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