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IT'S MURDER OUT THERE |
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Please turn
with me to Matthew 5 - starting at verse 21. We’ve been looking at is Jesus’
Sermon on the Mount. Remember
this? Jesus is out
on a hill by the Sea of Galilee talking to a large diverse crowd of
people. Taking the
unimaginable - hard to wrap our minds around - reality of God and His
kingdom - and bringing all that down to the reality of where we live our
lives. Teaching us what it
means for us to live in relationship with the Sovereign God down on the
level where we live life. In the verses
we’ve looked at so far Jesus has talked about the incredible reality of
God’s blessing us.
People
who are crunched for time.
Who are dealing with issues of stress and fatigue. Who are trying to make it
financially. People who’s
bodies are increasingly unreliable.
Who often wonder how God is relevant to where we live our lives
outside of Sunday morning.
People like us - who often feel disappointed in ourselves and
wonder why our faith isn’t deeper. Jesus has
been teaching that God and His kingdom isn’t about us somehow reaching up
to God - trying to achieve some kind of righteousness - but that God has
reached down to us. Brought
His presence into our lives. Its not that
we are suppose to earn God’s blessing. But, that God has already blessed
us. God desires to enter into
a relationship with each one of us.
A relationship of forgiveness - healing - comfort - purpose - a
relationship with Him that goes on forever. Each one of
us can say this about ourselves this morning. God has blessed me. Say
that with me, “God
has blessed me.” Then Jesus
tells this crowd that they are the salt of the earth and the light of the
world. God’s preservative in
this world - the proclaimers of His truth - in the decay and darkness of
this world. Most people - if
we’re honest with ourselves - don’t think of ourselves that way. But God
does. Its not that
somehow we have to achieve being God’s salt and light - studying and
knowing lots of theology and doctrine - in order to be useful to God. But, we are God’s salt and
light. Say that with me,
“We
are salt and light.”
That is a
huge privilege and blessing of God to us. In this
next section of Jesus’ teaching - what we're going to be looking at for
the next few Sundays - in this next section - Jesus is going to focus on
our relationships with others - how those who live in relationship with the living God
- that’s us - how we are to live out that relationship with
others. Matthew 5 - starting at verse 21: You have heard that the ancients were told, “You shall
not commit murder” and “Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the
court.”
But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall
be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, “You
good-for-nothing,” shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever
says, “You fool,” shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery
hell. Let’s pause and make sure we’re together on what Jesus
is teaching. There’s a formula here - a familiar formula - that Jesus uses in this
section of His teaching. First - He quotes a commandment or law
from the Old Covenant - “You have heard that...” - a commandment or law dealing with our relationships
with others - then Jesus applies that commandment or law in a teaching
that exposes the deeper implications of that commandment or law -
“But I say to you…” Grab this: Jesus is not a commentator - talking
about Scripture - not a rabbi or Bible teacher. Jesus is His own authority - creator of everything that exists - the Author of
the commandments and the law. When Jesus says, “I say to you…” He’s teaching as the source - the
authority.
We can know with certainty - this is what it actually means for
someone living in relationship with the living God to live in relationship
with others.
Look with me at this first teaching. Jesus cites
the commandment:
“You shall not commit murder.” Which commandment is that? The
sixth. We need to be clear on two things. First we
need to be clear on the meaning of the sixth commandment. In other words - if we were a first
century Jew listening to Jesus what should be going through our minds when
we heard Jesus quote the sixth commandment. There are seven different words in Hebrew for killing
- each has its own specific meaning and application. Here in the
sixth commandment the word for “murder” is the Hebrew word “ratsach.” There are two ways that “ratsach” is used. First - “ratsach” describes personal premeditated killing
. The issues of capital punishment or waging war -
things that a government might do - aren’t included here. We have to go
elsewhere in Scripture to understand God’s teaching about those
issues.
What God is focused on in the sixth commandment is personal - our
premeditated killing of a personal enemy - or an innocent victim - or even
the taking of our lives - suicide. Second, “ratsach” is used to describe manslaughter by
negligence - death because of something we fail to do. In the Old Testament the Jews were required to take
precautions to protect life. In Exodus 21:28 - God told His people -
if you have an ox and it gores someone and that person dies - then the ox
is to be stoned - killed. But the owner of the ox gets to keep
living.
Because it was an accident. But, if you don’t kill your ox - or keep
the killer ox penned in - and it goes out and gores someone else then the
owner is put to death. There’s punishment. You’ve been
negligent - because you knew what would happen and did nothing to prevent
it.
(Exodus 21:28,29) In Deuteronomy 22:8, God tells His people - when you
build a house - build high balconies around the perimeter of your roofs so
that someone won’t accidentally fall off. Take precautions to preserve life. (see also
Exodus 21:12 ff, Deuteronomy 19:1-13) The sixth commandment teaches the value of
life. Say that with me, “The sixth commandment teaches the value of
life.” The basis of the command is found in Genesis 9:6. God speaks to
Noah. God
says, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be
shed, for in the image of God He made man.” God took dirt and formed Adam in His own image -
breathed into Adam His breath - created in us a living soul. Life is sacred
- to be valued - because God made it so. The struggles that we have today - in wrestling with
issues like - abortion - stem cell research - euthanasia - assisted
suicide - to a tremendous degree that struggle is because we’ve forgotten
the truth behind this sixth commandment. Man is the image of God. Value God and
you will value human life. Ray Stedman once said, “If you lose God, you lose man.” (1) Hold onto this: We need to see God in the life of others. To realize that the planned taking of
that life - or negligence that results in death - murder is a rejection of
God and the value He places on human life. Second - we need to be clear on
Jesus’ application of the sixth commandment to where we live
life. The people were saying, “I haven’t murdered anyone! I’m not guilty
of breaking the commandment.” But this is an Emeril moment. “Bam” Jesus taking
it up a notch.
Jesus is going from what we’re comfortable with to showing us how
we all fail at keeping this commandment. Take a look at this (video) Every feel
like that? Jesus starts with anger - what’s inside that comes out
in our actions and the things we say at each other. Understand
that there are justifiable reasons for being angry. What Jesus is
talking about is anger that totally disregards the value that God gives to
each of us.
When we rip into people and tear them down because of our own
selfishness and pride. Jesus says - whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’
shall be guilty before the supreme court; Jesus uses the word, “raca” - an Aramaic word meaning
“empty.”
Great word. Its kind of like clearing the throat -
“ragh-kah.”
Try it - “raca.” It sounds disgusting. It was a word
said with total disgust towards someone. (cartoon) August 16, 1951 - first time Charlie
Brown was called a blockhead - this cartoon. Name’s been
synonymous with him ever since. “Raca” is like calling someone a
“blockhead.”
The name sticks - defames - defines one’s character. Jesus says that those who call someone “raca” are
answerable to the “Sanhedrin” - the highest court for the Jews. Jesus goes on - whoever says, ‘You fool.’ - the word is “moros” - the word we get - what? “moron”
from. In
the Hebrew understanding - it literally was accusing someone of moral and
spiritual rebellion against God. Only a fool would rebel against
God. Call
someone a fool and you yourself - shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.”
- that’s taking it up a notch. The Rappin’ With Jesus paraphrase puts it this way,
“Murder is still murder, baby... You try sweating a
brother for no reason, you’re still guilty. And you know how easy it is to rank on a
brother, calling him stupid or worse, a fool. It’s gotta
stop...
Hell itself will be on your doorstep otherwise.” To live in relationship with the living God means that
we need to value people like God values people. Verse 23: Therefore - because people are valuable - if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and
there remember that your brother - not an enemy - but a brother - family - has something against you - notice - not if you have something against your
brother - but if your brother has an issue with you - you take the first
step - you leave your offering there before the altar and go;
first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your
offering. Unrighteous anger values us not others. Dwells on how
we’ve been wronged by others. Blockheads. How others
need to take the first step. But our relationship with God is going
to be damaged if we don’t first seek reconciliation with others. Verse 25: Make friends quickly with your opponent at law
- notice - your opponent - someone who’s working
against you - make friends quickly -not slowly - not waiting to see how things work out
over time - you make friends - with him while you are with him on the way, so that
your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the
officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, you will not come
out of there until you have paid up the last cent. We may be 100% in the right. But if there’s
anger involved - an attitude that keeps us back from seeing value in the
other person - that keeps us from seeking friendship with our enemies -
we’re gonna pay.
There are huge - really bad - consequences for us. Bottom Line: When we live in relationship with the living God who
are we isn’t the main issue. We’ve got to respond first. Not in
self-serving anger - with put downs and character assassination - but with
humility - seeking reconciliation - friendship - valuing others as God
values them.
Less than that has serious consequences for us - and for
others. Verse 27: You have heard that it was said - we’re back to the formula and a new part of the
teaching - You have heard that it was said , “You shall not
commit adultery”
Commandment number what? Seven. Verse 28: But I say to you that everyone who looks at a women
with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his
heart. Let’s pause. We need to be clear about two things. First we need to be clear on the meaning of the
seventh commandment. If we were a first century Jew listening
to Jesus what should be going through our minds when we heard Jesus quote
the seventh commandment. Adultery - as the Bible defines adultery - is the act
by which a married man or women becomes sexually involved with a member of
the opposite - or same sex - outside of marriage. The reasons people commit adultery are varied. Adulterers are
seeking affection - adventure - longing to be touched - held - kissed - to
be valued.
A sentimental unexpected gift once in a while. Someone to
share experiences with - stories - games - including sexual games. A loving
friend who won’t judge them. Now and then a way out from under what
has become predictable - dreary - difficult. At its core adultery is selfish - self-focused. Focusing on
meeting legitimate needs in an illegitimate way. God is very
specific.
There’s no wiggle room. Don’t commit adultery. Second - we need to be clear on
Jesus’ application of the seventh commandment to where we live
life. The people were saying, “I haven’t cheated. I’m not guilty of breaking the
commandment.”
We might be tempted to think the same thing
today.
But where does Jesus go with His application? To the
character of our heart. Jesus is not teaching about momentary thoughts about
sex. He’s
not talking about seeing a person walking by and turning our heads to
look.
He’s not speaking about the temptation to think lustfully. He’s talking
about how we respond to those temptations. About 3 years ago - back in the days we had rain - I
was taking one of our children to school. We were on Childs Avenue - over by the
fairgrounds - just as it comes to 59. With all the rain - Childs - was covered
with water. I had a moment of decision - keep going - or turn
around and go another way. I could see it was pretty deep. Turning around
would have been the wise thing to do. But, I’m a guy. So - I kept
going.
“We can make this.” I sensed we were in trouble when we passed a car that
was stalled - just kind of floating on the side of Lake Childs. I could have
turned back.
But the challenge was there. Turning around meant admitting
failure. The water started coming up over the hood - spraying
over the hood.
I’m thinking to myself, “You know we might not make this.” I talking to the van, “Come on baby. You can make it baby. Just a little
bit more.” When the van finally stalled the water was up over the
door. I
know that because when I opened the door the water started pouring
in. There
we were - right in the middle of Lake Childs - listening to the gentle
lapping of water on the sides of the van. And I’m thinking, “What kind of idiot would do something like this?” Have you been there? Hold onto this: We’re bombarded with
temptation all day long. What Jesus is talking about is our
response - our choice - the decision to give that temptation its way in
our mind. To click there. To fix on a
person and fantasize about them. What would it be like to be in a
physical or illegitimate relationship with them. To replay the
scenarios over and over again in our minds. The lustful experiences of being with
someone who isn’t our husband or wife - perhaps the husband or wife of
another. Verse 29: If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and
throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of
your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right
hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better
for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to
go into hell. Point being: The consequences of adultery
are huge. We need to learn to make different
choices.
To choose to cut off the sources of temptation. Get the
internet filter.
Stop the subscription. Don’t go there. Leave behind
those people.
Change jobs. Seek accountability. Do whatever it
takes.
Guard your heart. Put up boundaries. Failure is not
an option.
Choose to cut off the sources of temptation before we have to ask
ourselves, “What kind of an idiot would do something like
this?”
Have you been there? Be honest. Bottom line: We’ve all broken the seventh commandment
- even in thought. This isn’t just a guy thing. Let’s allow
Jesus to bring us all to humility about this - to show us our hearts. To teach us to
choose differently. Look where Jesus goes with this. Verse 31: It was said - back to the formula - Jesus is quoting from the law
of Moses - It was said, “Whoever sends his wife away, let him
giver her a certificate of divorce.” But I say to you that everyone who
divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity - the Greek word is “porneia” from which we get the our word
- what?
Porn.
“Porneia” described someone acting like a prostitute - fornication
- sex outside of marriage - who divorces his wife, except for the reason of
unchastity, makes her commit adultery - because when she marries again - which in that
society was almost a certain necessity for survival - she’s going to be
living in adultery - and whoever marries a divorced woman commits
adultery. Scripture gives two “legitimate” grounds for
divorce.
One:
Abandonment by an unbelieving spouse. (1 Corinthians
7:12-16) and Second: Adultery. We need to understand that Jewish society in Jesus’
day had moved way beyond those two legitimate grounds. Jewish marriage was not a contract between equals. A woman didn’t
marry a man.
She was “given in marriage.” A wife couldn’t divorce her
husband.
She could go before the court and force him to divorce her. Marriage in
Jewish society was about the man - not the woman. In the law of Moses there were provisions that were
given that allowed for divorce - defined why and how it was to be
done. It
was an attempt to bring order - and to protect women - in a society that
had disregarded God’s teaching on marriage. The Rabbis took those provisions for
divorce as God’s approval of divorce. They came up with laws that tilted in
favor of the man. This was the “Burnt Toast Clause of Marriage.” If a wife
spoils her husband’s meal he has grounds to divorce her. Imagine a polygamist society where a man could marry
and divorce a woman - any number of women - with very little grounds for
that divorce.
Women were treated as a convenience for the man - even being
exchanged back and forth between husbands like slaves. Jesus is calling God’s people to something
completely different. The seventh commandment - put positively
- sounds like this: “You shall be committed to marriage.” Genesis 2:18-24 contains some of the most powerful
statements about what God has designed marriage to be. Do you remember these? God speaks - Genesis 2:18: “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make
him a helper suitable for him.” “The Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the
man, and he slept; then God took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh
in that place.
The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from
the man, and brought her to the man.” (Genesis 2:21-22) Adam speaking: “This is now bone of my - what? bones, and flesh of my - what? flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was
taken out of man.” (Genesis 2:23) The Hebrew word for man is “ish.” The word for
woman is “isshah” - the feminine form of “ish” Adam called
the woman by his own name - identified her as the corresponding female
version of himself. God brings the two together into the
covenant of marriage. Genesis 2:24 - “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his
mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. And the man
and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:24,25) There’s nothing that keeps Adam and Eve from
oneness.
“Leave and cleave” There’s no in-laws. There’s nothing between them - no shame
of sin to keep them from total openness with each other. It’s God’s
ideal for marriage - the ideal partnership - a depth of relationship -
oneness - knowing and being known - that we all crave. Marriage initiated and brought together by God unites
two people on every level - physical - mental - spiritual. The sexual energy of that union - bringing us together
in oneness is powerful. Sex is powerful. If it wasn’t,
none of us would be here. God could have designed us as a silicon
based life form.
We might grow and grow until the next generation just sort of
breaks off. Sex is more than just a physical act that initiates
reproduction.
Sex as God intends it - sex is never trivial - recreational -
casual - a one night stand - just a selfish physical act. Sex joins us
with the other person. If we’re Christians - Scripture tells us
- that even the Holy Spirit is present with us in that sexual
relationship. (1 Corinthians 6:1-20) God designed sex to be powerful - power with purpose -
with great potential. Sex brings us together - uniting mind -
body - soul - in a profound oneness. In Scripture God uses the covenant of marriage to
illustrate His covenant relationship - His oneness with His people
- a relationship that for us begins with the extent
and depth of God’s love offered through the death of Jesus on the
cross.
God knowing us - all that we are - as if we’re naked before Him -
nothing hidden.
God committing Himself to us - to love us - even dying for us. Through marriage God desires for us to experience that
Christ-like depth of love and commitment to each other - to experience His
love poured out into our relationship with our spouse. To
compellingly demonstrate to the world around us what is possible in
relationship with the living God. When we reject our commitment to marriage - commit the
sin of adultery - we reject all that God offers us - even the testimony of
God’s love in Jesus. Adultery - when we focus on ourselves
and meeting our needs by illegitimate means - we destroy the oneness of
marriage.
It would be better for us to enter heaven blind and lame than to
commit adultery. “You shall not commit adultery” is a challenge for us to renew our commitment to
marriage and the pursuit of all that God offers us in marriage. Two realities for us in applying Jesus’ teaching to
our lives. First reality: Honesty. Say that with me, “Honesty.” Anyone know what October 3rd was the 10th Anniversary
of? Do you know who this guy is? Last
Wednesday was the 10th Anniversary of the verdict in the O.J. - Nichole -
Ron Goldman murder trial. Brings back fond memories doesn’t
it. Kato
- Judge Ito - Marcia - and Christopher. The white Bronco cruising down the
405.
Remember this scene? The verdict was what? Not guilty. Then the civil
jury found O.J. liable - $33.5 million worth of liable - most of which
hasn’t been paid. O.J. just goes on being O.J. What happened with Mr. O.J. September 13th? This
year? Does this look familiar? Allegedly O.J. leads an armed party of 5 guys into a
hotel room in Las Vegas - charges into this room to abscond with
merchandise they figured was his anyway. O.J. once again claims he’s
innocent. Ron Goldmen’s father put it in a nutshell. Fred Goldman
said this - speaking of O.J. “He's believed for years, decades, that he's entitled
to do anything he wants, and the legal system and society has basically
agreed.
This time, hopefully, he’ll get what he deserves. He’ll get jail
time.” It would be so easy to say, “That commandment doesn’t apply to me.” To be comfortable where we’re at. To let
ourselves off the hook. To look at ourselves and the things we
do - and say to ourselves, “I’m not that bad. I haven’t done violence to anyone. At least
nothing more than anyone else is doing.” Or, maybe it was justified - my attitude - my
words.
Or, “I’m not really an adulterer. I’ve got it
under control.
It isn’t gonna happen again.” Its way to easy to try to control our hearts - our
attitudes - our actions - without ever letting God deal with our
heart.
And completely miss the conclusion Jesus takes us to. There is a reality to our struggle - our sin - our
guilt - that exists whether we choose to acknowledge it or not. It still
exists.
One way or another it will be dealt with - either in
self-destructive behavior - or the destruction of our homes - our when we
stand before God in judgment. Second reality: Forgiveness. Say that with me, “Forgiveness.” At a time when whole nations - including God’s people
- were coming under the judgment of God for their sin. A time of
impending doom.
God speaks through the prophet Jeremiah. God says this,
“Behold days are coming when I will make a new
covenant with the house of Israel… I will put My law within them and on
their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My
people… for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember
no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31,33,34) This incredible relationship with God is ours
today.
God who establishes our relationship with Him through the broken
body and shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ. Who desires to
forgive our sins and remember them no more. To write His law on our hearts - at the
core of who we are to recreate us - to enable us to live as the people He
has created us to be. When we come before God in honesty - asking His
forgiveness - He gives it. Asking Him to change our hearts - He
will do it. _______________ 1. Quoted by Steve Zeisler, sermon “Respect For Life” |