Sermon On the Mount | MATTHEW 5:21-26, 33-37 | JESUS AND THE LAW: MURDERING WITH WORDS

I. Introduction:

            Note:  Previously, we have been looking at the way Jesus handles Old Testament Law.  Today I would like to look further at how Jesus

handles the Old Testament Law and how Jesus applies this to Christians.

            Note:  If you remember, Jesus has a high view of the Law and this is stated in Matthew 5:17-19 and then He makes the startling statement

in Matthew 5:20.  Let's read that verse one more time together.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:20.

            Q Do you remember what we discussed about the meaning of this verse?  What does it mean?

               An = Jesus is saying that our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of those who were religious leaders of Jesus' day.  To enter

the kingdom of heaven or the Christian faith one had to go further and exceed the religiosity of the day.

            I love what Oswald Chambers says in this regard:  "We should have a family resemblance to Jesus Christ".  Just as when people meet us,

and we can remind them of our parents, we should be the type of people in our actions and attitudes that remind people of our Lord.  His Spirit should be

ours.  Just as we should be like our parents, if they are good people, in more than a physical outward resemblance, it should be with us as God's children.

            Q So how do we get there?  How do we become more like Jesus and how do we get free of our self-centeredness?  

               An =  Jesus' way in the Sermon on the Mt. is a highly practical one.  He shows how to practically grow into the likeness of Him and His

father.  His program for spiritual growth is two fold:  1) make decisions on specific and concrete issues and 2) act on those decisions with physical

action.  Lets look at two examples of how to do that.

 

II.  Speaking the Truth:  Matthew 5:33-34.

>>>>  Have someone read Matthew 5:33-34

            Q  Do you see the pattern emerging?

               An = He quotes the Law in verse 33, adds the words, "But I say unto you", and then begins to radicialize to "fulfill" to "complete" the

teaching inherent in the Old Testament.

            Q  What is the issue being addressed here?

               An = Telling the truth.  Vows were taken to bolster up someone's verbal claims.  That is why we swear          in court, "So help me

God".

>>>>  Have someone read Matthew 5:35-36

            Q  Why is Jesus adding all these examples or situations where we are not to swear?

               An = Jews in that day, would not swear by God and break their word, because that would break Exodus 20:7 or the third commandment of

taking the Lord's Name in vain.  So they would swear by lesser objects.  Jesus points out that this is all missing the point.  We are not to swear at all,

because all of life belongs to God.  If we swear by anything, we are swearing by His Name.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:37

            Q  What does this mean?

               An = If we really understand the intent of the Law about not breaking vows, or taking oaths, we realize that at the heart of the issue, is

truth telling.  So if we want to "fulfill" the Law, we merely tell the truth.  Our "yes" is always a "yes".  If we say "yes"  I will help you, then when the

time comes we actually help them.  If we say "no" we will not break our contract then our "no" means "no".

 

III.  Murdering With Words.

   A.  Repetition of the Law and Presentation of the Issue.  Matthew 5:21.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:21

            Q What is the issue Jesus is bringing up?

               An = The issue is the prohibition of murder.  Jesus repeats one of the Ten Commandments, (the sixth commandment:  Exodus 20:13 and

Deuteronomy 5:17).  He then makes a correct deduction:  if you murder then you are liable to the court.  

   B.  Jesus takes the Law further and Radically Applies It.  Matthew 5:22.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:22.

            Note:  Jesus opens with His customary:  "But I say to you".  He claims authority here, and he expands the prohibition of murder in three

ways.

            Q  What are the three ways He expands it in this verse?

               An = First, He says if you are "angry with your brother" you shall be guilty before the court.  In other words Jesus is saying that if you

are angry (and some manuscripts add "angry with your brother without cause") then it is the same as murder.  An alarming situation indeed.  

            Second, He says if you call your brother "Raca" you are answerable to the Sanhedrin.  What Jesus is saying is here is if you call your

brother an "idiot" (for that is what "Raca" roughly means) you are liable to the Supreme Court of the Land:  namely the Sanhedrin of Jesus' day.

            Third, He says if anyone says:  "You fool" they are in danger of the fires of hell.  In other words calling your brother a fool could land

you in hell.  

            Note:  This last phrase is quite upsetting and let us look up all of this passage and check a few things in the Greek.  If we do this we

discover an amazing thing.  The word "fool", the exact greek word used here, is found in another place in Matthew:  in Matthew 23:17.  Lets turn to this

passage.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 23:17.

            Q  Who is speaking here and to whom?

               An = It is Jesus Himself.  Jesus is speaking to the leaders of his day:  the Pharisees and scribes, and He is calling them "fools".

            Q  If Jesus is not sinning here against His own commands, what is He doing?

               An = One thing becomes quite clear the more you read Matthew and that is he is quite aware of what he is writing.  Matthew is a

carefully written book.  He is aware that he has recorded the same greek word for "fool" in Matthew 23:17 that Jesus forbids us to use in 5:22.  I believe

Matthew's reason for doing this is to help us not misunderstand what Jesus is saying:  it is not the mere repetition of certain syllables like those that

make up the word "fool" in what ever language we speak in.  It is not the word "fool" or the syllables that make up the words for "fool" that are the

issue.  He wants us to see the real issue being discussed in Matthew 5:22.

            Q  Is there a gradation of penalties in Matthew 5:22?

               An = There seems to be:  Liable to court, liable to the Supreme Court and then liable to the fires of hell.  However, the scholars say

that though there is gradation of penalties involved, these is no gradation in the offense recorded.  In other words: there is no gradation from anger, to

the word "Raca" to the word "fool".  They must be taken together.  When we are angry and we call someone "stupid" or a "fool" in anger we are as guilty as

those who commit physical murder.  The gradation of penalty seems to be a rhetorical devise to let us know how serious Jesus regards the matter, but

offense is best understood as combination of being angry and verbally calling someone a negative term.

            Note:  Remember, if you call someone a fool and they are one, that is not sin.  That is merely speaking the truth, but 5:22 is talking about

"anger" and "words".

            Note:  When I was in college I took a course in upper division Sociology.  It was called "Sociology of Deviant Behavior".  In it we read six

books and one of them was about "Call-girls" or "higher class or more expensive prostitutes".  In the book this sociologist interviewed a large number of

gals who made their living by selling their bodies, and he made an amazing discovery.  Most of these girls when they fought with their mothers when in

adolescence were told by their own mothers:  "Well, you are no better than a whore".  The mothers said that to their kids in anger and the gals went out

and fulfilled prophesy.

            Example # 2  When I worked on the West side of Fresno and was doing academic tutoring of black kids I discovered that one of their

greatest disadvantages was that they thought they were inferior and so did not aspire to good grades or a bettering of their situation in terms of

education, jobs or a place in society.  Words had held them back.  In those days people had told blacks they were inferior and many of these kids honestly

thought they were.

            Example # 3  When our own kids get us angry, or our spouse, relatives, or fellow workers, it is so easy to tell them that they are:  to

call them fools or call them stupid or verbally assign them to the position of a lower existence.   In certain situations we can be guilty of murder.  We

murder one's soul with words.

            Q  Has anyone ever done this to you?

            Note:  If we kill someone's body we do a wrong thing.  However, our bodies were not made to live forever and as wicked as murder is it is

not as bad as killing the soul.  Our souls live forever, and if we aid in the killing of another's soul, we are guilty of a much worse type of murder.  

            Q  Is not God just in punishing us for the murder of a soul with the damnation of our own soul in hell?

               An = Let them discuss this if they want, but Jesus is making a logical fair judgment here.  For Jesus to not condemn us for the murder

of an eternal soul, is to cheapen the value of that other person's soul.

            Q Let me ask an even more disagreeable question, have any of you put down others with words?  <>

            Q So what does that say to us?  Where are we all going?

               An = If Jesus wanted merely to condemn us in guilt then He would have ended His teaching on this subject with 5:22, but that is not His

goal or intention.  He wants us in the kingdom of heaven, He wants to be like Him, to have a "family resemblance to Himself" as Oswald Chambers says. 

So how do we get there?  What do we do?  Lets see!

   C.  The Way to Become Like Guiltless.  Matthew 5:23-24.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:23-24.

            Q  What is Jesus doing here?

               An = He is showing them the way to "exceed the righteous of the scribes and Pharisees".  He is showing them the way to salvation, to

how to be in line with the will of God.

            Q  Did you know where sacrifices could be offered in Jesus' day?

               An = There was only one place one could make an offering at the altar and that was in Jerusalem.  It was in Jerusalem and in Jerusalem

alone.  In addition, most Jews did not live in Jerusalem.  It was a three day walk from Galilee and a four month travel from Rome or six month travel

from Babylon where a lot of Jews lived.  In fact, in Jesus' day they estimate that for every Jew that lived in Palestine, six and a half times as many Jews

lived outside of the country.  When Jesus says leave your gift at the altar and return home that would mean by the time you got back it would be rotted.

            In other words, even if you are doing the right and proper thing at church it is to be stopped until you have made it right with the offended

party.  It does not matter what fine and glorious thing you are doing in the house of God, the making right of relationship we have damaged is the most

important thing we can do for God.  Especially, if we have damaged with harsh, derogatory words said in anger.

            Example:  When I was a teenager I was challenged to read a Gospel completely through in one sitting, and so I decided to do so.  I came

to this part and realized that as much as I loved God and the things of God I had hurt my own brother many, many times.  I was an average American big

brother, and I had sinned.  My brother had something against me.  So I stopped reading the Bible and went out and found him swinging on a pole, and

apologized to him.  It was one of the hardest things I had ever done.  I had never apologized to my brother.  He was in shock.  He just looked at me, he did

not say a word, he had never heard me do such a thing.  I meant what I said though and then went back to reading the Gospel.

            Q  What does Jesus say in 5:24 about after we have reconciled with our brother?

               An = He says "come home.  Come and present your offering.  I want to receive from you, I want to fellowship with you, I want to be on

good terms with you despite your past errors".

            In other words:  there is hope for us who have made this error of murdering with words!  God wants us home.

   D.  The Concluding Admonition.  Matthew 5:25-26.

            Note:  Jesus does not end here.  He knows how hard a thing He is asking.  He knows us well and how hard His commands are, so He gives us

another word before He concludes.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:25-26.

            Q  What is Jesus doing here?  What does this metaphor of court procedures mean?  What relevance does it have to our discussion of

murder with words?

               An = He is using a common metaphor of His day about legal matters.  It is better to settle out of court if you are guilty, then to be

brought to court and wind up doing time.  Jesus is saying settle the matter now with those you have verbally offended and do not wait for the judgment

seat of God.  If you have hurt others with words, the judgment may be started in this life, or could be, right around the corner.

            Note:  Notice how Jesus concludes in verse 25.  He solemnly warns that payment must be made for our verbal murders.  There will be no

leniency.  He says this not to merely terrorize with the threat of hell, but to spurn us on to action.  He does not want us to take lightly what the truth is

about the will of God and the coming judgment.  He does not want us to die, because He loves us.

 

III.  Application:

            Q So what do we do?

               An = Let me merely add that these are very convicting words for me.  I have done a lot of apologizing in my time, and will always have

to do so.

            1) I would suggest that you think about those you need to write or call or go see if you are the offending party.

            2)         If you feel guilt and want to improve, let me remind you of Matthew 5:6.

            "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

Sermon On the Mount | MATTHEW 5:17-20, 27-30 | JESUS AND THE LAW | ENTERING THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: RADICALIZING THE LAW

I. Introduction:

            Q  Can following the Mosaic Law save us from our sins?

            Q  If the Law cannot save us, what is the role of the Mosaic Law?

               An = Paul reminds us, it can show us our sin, but its primary function in the Old Testament is as a response to His mighty action of

saving.  God saved the Jews, not their ability.  It was God who opened the Red Sea, not their prayers or righteousness.  What the Law does is keep us

free, it is response in gratitude to His salvation and our choice to be submitted to His love.  We did not choose for Christ to die on the cross, but we are

free to respond to that grace once we have received it.  We saw how the Old Testament Law functioned for Israel, but...

            Q How does the Old Testament Law function in the christian life today?

               An = After they give their answers, then you begin.

            Note:  It is often said that Jesus did away with the laws of the Old Testament or that we are under grace now, so the Old Testament does

not apply.  I would like to say two things in regard to that.  First, it is true that something "new" arrived in the history of mankind when Jesus Christ

came to earth.  In Christ is the fullness of the God-head revealed.  Second, however, remember who Jesus Christ's Father is.  His Father is the God of the

Old Testament.  Jesus' Father is the God of the Old Testament.  And the Father and the Son are One.

            Note:  Our aim today is to see some of what Jesus thinks about the Law or the Old Testament.  After all if Jesus is the head of the Church,

then it makes sense to see what He thinks about the Old Testament.  After all, it is Jesus, who is God.  

 

II.  The Eternality of The Law.   Matthew 5:17-20.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:17-19.

            Note:  The Old Testament in Jesus' day was often referred to as the "Law and the Prophets".  

            Q What is Jesus saying in 5:17 and 18?

               An = In verse 17 He says clearly He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfil.  Do not explain beyond this but tell them that we will

return to this verse.  In verse 18 He says not the smallest letter of the Old Testament shall pass away until all is accomplished.

            Q What is Jesus saying in 5:19?

               An = In verse 19 He issues a warning:  our greatness as teachers is diminished if we degrade the Old Testament and our use of the Old

Testament is aggrandized if we teach it.

            QQ On a scale of 1-10 what is Jesus' view of the Old Testament?

               An = It is definitely a 10!

            Note:  Perhaps the most difficult verse of these three to understand is 5:17.  Jesus seems to be aware of this.  What is interesting is

verse 20 will explain verse 17 and all the rest of chapter 5 will illustrate what 5:20 means.  So lets read 5:20....

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:20.

            Q What is Jesus saying here?

               An = Jesus seems to be saying this verse is the key to entering heaven.  That is an important thing. 

            Q So, how do we enter the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven?

               An = Our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.  

            Q Who are these gentlemen?  Who and what did they represent that we must exceed their life style or the kingdom of heaven is not ours?

               An = The Pharisees were the most religiously scrupulous people of their society.  They firmly believed in the Old Testament as the

Word of God.  They were the most strict adherents to the Mosaic Law.  They were highly regarded and respected leaders of their religious society.  I

often liken them to the Conservative Evangelicals of our day.  Those who really try to live the christian life.  They are like serious deacons, trustees, and

elders of Evangelical churches.

            The scribes were the biblical scholars of their day.  They were experts in the Bible.  They were the professors of religion of their time. 

They were the Bible Ph.d's of their day.

            Q So what is Jesus saying?

               An = To enter His kingdom one's righteousness must exceed the righteousness of even the most respected leaders of their day.  This

sounds very discouraging to me.  When I read this as a child I was pretty discouraged.  This is bad news to most of us in the room today.  After all Jesus

is the one who defines who gets into heaven, and what He says sounds almost impossible to accomplish for most of us.

            RQ Should we all go home?  Is not heaven just impossible to obtain?

            Note:  What will follow in the next few verses is a series of six examples of what Jesus means by our "righteousness exceeding that of

the Pharisees" and what He means in 5:17 where He says He came to "fulfill" the Old Testament.  In other words, what does He means by "fulfill" or "fill

up" and what does He mean by "exceed"!

            Note: There is a pattern in Matthew 5:21-48.  It is a definite, easy to observe pattern that is found six times in the rest of the chapter. 

We will look at one of these examples and look at the others in the next few weeks.  All six of these examples answer the question:  What does "exceed"

and "fulfil" mean?

 

III.  The Pattern and An Example.  Matthew 5:27-302.

   A.  The Pattern:

            Note:  There is pattern to how Jesus takes the Law and fulfills it or shows practically how those who wish to enter the kingdom of heaven

must "exceed" the righteousness of established religion of the day.  The pattern is simply this.  It has three steps sometimes followed by a fourth.   The

pattern is this:

            1) Jesus quotes the Old Testament by either saying "you have heard" or "it was said".  Most people of that day did not own a Bible and so

they heard the Scriptures read each time they went to synagogue, the Temple, etc.  So Jesus first quotes the Old Testament as authority.

            2) Jesus then follows with "four words" "But I tell you..." in your NIV (pew Bibles) or with "five words" in the NASB, RSV, KJ "But I say

unto you..." 

            Note:  The revolutionary statement of these words is astounding.  Jesus is saying this is what the Bible says "but I say..."  That is like me

saying this is what the Bible says "but this is what I says...".  These are fighting words to Jesus' contemporaries, Jesus is making serious claims here.

            Note:  Jesus is doing to the Old Testament Law what the Holy Spirit had already done to it in the Old Testament itself.  Jesus, like the

Prophets was radically applying it to contemporary and expanding situations.

            3)  Finally Jesus gives an application of that portion of Scripture that "exceeds" the religious practice of the day and "exceeds" practice

of the Laws contemporary practice.  His application goes further along the very spirit of that Law, and brings it to its "fulfillment".

            4)  Finally, sometimes there is additional help that Jesus gives His audience to help them implement His teaching.

   B.  An Example of the Pattern:  Purity of Heart.  Matthew 5:27-30.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:27-30.

            Q  Do you see the pattern?  Can you find 

               An = Do you see the first part in 5:27 where Jesus quotes the Law.  This time it is one of the Ten Commandments:  the seventh

commandment or Exodus 20:14.  Then in verse 28 is the famous words again:  "But I tell you (NIV)".  Then the rest of verse 28 explains the "further

purity", or "how to exceed", or "how to really fulfil" God's real heart in this matter.  Finally, this particular example of the pattern also has "additional

helps".

            Q  If we go back to verse 28, what in essence is Jesus saying?

               An = In essence Jesus is saying:  "not only are you to not commit sexual sin with another man's wife but you are not to even "scope a

woman down".  You are not to even "fanaticize".  This is radical, exceeding.  Those of you are men in the audience know just how "exceeding" this

application is.

            Q  You may say this is "too hard".  How many in the room are adulterer with Jesus' definition?

               An = This condemns us all.  Speaking for the men, not a man in this room has not had illicit sexual fantasies.  But before you bail on me

here.  You would never want someone to have sex with your wife or husband or your daughter if they were not married to them, nor would you want them

"scoping down your wife or daughter with lecherous eyes"?  Not those of you who have been some how made aware of a higher, greater way.  You see

Jesus has articulated what "our best" would point to.  

            Note:  One other note.  I said sometimes Jesus added a fourth part to the pattern.  This application of the Old Testament does have the

fourth part.  Here you will see the not just Jesus' will but something more of His heart, of the heart of God.  

            Jesus does not want us to be condemned in guilt and left there.  To be sure we do need to be condemned in guilt

because our hearts are guilty.  We do not think like He does.          However, He wants us to go to heaven and not be left in

condemnation and He wants us to live so that we can control ourselves sexually here in on earth!!

            RQ  What if you want to have integrity:  so that you can begin to truly mean:  "thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven"?

            Q  Is there any hope?  How would one begin to enter the place where Jesus Christ reigns in us.  Where we are in His Kingdom, where He is

truly Lord?

               An = Lets see how beautifully He adds words to this application to help us.

>>>> Let me re-read Matthew 5:29-30.

            Q  Is Jesus telling us to cut out our eyes as we see a cute girl on the beach, or cut off our hands as they reach for that pornography?  

            Q = Is the mark of true Christian males that they only have left hands and wear patches over their right eyes?

               An = No, I think Jesus clearly has something else in mind here.  "Martin Luther says you cannot stop the birds from flying over your head

but you can stop them from building nests in your hair."  As sexual creatures we cannot help but being excited by the human body, but we can help what

movies we see, by what magazines we buy, by getting out of bad situations, that in, and of themselves, are not wrong but cause us to stumble sexually.

            Note:  The right hand in the Ancient Near East was the "best hand", the right eye, the "best eye".  Jesus is saying sometimes it best to get

rid of something that in and of itself is not wrong but it leads to our destruction.

            EX 1  Those who know something of alcoholics anonymous, or a twelve step program know that alcoholics do not "modify" their drinking

they eliminate it.  A glass of good wine at dinner, a cold beer at the end of a hard day is not wrong but it would be begin the destruction of an alcoholic. 

            Ex 2  The beach is beautiful, but for years I did not often go, because so many poor girls went there.  They were so poor that they could not

afford a full bathing suit, they could only afford these skimpy things that exposed a great deal.  Poor girls!!  Is the beach wrong?  No!  Are girls wrong? 

No!  But for me to see them like that only made me lust.  The body was made by God.  A quick look at the Song of Solomon clearly shows the celebration

and appreciation the Bible wants us to have towards sex and the human body.  It says "lust" though is wrong.

            Note:  If I am serious, I must radically cut out of my life what causes me to stumble.  If I do not then I prove I do not want "His will to be

mine" on "earth as it is in heaven".  At least I know who I really am, and what I really want.

            Q So what is Jesus doing here?

               An = Jesus says nothing about being "baptized" here as necessary or as helpful in getting into heaven.  If we want to enter Jesus'

kingdom, then we must "exceed the religiosity of our day".

            Q If baptism or our birth does not save us, if being a "decent man or women" does not save us then what does?

               An = You have to want to be truly in His kingdom.  You have to want it above all other things.  It must dominate all of your life.  You

will need help.  You will need the help of God's Holy Spirit.  It can be done.  Jesus wants us in heaven.  The only problem is that we cannot get there on

our terms.

            What Jesus's Words may point out is that you are a cultural Christian and not willing to be that radical and let God

truly be your King.

            These words are as convicting to the leaders as they are to you tonight so let me share with you one of my favorite verses that has given

me hope on countless occasions as I too have faced who I am:

            Matthew 5:6   "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled.

Sermon On the Mount | MATTHEW 5:10-16 | The Beatitudes:

I.  Introduction:

            Note:  Let me tell you a short story:  There was once a young college student who was asked to speak in his church's youth group during

the summer since he was home from a Christian college.  He deliberately used offensive words and certain annoying phrases that so ticked off the adults

sponsors in the class that later on the pastors had to take the young man to lunch and let him know that they would not allow him to speak in Sunday

School again.  Was the young man upset?  No!!  In some senses it was exciting to "take on the power structure".  

            Q Was that young man suffering for God?

               An = Hardly!  He was reaping the consequences of his actions, but not suffering for the sake of righteousness.  Jesus says:  "Blessed

are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10).  It is one thing to irritate people because we

are irritating persons and to face insult and persecution because the purity of our lives has struck a nerve.

            Note:  Sometimes folks are offended by us not because of the faith, merely by our poor behavior.  Maybe someone is not rejecting the Bible

but us.  They are not rejecting our words but something about our person, or behavior, or bad breath!

            Q Why was Jesus Christ persecuted and finally tortured to death?

               An = After they have given their answers, then offer what is given below.

            Let me frame an answer to that question with the help of Dorothy Sayers.  

            "The people who hanged Christ never, to do them justice, accused Him of being a bore--on the contrary;  they thought Him too dynamic to be

safe.  It has been left for later generations to muffle up that shattering personality and surround Him with an atmosphere of tedium.  We have very

efficiently pared the claws of the Lion of Judah, certified Him `meek and mild', and recommended Him as a fitting household pet for pale ministers and

pious old ladies.  To those who knew Him, however, He in no way suggested a milk-and-water person;  they objected to Him as a dangerous firebrand. 

True, He was tender to the unfortunate, patient with honest inquirers, and humble before Heaven;  but He insulted respectable clergymen by calling them

hypocrites;  He referred to King Herod as `that fox';  He went to parties in disreputable company and was looked upon as a `gluttonous man and a

winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners';  He assaulted indignant tradesmen and threw them and their belongings out of the Temple;  He drove a

coach-and-horses through a number of sacrosanct and hoary regulations;  He cured diseases by any means that came handy, with a shocking casualness in

the matter of other people's pigs and property;  He showed no proper deference for wealth or social position;  when confronted with neat dialectical

traps, He displayed a paradoxical humor that affronted serious-minded people, and He retorted by asking disagreeably searching questions that could not

be answered by rule of thumb.  He was emphatically not a dull man in His human lifetime, and if He was God, there can be nothing dull about God either. 

But He had a `daily beauty in His life that made us ugly,' and officialdom felt that the established order of things would be more secure without Him.  So

they did away with God in the name of peace and quietness."

            Note:  Jesus says if we truly follow Him, if we are truly His disciples, then we too will face persecution because of the righteousness of

our lives.

            Q  Is it fair that good people get maligned and hassled?

            Q  Should we be angry when we see terrible things happen to others or ourselves?

               An = Jesus says the proper response is to realize "who these suffering people really are".

>>>>  Turn with me to Revelations 19:5-7.  Let me show you what is going to be sung in heaven;  Have someone read Revelations

19:5-7.

            Note:  Amazing, the amount of joy and exaltation that will take place.

            Q Who is this bride that will excite great praise to be given to God?

               An = The true church, the true believers.  Those who have suffered persecution for Christ, the groom, which God declares them to be

because of their righteousness and loyalty to Him.  The "honors of men" pale in comparison to the honor of being the cause of praise in heaven.  How can I

be part of that coronation?  Hollywood and Political Rallies are small time compared with unending choruses of heaven.  

            Q How do I become part of the real and magnificent celebration of the courts of heaven?

            Q How do we bring about such praise, such glory?  How do we become part of the bride of Christ?

               An = Let them give their answers and carefully note them, and then offer to take a look at Jesus' own words on the subject and ask them

to turn to Matthew 5.

 

II.  Staying Loyal To The King, The Groom:  Matthew 5:10-16.

   A.  Understanding Blessedness:  Matthew 5:11-12.

>>>> Read Matthew 5:10-12.

            Q How do we become blessed?

               An = When men insult us, persecute us, speak falsely all kinds of evil against us because of Him.  I have had plenty of people speak evil

of me, especially around exam time, but what about being hassled and persecuted because I will not disown Jesus Christ!

            Note:  If I am loyal to Him, and I catch it for such loyalty, then Jesus says this is what your attitude should be...Re-read Matthew 5:12.

            When there is a daily beauty about me that convicts others of their sin and I get persecuted, I am to rejoice.  I am to go

bananas!  I am to be crazy with joy, because I have just joined the realm of the "blessed".  I am now like the great prophets of old who spoke the truth

and paid dearly for their loyalty to God.

            Note:  Most of us try to be closet Christians.  It is like the boy who went to work in the logging camps for a summer job and the youth

group prayed for him that his faith would stay strong.  When he came back the group asked him how his summer went.  He replied:  "Great, I had no hassle

at all, no ever even knew I was a Christian".

   B. Staying The Salt Of The Earth:  Matthew 5:13.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:13.

            Q What does salt represent?

               An =  We Christians we not called to melt away in the crowd and just fit in.  We are the salt of the earth.  Salt preserves, salt

seasons, salt can sting....  Jesus was the salt of the earth and the planet has never been the same because He was here.  He did not let religious people

beat up on prostitutes, He did not mind touching the sick, He did not mind associating with "rough crowd".  He did not walk away when innocent people

were brutalized...  He has been the most sane thing, the most beautiful thing that we have ever known and during His life time they said He had

demons and crucified Him.

            "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me."  Jesus says, "blessed

are you when you are like Me".

 

>>>> Have someone re-read Matthew 5:13

            Q What will happen to us if we will not pay that cost according to the end of verse 13?

               An = We will be thrown out, become useless.  Nothing is more insipid than a compromised, closet Christian.  Nothing is more valuable

to your city or work place, or family, than those who will bear anything because of their loyalty to Jesus Christ.

            Note:  It is not optional to be afraid to declare your faith.  You are either worthwhile or you are not.

   C.  Being The Light Of The World:  Matthew 5:14-16.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:14-15.

            RQ What if I got a really good flashlight and turned it on, and then carefully put it in a drawer?

            Q What is the purpose of light according to these two verses?

               An = It is to shine, to be seen and then to help other people see!  If we do not share our faith, if we do not try to let others know the

beauty of Jesus Christ, then we are cheating the world!

            Q  Does this mean that I should go home and irritate all my neighbors and family members with my religious superiority? 

            Q  Does this mean that I should go home and pistole wipe all the folks at work with my Bible! 

            Q  Have you ever done or seen this done?  What were the results? 

            Q  How does one really shine?  

            Q  How does one please our King, so that all heaven will be filled with praise as we near our Maker at the end of time?

               An = I think Jesus tells us in 5:10 but we are so quick to forget that we need to hear it repeated so Jesus graciously does that for us.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:16.

            Q  Do you see it?  How do we let our light shine?

               An = They are to see our "good deeds" and notice what results will take place?  They will praise your Father who is in heaven.  They do

not praise us!

            Q  Have you seen someone else do this lately?  Do not give stories about yourself but about another brother or sister?

            Note:  Remember a few weeks ago we saw that Jesus was the interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount.  We said that He was the acting

out in life, in human form, what He teaches in Matthew chapters 5-7?  Let me end with reading two short vignettes to you from Matthew, chapter 9.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 9:1-7.

            Q What is the response of the crowd in verse 8?

               An = They gave praise to God!

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 9:32-34.

            Q What is the response to Jesus' act of mercy here?

               An = Here Jesus releases a poor, demented, tortured man, but catches flack!  Jesus was the Light of the World.  He brought clarity,

peace, goodness to all He dealt with.  But remember, they killed Him.  

            Note:  Goodness given to the world comes at a price to those who deliver it.  It will cost but all heaven will resound with joy at the

beauty of our loyalty.

            Q  Where do we get the courage to live like this?

Sermon On the Mount | MATTHEW 5:7-10 | The Beatitudes: By Faith It Is Possible to Please God

I. Introduction:

   A.  Looking For Human Love.

            One of the greatest things in life is to be loyally loved:  to have someone really love you and not leave when the bloom of romance is over. 

We would all like to be excessively handsome, or a tremendous athlete, always successful, then we would always be loved.

            Example:  Those of you in school, what if when you go to get lunch, as you walked by, girls swooned, and started to

hyperventilate just because you passed by.  What if one of one of you gals started guy's hearts racing just because you walked into

view.  What a life!  Huh?

            Note: But there is a good chance you would not be loved.

            RQ Did you ever realize that those who have money really wonder if they are ever lovable if they did not have money?  

            RQ Is not a rich or famous male vulnerable to never really finding out if someone loves him for just who he is?

            RQ Did you realize how hard it is to separate the gold-diggers from those who sincerely love you?

            RQ Would you be loved if the health, success, money, or looks would be gone?

            Note:  Do you see why the marriage vows include:  "for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health".  Whoever, pinned those vows knew a

great deal about love.  

            Q How do we know if we are truly loved by someone?

               An = The ancient Israelites knew the difference between "love" and the "love they really needed", this quality was so important that

they coined a word for it:  "Hesed".  They had other words for love, like "ahav", but the word "hesed" meant more.  It can be loosely translated:  "covenant

or loyal love".  God had committed Himself to them and so His love was "Hesed", it was consistent, it was loyal love.

   B.  Looking For How To Love God.

            Q What about loving God?  How does God know we really love Him, or that we are only doing things because we fear Hell, or want some

blessing?

               An = Some folks think that if you have "deep religious emotions" that this is what makes you truly good.  They will criticize churches

or individuals who do not have the same deep emotional experiences that they have as "dead".

            Q But do not such feelings quickly fade?  How many of you have come back from camp as a kid all pumped up about God only to have the

feelings quickly disappear.

            Note:  Some folks think that we just need to do the proper rituals or ceremonies or have the correct doctrines.

            Q But what if your spouse told you:  "Listen, I fulfilled my part of the contract, so you owe me.  Now pay up.  I have earned your

blessing".  Is that what we really need?

            Q Do we really love God when we do the right rituals or believe the correct doctrines?  Is that really loving God?

               An = We should have emotions and we should do the right rituals and believe the true doctrines.  However, that is not love, but could be

a form of manipulation.  

            Note:  We humans are a tough lot to teach how to love.  It is hard to find a human to who loves us for ourselves and hard

to really love God.  So what can we do?

            >>>> Read Hebrews 11:6

            Q It makes sense that if we loved God we would like to please Him, so if faith is necessary to please Him, how do we develop faith?

               An = I think God has a way of making it hard to be loyal to Him.  Sometimes He seems so emotionally far away.  Sometimes we do our

part, we are loyal, we go to church, we serve in the church, we are moral, we believe in biblical doctrines, but it does not seem to help us get ahead in our

lives.  Some times you help in the church and all you get is criticism!!!

            Q Ever experience that one?  Ever served your best only to be picked apart by others in the church?

            Q Why does God allow that?  Where is He?  Why does He feel so far?  Why no success despite our religious actions?  Why no appreciation

from God's own people?

               An = The key is the word:  "Faith".

            RQ Do we love God when the emotions are gone?  Do we love God when it does not seem to get us ahead?  Do we continue to serve when all

we get is flack?

            Note:  Let me give you three simple ways to help your faith grow.  I know they are good, because they are not my ideas, but come from the

very lips of Jesus Himself.  Turn with me to Matthew 5:7.

 

II.  Developing Love, Developing Faith, By Loyal Obedience.

   A.  Being Merciful by Faith:  Matthew 5:7.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:7

            Note:  God says if we are merciful, then we will receive mercy.

            Q But is this true?  Aren't we really tempted to think:  "He who is merciful is a chump".  "He who is merciful is naive".  "He who is

merciful is a fool who will be taken advantage of and burned time after time".

               An = Jesus comes along and says "Blessed are you".  Notice the motivation that He gives!  See the reason He gives:  God will reward

you.

>>>> Have someone read Psalms 41:1-3.

            Q But will God really come through?

               An = You won't immediately know.  There is usually a delay, and maybe it will take years, maybe not even in this life, for the reward to

come.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 21:14-15.

            Q How do these people respond to the wonderful deeds Jesus had performed?

               An = They were indignant!  Even Jesus Himself has experienced what has happened to you in the way of criticism:  healing the blind and

the lame, in the very temple courts of God, brought Him reproach.

            Note:  So how can you love God?  How can you prove to God and yourself that you love Him, "be merciful and by faith trust He will show

mercy to you".

   B.  Being Pure In Heart:  Matthew 5:8.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:8.

            Q What does "pure in heart" mean?

               An =  Some scholars think pure in heart means "singleness of heart".  Having pure motives.  In other words, our motives are not

mixed:  part for God, part for us.

            Q Does it pay to really be pure hearted or purity just something we image?   

               An = At times it seems most folks just want to hear the right words, you do not have to mean it!  It almost seems that all the effort to

truly be "pure in our heart" is not worth the effort and not necessary.  People just want the "words" anyway.

            Q Is there really a God who knows our hearts and whether we are lying?

               An = Some would say:  "Just go to church, do the right rituals, or just pump up those emotions".  However, God says it does matter if

our heart is pure.

>>>> Have someone read Psalm 24:3-6.

            Note:  But is this true?  Perhaps it will only be known by faith.

   C.  Being A Peacemaker:  Matthew 5:9

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:9.

            Q  What is your definition of a "peace maker"?

            Q  Have you wondered if it was worth while to try, will anyone ever appreciate it or will it ever do any good?

               An = Many times it seems that no matter how hard we try to make peace it does not seem to help.  However, we make the effort not

because it will always work but because it shows we truly believe in God.

            We believe He really exists and will reward us.  

            We believe He will call us His sons in final day of Judgment.

            We believe He will stand up and say:  "That one is mine, that's my son, that one is my daughter".

            If an angel should question Him, He will reply:  "She is just like me, he tried to act like me even when it did not always pay."

                        Imitation is a sincere form of flattery:

>>>> Have someone read Psalms 103:1,8.

            Note:  He wants us to be like Him, but we will only get there by faith, by being loyal, when it does not seem to pay.

Sermon On the Mount | MATTHEW 5:1-6 | The Beatitudes: Reversal

                                              I.  Greetings:

            Years ago, I bought my first computer and my first complex word processing program:  Word Perfect 4.0.  When I was first learning how to use the software program I became aware of how vast the program was, but I limited myself to learning only those parts that I needed to write a dissertation:  footnotes, and word processing procedures.  I needed to do this because I did not have time to learn other features.  As I upgraded my Word Perfect program to 4.2, 5.1 and even 6.0 I still did not learn how to become completely competent with the rest of the programs such as math, drawing, etc.  I own a vastly more complex program than I presently use.

            For many of us that is how we approach our faith, the Bible and Christ Himself.  We have started with some knowledge of Him and what He says in the Bible, but have never really explored more completely how much richness there is in the Scriptures and in Christ Himself.  I want to begin to scratch the surface a bit and show you some of Jesus' teaching.  I want to explore with you the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.  Learning all of a computer program is not essential to success in some settings, but learning the Sermon on the Mount is essential to be successful in the Christian life (Matthew 7:24-27).  You could avoid a great crash!

            

II.  Introduction:   Matthew 5:1-2

   A.  General Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount.

            Note:  Matthew 5-7 if often called the Sermon on the Mount.  Some call it the "Call to Discipleship" or the definition of what a true

disciple is.  Turn with me if you will to Matthew 5:1.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:1-2.

            Q Does Jesus hide His highest teachings from the general public?

               An =  Notice Jesus is speaking to the crowds but verse 2 says His disciples were around him before He spoke.  I believe this is typical

of Jesus.  He will let anyone hear, but what He is going to say really is for disciples:  for dedicated followers of Jesus.

            Many cults have special teaching for their inner core, and hide such material from the general population.  However, not so with Jesus. 

There is no hidden agenda.  His teaching is open for all to hear.  Jesus has nothing to hide.

            Note:  The Sermon on the Mount has several characteristics.

            1. For disciples Only:  I believe what He is going to say in the next three chapters is not "good teaching" for the world, but for disciples

only.  This teaching is not for the average person.  As you will see, it is not easy to follow, in fact, impossible to follow without help from the Holy

Spirit.  

            2.  Not Idealism But For This Life:  However, the Sermon on the Mount is not idealism, but practically possible.  

            3.  Understanding Comes Only From Doing It:  William Barclay says it cannot be understood until it is followed.  You truly realize

what it means only when you do it.

            4.  Christ Centered:  Everything centers on Jesus' Person and activity.  Every thing He teaches, He already is.  He is the center of it

all.  He is source and the power behind the whole sermon.  If you do not like the Sermon on the Mount you will not like Jesus either.

            5.  Christ Explains His Own Teaching By His Own Actions:  One of the great adventures in reading the book of Matthew is to realize

that Jesus' teaching is found in 5 blocks in the book of Matthew (5-7, 10, 13, 18, 24-25) and these blocks are surrounded by narrative of Jesus' actions. 

If you cannot understand a statement of Jesus or it seems extreme, see how He acts.  His actions will explain what He means.  Jesus is His Message.

   B.  Introduction to the Beatitudes.

            Q What do we usually call the first few verses of the Sermon on the Mount (5:3-12)?

               An = The Beatitudes!  The Sermon opens with a series of statements that declare what it means to be "blessed":  called by many the

Beatitudes.  This is pattern found in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms.

            Q What is the pattern or sentence structure that seems to govern these verses?

               An =  It has a fairly regular rhythm to it.  "Blessed are....for....".  The type of person who is "blessed" is described and then why they

are so is given.  Let us look at the first beatitude and see if we can see the pattern.

 

III.  The Beatitudes:  Matthew 5:3-6.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:3.

            Q Who are those who are blessed?

               An = The "Poor in Spirit".  What does this mean?

            Q Does it mean those who are spiritually poor?  Should we stop reading our Bibles, helping the needy, stop praying and stop loving God so

we can be spiritually poor???

               An = No, the phrase has another meaning.  Some believe "poor in spirit" refers to becoming aware of our spiritual poverty.  Realizing

that we are no where spiritually and then and only then can we become blessed and come into "Kingdom of Heaven".  Actually, I believe this idea to be

true.  It found all over Scripture.  In fact, I think that is partly what Matthew 5:6 is saying.  Until we realize how far in need we are we do not really

enter the Kingdom, but I believe this phrase here, in this verse, means something else.

            "Poor in spirit" was a phrase used to describe those who indeed were socially and economically poor because of their loyalty to God's will.

            Turn to Luke 6:20 and lets read that together.

            Note:  Luke uses the word "poor", not "poor in spirit".  In other words, Jesus is saying it is great to be poor, if you have done so because

of your loyalty to Me.  Poverty is not something to be ashamed of but the beginning of the state of blessedness.  "Happy are those who are on the bottom

and social rung on the ladder because of their religious convictions, because they have heaven as their home".

            Q Is this verses out of step with most of what is on TV?

               An = Yes!  Television teaches blessed are the wealthy and foolish are those who do not get ahead socially or economically because of

religious commitments to God because there is no heaven, but only what you have now!

            JESUS REVERSES A GREAT DEAL OF TV VIEWPOINTS, HIS VIEW IS A REVERSAL OF HOW MUCH OF HOW HOLLYWOOD LIVES!

            Q How would this apply to those setting up their career?

            Q Can we lose heaven if we are not willing to be economically and socially poor for the sake of the Gospel?

            Q Do folks miss "blessedness" because they seek money and position?  How do Christians do this?

               An = Sometimes we do not seek to do evil, but we are unwilling to be poor to follow the Gospel.  We do not want to be in Christian

work, or in certain jobs, because they are not good for our career (career = economic and social standing).  Many times we walk away from the will of God

for lives, not because we sin, but because we are not willing to be poor for the sake of the Gospel.  It is blessed to be poor or excluded because of our

loyalty to God.  There is a heaven, and those willing to sacrifice what they have in this life to be loyal to God, will gain heaven.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:4.

            Q Why is this verse so strange, what is odd?

               An = It is so strange that those who suffer are the ones called "blessed":  those who have suffered lose so that they mourn.  Sometimes

we think we are blessed if all goes well for us every time, and if it does not, then God does not love us.  Jesus reverses this!  Blessed are those who

mourn.

            Q What does this have to say to those who are presently in mourning?

               An = It is a promise, "we will be comforted".  In Christ, pain always ends, sorrow always ends, mourning will cease.  Those of you

mourn this morning:  God promises it will end.

>>>> Have someone read Psalms 126:5-6.

            Q What does this have to say to those who are faced with difficulty to come?

               An = If we are His disciples then when we suffer lose then it will only produce blessing in our lives.  Because if we are His, we will be

comforted.  Many of you have suffered a lot difficulty already.  The difficulty did not curse you but blessed you.  Again, TV says we should always be

happy now.  Seek pleasure and happiness now and do not wait.  But God disagrees!!  To be a disciple of Jesus and enter blessedness.  You cannot be a

pleasure seeker and seek the comfort of God.  You cannot be a great athlete and never go through the "mourning" of rigorous training.  You will not be

blessed in athletics that way, nor in the spiritual life.

            Note:  There is another way to take this verse.  Some of you are now in mourning because of realizing how sinful you, blessed are you! 

You will be comforted!

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:5.

            Q If we are honest, what is distasteful about the verse?

               An = Again, how strange.  Blessed are the meek, the humble because they will acquire the earth.  I never liked this verse when I was

younger because I did not want to be a wimp.  Besides, it seems blessed are the bullies, the liars, the "self promoters" and they will get ahead.  Jesus

says that blessed are the humble, the meek.

            Note:  I used to think "meekness was weakness".  The older I get, I begin to see that humility is a "power virtue".  It is only the property

of the strong.  It is the strong man who is humble.  Jesus was not weak.  He boldly confronted the corruption of the leaders of His day and paid dearly

(death on a cross) for doing so.  He feared neither men, death or the devil.  But He was not self-seeking, willing to be approached, willing to die for our

good.  Willing to appear weak to accomplish the will of God.  Jesus was meek.

            We are disciples of Jesus Christ.  We do not have to brag, to push others down, but we can be humble because we are His disciples.  We are

sons and daughters of the King, and our humility will open the world up to us.  We do not need to show off, we know who we are, just as He knew who He

was.

            Q Do you know someone in the church who lives out this verse and proves it validity?  Could you share this with us?

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:6.

            Q What is the promise given in this verse?

               An = It is one of hope.  We can be filled with righteousness, but we must be hungary for it.  We, as disciples of Jesus Christ, have to

decide what we are truly hungary for.  It is present riches and present comfort then we will be temporarily filled with those things.  Jesus warns that

such a path is dangerous.  

>>>> Have everyone turn back to Luke 6 and read Luke 6:24-25.  

            Note:  It is only truly safe to live by faith in Jesus' teaching.  If there is a heaven to gain then we are most wise to seek what He tells us

to seek.  It is best to sacrifice the now for the later heavenly reward.  This is true only if there is a heaven!  You need to have faith to see

the validity of the Sermon on the Mount.  It only makes sense to believers.

            Note:  It seems like that to follow Jesus is be the quite different from the world's way of thinking.  Blessing comes from strange places. 

The issue of reversal will dominate so much of all we have just read and will read.

            Note: Have you ever wondered about the inequities of the world?  How America has so much and India or parts of Mexico or Pakistan has so

little?  Is God fair?  

            He is!  True blessing is equally available to all, and it is not in how much money or position you have.  Maybe some of the most blessed

people on this planet are those who are socially and economically poor.  "Some of the first shall be last, and some of the last shall be first!"  William

Barclay the "Beatitudes" are not descriptions of what we should be but congratulations on what we are!  

            If you are "poor in spirit", "mourning", "meek" and "spiritually hungary", congratulations!  You move and dwell, whether you presently see it

now, in the fullness and glory of God's blessing.