When Jesus gave His famous Sermon on the Mount, He didn’t lower the standard for how we live… He raised the bar! God isn’t just concerned about you following a set of rules; He looks at your heart.
Notes 📓✏️:
“Fulfillment of the Law”
“Torah”
Civil – Between people
Ceremonial – Making people clean
Moral – How to live
Moral Laws God gives are timeless.
“You have heard it said…”
Murder
Adultery
Divorce
Oaths
Revenge
Loving those who hurt you
It’s more than a law! It’s about your heart.
God looks at the heart – our motives.
Matthew 23:25 (NIV): Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
Outside appearance is not enough. Inside is what matters!
Matthew 5:33-37 (NIV): “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
A healthy relationship must be based on truth and trust.
Just let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and ‘no’ be ‘no.’
The Bible Project: The essence of swearing oaths that Jesus targets here is about invoking something or someone else, especially God, to make your words seem more significant and more weighty. The aim is to impress others with your seriousness or your piety so that you can get what you want. It’s a device of manipulation designed to override the judgment or input of others in order to possess them for our purposes. Instead of loving and honoring others with truthfulness, the intent is to get one’s way by verbal manipulation of the thoughts and choices of others.
“God told me.”
What this forces us to do is to THINK before we SPEAK.
Reliable
Dependable
Trustworthy
Matthew 5:38-42 (NIV): “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Revenge or Getting Even
Subversive Generosity
Someone isn’t taking anything from you, you’re giving it.
Who is in control, when we choose to have subversive generosity?
Romans 12:14-21 (NIV): Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is Mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Discussion Questions 📝❓:
- What comes to mind when you consider how you could “raise the bar” in your personal relationships?
- Why do you think Jesus emphasized the importance of the heart and intentions instead of actions when discussing issues like adultery and murder?
- In Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus discusses the importance of keeping your word. Why do you think doing this makes you stand out in today’s culture?
- What does “subversive generosity” mean in the context of resolving conflict or responding to someone trying to take advantage of you?