Matt2-3

Again, anyone who says to his brother, `Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, `You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

4. What should we do about broken relationships? v.23,24

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

5. Why should we settle disputes quickly? v.25,26

Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny

B. Think :

1. How does Jesus raise the standard of the Law?

2. How should that affect us in worship?

3. How should it affect us in daily living?

C. Comment :

Having just said that he has not come to do away with the Law, Jesus now starts to illustrate how he calls his disciples to go further than the basic requirements of the Law.

He first takes a very obvious subject, that of murder. The Law clearly condemned murder, but Jesus now says, if you allow anger to remain in you (that might lead on to murder?) that is just as bad and you will be judged. Indeed if you speak wrongly about someone, that is the first step along the path that leads downwards and can end in hell. Bad attitude leads to bad words, which lead to bad actions, etc.

This warning, says Jesus, should then have very practical effects: if you are in the middle of worship and realise you have a broken relationship with someone, it is more important to God that you mend that relationship quickly than go on with so-called worship. God feels so strongly about this, that if you get into disputes wrongly with people in the world, He will not pull you out of them, but instead will allow the full process of the Law to deal with you (to discipline you).

Very simply therefore, Jesus is saying that for his disciples, wrong inward feelings and attitudes are just as important in God's eyes as the wrong outward actions that the Law spoke about, and that we need to deal with them quickly.

D. Application?

1. We may not commit murder, but do we tolerate ongoing anger?

2. God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7)

Chapter: Matthew 5:21-48

Passage: Matthew 5:27-30

A. Find out :

1. What had the Law said? v.27

`Do not commit adultery

2. But who does Jesus say commits adultery? v.28

I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart

3. What might cause you to sin? v.29a

If your right eye causes you to sin,

4. What is better than that? v.29b

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

5. What also might cause you to sin? v.30a

And if your right hand causes you to sin,

6. What is better to happen? v.30b

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.

B. Think :

1. How does Jesus go further than the Law?

2. What is the point he is making in verses 29 & 30?

3. What importance does he give to sinning?

C. Comment :

Having illustrated by murder and anger that he is as much concerned with inner feelings as outward actions, Jesus continues by giving a second illustration, that of adultery.

Yes, the law was very clear: adultery was forbidden. But says Jesus, for my disciples it goes much further, don't even let the initial thoughts cross you mind. Adultery is born out of lust so don't even let any lustful thought take root there, for the thought is as bad as the act. (In the age in which we live we need to be very mindful of this and perhaps we need to examine our watching or reading habits. What goes on in the mind is the prelude for giving way to the temptation).

But then Jesus gives two apparently harsh and strong warnings. If parts of your body cause you to sin, then cut them off, for that is preferable to being led into sin, losing you faith and ending up in hell. Is Jesus serious? Yes he is! He is warning us strongly about the foolishness of allowing ourselves to be drawn slowly into sin which leads ultimately to hell. Take the harshest action necessary, he says, to avoid that happening (no he doesn't expect you to have to go to that extreme!). If there's a temptation near you that you have problems with, run from it, don't even think of it!

D. Application?

1. Thoughts and feelings are as important as the outward act.

2. Sin creeps up through temptation. Beware.

Chapter: Matthew 5:21-48

Passage: Matthew 5:31,32

A. Find out :

1. How must the man initiate a divorce? v.31

Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce

2. What is the only ground for divorce? v.32a

But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness,

3. Otherwise what happens? v.32b

causes her to become an adulteress

4. What happens to a man marrying her? v.32c

and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

5. Read Malachi 2:16. What does God feel about divorce?

"I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "

B. Think :

1. What would be the point of a certificate of divorce?

2. How does Jesus limit marriage break-up?

3. Leviticus 20:10 What was the punishment originally for adultery?

C. Comment :

In Deuteronomy 24:1-4 it is clear that in Old Testament times divorce was permitted and it was brought about by a certificate which had to be issued. This issuing of a certificate would a) have added solemnity to the process and b) would have slowed up a hasty action and c) would have provided some measure of protection for the woman afterwards. In Matthew 19:7-9 Jesus emphasised that God PERMITTED it because of the hardness (determination) of their hearts. This was to prevent a worse scenario where one partner was imprisoned in a completely wrong situation, but it still wasn't good!

In our present study verses and the Matthew 19 verses, Jesus limits the reason for divorce to where there has already been (ongoing?) unfaithfulness on the part of one of the parties to the marriage.

The general principle (found in Mark 10:10 -12 and Luke 16:18 ) is that divorce creates adultery. The one exception to that is given in Matthew. The teaching in the Bible, concerning marriage, is that it is God designed or ordained (Matthew 19:3-6) and that it should not be broken up except where sin has already broken it up. Because this is such a difficult subject that is being abused in our society, an additional section on this subject is included on the next page.

D. Application?

1. Marriage is God's idea and it is for our blessing.

2. Ignoring marriage or breaking up marriage is counter to the

Creator's design for us and causes immense hurt and insecurity.

Chapter: Matthew 5:21-48

ADDITIONAL NOTE : Divorce

In addition to the main Study, the following may be noted:

A. The World Viewpoint:

Increasingly in the Western world, unbelievers are disregarding marriage and are simply living together. The fruits of this are frequently insecurity, hurt and confusion when that relationship with its children or property rights comes to an end. Marriage was designed by God to create a secure and loving environment for both the partners and their children.

B. Christians?

The Bible is quite clear that for two Christians there should not be divorce. The Gospel teaching of Jesus indicates it is only ongoing sin that can bring it about. The relationship of a "Christian" with their Lord (and indeed their salvation) must be questioned if this is ongoing. 1 Corinthians 7:10,11 indicates that counsel should be sought and reconciliation brought about where there is any ongoing marital dispute. Divorce is NOT an option for Jesus' disciples. Help IS available somewhere in the Church.

C. Pre-Christian Divorce?

Perhaps you divorced before you were a Christian? God loves you and the Cross covers ALL our sins in whatever shape they came. God loves YOU.

D. Non-Christian Partners?

Where the partner was a Christian who has just gone right away, or a non-Christian, and has filed for divorce, after having done all you could to bring reconciliation, there was legally nothing more you could do, and the Cross is for all your feelings of guilt and shame as well. God loves YOU.

E. Remarriage?

The Bible does speak of it, but only when the divorce was forced on you as in C & D above. God hates divorce but IS a God of mercy and grace who longs to bring resurrection good from bad, but this is never to be an excuse for us to be casual in these things.

Chapter: Matthew 5:21-48

Passage: Matthew 5:33-37

A. Find out :

1. What had the law said they were to do? v.33

`Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.

2. But what did Jesus say? v.34a

But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne

3. What instead were they to do? v.37

Simply let your `Yes' be `Yes,' and your `No,' `No';

4. By what had they also been swearing? v.34-36

Do not swear at all: either by heaven... or by the earth, ....or by Jerusalem ....And do not swear by your head

5. Read Leviticus 19:12. How were they not to swear?

Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God.

6. Read Numbers 30:2. What weren't they to do?

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.

B. Think :

1. What had been the purpose of making an oath originally?

2. What emphasis had the Jews begun to put on it?

3. What was Jesus more concerned about?

C. Comment :

In each of these apparently separate subjects that Jesus now speaks about, he is keen to show that it is the reality of the law and not merely the form of it that is important. The legalistic Jews had made the words more important than God's intent, so now Jesus was seeking to right that wrong,

In the Old Testament God had given instructions about telling the truth or living the truth. For instance He said " You shall not swear by my name falsely ", with the emphasis being on the words we've underlined, i.e. make sure you keep telling the truth. The Jews changed it to put the emphasis on "by my name" and so it became that if you didn't use the name, it didn't matter if the truth was changed. After a while people resorted to swearing by other things as well.

Right says Jesus, let's get it clear in our thinking. If you are my disciples, you don't need to swear at all, to back up your truthfulness, just make sure when you say 'Yes' you mean it, and when you say 'No' you mean that as well.

The whole emphasis is on the truth, NOT ways to slip out of telling the truth! The Christian is to be characterised by the same thing that was in Jesus, who was "full of grace and truth " (John 1:14 )

D. Application?

1. Make sure you don't hedge with the truth by devious means.

2. Let your speech always be the truth.

Chapter: Matthew 5:21-48

Passage: Matthew 5:38-42

A. Find out :

1. What was the Old Testament law? v.38

Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'

2. What was Jesus' instruction? v.39a

I tell you, Do not resist an evil person.

3. How were they to do that? v.39b

If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also

4. How also may it happen? v.40

And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well

5. How further may it happen? v.41

If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

6. How should we respond to beggars? v.42

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

B. Think :

1. Read Exodus 21:24,25

2. How do Jesus' commands touch on heart feelings and change the Old

Testament situation?

3. How does this come in line with the previous commands?

C. Comment :

The purpose of the Old Testament commands referred to here was to limit the response to injury to reduce personal revenge and stop it growing into an ongoing feud. The law required exact justice and no more. The Pharisees, however, had taken this law and used it as an excuse to justify personal revenge and retribution.

Jesus, yet again hitting at the heart of the matter, challenges this by saying, in effect, let your whole heart attitude be different and seek to bring NO retaliation when you have been wronged. Indeed, the only way to ensure that you can do this is to do something positive, so if someone strikes one cheek, offer the other; if you are sued for your jacket, give your coat as well; if you are required to work for a period, go for an extra period, and so on.

Previously Jesus warned about persecution & being wronged, and so this teaching merely extends that thought: just rest in God's love and don't get stressed by trying to get back at those who are against you. How different from the world that is saying, sue for every penny you can get! We must follow Jesus and not the world!

D. Application?

1. Jesus requires a complete change of heart attitude.

2. Such a change of heart can only come about by the grace of God and the

work of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to do it in you.

Chapter: Matthew 5:21-48

Passage: Matthew 5:43-48

A. Find out :

1. What was being taught? v.43

`Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

2. But what did Jesus teach? v.44

I tell you: Love your enemies I and pray for those who persecute you

3. What will you then be? v.45

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven

4. What did even tax collectors do? v.46

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

5. What do even pagans do? v.47

if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

6. What are we to be? v.48

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect

B. Think :

1. Read Leviticus 19:18 What had been added by modern teaching?

2. What point is Jesus making in verses 46 & 47?

3. Read Leviticus 19:2 and Deuteronomy 18:13 What sort of standard is

Jesus setting in v.48?

C. Comment :

The Jews had corrupted the Law by adding to that basic "love your neighbour" passage and made it permissible to hate their enemies. Who were the "enemy"? First the Gentiles (to whom they were supposed to be a light), and then any "sinner" in their midst, anyone not as good as you.

Jesus cuts right across this and says that if you are to be his disciple you should pray for those who appear as your enemies. After all, he continues, anyone can love someone who loves you, anyone can be nice to those that are being nice to you, but Christians are to go much further than that.

We are to love ALL people just as God does. We are to be blameless towards ALL people, just as God is. We are not to give room for any criticism in the way we treat people, just as God doesn't. We are, in other words, to work to the same standards as God our Father.

Just as with the Law of old, Jesus' teaching challenges us and makes us realise that without that living vibrant relationship with Him, there is no way we can live out these things, but with His life and power within us, we CAN do it!

D. Application?

1. God's COMMAND to us is to love - ALL people, not just nice ones.

2. God's grace IS available to help us.

RECAP: - Heart Life in the Kingdom - Matt 5:21-48

SUMMARY :

In these 6 studies we have seen:

- Jesus teaching that there is no room in the Christian's heart for:

    - anger, which is as bad as murder

    - lust which is as bad as adultery

    - divorce without cause, which causes adultery

    - oaths, which abuse God's name

    - revenge

    - hate for enemies

COMMENT :

Jesus here challenges the thinking behind current Jewish teaching which was, what can I get away with. Jesus says that what is in our hearts is critical and although we may not commit an outward sinful act, if it is in our hearts we are placing ourselves in a very vulnerable position where the act will follow.

The Christian life is first concerned about what is on the inside and only then with what follows on the outside.

LESSONS :

1. A heart wrong goes before a wrong act

2. Divorce causes adultery, unless it has already happened

3. Truth does not need to be reinforced by an oath

4. Revenge is not for us, only blessing

5. God wants us to love even our enemies.

PRAY :

Ask the Lord to purify your heart and let your life be simple, straight forward and full of love.

PART 4 : "Real Piety"

How to be pious or devout, or how to perform religious duties well, has always been a question in any religious community. In this next part, Jesus challenges the assumption that piety has to be outward actions that are observable. As a direct contrast he says that piety is that which is done before God and not before men.