Law & Relationships pt. 1

Men’s Small Group // October 4, 2021

This is a lesson I prepared for a men’s small group working through the Sermon on the Mount and is based on the book The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World by Sinclair B Ferguson.

Matthew 5:21-30

Fulfill the Law

• Christ came to fulfill the law. All of the law finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
• “You have heard that it was said” (v.21 & 27)
  • Notice that Jesus did not say, “It is written.”
  • This is Jesus expanding on verse 20. He is speaking directly to the oral traditions of the scribes and Pharisees that was imposed on the people.
  • These traditions had the effect of turning the law into a list of do’s and don’ts that were focused on external observable actions.
• Jesus is teaching on the true nature of the law… As it exposes the motives and intents of our heart.
• KEY POINT: “When an activity is forbidden in God’s word, its positive counterpart is commanded.” p.84

Animosity of the Heart

• Just like the scribes and Pharisees, we too want to have a list of rules that will help us stay within this commandment.
  • We want to be able to look at the observable actions of ourselves and others and know if we are obedient or disobedient.
  • Jesus is telling us that this commandment should lead us to have right relationships with everyone.
  • We are to actively promote the opposite of murder… Reconciliation.
  • An example is the deliberate belittling of a person because of animosity and hatred in our own heart.
    • We want to have mastery over them.
    • Seeking the “truth” to actually ruin someone’s reputation.
• Our words are the index of our true spiritual condition.
  • We do not take seriously our careless speech because we do not see the trail of broken relationships we leave behind.
  • Jesus uses strong words to emphasize the seriousness of our words.
• Key Points: Necessity and urgency
  • We are to promote the positivity of the commandment once again. Not verbal or physical murder, but reconciliation.
  • Right relationships with others. Seek reconciliation… NOW.
  • Illustrations of how vital it is to have right relationships
    • Man in church – necessity of reconciliation
    • Man going to court – urgency of reconciliation
  • “Most human relationships that are destroyed could have been preserved if there had been communication and action at the same time.” p.85

Adultery of the Heart

• Again, Jesus is emphasizing that this is all about the promotion of right relationships.
  • Purity and integrity in our hearts and thoughts.
  • No man is free from this temptation or indwelling sin.
• Sexual relationship is a good thing… A gift from God.
  • Companionship: the supreme reason for the gift.
    • “It is not good that the man should be alone.” Genesis 2:18
  • Commitment: the heart of the relationship.
    • “…they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24
• Breach of several commandments
  • Shall not commit adultery.
  • Theft of another person’s companion
  • As a result of coveting what belongs to another
  • Idolatry
• Adultery’s impact
  • Shatters people lives, disrupts families, despises God
  • Sexual infidelity is a sure way to ruin marital joy
  • God indeed forgives, but we will probably never forget
• How do we keep pure?
  • Remember where lust will lead… Hell
  • Deal with the root cause… Tear it out (gouge it out)
    • Don’t increase your external obedience to the expense of the true issue in your heart.
  • Act now and be decisive.
    • It will be painful, but the danger involved requires action and not negotiation.
  • Lust is not the whole of your life or who you are. Carve it our and see the full potential of all Jesus provides.
• “Such is the nature of the attraction and bondage of sin that it becomes all-consuming. It demands all we can give.” p.90

Questions

• What are some of the ways that you tend to turn God’s law into a list of do’s and don’ts instead of evaluating your heart motives?
• Talk about a time of reconciliation in your life. What are some of the lessons you have learned from that experience?
• How is your battle with lust? Do you find yourself focusing exclusively on the observable acts and neglect your heart?
• How can you be decisive and “tear out” what is causing you to sin? (e.g. internet, tv, friendship, routines)
  • If you don’t want to share, maybe take some time and pray for each other in this area.