Sermon Notes
I. ___________ (v. 21-26)
A. Do not ___________ in your heart (v. 21)
1. The ___________ (v. 21)
2. Jesus ___________ the command (v. 22)
B. The challenge: quick ___________ (v. 23-26)
1. On the way to ___________ God (v. 23-24)
2. On the way to the ___________ (v. 25-26)
II. ___________ (v. 27-30)
A. Do not commit ___________ in your heart (v. 27-28)
1. The ___________ (v. 27)
2. Jesus ___________ the command (v. 28)
B. The challenge: cut off ___________ (v. 29-30)
III. Good News: Jesus ___________ for sinners
Going Deeper
- Read Matthew 5:13-16. How can Christians be salt and light when it comes to anger and lust?
- Read Matthew 5:21-22. What is the command from the OT? How does Jesus expound on this command?
- There is a place for righteous anger. Read John 2:13-22. What did Jesus do? How is this righteous anger? Also read Ephesians 4:26-27. What should we do? What should we not do?
- Craig Keener: “Jesus challenges their hearts, not just their doctrine. Many Christians today similarly profess to agree with Jesus’ doctrine here but do not obey it.” How is this true in your life?
- Read Matthew 5:23-25. What is the point of these two examples? Douglas O’Donnell says: “It is far more important to be reconciled to your brother than to fulfill the external duties of worship. Worship is merely a pretense if we have offended others in such a way that they are holding grudges against us.” How can you apply this in your life?
- Reasons we will not be reconciled:
- I am right and he/she is wrong (arrogance)
- I don’t want to admit I have faults (pride)
- What she did to me is worse than what I did to her (petty)
- He deserves what he got (judgmental)
- Do you have an adversary? What will you do to be faithful to God’s Word this week (Read Romans 12:18)?
- Read Matthew 5:27-28. What is the command from the OT? How does Jesus expound on this command?
- Douglas O’Donnell says: “It is not the first glance that is sin, but the second that swells with lust and feeds upon the subject.”
- Read 2 Sam. 11:1-4. How did David succumb to lust? How could have cut lust at the root? Douglas O’Donnell says: “Wandering eyes are sensual eyes and ultimately adulterous eyes.” What should David have done? How will you apply this in your life?
- Douglas O’Donnell says: “The fantasy preceded the act, and that is how it has always been. No sensual sin was ever committed that was not first imagined.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?
- Read Matt. 5:29-30. John Stott says, “We shall have to eliminate from our lives certain things which either are, or could easily become, sources of temptation.” How does this apply to lust in your life?
- To battle lust, memorize these passages and quote them to yourself when tempted: Romans 13:14; 1 Cor. 6:18-20; Phil. 4:8; 2 Tim. 2:22.
- John Stott: “Not mutilation but mortification is the path of holiness [Jesus] taught, and ‘mortification’ or ‘taking up the cross’ to follow Christ means to reject sinful practices so resolutely that we die to them or put them to death.” Read Mark 8:34; Rom. 8:13; Gal. 5:24; Col. 3:5. What will you do in response to God’s calling in your life?
- Douglas O’Donnell reminds us: “We must recognize the absolute necessity of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. We cannot mortify our flesh alone. Willpower will not do it! Paul is careful to tell us, “but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13). Likewise, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you” (Philippians 2:12, 13). We can do this only by the power of Jesus.” Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you put the old self to death and put on the new self daily!
- The world may say, “Anger is no big deal. Lust is not really a problem. Why are you so serious about it? You are so strict!” John Stott sums up the decision we have to make: “We have to decide, quite simply, whether to live for this world or the next, whether to follow the crowd or Jesus Christ.” Who will you follow?
