This week in Bible study a friend from pickleball, quite new to study,
came in and began our study with:
I hated this study on the Sermon on the Mount. I didn’t think of myself as a sinner. I hadn’t murdered anyone or committed adultery.
But I was biking when it all came clear. I was religious. I hadn’t grasped the gospel. Indeed, I was a sinner — but I could be completely forgiven through Christ.
I wanted to do cartwheels across the room!
My friend got it!
And there is nothing quite as AMAZING & WONDROUS as a brand new baby.
So now we start a hugely important preface to a the rest of
The Sermon on the Mount, so it is important we get it!
The Pharisees didn’t think of themselves as sinners,
so Jesus shocked Pharisees and listeners alike, saying:
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surprasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:20
The Pharisees, Calvin said, “Obscured the law,” concentrating on outward appearance and ignoring the heart.
The very first thing we must do, which the Pharisees would not do,
is acknowledge our poverty of spirit.
On our own, we cannot have the kind of heart God calls us to have.
But Jesus can both cleanse us and begin our transformation of the heart when we call upon Him in our need.
It takes me back to the days when my daughter Sally was so jealous of her
newly adopted sister.
Sally said,
I was in that awkward stage with braces — and she was this little doll everyone adored.
I felt rudely displaced,
I didn’t want to be with her.
Even her breathing bugged me.
First, Sally needed medical help with a full blown depression.
Then she needed help with her heart.
At a Christian concert, the leader said, “If you have yuk
in your heart toward someone and cannot get rid of it,
come up, for Jesus can help you.
Sally ran to the front and got a new heart.
How dramatic was the change of attitude toward her little sister!
It’s all about the heart, the heart, the heart!
It isn’t enough not to murder, we must put away the yuk we may harbor in our hearts toward others.
It isn’t enough not to commit adultery, we must put away the lust we have in our hearts toward others.
Sunday:
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- Where do you a heart change?
Monday: Jesus Came To Clarify and Restore the Law
Calvin said: “The Pharisees had obscured the law; Jesus restored it to its integrity.”
Jesus says anger and scorn for our brother is the seed of murder, and lust is the seed of adultery. He is concerned with the heart.
3. Read Matthew 5:17-19
A. Concerning the law and the prophets, what did Jesus come to do? (verse 17)
B. How important is the moral law, according to verse 18?
C. What will happen to the one who breaks the least of His commandments?
D. And to the one who keeps and teaches his commandments?
E. What does this teach you about levels in heaven?
4. Meditate on Matthew 5:18
A. How did Jesus make us righteous in God’s eyes?
B. How is transforming our hearts to make us truly righteous? (Eager to hear your answers)
Tuesday: Going Deeper
5. What does Exodus 20:13 teach?
6. How does Jesus go deeper in Matthew 5:21-22?
7. “Raca” means empty, or “of no worth.” Think about all the reasons it is wrong to view a
brother or sister like this.
8. What does Jesus warn about calling someone a fool?
Early in the summer we studied many proverbs about the fool. So we are taken aback now
with this dire warning about not calling someone a fool. John Stott is helpful in explaining that
the word here means rebel or apostate — someone going to hell. He quotes Tasker: “The man
who tells his brother that he is doomed to hell is in danger of hell himself.”
9. Why is only God the accurate judge of someone’s eternal fate?
Wednesday: Practical Applications
10. What does Matthew 5:23-24 say?
John Stott says it would be legitimate to translate Jesus’ illustrations into slightly more modern
dress:
If you are in church, in the middle of a service of worship, and you suddenly remember that your brother has a grievance against you, leave church at once and put it right. Do not wait till the service has ended. Seek out your brother and ask his forgiveness. First go, then come. First go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your worship to God.
11. Comment on the above?
12. What does Jesus tell us in Matthew 5:25-26?
Thursday-Friday: Sermon by R. C. Sproul
This 21 minute sermon on the passage is enlightening on what Jesus truly meant. Please listen and share your notes and comments:
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/sermons/jesus-view-murder/
13. What notes and comments do you have?
Keller also has a very good sermon on this passage. It costs 2:50. You can find it here if you are interested.
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/law-and-love-6150/
Saturday:
14. What is your take-a-way and why?
70 comments
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
That on our own we cannot have the kind of heart God wants us to have. And how we must put away the yuk in our hearts that we may have towards others. The Pharisees were all about outward appearance and performance. I can be like that too; outwardly smiling and being pleasant, respectful, all the while having yuk in my heart towards the person right in front of me. This reality turns me to Paul’s struggle that he described in Romans 7: “I want to do what is right….but there is another power within me that is at war with my mind.” There are a couple of people in my life that towards them, I have had “yuk” in my heart, in varying amounts, for a long time.
2. Where do you need a heart change?
Is it wrong to say, towards myself, too? I know that I am a sinner, and I can be so hard on myself; much more so than I would ever be towards someone else. I need a heart change in my relationship with my husband and my sister. Both have repeatedly hurt me. With her, I am very guarded and un-trusting, but I also wonder, am I unforgiving? I can also push people away, keep them at a distance, when I’ve been hurt.
Susan…I think we all too often overlook needing a heart change toward ourselves…thanks for being brave enough to speak out!
I agree with Lucy, Susan!
Susan, WOW, this is exactly what I was thinking too. I really need to search my heart and ask God to help me not be a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? Sally’s miraculous change of heart … and even before that the miraculous realization of her yuk …
Also the story of the religious friend realizing his/her yuk as well…I am clinging to the trith that if we want God He must first have wanted us…if we are seeking God then He has already been seeking us …
2. Where do you need a heart change? I have been shocked and dismayed at my pride just like the Pharisees … thinking I’ve figured some of this stuff out so I’m “good.” And even (ashamedly) better off than those who haven’t learned what I have. This grieves me and the Holy Spirit is quick to remind me that I am the chief of sinners but this state of mind is my default … so prideful… I have been listening to Keller alphabetically through all his sermons and the last 4 have been on the beatitudes (“coincidence”…) and the stark reminder of His sacrifice for MY sin, His love for my wretched self, my worth in Christ ALONE. Seeking Him and wanting His joy to be the deepest root but there always seems to be yet another idolatrous layer to be uncovered … to wash with His blood (steady, Eustace). But all glory to Him He sanctifies. also toward my oldest child … a tween … struggling there … trying so hard to “make” him be what he should rather than find that Godpel strength to love him well and support him in his own story. Feeling selfishly put out (so yuk-full) instead of patient and compassionate… we are so different….
I guess the crux of it all is the change of heart to believe the Gospel to my core: that I am worse than I will ever realize and loved more than I could dare to imagine AND this will NOT change based on my efforts or anything else. May that be the heart that my actions spring from.
Where do you a heart change
Love your last paragraph Jill…I guess the crux of it all is the change of heart to believe the Gospel to my core…may that be the heart that my actions sprung from!
Amen
Love that you are listening to so much Keller. I do think his sermons make us grow!
Jill ~ Your reference to Eustace caught my attention. So I went back and refreshed my memory.
Aslan came to Eustace and led him to a large well “like a very big round bath with marble steps going down into it.” Eustace described the scene to Edmund. He says the water was so clear and he hoped that if he could get in there and bathe it would help to ease the pain in his leg (from the gold bracelet he had put on when he was human). However, Aslan told him he had to undress first. And isn’t this what God asks of us? C.S. Lewis writes in Letters to Malcolm: “We must lay before him [God] what is in us; not what ought to be in us.”
Eustace discovered that no matter how many layers of dragon skins he peeled off of himself, he remained a dragon.
Lewis says, “Then the lion said – but I don’t know if it spoke – ‘You will have to let me undress you.’ I was afraid of his claws, I can tell you, but I was pretty nearly desperate now. So I just lay flat down on my back to let him do it.
So it is an ongoing and humbling place to return to again and again, as often as necessary. It is Romans 12:1, offering ourselves as a living sacrifice (that feels the pain) and being transformed by His mercy in the process.
** To give credit where credit is due, my response to Jill’s mention of Eustace was gleaned from a blog by Jennifer Neyhart. To view her words on this topic see this link:
http://www.jenniferneyhart.com/2014/10/c-s-lewis-undragoning-of-eustace.html
You piqued my curiosity — very good blog!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? The need for a new heart…I have a feeling of yuk that I can’t seem to get free of.
2. Where do you need a heart change? In an unnamed situation.
May the Lord do that for you, Lucy!
Sunday
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
“The heart, the heart, the heart.” “The Lord looks at the heart…” is what He told Samuel when choosing David. 1 Samuel 16:7. When looking back over the Beatitudes…they’re all about the heart. When I look at what love is in 1 Corinthians 13…it’s all about the heart.
2. Where do you need a heart change?
I need a heart change in seeing others through the grace and love of God. He has been working on me in this area. I will share that a man spoke in church this morning and my reaction was, “oh, no, he’s not a very good speaker. Why did the pastor ask him to speak?” The Lord immediately showed me my yucky heart and I asked the Lord to forgive me and to help me see and hear him through His eyes. I prayed for him while he spoke that all would be encouraged through what he had to say, including me. I’m not going to say he became an excellent speaker all of sudden but my heart was changed and I thank the Lord for that.
Good illustration, Sharon!
What stands out to you from the above and why?
I was really touched that at such a young age, Sally realized the “yuk” in her heart. And oh, only the Lord can do that. And I would presume that you, Dee and Steve, prayed for her fervently. I can see the joy in the 2 faces brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
To begin to realize the poverty of my soul and that I need a new heart, a tender and responsive one.
Where do you need a heart change?
I know I need a heart change but where? Am I sensing the Lord’s guidance or is it just another effort to feel acceptable rather than from the place of being already fully known and fully accepted? Am I willing for that chiseling of my stony heart and ready for the pain that comes with it? Part of me says, Yes, I am willing and part of me says, please be gentle, Lord.
So honest:
Am I sensing the Lord’s guidance or is it just another effort to feel acceptable rather than from the place of being already fully known and fully accepted? Am I willing for that chiseling of my stony heart and ready for the pain that comes with it? Part of me says, Yes, I am willing and part of me says, please be gentle, Lord.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
A stony heart….yikes!
2. Where do you a heart change?
I suppose I need a change toward my husband. He always seems to get booted by all the other demands I have in my life. I need to put him before other commitments…so hard sometimes.
This message was so aligned with our pastor’s message. He spoke on our acknowledgement of being condemned. Our exterior actions and appearance are not what’s important it’s our heart. He likened sin to termites that need to be extracted for a true renovation to occur.
That’s a powerful metaphor, Becca.
3. Read Matthew 5:17-19
A. Concerning the law and the prophets, what did Jesus come to do? (verse 17)
He came to live out the old ways of the prophets and Moses.
B. How important is the moral law, according to verse 18?
It is important; so much so that it will be achieved.
C. What will happen to the one who breaks the least of His commandments?
If you don’t follow the least of the commandment then you will be least in the Kingdom.
D. And to the one who keeps and teaches his commandments?
Those who keep and follow all of the commandments will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven.
E. What does this teach you about levels in heaven?
That there are levels.
Indeed, there are levels! And that some sins are worse than others! I probably concentrate on lesser ones!
4. Meditate on Matthew 5:18
A. How did Jesus make us righteous in God’s eyes?
He took our sin on the cross.
B. How is transforming our hearts to make us truly righteous? (Eager to hear your answers)
When your heart is in the right place (with God’s law) then you are righteous. It’s not just what you outwardly show but also what is genuine to your being.
I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I’m getting this even though I am answering the questions. I thought that the laws as the Pharisees took them were given up when Jesus came (OT vs NT)? Here He says they weren’t. Take circumcision for example. Old law yes, new law no. But, here it would seem that it should be implemented at the end times any way. Is it that Jesus just doesn’t want His people to make it a top priority? Like acknowledge it, but don’t fret about it too much? So confused right now….
Laura, I think you are spot on here: “It’s not just what you outwardly show but also what is genuine to your being.” The inside matches the outside; no hypocrisy.
Laura — He is talking about the moral law — you are right that the ceremonial law such as the sacrifice of lambs and circumcision ended with Christ.
Jesus both fulfilled the moral law for us by forgiving us and making us righteous, but also, by transforming our hearts which He will continue to do until we see Him face to face.
3. Read Matthew 5:17-19
A. Concerning the law and the prophets, what did Jesus come to do? (verse 17)
Jesus said that He came to fulfill the law and the prophets. He made it clear that He did not come to do away with them.
B. How important is the moral law, according to verse 18?
Jesus essentially says that the Law is here to stay – all of it. There is no part of the Law that is small and unimportant.
C. What will happen to the one who breaks the least of His commandments?
That person will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.
D. And to the one who keeps and teaches His commandments?
That person will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
E. What does this teach you about levels in heaven?
That some are rewarded more than others. It also makes me wonder – since we have all sinned and broken His commandments, there will be a lot of “leasts” in heaven.
4. Meditate on Matthew 5:18
A. How did Jesus make us righteous in God’s eyes?
There is a phrase in this verse that says “until everything is accomplished”. Is this alluding to when Jesus said on the Cross, “It is finished?” Jesus made us righteous in God’s eyes because He is the one who kept the whole law and all of the commandments perfectly. He died for us, paying the penalty for our sin. When we trust in Him, His righteousness is credited to us.
B. How is transforming our hearts to make us truly righteous?
I am thinking of Abraham. Scripture tells us that Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Abraham took God at His word. However, after this happened, Abraham followed Sarah’s advice and had a child through Hagar, and later he lied about Sarah being his sister. So this doesn’t mean that Abraham never sinned or had a personal failure again. Yet God did not wash His hands of Abraham. Abraham continued to trust in and follow God, though imperfectly, all of his life. God does give us a new heart when we become His child, a heart that can still have “yuk” in it. But now we can see it and recognize it for what it is. If we don’t listen to God, we feel quite miserable, whereas before, we could sin and not even care. Now we struggle against our sinful nature and we want to please God.
Good answers, Susan. And yes, I believe you are spot on with 4A
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
The story of your friend from Pickleball and how she thought because she didn’t murder anyone or did anything bad she wasn’t a sinner. I love how the penny fell through the Sermon on The Mount and her eyes were opened.
2. Where do you need a heart change?
Where do I start? This is new yuk that God is showing me. When I don’t trust Him I can easily bend toward frustration with my sin issues and with my families sin issues. My heart-frustration can turn into anger. (control idol), then when I can’t fix the situation or me, or them, despondency (comfort idol) can hit me. So I have days I have repented and turned and am trusting and days I don’t. Really turning to Jesus for me starts in the morning and because of this question this morning He has brought to light this issue in me that only He can change.
Awww Rebecca — love your honesty. I can identify.
3. Read Matthew 5:17-19
A. Concerning the law and the prophets, what did Jesus come to do? (verse 17) Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets
B. How important is the moral law, according to verse 18? It is so important that not one tiny piece of it will fall from its rightful place until all has been fulfilled at the end of the age.
C. What will happen to the one who breaks the least of His commandments? He/she shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven.
D. And to the one who keeps and teaches his commandments? Will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
E. What does this teach you about levels in heaven? Some will be great and some will be least…some will be first and some will be last.
4. Meditate on Matthew 5:18
A. How did Jesus make us righteous in God’s eyes? By fulfilling the requirements of God’s holy law.
B. How is Jesus transforming our hearts to make us truly righteous? (Eager to hear your answers). He is washing us with the water of His word, so that as our hearts are made cleaner and cleaner, our lights shine brighter and brighter! This transformation causes us to begin looking less and less like the world with more and more impurities being removed from our “true” natures until we are pure salt. Christianity alone focuses on a heart change instead of a behavior change. I so long for the days when my heart work will be complete!
Great answer to 4B Lucy.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
“It’s all about the heart”. We can’t fake a great heart. It can be easy to do the right actions, look spiritual, selfless…and yet have a dirty heart. I relate to feeling self-righteous. I remember in college what an eye opener it was to see in myself the older brother. But now I can also see where He has allowed some hard trials to break much of my pride and judgmental-ism, helping me see I cannot be “good” enough, even with my best efforts. So thankful I do not have to do anything more than repent and believe. Thankful He promises to search and cleanse my heart, and make it new.
2. Where do you need a heart change?
Yesterday I noticed an edgy-controller creeping up in me. On the drive to church I felt my husband was driving too slow…and told him. Then we got to church and I was bothered that my youngest was wearing an old T shirt (again my husband to blame). I wasn’t really annoyed with my husband, I knew it was deeper. That frustration of wanting to control what I cannot. Not trusting. So I’m following that thread and confessing where I am clinging, where I am not resting in Him.
I was sad I couldn’t stay active here last week because I especially LOVED Mike Reeves on Spurgeon. I shared it with my pastor who thinks he’s his twin, and really, they are so similar! But I loved hearing more of Spurgeon’s heart and hunger for the Lord. It encourages me to seek deeper communion with Him, to know that kind of union with Christ.
Awww Lizzy — so good you see and share these things. Love your vulnerable heart.
Being Spurgeon’s twin would be a good thing!
Monday
3. Read Matthew 5:17-19
A. Concerning the law and the prophets, what did Jesus come to do? (Verse 17)
He came to fulfill the law.
B. How important is the moral law, according to verse 18?
It will not disappear until it’s purpose is achieved.
C. What will happen to the one who breaks the least of His commandments?
They will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven.
D. And to the one who keeps and teaches the commandments?
They will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
E. What does this teach you about levels in heaven?
That they’ll definitely be there.
4. Meditate on Matthew 5:18 (Did you mean 5:20?)
A. How did Jesus make us righteous in God’s eyes?
He bore our sin once and for all.
B. How is He transforming our hearts to make us truly righteous?(Eager to hear your answers)
I would go back through all the Beatitudes…going from one to the other transforms our heart, drawing us to be more like Him so we can attract others to Him, salt and light. And of course as we have discussed previously there will be times when we have to go back to the beginning. I’m so thankful that God hasn’t given up on me!
5. What does Exodus 20:13 teach?
You shall not murder.
6. How does Jesus go deeper in Matthew 5:21-22?
He says that if you murder you will be judged.
7. “Raca” means empty, or “of no worth.” Think about all the reasons it is wrong to view a brother or sister like this.
Well, we are all formed by God, in His image, so we are not empty with no worth. If we think this then we are saying that God is empty with no worth.
8. What does Jesus warn about calling someone a fool?
It is not good to jump and call someone a fool for saying because we are warned that we will be judged. We will be thrown into the fire of hell.
“But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.”
Matthew 5:22 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/mat.5.22.nlt
9. Why is only God the accurate judge of someone’s eternal fate?
Only God knows a person’s heart.
Monday3. Read Matthew 5:17-19A. Concerning the law and the prophets, what did Jesus come to do? (Verse 17)He came to fulfill the law.B. How important is the moral law, according to verse 18?It will not disappear until it’s purpose is achieved.C. What will happen to the one who breaks the least of His commandments?They will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven.D. And to the one who keeps and teaches the commandments?They will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.E. What does this teach you about levels in heaven?That they’ll definitely be there.4. Meditate on Matthew 5:18 (Did you mean 5:20?)A. How did Jesus make us righteous in God’s eyes?He bore our sin once and for all.B. How is He transforming our hearts to make us truly righteous?(Eager to hear your answers)I would go back through all the Beatitudes…going from one to the other transforms our heart, drawing us to be more like Him so we can attract others to Him, salt and light. And of course as we have discussed previously there will be times when we have to go back to the beginning. I’m so thankful that God hasn’t given up on me!
Sorry for the duplication as it wasn’t going through!!??
3. Read Matthew 5:17-19 A. Concerning the law and the prophets, what did Jesus come to do? (verse 17)
Jesus came not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it.
B. How important is the moral law, according to verse 18?
The Law is to remain until it has accomplished its purpose. By fulfilling the Law, Jesus elevates its importance.
C. What will happen to the one who breaks the least of His commandments?
They will be called least in the Kingdom.
D. And to the one who keeps and teaches his commandments?
They will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
E. What does this teach you about levels in heaven?
Some will be considered greater than others, depending on one’s commitment to the Word.
4. Meditate on Matthew 5:18 A. How did Jesus make us righteous in God’s eyes?
He took on our sin, paid the penalty for it, and grants us His righteousness.
B. How is He transforming our hearts to make us truly righteous? (Eager to hear your answers)
He opens our eyes to our sin, our running to idols, and our desperate need of Him. As we kneel down, confess and repent, He takes our brokenness and re-makes us, bringing restoration, beauty, reflecting His glory. The more readily I submit, run to Him in repentance, the more He can work in me His redemptive beauty. He has graciously allowed me to see how some hard trials I never would have asked for or chosen have been used by His hands to show me my pride, my parenting idols, my fear of man’s opinion. I wouldn’t want to walk through them again but I am also so thankful for ways that the “leveled” me, helping me see I am no better, and the depths of my own depravity. I needed some big things to shake me, break me of my old ways, open my eyes. I trust He is continuing His work in me through it all, using all for His purpose and glory. I can’t imagine if we did not have such a gracious God, that even our suffering He uses for good. It is never wasted, never for nothing, it is all part of His transforming work.
So good from Lizzy:
I wouldn’t want to walk through them again but I am also so thankful for ways that the “leveled” me, helping me see I am no better, and the depths of my own depravity. I needed some big things to shake me, break me of my old ways, open my eyes. I trust He is continuing His work in me through it all, using all for His purpose and glory. I can’t imagine if we did not have such a gracious God, that even our suffering He uses for good.
Tuesday
5. What does Exodus 20:13 teach?
You must not murder.
6. How does Jesus go deeper in Matthew 5:21-22?
He takes it from being just a physical act to being a heart matter. The heart issue of anger can lead to the physical act of murder.
7. “Raca” means empty, or “of no worth.” Think about all the reasons it is wrong to view a brother or sister like this.
Prideful, sinful, out of control, hunger and thirsting for revenge, merciless, yucky heart and not a peacemaker.
8. What does Jesus warn about calling someone a fool?
They’ll be in danger of the fiery hell.
9. Why is only God the accurate judge of someone’s eternal fate?
He’s the only one who knows the heart of man.
10. What does Matthew 5:23-24 say?
Don’t give your sacrifice at the alter unless you are blameless. If you are not blameless then leave the sacrifice and go to the one you have wronged to make things right. After that you may return to the alter and your sacrifice.
11. Comment on the above?
Well, I agree to not delay, however couldn’t we wait until the end of the service? My “brother” may not live near and it wouldn’t hurt to wait 20 min! I think it’s just saying to make it a priority and get it done soon.
12. What does Jesus tell us in Matthew 5:25-26?
We need to settle our differences quickly so we don’t receive a punishment.
I think you are right, Laura. Jesus uses dramatic speech to make a point.
Laura I thought the same thing about clearing the air and waiting for after service, but I wonder since Jesus knows how we may procrastinate and forget, that he wants us to do it right as we are thinking about it. Kind of like when we tell someone I will pray for you, do we really do it later or do we forget. I tend to forget so I pray right when I say that or type it out.
Good point Julie.
5. What does Exodus 20:13 teach?
You shall not murder.
6. How does Jesus go deeper in Matthew 5:21-22?
Jesus speaks not only against murder but the heart of anger against another, that leads to murder. Jesus goes deeper to the core, the heart attitude.
7. “Raca” means empty, or “of no worth.” Think about all the reasons it is wrong to view a brother or sister like this.
It is not only an insult against the person, but against their Maker. It is a spirit of anger, hate, and also shows a lack of faith of God’s work in that person.
8. What does Jesus warn about calling someone a fool?
You will be liable to the fires of Hell.
9. Why is only God the accurate judge of someone’s eternal fate?
Only God knows our hearts, our deepest core motives and beliefs.
10. What does Matthew 5:23-24 say?
When we come to the altar, we should have a clean conscious between ourselves and our brothers. If not, we need to make things right with our brother before coming to the altar.
11. Comment on the above?
About 20 years ago, in my church in Texas, I remember just before communion our pastor quoted this verse and then gave the congregation about 15 minutes to leave the sanctuary—either to go and pray alone outside, or if needed to go and find your brother who you needed to reconcile something with, even make a phone call if needed, before coming back in for communion. It was a very powerful exercise.
Wow from Lizzy:
About 20 years ago, in my church in Texas, I remember just before communion our pastor quoted this verse and then gave the congregation about 15 minutes to leave the sanctuary—either to go and pray alone outside, or if needed to go and find your brother who you needed to reconcile something with, even make a phone call if needed, before coming back in for communion. It was a very powerful exercise.
WOW Lizzy to your #11. Great way to really cleanse the heart.
Wednesday
10. What does Matthew 5:23-24 say?
““This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.”
Matthew 5:23-24 MSG
11. Comments on the above.
What this tells me is that you know about the grudge, which may not always be the case. But make it right as soon as you can. I know from personal experience that if I know someone has a grudge/grievance towards me, I’m miserable. If I try to let it go or justify it, it comes between me and my relationship with God as well as the person of course.
12. What does Matthew 5:25-26 say?
““Or say you’re out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you’re likely to end up in court, maybe even jail. If that happens, you won’t get out without a stiff fine.”
Matthew 5:25-26 MSG
Interesting from The Message!
5. What does Exodus 20:13 teach?
This is the commandment that says, “You shall not murder.”
6. How does Jesus go deeper in Matthew 5:21-22?
Jesus tells the people that the one who murders will be subject to judgement, but not only that person….anyone who is angry with his brother will also be judged, and the one who verbally attacks another will be danger of the fire of hell.
7. “Raca” means empty or “of no worth”. Think about all the reasons it is wrong to view a brother or sister like this.
Well, I think it is wrong to view anyone like this, whether they are a fellow believer or not. Another term that I dislike and which I believe is along the same lines is saying someone is “trash”, as in, “white trash”. You are stripping the person of their humanity. You are calling a person made in the image of God a piece of garbage. Every person has worth in God’s eyes, even if they don’t conduct themselves as if they have worth.
8. What does Jesus warn about calling someone a fool?
Jesus says that calling someone a fool is to be in danger of hell.
9. Why is only God the accurate judge of someone’s eternal fate?
Because He is the Judge and it’s all up to Him where a person spends eternity. Only He knows a person’s heart. If this is true, then I wonder though why I’ve heard so many sermons where the speaker says things like to check yourself if you’re doing this or that, or you may not really be a Christian. I know they are not calling people “fools”, but throwing out a human standard that you should be conforming to?
Interesting question, Susan. I do think there is a difference between telling someone they are not saved and asking them to examine themselves. If there is no fruit in their life, no change, they may only have it in their head and not their heart, and that is cause to be concerned. Of course, there are those, like you, who are so sensitive you are always concerned — and then John tells you God is greater than your heart. It’s a tricky thing, but I don’t think it is wrong to ask people to examine their lives. Thoughts?
I think we need to always examine our own hearts to make sure we have not fallen away from the truth of God’s Word. The world we live in today can easily pull you aside if you are not strong in His teachings. Maybe make you doubt the way you think or believe about something?
Sunday:
What stands out to you from the above and why? – This is all so good. Like Sally I need to get all the yuck out of my heart. I can’t do it myself. I can only do it by continuing to cry out to God daily for him to get rid of the muck in my whole being.
Where do you a heart change? – I need an attitude adjustment along with a cleansing of the heart.
Monday: Jesus Came To Clarify and Restore the Law
Calvin said: “The Pharisees had obscured the law; Jesus restored it to its integrity.”
Jesus says anger and scorn for our brother is the seed of murder, and lust is the seed of adultery. He is concerned with the heart.
3. Read Matthew 5:17-19
A. Concerning the law and the prophets, what did Jesus come to do? (verse 17) – He came to fulfill the Law.
B. How important is the moral law, according to verse 18? – From the Message it says ‘God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.’ It seems to me that the most important thing we can do is to follow God’s Law until the end of time.
C. What will happen to the one who breaks the least of His commandments? – They will be called least in the Kingdom of God.
D. And to the one who keeps and teaches his commandments? – They will be called great in the Kingdom of God.
E. What does this teach you about levels in heaven? – Just reading the scripture verse make me think that if you are following God’s Law you will be great among others in the Kingdome of Heaven, but the side note in my bible talks about not having a class system, but that least and great in the Bible show things that are valued in God’s spiritual kingdom. It goes on to say that there will be no elitism in Heaven though some may receive greater rewards. So I guess either way, if we follow God’s laws, are obedience and faithfulness will be valued by God.
4. Meditate on Matthew 5:18
A. How did Jesus make us righteous in God’s eyes? – Is it by His grace and mercy that we can continue to learn and follow Him so we can become righteous in His eyes? That until the new earth comes, we will continue to be forgiven and tested as we grow?
B. How is transforming our hearts to make us truly righteous? (Eager to hear your answers) – For me I think that each time I feel a tug to learn more, read more, dig deeper in to His word, that my heart will transform. But by doing all of this, I need to be open to the change He can make in my life. If I’ve blocked my ears, eyes and heart from His touch, nothing will penetrate my heart and change won’t happen. I need to be a willing vessel.
Good answers, Julie. Love that from The Message.
Tuesday: Going Deeper
5. What does Exodus 20:13 teach? – that I shall not murder
6. How does Jesus go deeper in Matthew 5:21-22? – It is not just the act of murder that you will be judged on, but also being angry at your brother will also be under judgement.
7. “Raca” means empty, or “of no worth.” Think about all the reasons it is wrong to view brother or sister like this. – Saying nasty things to others will bring them down and will cause their heart to hurt. I know for me, I sit and dwell on what was said to me and become angry right back at the person. It doesn’t get you anywhere. It just becomes a vicious cycle and God does not like us acting this way. It is the opposite of what he is all about Love.
8. What does Jesus warn about calling someone a fool? – We will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Early in the summer we studied many proverbs about the fool. So we are taken aback now
with this dire warning about not calling someone a fool. John Stott is helpful in explaining that
the word here means rebel or apostate — someone going to hell. He quotes Tasker: “The man
who tells his brother that he is doomed to hell is in danger of hell himself.”
9. Why is only God the accurate judge of someone’s eternal fate? – If I act just like the one acting against me, I am no better than them. So I have no authority to say anything about what they are doing, wrong if I don’t counteract what they are saying to me by showing them love. God is the only one that does not sin. I’m a sinner and don’t have any right to judge another sinner.
Wednesday: Practical Applications
10. What does Matthew 5:23-24 say? – I need to be clean of all wrongs against me and those I have done against someone before offering anything up to the Lord. WOW, this is an eye opener right now.
John Stott says it would be legitimate to translate Jesus’ illustrations into slightly more modern dress:
If you are in church, in the middle of a service of worship, and you suddenly remember that your brother has a grievance against you, leave church at once and put it right. Do not wait till the service has ended. Seek out your brother and ask his forgiveness. First go, then come. First go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your worship to God.
11. Comment on the above? – We are to ask forgiveness first and foremost before even going to church, or approaching God in our quiet place. I feel that if this is not done, my cries will be unheard, or bounced back to me.
12. What does Jesus tell us in Matthew 5:25-26? – Don’t let things linger. If there is strife, get it cleared up before hurt builds up in your heart. If you let it linger, it will only bring more hurt and resentment.
Thursday-Friday: Sermon by R. C. Sproul
This 21 minute sermon on the passage is enlightening on what Jesus truly meant. Please listen and share your notes and comments:
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/sermons/jesus-view-murder/
13. What notes and comments do you have? – WOW, short but to the point. Loved this. Here are my take aways.
Jesus warns us against misinterpreting the Law.
When Jesus says you’ve heard it said, refers to oral tradition, the tradition of the Rabbi
First problem is that the Rabbi had a great knowledge of the law, but the commandments are much more than what they interpreted.
What ever the law prohibits enjoins the opposite
Life is so important that we should not just kill someone we need to promote the sanctity of life.
The same principal stands for capital punishment and abortion. The sanctity of life.
The law against murder not only prohibits the actual murder but also potential murder, those things that represent potential destruction of a human being.
Some can’t clearly understand the ethical teachings of Jesus
The point that people miss about Jesus’ teachings is the degree of the sins that Jesus understands. He lets us know that we are not free of the thinking of the acts
There is a difference of being foolish and stupid
Stupid is intellectual judgment
Fool is a moral judgement
Foolishness is set in contrast to wisdom and wisdom is in fear of the Lord
To be a fool in biblical times may be compared to a very, very smart person, but is a skeptic in regards to God. He remains rebellious, has a harden heart.
We need to establish a love relationship with everyone before we approach the throne of God.
We all harbor anger that is not justifiable and this makes us fail in honoring God.
Good notes Julie!
Good notes, Julie. Many found the sermon hard to follow.
10. What does Matthew 5:23-24 say?
Jesus tells us that our offerings to God are not as important as our relationships with one another, that is someone has something against us, we need to be about reconciling with that person. After we handle that, then give to God. We should try to settle matters quickly with others before things escalate into a court battle.
11. Comment on the above?
I agree with what he says here. It is kind of hypocritical to sit in church and sing songs to God, listen intently to the sermon and give our offering, all the while we have something seething in our hearts about someone else. It makes me think of the scene where a young family is trying to all get ready for church, rushing, hurrying, and getting mad at each other and not speaking in the car on the way to church. Then you try to put on a happy face in church.
12. What does Jesus tell us in Matthew 5:25-26?
Try to settle a matter with your adversary before you both end up in court. He says if not, the judge may decide against you and you may end up in jail. This seems to presuppose that you are the guilty party, so do the right thing in the first place. If you owe someone money, pay it.
So good: “Our offerings are not as important as our relationships to people.”
I lost all my notes on the sermon…I should learn.
I will try to remember some of them. This was a tough sermon for me to follow. Not sure I understand even though I have listened several times.
This passage has meaning other that what is in the text (…).
Jesus compares the Pharisees interpretation of the law to its real meaning. They took it as “thou shall not kill.” Jesus knows they had a superficial understanding of the law. It forbids everything leading up to the actual murder. It includes anything that will harm your neighbor up to the point of murder.
Jesus came to fulfill the laws of the OT. He came to show the Pharisees that they were only following rules and rituals, and could still have anger in their hearts.
Being angry is just as bad as murdering because the anger (or slander, or hatred) can lead to the murder.
Sanctity of life is most important. Whether it’s protecting the unborn or protecting those who have been murdered (capital punishment), life should be protected because we are made in His image. If you harm someone (or kill) you forfeit your life. The text covers both actual life and potential life.
Some question the ethical teaching of Jesus, seemingly making the anger and the murder equal. Jesus isn’t saying they are equal, but He is saying that just because you haven’t gone all the way to murder doesn’t mean you are free.
Fools are not wise. They are those who are very intelligent but remains one who has a hard heart. Rejects God because of a hard heart. Unbelief is a sin, not a mistake…it’s willful.
We all need to love each other and get right with each other before we reach heaven. We need to do everything we can to adorn the life of our neighbor.
Laurie, I too thought it was a tough sermon to follow. I took notes but they made no sense…you did a wonderful job!
Great job Laura! And you with little ones.
way behind as we moved into our actual house this week and are trying to unpack but I didn’t want to miss this lesson so forgive my incessant babbling as I cathartically type out my answers here.
3. Read Matthew 5:17-19
A. Concerning the law and the prophets, what did Jesus come to do?
He came to fulfill it
B. How important is the moral law according to verse 18?
It is so important that not one dot or tittle (these are elements of the hebrew language characters). I remember hearing something about this ….that a dot or tittle could change the meaning. I used to get fearful that this meant I needed to follow all the Jewish laws listed out in the Pentatuch. C. What will happen to the one who breaks the least of His commandments?
The ESV says “relaxes” one of His commandements. Interesting especially in light of several “grace-based” denominations. That person will be called least in the kingdom. This is interesting because it somewhat implies that that person will still enter the kingdom but be called least. But then in verse 20 it says that only those whose righteousness surpasses the pharisees will enter the kingdom. There is somehow a connection here between true righteousness through Christ that does indeed surpass pharisee righteousness and the one who believes but does not follow the law as seriously as he should. D. And to the one who keeps and teaches his commandments? He will be called great in the kingdom. E. What does this teach you about levels in heaven?
That some are greater than others. But will we care? Our focus will be perfected to delight in only Christ. So will our “station” matter to us? I suppose to glorify Him more by laying more crowns at His feet will be the delight. 4. Meditate on Matthew 5:18
A. How did Jesus make us righteous in God’s eyes?
By fulfilling God’s law for us.
B. How is He transforming our hearts to make us truly righteous?
Well, if the law is already fulfilled then we need not keep it anymore for salvation attempts. (?right?) however His law is also His loving guidance and how people can see we worship Him and not this world…so I am thinking that the law is also our santification… by continuing to be rebuffed and refined by His readable law our spirits continue to stay soft to His unreadable guidance (the Holy Spirit). However this calls into question why I do not follow Levitical law… if I allow myself to be guided by the laws that are mostly culturally accepted why not the ones that are weird and unfamiliar?! If I claim Christ’s grace for not following some then why not all? Is this hypocritical? Is this me being a convenient Christian?
Concerning B, Jill — Christ fulfilled the Levitical law — for example, he is the final Lamb. But the moral law is forever. The Pharisees tweaked it to make it easier, and so Christ is not nullifying but clarifying, getting to the heart of each matter. For example, I’m working on the section about oaths — the Pharisees tweaked it to say if you didn’t actually use God’s name in an oath you didn’t have to keep it — and Jesus said to be people of our word — don’t swear at all — just let our yes be yes and our no be no. Of course we can’t keep it all – -but that is the standard, to not lust, to not lie, to love our enemy — so we thank Him that He covers us with His righteousness, and helps us toward sanctification.
Dee, thank you for your response. I’m afraid I didn’t articulate my thoughts very well and submitted my babbling without proofing or refining or really even finishing my thoughts. Sorry. I won’t attempt to clarify my thoughts now but know that I understand.
Great. You are dear!
5. What does Exodus 20:13 teach?
You shall not murder.
6. How does Jesus go deeper in Matthew 5:21-22?
He taught that a person who is even angry with a brother or insults a brother will be “liable to judgement.” This seems to me to be identifying the root of murder.
7. “Raca” means empty or “of no worth.” Think about all the reasons it is wrong to view a brother or sister like this.
It depends on arrogance and pride to demote someone to worthless, there is a presumption that you are better than them to be able to judge them as “no worth.” It insults God’s creation. It contradicts God’s love for humans.
8. What does Jesus warm about calling someone a fool?
They will liable to the fire of hell (ESV).
9. Why is only God the accurate judge of someone’s eternal fate?
Because only God can truly see hearts. Because is the only Judge worthy and who has the authority to judge. Because He can see intent clearly whereas humans get muddled and confused in even trying to discern reasons behind their own actions sometimes.