John Lloyd - The Sermon On The Mount - Private Sins
/Seeking God First: A Study on the Sermon of the Mount
Dealing with Private Sins Matthew 5:21-30
June 24, 2018
Pastor John Lloyd
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expresses His desire for us to live for Him in an upside down world. This greatest sermon ever given, is uplifting, yet challenges us to live a life with Jesus that is far better than any other! It is our prayer that you will be encouraged and challenged by studying and applying this great sermon to your life. Small groups are also available throughout the week to further discuss and put into practice the lessons taught from the Sermon on the Mount.
Today’s Passage: Matthew 5:21-30 and Philippians 4:8-9
Guiding principles:
1. Beware of the tendency to minimize God’s law.
2. Beware of the tendency to minimize God’s penalty.
3. Look for the deeper meaning of God’s commands.
4. Depend upon His Spirit and Word to guide us into healthy relationships with God and others.
Big Idea: A close relationship with Jesus will keep both my heart and relationships pure.
Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I. Unreconciled anger destroys the purity of our relationship with God and others.
Matthew 5:21“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
“Four areas where taking of life is justified are capital punishment, maintaining law and order, self-defense, and a just war.” Wilkins
I John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
Raca-insulting the person’s head-you stupid
You fool- insulting the person’s heart-you scoundrel
Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. James 1:19-20
James 1:20 For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. I Samuel 16:7
· External sins are created from unchecked internal thoughts.
· God cares about my inward thoughts.
Six causes of anger: Violation of rights, disappointment with your station in life, blocked goals, irritations, feeling misunderstood, unrealistic expectations, pathological/psychological
“An angry spirit is never a listening teachable spirit. When we feast on anger and bitterness—the feast is us.” Kent Hughes
Prayer: Lord, Keep my heart from anger and insult. Show me the cause of my anger and resources to help with it.
II. Reconcile differences before estrangements solidify.
Matthew 5:23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
“Nurture relationships with everyone. Do not do anything that strips away the personal distinctiveness of a brother or sister. Do whatever we can to be reconciled.” Wilkins
Ephesians 4:26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and give no opportunity to the devil. Ephesians 4:32
Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Prayer: Lord, please help me guard all the approaches of sin to my heart by examining my relationships with others.
III. Pure thoughts keep a pure relationship with Jesus.
Matthew 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
God cares about my inward thoughts.
A. Starve the intake of impure information.
Psalm 101:3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. Job 31:1
Colossians 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
“Deeds of shame are preceded from fantasies of shame.” John Stott
B. Feed the intake of clean spiritual food and power.
Psalm 51:6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
We need to not only study the Word but we need the Word to study us.
C. The Holy Spirit inside the believer will give the power.
John 16:8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. John 16:8
Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. I Corinthians 9:27, 15:31b
I Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Prov.28:13
Jesus, my relationship with you is the most important thing in my life. Jesus let my relationship with you shine into all of my relationships.
Growth Group Questions for June 24th
Icebreaker: Describe a time when you or someone may have received a ticket for something you deemed to be minor or not the spirit of the law.
1. Read Matthew 5:21-30. Summarize in your own words what you hear Jesus saying. Ask God to speak to your heart and how these verses can be currently applied to your life.
2. Consider the two principles of this passage( Read Mt.5:21-30): a. Jesus is in total harmony with the Old Testament and bringing the full extent of the law. b. Jesus is in disharmony with the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees. How do you see these two principles illustrated in regards to murder? In regards to adultery?
3. Read Matthew 5:21-22, James 1:20 Ephesians 4:26,27 &29, Luke 12:45. What is the difficulty with being angry with someone? What does Jesus say is wrong with saying disparaging comments to another person? Why are our words so important to our testimony? How are our words a representation of our heart attitude?
4. Read Matthew 5:23-26. What is Jesus teaching us to do when we find ourselves angry with someone? How do unreconciled relationships affect our worship?
5. Read Matthew 5:27-30. What does Jesus say to do regarding lustful intent? Read Colossians 3:5-6, Romans 8:13, 13:14. What things should we starve? Read Philippians 4:8, Psalm 119:9,11. What things should we continually feed?
6. Read Matthew 5:8. Examination questions to keep us on track: Lord, do I know you better today? Am I pleasing you with my thoughts and actions? Have you been supreme in my life today? Read Psalm 139:23-24. Lord, let nothing come between my heart and yours and my heart and others.
May my relationship with you, Jesus impact all of my other relationships!