MATTHEW 28:18-20
I. BE RECONCILED – MATTHEW 5:23-26
Reconciliation – The restoration of friendly relations; The action of making one view or belief compatible with another; harmonization.
A. Prioritize the “Rebuilding of Relationships.”
1. Your flesh wants to lash out, but retaliation takes a lot of energy.
2. It’s easier on everyone and more effective to walk in love.
a. You don’t have to allow yourself to reestablish the kind of relationship you had before, but you need to be healed enough to be friendly.
B. Work on Compatibility
1. Compatibility is a prerequisite to unity, and unity is a prerequisite to “living in the blessing!” Psalms 133
2. Being compatible doesn’t mean that we always see eye to eye. Sometimes it means we find a way to walk together even when we disagree.
a. Compatibility is often achieved when two (or more parties) agree upon the primary purpose or theme. (Keep the main thing the main thing)
b. Be cautious about obsessing over unagreeable topics.
c. Don’t allow a disagreement to rob you of God’s work for the greater good.
3. The boundaries of compatibility
a. The non-variables are the non-variables! (It still takes the Cross, the blood of Jesus must still be applied, the Gospel is the Gospel, etc.)
C. Harmonization & Reconciliation
1. In the last two messages (Sunday & Wednesday), we have addressed the “Framework of our Belief-System.” (Repentance & Letting our Light Shine)
2. Nothing brings harmony like the application of the Word of God.
a. Read God’s Word and enjoy it!
b. Apply God’s Word and reap the benefits of it! (Brings Peace, Hope, and Joy into our lives!)
3. Think of a Symphony. – Read: The Symphony of Life by Dr. Earle Cushman
YBH (Yes but How)
• Develop an interest in reconciliation.
• Be willing to take responsibility for your part of the relationship breakdown.
• Be willing to make the first move toward peace. (Don’t let pride control you)
II. DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY – MATTHEW 5:29-30
Adultery – voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse.
A. God Takes Adultery Seriously
1. God listed adultery right after murder in the Ten Commandments - Exo 20:13-14
2. In the OT, adultery was a capital offense worthy of the death penalty - Lev 20:10
3. God has promised to judge those who are adulterers - He 13:4; 1Co 6:9-10
B. Jesus continued teaching against adultery by taking it one step further.
Notice Mt 5:28
Matthew 5:28 ESV – But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
1. Notice the phraseology, “looks at a woman with lustful intent.” (perversion, pornography…)
a. There comes a time when we must take responsibility for our actions.
b. God will set us free if we try, but God isn’t going to force freedom on us if we don’t really want it!
c. Some cannot get free because they enjoy their bondage too much.
2. There is pleasure in sin “for a season” – He 11:25.
a. What happens when the season is up? Adultery destroys friendships, marriages, and families, which contribute to the destruction of the home and our society in general!
YBH (Yes but How)
Getting Free from Adultery – Be Responsible for your Conduct
• Pay attention to 1 Cor 17-20
1 Corinthians 6:17-20 ESV
17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.
18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.
• Cut off those things that might lead you to look at others and lust!
James 1:13-15
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.
o Dwell upon the things mentioned in Php 4:8! (If there be any virtue or praise…)
• CLEAN UP YOUR LIFE! – Remove ALL stumbling blocks that encourage you to sin!
o Such as certain books, movies, pictures
o Or possible companions, associates
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
ALTAR CALL:
o Living for Jesus begins with giving our heart to Him.
o Maybe God has dealt with you today, and you need to spend some time with Him to make things right.
o Perhaps you just want to hang out in His presence for a while!
o THESE ALTARS ARE OPEN!
