Don't Blow Your Top Series

INTRODUCTION

• SLIDE #1

• In Matthew 5:20 Jesus tells us that unless our righteousness exceeded that of the scribes and Pharisees, we will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

• In verses 21-48 Jesus gives us six examples of how our righteousness can exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees.

• The first example deals with the issue of anger.

• 10 seconds can change the course of one’s life, just 10 seconds is all it takes for our temper to get the best of us.

• We can do some crazy things when we allow our anger to take hold of us.

• Have you done things while you were angry that you wish you could take back?

• Anger can be one of the most destructive things in our life.

• Today we are going to look at the devastating effects that anger can have us.

• We are going to start in verse 21 to see how the ancients viewed the issue of anger.

• SLIDE #2

• Matthew 5:21 ( ESV ) “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’

• From the sixth commandment we learn that we are not to murder.

• The Old Testament Law dealt more with actions than attitudes so we see from verse 21 that actions were more important that attitudes.

• SLIDE #3

SERMON

I. Actions were more important than attitudes.

• In verse 21 Jesus points to the sixth commandment that in found in Exodus 20:13. He says that the ancients were told.

• This means that Jesus is speaking of the commandment itself, not the interpretation of the commandment as the KJV implies by translating the passage.

• SLIDE #4

• Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

• It is important for us to understand this seemingly subtle difference. If Jesus is dealing with the current interpretation of the Law, He is not replacing it, He is just adding a new interpretation of the Law whereas if He is dealing with the Law itself, He is replacing it.

• The Ancients were TOLD BY GOD not to KILL.

• The religious leaders thought they were in great shape if they did not kill a person. Jesus says that if our righteousness is going to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, we are not to get angry to the point of sinning.

• SLIDE #5

• Ephesians 4:26 ( ESV ) Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

• If we are going to be citizens of the kingdom, not murdering a person is not the correct standard by which we are to judge ourselves.

• As we look over the next few weeks at the six contrasts between the Old Testament Law and the Law of the kingdom of God (the Gospel) we will see the theme of a higher standard of conduct and thought being set before us.

• WE need to understand that putting on a smile while harboring anger and resentment toward another is not what Jesus calls us to do.

• Under the Old Covenant as long as you did not kill a person, you had not violated the Law, but through the rest of the message, let us examine what Jesus expects from us, let us see what Jesus replaced the law with!

• Let’s examine verse 22.

• SLIDE #6

• Matthew 5:22 ( ESV ) 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.

• Jesus tells us that an angry attitude is as bad as an angry action.

• SLIDE #7

II. An angry attitude is as bad as an angry action.

• Jesus said that according to the Old Testament Law, if you murdered someone, you were sent before the court for judgment. To murder someone is to take a life with malice and aforethought.

• The court could do one of three things with you.

• Send Case to Sanhedrin.

o Confine to city of refuge. If it was an accident

o Execution if found guilty.

• Jesus explains that the attitude is as bad as the actual action.

• Jesus rightfully points out that before the actual action takes place, there is a progression of anger, this progression is what Jesus explains and condemns.

• Jesus starts by saying that everyone who is angry with his brother we be liable to judgment.