The Sermon on the Mount Lesson 5 Matthew 5:17-26

Matthew 5:17-26 " Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:17-26 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. " You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. ' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ' Raca! ' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool! ' shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matthew 5:17-26 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. 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.

Concerning the Law Fulfillment of the Law (v.17-18) " Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

Concerning the Law Fulfillment of the Law (v.17-18) Christ did as He said, He fulfilled the law

Luke 24:44 Then He said to them, " These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."

Concerning the Law Fulfillment of the Law (v.17-18) Christ did as He said, He fulfilled the law The word “fulfilled” is found about 49 times in the N.T.

Concerning the Law Concerning the lawbreaker (v.19-20) Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Concerning the Law Concerning the lawbreaker (v.19-20) Christ empathizes following the law for which a person is under The “righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees” – these individuals were constantly poor examples of faithfulness to God and to the law which they were under. They were more often hypocrites and judges rather than obedient, humble servants of God. (Mt 23:23a,25a,27a,29a – 4 times)

Conditions of the Heart Murder & hatred (v.21-22) " You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. ' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ' Raca! ' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool! ' shall be in danger of hell fire.

Conditions of the Heart Murder & hatred (v.21-22) Every action or reaction has a fuel that cause an action to burst forth. Therefore Christ encourages man to stop the anger before things progress. Christ also tells us that the use of hateful language puts a person’s soul in danger. It isn’t so much the word used but the hatred or fuel behind the word(s).

James 3:5-8 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:9-10 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

Conditions of the Heart Forgiveness (v.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.

Conditions of the Heart Forgiveness (v.23-24) Christ teaches here to remove sin before worship (v.23); When a person’s heart and mind is clear of sin, worship is pure before God.

Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Handling Adversaries 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. Matthew 5:25-26

Handling Adversaries Such adversaries who bring a person before a judge can cause harm to the person and to the church as well. We see from verses 23-26 we should do our best to keep all relationships in good standing and pleasing in the sight of God.

Application for us today. How do you handle situations that can cause us to sin (v.21-22) Do you handle things that could fuel you to do sinful actions? Do you have a clear heart in worship? (v.23-24) Do you strive to remove sin before worshipping God?

Application for us today. How do you handle those who are your adversaries? Do you strive to handle things quickly so that you do not bring hardship upon yourself or upon the church?