Jesus Speaks On Relationships Series

The Great Commission

Part 6 – Sermon on the Mount – Christian Relationships

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith – www.PS127.org

WELCOME

INTRODUCTION TO SERMON

† The Sermon on the Mount – The Beatitudes

† We are the Salt, staying pure with God’s Holy Word

† We are the Light, showing that Word to the World

† Jesus and the Law

† Jesus and Anger

I. INTRODUCTION

We’ve been going over the life of Jesus to gain better understanding of the Great Commission.

We’re looking at the first recorded Sermon of Jesus which took place approximately 1 – 1 ½ years after His baptism.

We looked at the fact that Jesus has not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it.

He fulfilled the law by living a perfect life.

He satisfied the requirements of the law by His blood, which is the requirement for sin.

This is the atoning sacrifice that makes relationship with our Father in heaven possible.

Last week we talked about Jesus and Anger and how Jesus equates Anger with Murder.

This week we are going to look at the next part of Jesus’ Sermon, and it looks at Christian Relationships.

II. SCRIPTURE READING

MATTHEW 5:27 - 30

27 "You have heard that it was said, ’Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”

III. DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY

Jesus again, is tightening where we loosen.

Remember Jesus talking about the Law just a few short verses ago, spoke about those who “LOOSEN” the law?

Man is continually looking for loop-holes.

My brother and I made a game out of “loosening” our parent’s laws.

We would ask, “Can I have 3 cookies?” they would answer “NO”, and if that was all they said, we would take 4.

After all, they did not say no to 4 cookies.

I wasn’t supposed to ride down Beacher Rd on my bike, so I would ride on the sidewalk, and proceed to the part of town I was not supposed to be in.

We are always looking for loopholes, and as adults, we do the same thing.

We know what is right, but we are selfish and want what we want.

And we are self-righteous.

We want what we want, while at the same time, giving the appearance of obedience to all of those around us.

In the leadership as Elder in another church, we were dealing with someone who had been participating in activities that can not be tolerated in the church, especially by the leadership.

When disciplining this person it was like dealing with a child trying to find the loophole so they could be righteous, and still act inappropriate.

They wanted their cake and eat it too as the saying goes.

Or in this case, they wanted their Kate and Edith too.

When told that the inappropriate relationship had to end, they asked,

“What if we are only together when other people are around?” – No

“What if the church is going somewhere, can we sit by each other?” – No

“Can we talk on the phone?” – No

It went on like this…until I had lost my patience, and said;

“What part of THIS ADULTERY MUST END don’t you understand?”

To that he said, “Can’t we stay friends?”

Man always looks for a way to sin, yet appear right with God.

This, is self-righteousness.

Jesus said of the Pharisees, you are like white washed tombs.

Clean on the outside, but full of dead man’s bones.

This is the modern Christian.

We see those who put on the Christian shell, but is nothing more than a lost soul with a pretty package.

What’s the saying about perfume on a pig?

The Pharisees played the part, but Jesus saw through their self-righteousness, and called them out.

DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY…

You may say, well, it’s only pictures, or a movie, it’s not like its real or anything.

I hear every excuse in the world about pornography.

Where does adultery take place?

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Lust means to have sexual desire…

Those looking for loopholes right now are saying, I’m just appreciating beauty…

Again, God knows your heart.