August 22 2010E.                   BECOMING CHRIST LIKE:

Matt. 5:27-48

You need Adobe Flash Player to hear this sermon.
Click here to get Adobe Flash Player

Review:

1. This morning we saw how Jesus magnified the law concerning “thou shalt not kill.”

2. He taught us that if we were angry with someone without cause we were not pleasing to God.  If we called them names, we were very unpleasing to God.

3. He taught us to agree with our adversaries to the best of our ability, and not to take one another to law before unbelievers.  He taught us to take our problems before the church, those least esteemed were to judge the matters.  He tells us this to our shame.

This evening we want to look at some more of the Lord’s teachings on important subjects, and how He magnifies the law.

ADULTERY:

Mat 5:27-48  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 

• This was the 7^th commandment in Ex. 20.

(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. 

• It is probable that the Pharisees had explained this commandment, as they had the sixth, as extending only to the external act; and that they regarded evil thoughts and a wanton imagination as of little consequence, or as not forbidden by the law. Our Saviour assures them that the commandment did not regard the external act merely, but the secrets of the heart, and the movements of the eye. He declares that they who indulge a wanton desire, that they who look on a woman to increase their lust, have already, in the sight of God, violated the commandment, and committed adultery in the heart. Such was the guilt of David, whose deep and awful crime fully shows the danger of indulging in evil desires, and in the rovings of a wanton eye. See 2 Sam. 11; Ps. 51. See also 2Pe_2:14. So exceeding strict and broad is the law of God! And so heinous in his sight acts, thoughts, and feelings which may be forever concealed from the world!

(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.  (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. 

• An evil eye denotes sometimes envy Mat_20:15, and sometimes an evil passion, or sin in general. Mar_7:21-22; “out of the heart proceedeth an evil eye.” In this place, as in 2Pe_2:14, the expression is used to denote strong adulterous passion, unlawful desire, or wicked inclination. The right eye and hand are mentioned, because they are of most use to us, and denote that, however strong the passion may be, or difficult to part with, yet that we should do it.
• Maybe stealing is thought of by the mention of the hand.  Or the touching of someone leading to adultery. 
• But notice what is expected, and how serious the punishment.    CAST INTO HELL.

DIVORCE:

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

• This was given by Moses in Deut: 24:1-2.
• The husband was directed, if he put his wife away, to give her a bill of divorce, that is a certificate of the fact she had been his wife, and that he had dissolved the marriage. There was considerable difference of opinion among the Jews for what causes the husband was permitted to do this. One of their famous schools maintained that it might be done for any cause, however trivial. The other maintained that adultery only could justify it. The truth was, however, that the husband exercised this right at pleasure; that he was judge in the case, and dismissed his wife when and for what cause he chose. And this seems to be agreeable to the law in Deuteronomy.

But what saith the Master?

(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. 

• Satan is having a field day with our marriages today.  Why, because of selfishness, greed, lust, and no relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Hopefully we can see how badly we need the Lord’s teachings.  They say the divorce rate today is over 50% of marriages end in divorce.  And we call ourselves a Christian nation!  We are not striving to be like Him.  We are not even thinking of our children when this happens.  It’s all about me, and what makes me happy.
• What about the vows we make at our marriage?  In sickness, and in health, for poorer, till death do us part.  We make those vows before witnesses, and God Almighty.

The next one goes along with the vow promises:

OATHS:

(33)  Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 

• Lev 19:12  And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
• Deu 23:23  That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

• Teachings like this is why we never take pledges, or promises of giving to the Lord’s work in any way.  I have seen this done in fellowships that I have been in, and I will never put that on anyone.

(34)  But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:  (35)  Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.  (36)  Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.  (37)  But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 

• Just don’t swear.
• I thought while studying this afternoon, why then ask people to take the wedding vows if 50% of them are going to break them?
• And I thought, marriage as it was instituted by God with Adam, and Eve, was something sacred, and holy, a very intimate relationship between Man, Woman, and God Almighty.  Our Saviour brought marriage back to its original intention, and declared that whosoever put away his wife henceforward, except for one offence, should be guilty of adultery. This is now the law of God. This was the original institution. This is the only law that is productive of peace and good morals, and that secures the respect due to a wife, and the good of children. Nor has any man or set of men - any legislature or any court, civil or ecclesiastical - a right to interfere, and declare that divorces may be granted for any other cause. They, therefore, whoever they may be, who are divorced for any cause except the single one of adultery, if they marry again, are, according to the Scriptures, living in adultery. No earthly laws can trample down the laws of God, or make that right which he has solemnly pronounced wrong.

It is not supposed to happen, but we have a High Priest, who says, “all manner of sin………..”.