Do not Murder… vs. 21-26

• 1^st – The Law… vs. 21
  • Ten Commandments…
    • You have heard that it was said to those of old!
    • Jesus had a MIC drop moment – be MORE righteous than the SCRIBES of PHARISEES…
    • But He was NOT done – to make sure EVERYONE knew it was IMPOSSIBLE to be GOOD…
    • He is going to examine FIVE of the LAWS of Moses [said of OLD]
    • He will look at: MURDER – ADULTERY – LYING – JUSTICE – and LOVE!
    • LAWS that perhaps we assume we were NOT guilty of breaking…
    • But Jesus is going to show us we have broken EVERY one of them…
    • He is going to PROVE though the LAW – that we are ALL sinners – Romans 3:23
  • Penalty for Murder…
    • You shall not murder – and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment!
    • The SIXTH of the TEN commandments – you shall not MURDER – Exodus 20:13
    • Those who MURDER [subjunctive] are in danger [indicative] of the JUDGMENT [κρίσις]
    • The PENALTY for MURDER in the LAW – was the DEATH sentence!
    • Leviticus 24:17 – “Whoever kills any man shall surely be put to death.”
    • We need to clarify – MURDER [רָצַח] – is not the same as KILLING [מוּת]
    • MURDER suggest act of unjustified violence [not self-defense or war]
    • Those who commit MURDER – forfeit their right to LIVE [death penalty]
    • The Death Penalty was abolished in the Philippines after Marcos [1987]
    • Yet – it is a LAW God commanded – because it PRESERVES life!
    • Men only have this LIFE to make their decision on where to spend eternity – Hebrews 9:27
    • That is why God values the sanctity of LIFE above all else – so we have time to CHOSE…
    • Therefore – God makes the consequence for those who take a LIFE – very SEVERE [death]
    • Because only then will MEN be cautious – NOT to take the LIFE of others!
• 2^nd – The Heart… vs. 22
  • Being Angry…
    • I say whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment!
    • People do NOT just MURDER others for no REASON…
    • MURDER is a crime of PASSION – the final step of an ANGRY person…
    • But chances are – MOST of us have never committed MURDER…
    • So it would seem to be an easy LAW to assume we can check off as having FULFILLED…
    • Yet Jesus here takes a HUGE leap – from ACTIONS to INTENT…
    • If we are ANGRY [passive] at our BROTHER without CAUSE [more on this in moment]
    • We are [indicative] in danger of the JUDGMENT [κρίσις] – we are GUILTY of MURDER!
    • I can be having a GREAT day – smile on my face…
    • But when I get cut off on the road – in a moment it all changes – ANGER!
    • ANGRY is NOT an ACTION – it is an EMOTION – a REACTION [passive] inside of us…
    • Jesus takes the LAW from being something we DO…
    • And defines it by what we FEEL – what we THINK inside of our HEAD!
  • Internal not External…
    • The Apostle Paul thought he was a VERY good man – before he came to FAITH in Jesus…
    • He tells us that according to the LAW – he was perfect – Philippians 3:6
    • Paul believed he was a RIGHTEOUS – until he read in ONE Law – you shall not COVET…
    • He could control what he did – but COVETING was not an action – it was a THOUGHT!
    • Romans 7:10 – “The commandment – that was to bring life – I found to brought death.”
    • A lot of people think they are good Christians because of what they DO…
    • They show up to church every Sunday – know all the rights WORDS to say…
    • But the true test of being GOOD – is what is in our HEART!
    • Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things – and desperately wicked.”
• 3^rd – Kinds of Anger… vs. 22
  • Raca…
    • Whoever says to his brother – Raca! Shall be in danger of the council! 
    • Not all ANGER is equal – there are LEVELS…
    • Jesus gives TWO examples to qualify who will have to answer to if we get ANGRY:
    • FIRST – RACA – a Hebrew word [רֵיק] that means to have an EMPTY head…
    • Those who foolishly lash out at someone in anger calling them NAMES [airhead]
    • Will be in DANGER of being called in front of the SANHEDRIN [συνέδριον]
    • If we let our ANGER get the best of us – and it comes out our MOUTH…
    • We might end up getting called to the BARANGAY to answer to our WORDS…
    • There are consequences – but NOT severe – because we were NOT that ANGRY!
  • You Fool…
    • Whoever says – You fool! Shall be in danger of hell fire!
    • SECOND – FOOL [μωρός] – meaning to be STUPID – a strong CURSE word…
    • Those who in great ANGER lash out at others – using profanity…
    • Are in DANGER [indicative] of the fires of HELL [γέεννα]!
    • If we EXPLODE on someone in ANGER – allow our EMOTION to get the better of us …
    • The consequence of EMOTION – is we have MURDERED them in our heart…
    • And we will have to answer before GOD – the JUDGEMENT!
• 4^th – Forgiveness… vs. 23-24
  • 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!
  • IF – we are going to CHURCH [coming to the Altar] to offer a GIFT [δῶρον] to the Lord…
  • And we are REMINDED [passive] – we got really ANGRY and CURSED [μωρός] a brother…
  • Leave the GIFT [imperative] – and go [imperative] find that BROTHER…
  • Be RECONCILED [only here NT] – to have a CHANGE of MIND [get over our ANGER]
  • Then come back to CHURCH – and offer our GIFT – give our praise to the LORD!
  • The definition of HYPOCRISY – is to have TWO faces…
  • We come to WORSHIP God [give our gift] – while in our heart we have ANGER towards a brother!
  • I John 4:20 – “If someone says – I love God – and hates his brother. He is a liar.”
  • When we are ANGRY – it is easy to JUSTIFY our EMOTIONS…
  • We focus on what the other person did to us – it is THEIR fault…
  • But the truth is we have NO right [cause] to be ANGRY – because we have been FORGIVEN…
  • Therefore – we are commanded to FORGIVE others – EVERY sin – EVERY time [70×7]
  • If we are ANGRY with anyone – we need to go and say SORRY!
  • Matthew 6:14 – “If you FORGIVE… your Heavenly Father will also FORGIVE you.”
• 5^th – Consequences… vs. 25-26
  • 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!
  • IF – we lost our TEMPER – and said something foolish – RACA [רֵיק]
  • And we are on the way to the JUDGE [barangay hall]
  • While we are still WALKING – come to an AGREEMENT with the one we OFFENDED [adversary]
  • Otherwise the JUDGE may [subjunctive] turn us over to the POLICE – and throw us in PRISON…
  • AMEN [ἀμήν] – if are thrown in PRISON – we will NEVER [οὐ μὴ subjunctive] get out…
  • Until we have PAID every LAST centavo [κοδράντης] – quarter day wage [denarius]!
  • James 3:8 – “No man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil – full of deadly poison.”
  • There have been times when I said something HARSH to Jen…
  • I know I was wrong – but in my PRIDE – I do not want to say SORRY…
  • Let me tell you PRISON has nothing on the punishment that brings…
  • And I did NOT get out until I had paid back EVERYTHING I owed!
  • We do NOT want to say hurtful things to those we LOVE…
  • Yet we seem incapable of at times of holding back our EMOTIONS…
  • The answer is to quickly come to those we OFFEND – and APOLOGIZE – before it is TOO late…
  • Then come to the Lord – and ask for the GRACE to control our TONGUE!
  • Psalm 141:3 – “Take control of what I say – O LORD – and guard my lips.” [NLT]

• 2^nd – Do not commit adultery… vs. 27-32
  • 1^st – The Law… vs. 27
    • You have heard that it was said to those of old. You shall not commit adultery!
    • The SEVENTH of the TEN commandments – you shall not commit ADULTERY – Exodus 20:14
    • When God created MARRIAGE – it was between one MAN and one WOMAN [Adam and Eve]
    • And the punishment for breaking that VOW – was DEATH!
    • Leviticus 20:10 – “[Anyone] who commits adultery… shall surely be put to death.”
    • The reason for such a SEVERE punishment for ADULTERY – is because MARRIAGE is important…
    • God created MARRIAGE – before SIN came into the world – Genesis 2:24
    • And the ONLY thing to survive the FALL of man – was MARRIAGE!
    • God uses two relationships to describe His love for us…
    • God calls us His children – I John 3:2 – God also calls us His wife – Revelation 21:9
    • It is through MARRIAGE we understand how much our Heavenly Father loves us…
    • That is why satan HATES marriage – and will do anything he can to DESTROY it…
    • One of the best ways – is to LIE and say another person [not our spouse] will make us HAPPY!
      
  • 2^nd – The Heart… vs. 28
    • I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her.
    • Has already committed adultery with her in his heart!
    • Jesus here again takes a HUGE leap – from ACTIONS to INTENT…
    • He says [emphasized] – ANYONE [πᾶς] who STARES [present] at a woman…
    • And LUSTS [ἐπιθυμέω] – to BOIL [like a pot of hot water] with desire for her…
    • Has already committed [indicative] ADULTERY with her in his HEART!
    • This is the point where I am sure you could have heard a PIN drop as Jesus taught…
    • Most people will NEVER commit adultery – the consequence are too great [ruined family]
    • But how many of us have LOOKED – and had THOUGHTS [guilty]
    • In the midst of the CONVICTION – do not forget the POINT…
    • Jesus is elaborating on the LAW – taking it from ACTION to INTENT…
    • And by doing so paints of VIVID picture – that we are NOT good!
  • 3^rd – Guard your Eyes… vs. 29-30
    • The eye… vs. 29
      • If your right eye causes you to sin!
      • If [indicative] the RIGHT eye causes us to SIN – [σκανδαλίζω] – stumbles us…
      • The assumption here is that our EYE does [indicative] cause us to SIN!
      • This is going to make some people uncomfortable – PORNOGRAPHY…
      • MEN are visually stimulated – we are affected by what we SEE…
      • And we live in a day and age when we have unprecedented access to DANGEROUS content…
      • Satan is working overtime to STUMBLE men with what is available to WATCH!
      • Some might assume pornography is harmless [it is not]
      • But the truth is even the world is now taking notice of how damaging it is…
      • It is as addictive as NARCOTICS – it presents women as an object [not a person]
      • And it is unquestionably SIN – LOOKING and LUSTING…
      • God calls us to be HOLY – His will is that we are set apart and PURE for Him!
      • I Thessalonians 4:3 – “This is the will of God – your sanctification. That you should abstain from sexual immorality [πορνεία].”
    • Pluck it out… vs. 29
      • Pluck it out and cast it from you!
      • The question Jesus is going to answer – is how do you CONTROL your EYE…
      • PLUCK [imperative] it out – and throw [imperative] it away…
      • Jesus us using hyperbole here – this is NOT to be taken literally!
      • Because if our RIGHT eye is gone – we can be stumbled just as easily by the LEFT eye…
      • And even if we remove BOTH eyes – we can still use our IMAGINATION!
      • The battle over sexual immorality is not just fought in what we SEE…
      • We avoid sexual immorality by fighting the battle in our mind – Matthew 5:28
      • Temptation becomes sin when we dwell on – fantasize about it…
      • We allow our mind to dwell on a desire – then that desire turns into sin!
      • James 1:12-15 – “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then – when desire has conceived – it… brings forth death.”
    • Better than Hell… vs. 29
      • It is more profitable for you that one of your members perish.
      • Than for your whole body to be cast into hell!
      • Jesus argued – it was better to just loose an EYE – than for the WHOLE body to perish…
      • Because SIN – continual SIN – will harden our heart – Hebrews 3:13
      • And if we do not REPENT – we might end up in HELL [γέεννα]!
      • When the wife of Potiphar grabbed Joseph and demanded he sleep with her – Genesis 39:7
      • He wiggled free and RAN away – but it would have been better not to be there at all!
      • The best solution to SIN – is to AVOID it…
      • If we are tempted by what we SEE – stay away from that person…
      • If we are tempted to LOOK at pictures [cell phone] – do not go near…
      • Be accountable – do not trust ourselves because given the chance – we will likely sin!
      • II Timothy 2:22 – “Flee also youthful lusts – but pursue… the Lord out of a pure heart.”
    • Cut if off… vs. 30
      • If your right hand causes you to sin – cut it off and cast it from you.
      • It is more profitable for you that one of your members perish.
      • Than for your whole body to be cast into hell!
      • IF [indicative] our right hand causes us to SIN – [σκανδαλίζω] – stumbles us…
      • Jesus uses the same hyperbole – CUT [imperative] if off and throw it away!
      • The hand that clicks the mouse – taps the screen – turns the pages…
      • But do NOT think this is JUST talking about MEN…
      • WOMEN may not be stumbled in the same way MEN are…
      • You do not SEE women looking at posters of men in bathing suites…
      • WOMEN are stumbled by the heart – that is why ROMANCE novels exists!
      • Ladies – this is just as destructive to a MARRIAGE – and just as much a SIN…
      • To think about how some OTHER man would be a better HUSBAND…
      • Reading about some PERFECT man [that does not exists]
    • Grace…
      • After David and Bathsheba fell into SIN – the king wrote…
      • A broken and a contrite heart – these – O God – You will not despise! – Psalm 51:17
      • We always need to remember – if [indicative] we FALL – there is always GRACE…
      • God is ALWAYS willing to FORGIVE those who come to Him in HUMILITY…
      • No matter how MANY time we may stumble and fall – He is willing to HEAL!
      • Proverbs 24:16 – “The godly may trip seven times – but they will get up again.” [NLT]
  • 4^th – Divorce… vs. 31-32
    • The Law… vs. 31
      • It has been said: Whoever divorces his wife – let him give her a certificate of divorce!
      • The LAW of Moses did allow for DIVORCE [ἀποστάσιον] – Deuteronomy 24:1
      • But the Law did NOT clarify WHY people were allowed to get a Divorce!
      • This opened up the door to a variety of interpretations…
      • The more liberal opinion – taught in Jesus day by a leader called – Rabbi Hillel 
      • Said a man could divorce his wife for any reason – prettier woman – she burnt the rice!
    • Sexual Immorality… vs. 32
      • I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality.
      • Causes her to commit adultery. Whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery!
      • Jesus says [emphasized] there is only one allowable reason for DIVORCE…
      • If the SPOUSE is having an ONGOING [present] extramarital affair [πορνεία]
      • If they are DIVORCED for any other reason –remarry – they are committing adultery!
      • The bible does allow for THREE total reasons to end a marriage:
      • A spouse has an ongoing affair – the innocent party is free to remarry – Matthew 19:9
      • The spouse is an unbeliever and leaves – the believer may remarry – I Corinthians 7:15
      • The spouse dies [not murder] – the living spouse is then free to remarry – Romans 7:2
        
      • The grass is NEVER greener on the other side of the fence…
      • People look to divorce – because they think it is going to make them happier…
      • And at first it might seem like it works – change can mask the truth…
      • Which is we leave one sinner – only to marry another sinner…
      • The key to happiness is not WHO we marry – it is WHO our marriage is built on!

Matthew 7:24 – “The rain descended the floods came – and the winds blew and beat on that [marriage] – and it did not fall – for it was founded on the ROCK.”