Sunday Recap On A Tuesday...

On Tuesday's I hope to post some thoughts from the lesson that was previously taught at Merge the Sunday before...

Series: You Say You Want A Revolution
Lesson: "But I Tell You"
Text: Matthew 5:21-48

Some Thoughts:
---We are traveling through Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount.  Last week Jesus introduced Himself in how He relates to the Law of God.  This gives us context for where we are heading so let's to a quick recap:


1.  The Law is the STANDARD that must be kept to have ETERNAL LIFE with God.
2.  Because it is IMPOSSIBLE for us to fully keep THE LAW; Jesus came to FULFILL it.  
3.  When it comes to The Law, it is the deep ATTITUDES of the heart that need to be dealt with...not just the VISIBLE BEHAVIORS.  
***The Pharisees and Scribes were creating a system of treating the symptoms of sin without ever going to the heart of the matter.  They were trying to cure cancer with Tylenol thinking that because their head ache was gone, then all should be all right.  Here is what we know:  if you treat the symptoms you will find temporarily relief.  But if you treat the issue,you will find transformation and health. ***
4.  Jesus isn't REDEFINING the Law; He is CLARIFYING it.


---"We believe only as much of the Bible as we put into practice"  Warren Weirsbe


---As we wrestle with these words we must realize that "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).  Meaning the sins we are carrying from our past and the ones we are currently wrestling with should be nailed to the Cross.  This should bring us both great hope and motivation to doing life God's way.


v. 21-48 (Jesus teaches about Anger and Lust)
---The Pharisees read this law and, not having literally murdered anyone, felt righteous.  Yet it would be their anger with Jesus that would soon plot His death, though they would not do the dirty work themselves Jesus is exposing the deeper of Murder...Anger.


1.  If you don't manage your ANGER it will control you.  
2.  Anger MANAGEMENT and relationship reconciliation are a high priority than WORSHIP.


---Anger and strife conflict with our greatest commandment to live lives of love.  We are hypocrites if we claim to love God while we hate others.  Our attitudes toward others reflect our relationship with God.


vs. 27-30 (Jesus teaches about Adultery and Lust)
---Lust is always a major factor in peoples decision to commit adultery.


1.  Lust is a problem that must be dealt with in the HEAD, not just the BED.


---Think we don't have a lust problem in our nation:
17+billions dollars is made in the porn industry every year (that is more than NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL combined).
11,000 adult movies are made a year (20 times Hollywood's production rate)
55% of all movies rented in hotels are pornography (average length viewed...12 minutes)
1 in 5 Blackberry and IPHONE users have viewed porn on their screens.


---Need a little more??? Let's talk about kids and porn:
Average age of first internet exposure to pornography...11
Percentage of 15-17 year olds having multiple hard-core exposures...80%
Percentage of 8-16 years olds having viewed porn online...90%


---if you think this issue has escaped the church you are sadly mistaken.  Jesus is saying that this is a serious issue that must be dealt with in drastic measures.  He is saying that it is better to experience the pain of the removal of the sin than to bring judgment and condemnation and self-destruction into your life.


2.  Be willing to take DRASTIC ACTION to deal with your WEAKNESS.


vs. 31-32 (Jesus teaches on Divorce)
---The greatest attack on the sanctity of marriage in my opinion is not the Homosexual Marriage debate going on in our nation today.  The greatest attack on the sanctity of marriage is that far to many Christians are making commitments between them, God and their spouse; then walking away from that commitment for reasons other than what God gives permission for.  


1.  Instead of looking for a way to JUSTIFY your SEPARATION, look for a way to STRENGTHEN your relationship.  


vs.  33-37 (Jesus teaches about Vows)
1.  Don't let your WORD be so WEAK that it needs to be PROPPED UP.


vs. 38-42 (Jesus teaches about Retaliation)
---Jesus steps right up and clarifies our role when it comes to out very real desire to seek revenge.  We don't really like this and it's apparent because so few of us actually live this out.  But if we are going to be serious about doing life in a way that is more God-glorifying and less Self-gratifying we desperately need to carry the essence of this law into every area of our lives.  


1.  Go out of your way to defuse CONFLICT, avoid RETALIATION and go the EXTRA MILE to do a good thing.


vs. 43-48 (Jesus teaches about Loving Enemies)
1.  Avoid the desire to take matters of REVENGE into your own hands.


2.  When wronged, let your actions and reactions make it OBVIOUS that you are GOD'S CHILD.  


WRAPPING IT UP...
---What if we because less concerned with patting ourselves on the back for not punching that person in the face and more concerned with understanding what is going on to lead us to those feelings in the first place.  


---I believe if this were the case we would look more like Jesus to people who desperately need to see more of Him and we will experience a greater fulfillment than what this world can offer.  


Heart and Soul,
BAG
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