2025.02.16. Sermon Notes. MATTERS OF THE HEART. Matthew 5:17-48
THE Law and True Righteousness.
William Akehurst HSWC
BIG IDEA: It’s a Heart Matter. JESUS is teaching what it means to be a disciple in GOD’s Kingdom in understanding and applying the law and true Righteousness, by dealing with our sin nature through the matters of the heart.
JESUS’ Intention is for us to be set apart, distinct and different.
Scriptures: Matthew 5:27-48, Romans 10:4, Matthew 24:35, Romans 8:4, Galatians 2:21, Romans 3:23, Philippians 3:8b-9, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Psalms 14:1, Romans 12:18, Ephesians 4:26-27, James 1:14-15, 2 Samuel 11:2-4, Matthew 6:33, Deuteronomy 24:1, Exodus 20:7, Romans 12:21, Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 3:21-22, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Leviticus 11:45
THE LAW AND TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS.
(17-18) JESUS’ relation to the law.
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
I did not come to destroy but to fulfill
JESUS didn’t come against the law, but to bring fulfillment
ILLUS. The law is a vessel (a container), the law and prophets pointed to a time when it would be filled, fulfilled. JESUS fills (fulfills) that vessel.
POINT: The law and prophets of the Old Testament were pointing to a time when they would be fulfilled. The Old Testament referred to the Messiah as “the coming One”. One who would fulfill those prophecies.
JESUS did not come to destroy the word of God,
JESUS came to show the Way and Truth of GOD’s WORD, where the Pharisees and Scribes had wrongly interpreted it.
JESUS wanted to make it clear that HIS Authority was separate from the Law of Moses, but not against it.
One way JESUS came to fulfill the law, was by perfect obedience.
JESUS fulfilled the doctrinal teachings of the Law and the Prophets by revealing it’s Truth in HIMSELF.
JESUS fulfilled the prophecy of the Law and the Prophets in that HE is the Promised “Coming One”.
JESUS fulfilled the Law and the Prophets by fully obeying them as HE reveals and explains them in their truth.
JESUS fulfilled the penalty of the Law and the Prophets for us by His death on the cross, taking the penalty that we deserved.
Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
In a word, Christ COMPLETED the law
By his own sacrifice, HE perfected the law satisfying GOD and sanctifying man.
HE completed it in himself by submitting to it with exact obedience.
HE verifies it by his death upon the cross.
HE completes this law, and the sayings of his prophets, in his followers, by giving them grace to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and their neighbour as themselves; for this is all the law and the prophets.”
“One jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
THE jot and the tittle were small marks in Hebrew writing.
JESUS not only is saying the ideas of GOD’s WORD are important, but also the words themselves and the letters of the words are important.
This shows us how highly God regards His word.
The smallest detail of the Law will remain. Every little detail of the WORD will not pass away.
The jot refers to yod (?), the 10th and smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet; it looks like half a letter. Example: Like the dot over the lowercase “i”
The tittle is a small mark in a Hebrew letter, somewhat like the crossing of a “t” or the tail on a “y.” Example: putting a cross on a lowercase “l” to make a “T” or lowercase “t”.
POINT: Every single letter, and every little part, every little detail of GOD’s WORD is important.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Till all is fulfilled
This is the assurance that JESUS Himself fulfilled the law by His perfect obedience.
And that JESUS Himself fulfills the law IN US by His perfect obedience.
Romans 8:4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us…
POINT: This is the assurance that God’s plan will be fulfilled at the end of the age.
(19-20) THE Disciple’s relationship to the law. Persons in the kingdom.
19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, HE shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments:
THE commandments are to be obeyed as explained and fulfilled by JESUS’ life and teaching, not as in the legalistic thinking of the religious authorities of JESUS’ day.
ILLUS. Sacrifice is commanded by the law, but it was fulfilled in JESUS, “the Lamb of GOD who takes away the sins of the world”.
We are not in danger of being called least in the kingdom of heaven by not observing animal sacrifice as detailed in the Law of Moses, because JESUS gave Himself as our sacrifice.
Whoever does and teaches them, HE shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
THE Christian is done with the law as a means of gaining a righteous standing before God.
Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
However, the law remains to show us God’s character and requirements and moral values.
POINT: THE law sends us to JESUS for our Righteousness and Justification, because it shows us that we are unable to please or satisfy GOD in ourselves.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
BUT, after we come to CHRIST, JESUS sends us back to the law to learn the heart of GOD for our conduct and sanctification.
“Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
ILLUSTRATION: KEEP THE SABBATH HOLY.
Some of my Orthodox Jewish friends show deep devotion to the law like the scribes and Pharisees. In “Keeping the Sabbath Holy”, they will do nothing that could be considered work, even the simple task of heating a cup of coffee on a stove. Turning on the stove, drawing water from the tap, and heating the water would be considered a form of work. Even pushing the start button on a microwave, as it starts an electrical current, thereby causing “a work”.
I often ponder “the FEAR of THE LORD” and ask myself, if I understand it, and are live a life in devotion to it.
With that kind of devotion to the law, how can we ever hope to exceed their righteousness?
Paul, a Pharisee, speaks of righteousness that comes through CHRIST alone.
Philippians 3:8b-9 that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
POINT: Therefore, we are not made righteous by keeping the law.
ONLY THE SACRIFICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS makes us Right with GOD.
JESUS offered HIMSELF and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS for our Sin, by dying on a cross. It was the Great Exchange that occurred at Calvary. By believing in HIM by faith, HE exchanges HIS Righteousness for our sin. Thereby finding Peace with GOD, through JESUS CHRIST.
(21-22) JESUS interprets the law in its truth for our understanding.
Specifically here, JESUS explains a difference in two errors taught by the scribes and Pharisees.
JESUS teaches the law against Murder and Anger.
Murder Begins in the Heart.
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 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.
“You have heard it said”
In that day, people may not have had the ability to read nor study the Law of Moses for themselves. And only had the teaching on the law from the scribes and Pharisees who said, “You shall not murder.”
“But I say to you”
JESUS shows His authority, teaching the true understanding of the law of Moses. Not relying on the words of scribes or teachers.
“Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment”
THE teaching of the scribes and Pharisees (“You shall not murder”) was true.
But JESUS makes it clear that it is not only those who commit the act of murder who are in danger of judgment, but those who have a murderous intent in the heart are also in danger of the judgment.
THOUGHT: When did Eve commit sin in the Garden of Eden?
According to the law, sin happened when she ate the fruit of the tree of good and evil.
However, in truth, Eve committed sin when she decided in her heart to take of the fruit to eat it, even before she actually ate it.
JESUS is teaching that sin is committed when we decide to do things in our heart.
POINT: Our thoughts that can lead us to sin.
2 Corinthians 10:5 reminds us that we are to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
JESUS exposes the heresy of the scribes.
To them, the law was only a matter of actions, (external performance), never the heart. JESUS brings the truth of the law back to the matters of the heart.
And whoever says to his brother, “Raca!” shall be in danger of the council:
To call someone “Raca” (Idiot, nitwit, blockhead (Charlie Brown), numbskull, or bonehead.”) says something of their intelligence.
To call someone a fool says something of their character.
What does scripture say about a fool?
Psalms 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
POINT: Once again, it’s a heart matter…“Said in his heart”.
(23-26) More on problem personal relationships.
JESUS teaches on Personal Relationships
23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.
Leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way:
JESUS is teaching that we can’t come to GOD if we have problems “In our heart” with others.
JESUS says we must first be reconciled to your brother.
We can’t think that our service towards the Lord justifies bad relationships with others.
Holding Grudges. Keeping Anger in their heart.
Deal with the heart. Have a Right attitude.
Paul says…
Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Agree with your adversary quickly
JESUS commands us to quickly settle anger and malice with another. When we ignore it or pass it off, it genuinely imprisons us (and you be thrown into prison).
Ephesians 4:26-27 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.
(27-28) JESUS interprets the law against adultery.
JESUS teaches the law against Adultery. Adultery in the Heart
27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
You have heard that it was said to those of old:
The teachers of the day taught that adultery itself was wrong.
But they applied the law only to the actions, not to the heart.
JESUS is applying the law to our hearts.
“Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart”
JESUS explains that it is possible to commit adultery or murder in our heart – or mind, and this also is sin and prohibited by the command against adultery.
James 1:14-15 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Process within that ends with the act.
Desire conceives and brings forth sin.
Looks to lust for her, to desire, long for and covet. A look that keeps on looking.
Example: 2 Samuel 11:2-4 2 Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 3 So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 4 Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house.
IMPORTANT: Understand that JESUS is not saying that the act of adultery and adultery in the heart are the same thing.
THE act of adultery is far worse than adultery in the heart.
JESUS’ point is not to say they are the same things, but to say they are both sin, and both prohibited by the command against adultery.
Some people only keep from adultery because they are afraid to get caught, and in their heart they commit adultery every day. It is good that they keep from the act of adultery, but it is bad that their heart is filled with adultery.
POINT: This principle applies to much more than men looking at women OR even women looking at men. This can include pornography, but it also applies to anything we can covet with the eye or mind. LUST OF THE EYE, LUST OF THE FLESH.
“Adultery… in his heart”
JESUS is talking about heart issues.
JESUS, though tempted in all ways (Hebrews 4:15), endured such temptations but did not yield to such sin.
(29-30) Our attitude in the war against sin.
Our Attitude in the War against Sin
29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out
Here JESUS uses a figure of speech, and did not speak literally.
Sadly, some have taken it so and have mutilated themselves in mistaken efforts in the pursuit of holiness. For example, the famous early Christian named Origen castrated himself on the principle of this passage.
POINT: Imagination is a God-given gift.
But if it is fed dirt by the eye, it will be dirty. If our imagination doesn’t glorify GOD, then STOP looking for it, pursuing it, seeking it.
All sin, begins with the imagination, our thoughts.
And WHAT feeds the imagination is important in our pursuit of GOD’s Righteousness.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness...
IT’S A MATTER OF THE HEART.
THE trouble with a literal interpretation of plucking out your eye or cutting off your hand is that you could still sin with your other hand or eye. And when all those are gone, you can especially sin with your mind.
“It is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell”
POINT: DIE TO SELF.
JESUS stresses the point that one must be willing to sacrifice to be obedient. If part of our life is given over to sin, we must be convinced that it is more profitable for that part of our life to “die” rather than to condemn our whole life.
(31-32) JESUS interprets the law concerning divorce.
JESUS teaches the law concerning divorce. Marriage Is Sacred and Binding
31 “Furthermore it has been said, Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
It has been said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce. Whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality”
In JESUS’ day, this permission of Deuteronomy 24:1 had become an instrument of cruelty against wives.
Deuteronomy 24:1 “When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house,
POINT: Sexual immorality “translates porneia, the root meaning of which is ‘fornication’ or sex outside of marriage, and from which also comes the word “pornography” which is a Matter of the Heart and Thoughts.
THE issue of divorce revolved around a strict or loose interpretation of the word uncleanness in Deuteronomy 24:1. Those who wanted to make divorce easy had a loose interpretation.
JESUS makes it plain that the idea of uncleanness is sexual immorality, not anything the wife might do to displease the husband.
POINT: Marriage is Sacred and Binding before GOD.
While there are biblical reasons for divorce, in today’s society, divorce is more often used to pursue another partner, which is adultery.
(33-37) JESUS interprets the law concerning oaths.
JESUS teaches the law concerning Oaths (Vows). Forbids Oaths
33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not swear falsely”
THE scribes and Pharisees had twisted the law You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain (Exodus 20:7) to permit taking virtually every other name in a false oath.
Do not swear at all
JESUS reminds us that God is part of every oath; if you swear by anything, you swear by God – and your oath must be honored.
But let your “Yes” be “Yes”
Swearing or make oaths betrays you own word and character as weak.
It says that there is not enough weight in your own character to confirm your own words.
How much better it is to let your “Yes” be “Yes” and “No” be “No.”
HOWEVER, Jesus is not prohibiting all oaths.
Oaths are permitted under certain circumstances, as long as they are not abused and used as a cover for deception.
(38-42) JESUS interprets the law of retribution.
JESUS interprets the law of retribution. Go the Second Mile (Luke 6:29–31)
38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good
You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also”
Here, JESUS presents the eye for an eye law, and how its idea of limiting revenge extends into the principle of accepting certain evils against one’s self.
And when a person insults us (slaps you on the right cheek), we want to give them back what they gave to us and more.
JESUS said we should patiently bear such insults and offenses, and not resist an evil person who insults us this way.
Instead, we are to trust God to defend us.
Deuteronomy 32:35 Vengeance is mine, I will repay.
POINT: REVENGE is not the answer.
JESUS is not saying you can’t defend or resist a physical attack.
When JESUS speaks of a slap on your right cheek, it was culturally understood as a deep insult, not a physical attack.
JESUS does not mean that if someone hits across the right side of our head with a baseball bat, we should allow them to then hit the left side.
Additionally, it’s wrong to think JESUS means that there is no place for punishment or retribution in society.
JESUS is speaks to personal relationships. I must turn my cheek when I am personally insulted.
But let the justice system deal with the evil of physical assault.
“If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also”
Under the Law of Moses, the outer cloak could not be taken from someone.
Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two
At that time, Under Roman military law, any Roman soldier might command a Jew to carry his soldier’s pack for one mile – but only one mile.
JESUS here says, “Go beyond the one mile required by law and give another mile out of a free choice of love.”
This is how we transform an attempt to manipulate us into a free act of love.
Give to him who asks of you
THE only limit to this kind of sacrifice is the limit that love itself will impose.
It isn’t loving to give in to someone’s manipulation without our transforming it into a free act of love.
It isn’t always loving to give or to not resist.
Again, Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(43-47) JESUS interprets the law of love towards your neighbor.
JESUS interprets the law of love towards your neighbor.
Love Your Enemies (Luke 6:27, 28, 32–36)
43 “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for HE makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?
You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy”
THE Mosaic Law commanded you shall love your neighbor (Leviticus 19:18). Yet some teachers in the days of JESUS added an opposite – and evil – misapplication: an equal obligation to hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies
Instead, JESUS reminds that in the sense God means it, all people are our neighbors, even our enemies.
To truly fulfill this law we must love, bless, do good and pray for our enemies, not only our friends.
JESUS understood we will have enemies, yet we are to respond to them in love, trusting that God will protect our cause and destroy our enemies in the best way possible, by transforming them into our friends.
That you may be sons of your Father in heaven
In doing this, we are imitating God, who shows love towards His enemies, by sending rain on the just and on the unjust.
This is an example – that we also are to love our enemies and bless them if we can. In doing so, we show ourselves to be sons of our Father in heaven.
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you
What do you do more than the sinner? We should regard it as no matter of virtue if we merely return the love that is given to us.
POINT: JESUS is teaching the character of the people of HIS Kingdom.
We are to be set apart and different from this world.
As Salt and Light to the world by our actions and lives. Being a witness of something better, GOD’s Kingdom, and helping others find their way to CHRIST.
(48) THE conclusion to the true interpretation of the law: be perfect.
THE conclusion to the true interpretation of the law: be perfect.
48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
1 Peter 1:15-16 15 but as HE who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Leviticus 11:45b …You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
JESUS is showing us, HIS disciples, that to be perfect and righteous by the law, we would need to keep the whole law, internally, in our heart, and externally, by our actions.
But more importantly, that we need a righteousness that is set apart from the Law.
Paul says…
Romans 3:21-22 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in JESUS Christ, to all and on all who believe.
Therefore you shall be perfect:
If we could live the way JESUS has told us to in this chapter, we would truly be perfect.
· We would never hate, slander or speak evil of another person.
· We would never lust in our heart or mind, and not covet anything.
· We would never make a false oath, and always be completely truthful.
· We would let God defend our personal rights, and not take it upon ourselves to defend those rights.
· We would always love our neighbors, and even our enemies.
But we all sin and fall short, even with regard to the law of Moses.
And it is the law that shows us that we need a Savior.
And that Savior is JESUS.
And as followers of Christ, indwelled by HIS SPIRIT, we are being changed every day, if we choose to serve HIM.
Our perfection comes in CHRIST.
As HE is fulfilling IN US, HIS WORD, HIS LAW, and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, so that we can experience the blessings of GOD and the inheritance of Eternal Life through HIM.
What is our current relation to the law, as truly interpreted?
The LIGHT and TRUTH of the Law exposes us as guilty sinners who can never make ourselves righteous by doing good works – which was exactly the view held by most people in JESUS’ day, and in our own day.
While it is by Grace that you have been saved by faith. GOD’s laws help us to live the right way.
Are we able to accomplish and fulfill the law?
Our answer is a resounding NO.
Are we to continue to sin that GRACE will abound? Romans 6:1? Again, NO.
JESUS is showing us HOW to be set apart from this world, and living in HIS Kingdom. But our Righteousness comes through HIM and HIM alone.
But we are to do our part to allow HOLY SPIRIT to guide us in TRUTH, and to choose to serve GOD and man in the LOVE that HE has shown for us.
