Rash Decisions Series

Title: Rash Decisions

Theme: We never expect the bad decisions to lead to anything terrible. But . . .

Text Matthew 5:21 - 38

Introduction

Mat 5:17-20 "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. (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.

Review of Last Weeks Message

Lessons for Life

Sacrifice and rewards

Commonality

1. Jesus is making a reference to an Old Testament or Scribal law (You have heard it said), Jesus is questioning the interpretation of the OT Law by the scribes.

2. There is a theme in these. It is making rash decisions.

(Mat 5:21) "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, [18] and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.'

“You have heard it said”

(5:21-48) "Ye have heard"— "It hath been said": these words are found in every paragraph or subject of these verses. It is important to understand this: Christ is referring not only to the ten commandments, but also to the Scribal Law of the Jewish teachers. (See Deeper Study #1—Luke 6:2; Deeper Study #4—Luke 6:7 for discussion.) He is directing the listeners' attention to what they had heard from their teachers, that is, to their interpretation of the law. Very simply put, Christ is giving the real meaning of certain laws, just what God originally intended the law to say.

Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Matthew I.

(Mat 5:22) But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.(local Jewish council of 23, Jesus taught us Matthew how to deal with conflict in the church, bring it to individual, then to council then to church) And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. (Sanhedrin of religious leaders) But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. (damnation, cursing, useless, and prejudice)

Levels of Anger

1. The anger that broods, that is selfish. It harbors malice; it will not forget; it lingers; it broods; it wills revenge and sometimes seeks revenge.

2. The anger that holds contempt (hraka PWS: 3151). It despises; it ridicules; it arrogantly exalts self and calls another person empty and useless. This is an anger that is full of malice. It despises and scorns (hraka PWS: 3151). It arises from pride—a proud wrath (Proverbs 21:24). Such feelings or anger walk over and trample a person. It says that whatever ill comes upon a person is deserved.

3. The anger that curses. It seeks to destroy a man and his reputation morally, intellectually, and spiritually.

Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Matthew I.

Reconciliation

(Mat 5:23) Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, (the is the key to these verses) 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.

Quickly

"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath" (Ephes. 4:26).

Why? Bondage (physical and spiritual)

(Mat 5:25) Agree with your adversary quickly, (He told us in the “Be Attidudes” last week that Blessed are the Peacemakers) 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. (what is really worth fighting over that has eternal consequences, this does not mean you should not defend yourself but make sure you have a just cause and it is worth fighting over)

(Mat 5:26) Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. (this is a debtors prison)

Our life is different. Many times our adversary has more weapons than we do. They are willing to lie, steal and bear false witness just to get their way. We are not. We have integrity and a line. So it is better not to go down that road.