Love God And Love Your Neighbor : 7th Commandment Series

Intro

Open your Bibles to Matthew 5 today as we continue our Summer Series entitled “Love God , Love your Neighbor”

We are examining the 10 Commandments—God’s moral law—while focusing on Jesus is summary of the commandments found in the New Testament. Jesus tells us

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:36-39 ESV)

Jesus teaches us here that the 10 commandments are easily understood as “Love God” and “Love Your Neighbor." The first four commands and focus them on our love and worship to God. While commandments 5-10 and focus them on our mission to love our neighbor. Since Jesus teaches us that these are about loving others, and not just internal struggles against sin. We want to ask God to teach us how to love others for the sake of the gospel.

Today we come to the 7th amendment which is:

“You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14 ESV)

In a sermon is entitled: Mission: Purity Shows Jesus’ Nature

The big truth is: Jesus fulfills the 7th commandment perfectly. His church is called to repent on their sin and live a life of purity.

If you're able we stand as we open up God's word today? We will read out of Matthew 5 beginning in verse 17 through 28. I pray that you will hear the word of the Lord.

READ FROM THE BIBLE

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 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. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 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. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:17-28 ESV)

PRAY

Jesus fulfills the seventh commandment by deepening its meaning and transforming here in Matthew chapter 5. The 10 Commandments are internal as much as—if not more than—they are external. Last week we spoke how murder begins our heart. Its not enough that we keep the law outwardly and not murder. Jesus says God looks upon the heart and if you have ever been angry with your brother your liable the same judgement as murder. The same is true for the 7th commandment. As Jesus speaks of adultery He moves our attention from the external act of adultery and gets to the root of our problem which is our heart.

The Pharisee and the teachers of Jesus time did their best to keep the law externally. But there hearts would condemn them because no matter how well they kept the law. They still have had these sinful thoughts that truly didn't line up with their lifestyle. This is why Jesus tells us here that ‘unless our righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and teachers, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.’ Because our righteousness must be based in faith in Jesus work and not ours.

We are all guilty of breaking the 7th commandment. Your works and outward conformity of being faithful sexually will never please God, because God knows your heart. This is why we need a Savior and a new heart. God speaks through the profit Ezekiel promising that He will save us and give us new heart. Listen to what He says: