September 6, 2015
Morning Service

Matt. 5:27-32

 

            So far in this discourse called the Sermon on the Mount, we have looked at the beatitudes, how that Christians are to be the salt of the earth, how that we should not kill, or even be angry with a brother without cause.  We have seen how Jesus has magnified the law, and will do so again this morning.

            We will try and examine the Law on each of these issues.  This is the law of the Israelites, in which, Jesus is subject too.  Jesus said earlier, “one jot nor tittle shall not pass from the law till all be fulfilled.”  Paul said, “the law is holy, just, and good.”  He also said, Gal 3:24-26  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  (26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

The law was established because of transgressions.  The law has no effect on Christians because we keep the laws of Christ, the laws of the N.T. covenant.  The O.T. laws were for the Israelites.  We are not justified by keeping the laws, but by faith.

·         Now, let’s see how Jesus magnifies the law concerning adultery, lust, theft, and divorce.

Mat 5:27-32  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 

·         Now there’s the Law.

Exo 20:14  Thou shalt not commit adultery.  This was the seventh of the ten.  He will also cover the eighth in this passage of Scripture, concerning theft.

Lev 20:10  And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

·         Notice again the penalty!  DEATH.    

·         So what might we think of how God looks upon adultery?  Remember Jesus is telling His disciples concerning this issue.  Notice what He says.

(28)  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 

·         There’s the magnifying of the Law. 

·         Hopefully we can see just how far out of God’s will this world is. 

·         Hollywood, advertising of everything, has to do with beautiful women, and men.  God was not pleased with it then, and He is not pleased with it now. 

·         The church is to be His pure, and chaste Bride, not something that is all bound up by the things of this world.  Paul said, we are in the world, but not of the world.

·         Listen to John;  Rev 19:7-9  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  (8)  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.  (9)  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Notice concerning lust:

(29)  And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 

·         Referring to lusting after the flesh.

·         Again notice the fear of the penalty.

·         Jesus said one time, “don’t fear man who is able to destroy your body, but fear God Who is able to destroy both body, and soul in hell fire.”  

Yes, the final penalty is very severe.  Listen to Jesus speaking.

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

·         Now Jesus addresses, thou shalt not steal.

(30)  And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 

·         If you can’t overcome your thieving ways, cut off your hand, for it is better than the final punishment.

(31)  It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 

·         Deu 24:1  When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

Notice what Jesus says;

(32)  But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

·         It’s very clear, that in the Lord’s teaching, He does not want man, and wife to divorce.

·         Fornication is the only reason given for divorce.  And I believe that even then it should be forgiven, and people should continue in there marriage, and work at making a home.

·         Mat 19:3-9  The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?  (4)  And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,  (5)  And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?  (6)  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.  (7)  They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?  (8)  He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.  (9)  And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

·         There are untold numbers of Christians that have gotten divorces.  Does this mean I can’t have a good relationship with the Lord?       Not at all, but you cannot continue living a frivolous lifestyle, and have a good relationship with the Lord.

·         We bring dishonor to God, when we live a careless life style.  And don’t say the devil made me do it.  He has no power over you, because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

·         What happens is this;  Jas 4:1-5  From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?  (2)  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.  (3)  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.  (4)  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.  (5)  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?       THE PROBLEM IS WITH US, NOT THE DEVIL.

·         Jesus said, “Mat 12:31  Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

·         It is possible for anyone to miss the mark, or sin, but what God expects is for us not to practice sin.  You cannot continue in sin, and be pleasing to God.  So, yes, you can have a good relationship with God if you have missed the mark in your marriage.  It is just like He told the woman taken in the very act of adultery, “go and sin no more.”

ALMIGHTY GOD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR MERCY, LOVE, AND GRACE.  HELP US TO STRIVE AFTER A LIFESTYLE THAT WOULD BE PLEASING IN YOUR SIGHT.  AMEN.