to save those children but stayed back because of the belief that the children were safe even though the gunman was not secured. They lacked the moral courage that compels one to put their life on the line to save those who cannot save themselves.
What about us?
Are we willing to live and die for the cause of Christ and to rescue those far from him but close to us?
"Satanic Slumber"
Conclusion (last week)—Iranian woman quote
The film cites one Iranian couple that had the opportunity to move to the U.S. After living in America for a matter of months, the wife decided she wanted to move back to Iran, telling her surprised husband: “There is a satanic lullaby here. All the Christians are sleepy and I’m feeling sleepy.” http://godreports.com/2019/09/fastest-growing-church-has-no-buildings-no-central-leadership-and-is-mostly-led-by-women/
She sees the temptation to fall asleep spiritual (spiritual napping) to be of greater danger than to live with the threat of death in Iran as a Christ-follower there.
On Thursday, our son in law had surgery for his torn ACL. We went to his house to help our daughter get him inside because they checked him out with him still very asleep due to the anesthesia. So we met up there to carry him in. And he was awake enough to help us with his one leg. But he was out of it. He was asleep. But he didn’t realize it. For ex., he couldn’t figure out why all these people were there to help get him inside. He thought he could just get the crutches and hop inside. He was awake but just barely. But the danger in it was that he wasn’t aware that he was asleep.
According to this Iranian woman, this describes the American church in general. We’re asleep. Now I’d like to think I am not. But am I ready to blow her assessment off? No way. The stakes are too high.
References/Bibliography:
“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes
“Matthew” by RC Sproul
“Jesus Manifesto” sermon series, by Darien Gabriel: https://youtu.be/x65i2tqFrXk
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)
Outline Bible, D Willmington
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)
ESV Study Bible
ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)
"Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth E. Bailey
“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson
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