GET YOUR HEART RIGHT WITH GOD AND MAN
Matthew 5:17-26
THE MISSION OF JESUS
V.17. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to
destroy, but to fulfill."
A. Here, Jesus gives His mission for stepping down out of heaven, taking on human
Flesh and dying on the cross.
1. He came to fulfill all the requirements of the Law.
2. The Law was never designed to save mankind from his sin, but to lead him
Christ to be justified by faith. Gal 2.16, Gal 3:24, Rom 3:20.
3. Only Jesus could fulfill all the requirements of the law. Rom 8:3
4. Only Jesus could live without sin and be an acceptable sacrifice to the Father for the atonement of sin for the whole world.
5.
THE WORD IS PERMENANT
V:18. “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in
no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
A. The Word of the Lord is permanent. Mal 3:6
B. Here God indicates a change in His dispensation (house rules, the way He deals with man).
1. The dispensation of the Law was put into effect after Adam sinned.
2. The dispensation of Grace began after the death of Christ. Eph 3:2, 1 Cor 9:17
3. Christ death fulfilled all the requirements of the Law, thus ending it’s
Dispensation. Rom 8:3-4.
C. In this verse is the prophecy that the current heaven and earth will end.
1. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. 2 Peter 3:13, Rev 21:1
a. The current heaven and the current is corrupted by sin and therefore not
acceptable for eternity.
2. We are not under the penalty of the law, but continue to fulfill the law in love.
Matt. 22:39, Rom 13:9-10.
DISOBEDIENCE HAS KINGDOM CONSEQUENCES
V.19. "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall
teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever
shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
A. Believers have rewards in heaven based on their obedience to God’s Word.
1. There is a future consequence to disobedience; a lesser position in heaven.
a. We loose blessing on earth and in heaven when we disobey God’s Word.
b. Relationship with the Father is never lost but fellowship suffers under
disobedience.
c. We teach others to disobey God's commands by the bad example we set in
disobedience.
d. We are subject to judgment because of our disobedience.
2. Those who make it their business and duty to study the Word and follow in
obedience, have a greater reward in heaven and greater blessing on earth.
B. According to this verse there are divisions in heaven.
1. Great
2. Least
C. Knowledge of the Word comes with responsibilities.
1. We have the responsibly to do God's Word.
2. We have the responsibility to teach God's Word.
V:20." For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness
of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
A. Jesus had a problem with the scribes and the Pharisees.
1. They were charged with responsibility of the Word, but failed to obey the Word.
2. They were position and power seekers. Mark 12:38
3. They were proud.
4. They had the king of kings in front of them, but they failed to recognize him.
5. They followed the letter of the law, but not the spirit of the law. Luke 11:44
B. It does not take much to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees.
1. All you have to do is believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Abide in Jesus and His Word and He will abide in you. John 15:7
LOVE ON TRIAL
V:21. "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and
whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment."
A. Tradition hold to the law to judge mankind.
1. Those who hold to the letter of the Law do not leave room for compassion or love.
2. Those who judge their brother entirely by the Law have little love for their brother
or may hate their brother.
WATCH YOUR ATTITUDE
V:22. "But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall
be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in
danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell
fire.
A. Anger develops in the heart. If it is uncontrolled it can lead to violent actions against
a brother.
1. Cain had a problem with anger. This lead to the murder of his brother Able.
Gen 4:5-7
2. His anger leads to judgment. Gen 4:11
B. Disrespect starts in the heart.
1. When we disrespect others with our thoughts. Anger, jealousy and envy develops
and consumes us.
2. A spirit of hatred develops from evil thoughts toward others.
3. Evil thoughts lead to evil words.
a. Raca = empty headed, senseless or useless.
b. To call a person a fool is cut him with words.
c. We are held accountable to God for our thoughts and words. Matt 12:36-37,
Ecc 3:15-17.
C. We need to be careful with our words so not to bring grief to others.
1. Our mouths ought to be instruments of praise and encouragement to others.
2. We have no cause to be angry with someone because they are who they are.
a. To be angry is to judge one according to your standards.
3. We have cause for anger when we intentionally disobey God's commands or
cause grief to others because of our lack of love.
D. Our anger against others brings judgment to our selves.
AN UNACCEPTABLE GIFT.
V:23. "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother
hath ought against thee."
A. God will not accept our offering if we have wronged someone and have not
reconciled ourselves to them.
1. Our gifts of love are credited to our heavenly account.
a. We can't claim we love God and hate our brothers.
2. When we come before God, we should come with a clean heart.
V:24. "Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy
brother, and then come and offer thy gift."
A. Our giving is important to God, and He desires a credit to our account. Phil 4:17
1. God has no need for our gifts, but He wants us to live in love.
2. The evidence of our love is the peace we have with our brothers.
3. The evidence we love the Lord is the love we have for our brothers.
B. The evidence of our love is in what we do for God and what we do for our brothers.
1. Christians ought to strive to live a peaceful life.
2. Jesus made peace with God for us, therefore we ought to make peace with others.
MAKE PEACE WITH OTHERS
V:25. "Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at
any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer,
and thou be cast into prison."
A. Many of our problems with others could be solved if we drop our pride and seek an
agreement.
1. The immediate solution may not be completely agreeable to us, but will mean less
future problems.
2. Once we settle an issue, our peace of mind will return.
B. When we know we are in the wrong, a quick agreement is to our advantage.
V:26. "Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, until thou hast
paid the uttermost farthing."
A. The best thing we can do is settle all issues with our adversaries quickly.
1. We can be here today and gone tomorrow.
a. Any issue not settle here on earth, we will have to give an account to God in
heaven.
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