February 2, 2025

The Sin of Lust

Preacher:
Passage: Matthew 5:27-30, Galatians 5:13-24
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Looking at the sermon on the mount
    • Jesus longest recorded sermon from Jesus
    • Jesus probably preached for longer than the 10-15 minutes if would take to read Chapters 5-7
      • He often spend many hours preaching
    • Jesus spoke about many issues – it is very dense
  • It is very practical
    • Jesus uses graphic language and picture language and metaphor
    • Not a boring doctrinal treatise!
  • The messages He spoke and the Sermon on the Mount are very searching
    • Preaching about murder
    • Preaching about the sin of lust
    • Because Jesus loved sinners, He warned sinners
  • Overview:
    • A devastating diagnosis of the human condition
    • A radical remedy
  • Jesus is not improving the holy law of God
    • He is explaining the spirituality of the law
    • The Israelites held to the letter of the law
    • We can limit God’s word or make it fit our circumstances
    • The Pharisees made the word of God suit their own lives – example of rich young ruler
  • Reading Matt 5:27-30
  • Why did Jesus take these two commandments (murder and adultery) from the Ten Commandments?
    • Perhaps these two are very common to all mankind – anger and lust
    • Do we not struggle with these two areas?
      • We cannot deal this with ourselves – we need the Lord Jesus Christ
      • Example of David

A devastating diagnosis (v27-28)

  • God sees your heart
    • Matt 15:11 – "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."
      • It is the things inside us that are the problem
    • Matt 15:19-20 – "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man…"
      • David’s sin with Bathsheba started in his heart
  • A good doctor needs to make a good diagnosis to give the right remedy
    • Examples of reasons for crime
    • The real issue is the heart of the person – what is within
      • Only God can see the heart
      • Only God can deal with the heart
  • God makes the right diagnosis
    • "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" – Jer 17:9
    • Even our best actions are like filthy rags
  • It is not good enough just to strike our conscience
    • We may outwardly have some reform but God knows our heart
    • We need to ask God to cleanse our sin
    • We need to walk in the word of God – which points to Jesus Christ as the only one who can forgive our sins
  • A devastating diagnosis – allowing us to hear the right remedy
  • Example of a plant
    • First we must be convicted of sin – to be ‘cut to the heart’
    • Second we must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
  • Why does Jesus speak primarily to men?
    • Jesus is speaking to both sexes
    • Men have a particular propensity in this area – example
    • Jesus does not want men to treat women as objects but with dignity
      • There is a lot of misogony in the world
      • It was the same in New Testament times – example
    • Jesus is concerned with purity and holiness
      • In their culture it was easy to get a divorce
  • "Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well" – Prov 5:15
    • We can appreciate beauty
    • We must not make excuses
    • God has given practical advice – "better to marry than burn with passion"
    • We must be satisfied in God and not our selfish desires
  • A devastating diagnosis

A radical remedy (v29-30)

  • Do you see the connection between v28 and v29 – the eye?
    • Jesus talks the eyes being the lamp for the body – Matthew 6:22
    • The first sin came through looking
    • Temptation often comes through our eyes
  • There is an obvious remedy – are you policing your own eyes?
    • Examples of media, FB Meyer, Achan and Job
    • We must not blame others
  • The severity of the response
    • Jesus uses graphic language to command us to avoid sin
    • Example of Joseph with Potiphar’s wife
  • Phil 4:8 – "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things."
    • Example of reading the Bible in a year
  • Col 3:1 – "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above…"
    • Think on God not just on Sunday but all through the week
  • Col 3:5 – "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."
    • Our responsibility – turn away from these
  • Gal 5:13 – "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another"
    • Use your freedom to love others, not to satisfy your lusts
  • Gal 5:16 – "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh"
  • Jesus’ warning – v30
    • Explanation of Gehenna
    • Example of Firefighters – preventative and rescuing
    • We must flee to Jesus Christ – trust in Him and He will forgive and save you

Closing Prayer