10 Weeks in the Word

Week 3: Matthew 5:21-32

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Lydia Pentecost | About the passage

This passage in the Sermon on the Mount is Jesus telling his followers about the importance of understanding the heart of the law rather than the letter of the law. In other words, it is about understanding why we are commanded to do or not do things rather than knowing exactly what we can and cannot do. Jesus is expanding on the theme of righteousness, which we have seen in the previous two weeks. This call to righteousness expands beyond following exactly the commands given, though. For example, rather than not committing adultery, we are called to not even have lust in our hearts. And, rather than not murdering, we are called to not harbor anger against others, especially those we call brothers and sisters in Christ. This is specifically applicable when we are engaging in worship. If we are engaging in worship, but know you are not in the right place relationally with another Christian, Jesus says to “first be reconciled to your brother.” This is something we especially need to recognize as we are living in community with each other, learning and growing.
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Lydia Pentecost

Chapel Coordinator

Week 3: Matthew 5:21-32

Anger

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Lust

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Divorce

31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Questions:

  1. Read Mark 7:20-32. How do our actions reveal the condition of the heart? What should we do to avoid our evil desires?
  2. How can we forgive those who have hurt us, especially those we call brothers and sisters in Christ? Is there someone specific you need to forgive, or ask for forgiveness?
  3. Has the gospel set you free from a sin struggle recently? What is your story, and who should you share it with to honor the work the Lord is doing in your life?

Revelation 7:9

ESV: 9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

NIV: 9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

NKJV: 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

Matthew 5:23-24

ESV: 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

NIV: 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

NKJV: 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 18:15-17

ESV: 15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

NIV: 15 “If your brother or sister[a] sins,[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

NKJV: 15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

 

Micah 6:8

ESV: He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,[a]
and to walk humbly with your God?

NIV: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God.

NKJV: He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Genesis 1:27

ESV: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

NIV: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

NKJV: So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

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