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
- Companionship: the supreme reason for the gift.
- 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.