Don't Murder; Don't Even Think About It. Series

Exodus 20:13 & Matthew 5:21-26

INTRO:

AG: There is a famous quote about the Bible that says: “It’s not the parts of the Bible I do not understand that worry me, it’s the parts I do understand but do not want to do.”

TS: Jesus set a pattern in Sermon on the mount as He restates some of these commands. He will say, “You have heard it said... but I say to you”

As we enter the next few commands, we will see Jesus not only restate but give new emphasis to the commands

RS: He said some things which may possibly be hard to hear.

But the reality is that they are hard to hear not because they are hard to understand, but because many of them are simply hard to obey.

They require putting away of the flesh and total dependence upon the spirit.

Exodus 20:13 NKJV

“You shall not murder.

Matthew 5:21–26 NKJV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘

Matthew 5:21 NKJV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘

The OT Moral Law of God forbids murder.

Everyone knows murder is bad.

But the Bible tells us that there is more to murder than just the injury it causes the victim.

God has specifically pointed out murder as a heinous sin because of the nature of human life.

There is a sanctity of human life which is different than all other life in the world.

Notice the command given to Noah when he came down out of the ark.

Genesis 9:6 NKJV

“Whoever sheds man’s blood,

We bear the Image of God!

Of all creatures made by God, man alone was unique

God breathed into Adam the breath of life

God says that only man was made in His image

this is true of no other animal!

To murder someone is a direct affront to the God who Created him of her.

We are seeing a generation raised up which has no understanding of the sanctity of life.

Millions of babies have been murdered in the womb for the sake of convenience, and I believe such a holocaust surely has brought judgment upon our nation.

Murder carried stiff penalties:

Genesis 9:6 NKJV

“Whoever sheds man’s blood,

Why? Because he has sinned against that person and also the Creator of that person, in whose image he/she was made.

Murder sinful and an affront to our Creator.

The Pharisees could proudly declare, I have never murdered! Behold my righteousness!

Many in our times would say the same.

However, there is a spirit within this law that affects not only murder, but our attitude towards one another as well....

Matthew 5:22 NKJV

But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

The word Raca is sometimes translated as “insults”

HCSB Matthew 5:22

22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Fool!’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, ‘You moron!’ will be subject to hellfire.

The word “Raca” is the Aramaic word which is used here by Christ.

It means to call someone “empty headed” or “stupid”.

RC Sproul makes the point that “Raca” and “Fool” actually work together in this passage to make a point.

To call a man “Raca” is to imply he has an intellectual deficiency (they are stupid).

But to call a man “Fool” is to imply that he has a moral deficiency (they lack wisdom to do right). Remember, it is the “fool” who has said in his heart there is no God (Psalm 14:1; 53:1).

Both of these words are words of insult and derision.

They are hate-filled words intended to hurt an individual.

Jesus isn’t saying that anger and insults are the exact same as murder.

While they are both are worthy of judgment that He isn’t saying they are functionally the same.

Anger and hatred are the root of murder

They are the motivator, behind the action of taking a life.

Jesus is saying they are both worthy of Judgment and not to feel boastful though you haven’t murdered anyone as you insult and hate others.

There was much emphasis on keeping the letter but not the spirit of the law

It may not be taking person’s life, but our hateful words which spew from angered hearts still sinful because they are attacks upon a person who bears the image of God.

NOTICE TOO: The ‘Without Cause’ Clause. There is a very important textual issue which arises here at verse 22.