Anger: Not a good idea

Matthew 5:21-22 “...You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire...”

What is the significance of the phrase “You have heard ... but I say to you”?

- six times in the next 22 verses Jesus compares what people have heard to what scripture really means.

- the Pharisees and teachers of the Law were promoting something that fell short of God’s true intentions for the Law.

Why is a commitment to teaching what you know not enough?

- without the leading of the Spirit, man’s wisdom misunderstands God’s intentions.

What scripture is Jesus citing?

- the 6th commandment, and subsequent clarifications.

- Exodus 20:13 ”...You shall not murder...”

- Numbers 35:30 “...If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses. But no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness...”

Why would Jesus equate anger with murder?

- it’s a heart issue.

- it’s a disrespect issue.

- it’s a failure to appropriately love and care for someone that Christ loves.

- it’s a violation of God’s intentions for human interaction.

Why does calling someone a fool lead one to a hell of fire?

- Raca is Aramaic for “empty-headed one”.

- Is disrespect for God’s creation a sin?

- Do we live in a respectful culture?

- Would our culture be better if it was more respectful?

How does “...with his brother...” affect the requirement? Who is your brother? Who is your neighbor?

Matthew 5:23-26 “...So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny...”

Why is reconciliation important?

- our relationship with God is affected by our relationship with people.

- we can’t approach God if we’re not right with people.

- we pay a high price for unresolved issues with people.

What if a person won’t be reconciled?

- our attempt to reconcile is required, regardless of any real or perceived resistance that the other party may display.

Is reconciliation necessary if you have nothing against another person?

- this isn’t about you forgiving another, it’s about someone having something against you.

- this is you making amends for real or perceived problems you’ve caused.

If we are not reconciled, we are unfit for communion with God!

Lust:

Matthew 5:27-28 “...You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart...”

Which scripture is Jesus citing?

- the seventh commandment.

- Exodus 20:14 “...You shall not commit adultery...”

What is adultery?

- moicheuo - voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a partner other than the lawful spouse (translated as adultery).

- porneia - sexual intercourse between partners who are not married to each other (translated as fornication in the KJV, sexual immorality in the ESV, and immorality in the NASB).

What is lust?

- epithumeo - to covet, crave, desire, or long for.

- a self absorbed desire for an object, person, or experience.

Is lust a part of our culture?

- 2 Peter 2:14 “...They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!...”

- Peter had much to say in Chapter 2 about the false teachers in his world.

- Our world is full of the same type of people.

Why is lust a problem?

- it elevates the object of our desire above other things in our lives.

- it places the object of our lust above God.

Whose problem is it?

How can the way a person dresses promote sexual lust?

How can where a person looks promote sexual lust?

The problem is both male and female.

Matthew 5:29-30 “...If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell...”

How can we avoid the adultery of a sexually lustful culture?

- we must reject the world’s way of living and adopt God’s intentions for our lives.

- we must do away with everything that leads to sin.

Why does right living involve difficult, disciplined choices?

- the world is not kind to those who refuse to take the wide road.