Matthew 5:21-26

"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.' 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. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 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. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

Introduction:

A. Take a moment to think about a time when your outward action was different from your inward attitude

B. What is the solution to a heart committed to homicide?

C. We wrongly classify sins into mortal sins and venial sins

D. Jesus is dealing with sinful anger in these verses and provide six illustrations of Matthew 5:20

1. "You have heard that it was said.."

2. Jesus is not changing the Law of Moses, rather He is comparing the traditional teaching of the Rabbis vs the Heart of God (true righteousness)

Matthew 5:20 "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."

1. The Regulation Given

A. They heard, "You shall not murder"

1. First crime in our history was murder (Cain vs Able)

2. US tops the list of all developed nations with homicide

3. 7% will kill if given a lot if money. 1 out of 14 or 36 million would consider it! Why?

B. Disucss how education and the media contribute to this.

C. How does one's view of death impact one's view of life?

2. The Root of the Problem

A. What is the root of murder?

1. Rabinnical thought - If you committ the act you are guilty. Anything short tof the act means you are not guilty

2. Jesus' truth - Jesus widens the definition and penalty from civil to spiritual. Hence, not just outward action but an inward attitude of the heart by stripping away the facade of the false religious righteousness mentioned in 20

B. How would the crowds have reacted to what Jesus was saying?

C. Definitions

1. Anger and Murder ARE in the same category

2. Thumas (thermal) - flare up, explosion, rage

3. Orgidzo - this word is used here and means a long standing, simmering, seething, nurturing, grudge (Attitude of, "I forgive but will never forget")

4. What is anger without a cause or without sin?

A. Martin Luther called it the Anger of Love Eph 4:26.

B. We call it righteous indignation.

C. Answer - Angry at the sin itself

6. Raca - A spiteful aramaic term meaning to despise with arrogance a person's intelligence or being (empty headed )

7. Fool - moros (moron) stupid or dull calling someone out of our way with calling someone with hatred wishing they were dead

8. Lessons learned

A. An attitide of hatred may never lead to act of sin but it is equivalent to it

B. Sin begins deep within the heart and if allowed to continue will bloom and become a root of bitterness

C. Whenever we destroy another persons character God takes it seriously (Proverbs - God Hates Seven things....)

3. The Remedy Needed

A. Admit it (be honest with yourself and with the feelings and actions of others toward you)

B. Correct it (reconciliation before worship through improved relationships)

C. Expedite it (keep short accounts with God and with people)

4. Take a moment to think about your life and how you will apply this message this week remembering that worship is enhanced through improved relationships.