Sermons on Matthew 5:17-22:

The Trivial And The Tremendous

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

As the light of the world, it is the Christians job to help the world see the difference between the truly trivial, and the trivial that can be tremendous.

On April 18, 1906 San Francisco went through the worst catastrophe of California history. An earthquake devastated the city, and a fire broke out that left that once thriving metropolis a heap of smoldering ruins. The cost in lives and property was beyond calculation. Yet, in the midst of all this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:18-19

Legalism Versus Love

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

We are in a world of great religious competition. We will all tend to follow one of these two strategies: The legalistic or the loving, the rule book power, or relationship power.

We live in a world where competition is a master motive. When the news reach Russia in 1945 that the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Stalin ordered secret scientists to find a way to catch up to the U.S. Andrei Sakharov was only 24 years old then, but his brilliant mind was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

Respect Versus Contempt

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

All that is hateful and unloving is to some degree evil. Jesus says we need to be aware of this, and deal with it in its early stages, and so prevent all the serious consequences of thinking that negative attitudes are alright as long as you don't murder anyone.

Alexander the Great conquered the world, but anger conquered him, and turned him into a murderer. Like so many of the murders of history, it was not intended or designed. It happened because men do not understand that anger is the beginning of murder. Clitus, his best friend, was teasing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26

The Now Life

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

The Lord's Prayer in chapter 6 is a now prayer. Give us this day our daily bread. All of its petitions are for now. Hallowed be your name-now. Thy kingdom come now. Thy will be done on earth-now.

Marguerite Higgins, Pulitzer Prize winner for international reporting, stood by a marine during the Korean War. It was 42 below zero, and the soldier was weary and covered with frozen mud. She asked him, " If I were God and could grant you anything you wished, what would you most like?" ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26

Legalism Versus Love Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

We are in a world of great religious competition. We will all tend to follow one of these two strategies: The legalistic or the loving, the rule book power, or relationship power.

We live in a world where competition is a master motive. When the news reach Russia in 1945 that the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Stalin ordered secret scientists to find a way to catch up to the U.S. Andrei Sakharov was only 24 years old then, but his brilliant mind was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

What Makes Jesus' Yoke Light? (Matthew 11:1-30) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 7, 2022

Jesus' expectations are high (Matthew 5-7). So how can he say his yoke is a light burden? Jesus' yoke is not optional, and not secondary. You come to Jesus, in part, by taking on his yoke.

What makes Jesus' yoke light? (Matthew 11:1-30) We were doing family devotions the other night, and I was so proud of two of them, and found their insights so helpful, that I thought I'd sidetrack for a week and just make a record of this for myself. And the best way I know to do that, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-30, Matthew 5:17-48, Matthew 6:19-34, Matthew 7:21-29

A New Heart For A Fresh Start

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 22, 2022

Jesus’ teaching and ministry was a way of reframing the use of Scripture. The Scribes had made notes that were superimposed on Scripture. Jesus holds before us a new way of living life. One based on mercy, grace, and love. Jesus modeled the heart and intent of God.

As a child we would attempt to salvage anything and everything. The house I remember from early childhood was an interesting building. When my mother wanted to clean the floor, she would pour water on the floor, scrub it with a broom, and the water would drain through the floor. The first home ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-28, Matthew 5:17-20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 11:6, Matthew 11:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Genesis Principles

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 15, 2022

As we read Genesis, we need to understand how it fits into the Old Testament and within God’s plan.

As we read Genesis, we need to understand how it fits into the Old Testament and within God’s plan. Genesis is the first book of Moses, of the law, of the Pentateuch, of the Torah. How does Old Testament law relate to Christians? It applies in spirit and not in the letter. “who has made us ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:6, Romans 2:29, Matthew 5:21-22, Romans 14:5-6, Colossians 2:16-17, Jude 1:11, Matthew 5:27-28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A Life Unwasted

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 23, 2022

When human beings ignore the law of God, set up for our benefit, laid down so that human families and societies will be places to grow and prosper, everything is constantly on the verge of utter disorder.

A Life Unwasted The other evening I was watching an old movie, and by that I mean from the eighties of the last century. It wasn’t particularly good, but it dramatized a lot about the culture of Washington, DC residents living at the top of the socio-economic heap at the time. One of the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1-9, Matthew 5:17-19, Genesis 1:2

Denomination: Catholic

Shine, Honor - The Commands Of Jesus Part 3 Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Mar 23, 2022

In this message, Dr. Vorce speaks about how to let our lights shine in a dark world and how to honor God's Word in a Woke Society.

SHINE, HONOR I. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE-MATTHEW 5:14-16 The emphasis here is on the ministry of Christian character. Actions speak louder than words. A. As Christians, our lights transmit God's glory to a dark world! 1. Shining requires that we take our faith seriously! 2. They are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16, Matthew 5:17-19, Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Church Of God

Drop It Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Apr 3, 2022

I stand before you this morning a condemned man … every bit as guilty as that poor woman caught in the act of adultery. I don’t know whether or not Jesus wrote their sins in the sand but He certainly knows my many sins and I do know that my sins were swept away that day on the cross.

[Pick up little stone.] Yeah … there’s been a lot of jokes about the risk I’m taking by handing out stones before the sermon. Look at the stone in your hand. Yeah … getting hit by a rock this size could hurt … especially if it hit me in the head or hit me in the eye or something, amen? I guess ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-12, Exodus 20:14, Exodus 20:16, Matthew 5:17, Matthew 5:20, Leviticus 19:15-18, Romans 14:10-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Observations: What Grows A Church?

Contributed by Lee Houston on Apr 7, 2022

What are the characteristics of a growing church?

Observations: What Grows A Church? Scripture: Romans 7:7, Matthew 5:18 Summary: What are the characteristics of a growing church? I was puzzled: What are the characteristics of a growing church? I have a master’s degree, a research degree that taught me how to conduct qualitative studies and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:7, Matthew 5:18

The Antidote To Progressive Revisionism In The Church

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Apr 12, 2022

God gave laws known as the Ten Commandments for every human being to adhere to.

Religious leaders are always very good at legalism so they added 603 moral and legal codes (365 thou shalt not's and 248 thou shalt). Jesus accentuated the 10 Commandments because they are the key to knowledge about salvation (see Isaiah 42:21; Luke 11:52). The Bible says that "Only in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:7-9, Matthew 5:17, Galatians 4:4, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:23, Acts 17:31, Hebrews 10:26-29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let There Be Life! Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Sep 14, 2020

Protecting life is a fundamental principle.

1. The Conscientious Objector is a 2004 documentary film about the life of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who received a Medal of Honor for his service in World War II. Because of his religious convictions as a Seventh-day Adventist, he refused to carry a weapon (based on Exodus ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:13, Matthew 5:21-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Twelve Points That Prove Christianity Is True

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 2, 2021

Can Christianity be proven? Contrary to popular belief that the Christian faith is based on unproven assumptions, there is actually a great deal of evidence for the Christian worldview.

Can Christianity be proven? Contrary to popular belief that the Christian faith is based on unproven assumptions, there is actually a great deal of evidence for the Christian worldview. This is a twelve point reasoning process, in extremely short form, indicating a reasoning route beginning at ...read more

Scripture: John 8:58, Mark 2:28, Matthew 5:18, John 17:17, John 10:35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army