Gospel of Matthew Matthew 5:27-30 The King s Sermon A Call to Moral Purity A newspaper article described a stretch of highway that was shut down because a truck hauling chicken fat leaked its greasy contents all over the highway. In the account someone stated there was an awful stench from the spill. That story illustrates what has happened in our society. We have gone down the slippery slope of godless immorality and now we are dealing with the horrible stench of sin. 1. The sinful act of adultery (vs. 27) The sixth commandment protects the sanctity of life (Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill), and the seventh commandment protects the sanctity of marriage (Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery). Christ taught the full implications of both commandments in Matthew 5:21-30. A. The causes of adultery The sin of adultery stems from many things such as ungodly influences, uncontrolled thoughts, unkept vows, and unmet needs: 1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency (lack of self-control). B. The consequences of adultery We are living in a world that is willing to break God s commandments with little regard for the consequences. We are free to make our choices, but we are not free to choose the consequences of our choices. Some of the disastrous consequences of sexual immorality are unwanted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, damaged and destroyed families, bitter anger and jealousy (Prov. 6:23-35). The ultimate consequence of unrepentant immorality is God s eternal punishment: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. A few years ago, the city of Las Vegas had a marketing campaign that featured the slogan: What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. No, it doesn t. God sees all and knows all. Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 2. The sinful look of lust (vs. 28) The look of lust is not a casual glance, but a continual gaze. A. The source of lust The origin of sinful desire is in the heart, the inner person. Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. B. The force of lust The sin of lust leads to more lust and other sins. Consider the ugly story of David & Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). David looked at her, lusted for her, committed adultery with her, and finally murdered her husband Uriah to cover his
tracks. Someone observed that the problem with small sins is that they don t stay small. 3. The serious call for action (vs. 29-30) The U. S. military implemented a controversial policy called: Don t Ask Don t Tell. Jesus established His policy of Don t Look Don t Touch. A. Jesus taught us to control sinful desires ( if your right eye offends you, pluck it out ) B. Jesus taught us to avoid sinful deeds ( if your right hand offends you, cut if off ) John MacArthur s comments are helpful: Jesus was not advocating self-mutilation (for this would not in fact cure lust, which is actually a problem of the heart). He was using this graphic figure of speech to demonstrate the seriousness of lust and evil desire. The point is that it would be more profitable (vs. 30) to lose a member of one s own body than to bear the eternal consequences of the guilt from such a sin. Sin must be dealt with drastically because of its deadly effects (MacArthur Study Bible). How to Be Morally Pure in a Filthy World: We must be committed to the truth of God s Word Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Romans 12:1-2 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. We must be committed to Christ and His work of grace in our lives 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Titus 2:11-14 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. We must be committed to personal holiness Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? Psalms 97:10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
We must be committed to personal modesty Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. We must be committed to confession and repentance Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Gospel of Matthew Matthew 5:27-30 The King s Sermon A Call to Moral Purity A newspaper article described a stretch of highway that was shut down because a truck hauling chicken fat leaked its greasy contents all over the highway. In the account someone stated there was an awful stench from the spill. That story illustrates what has happened in our society. We have gone down the slippery slope of godless immorality and now we are dealing with the horrible stench of sin. 1. (vs. 27) The sixth commandment protects the sanctity of life (Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill), and the seventh commandment protects the sanctity of marriage (Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery). Christ taught the full implications of both commandments in Matthew 5:21-30. A. of adultery The sin of adultery stems from many things such as ungodly influences, uncontrolled thoughts, unkept vows, and unmet needs: 1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency (lack of self-control). B. of adultery Some of the disastrous consequences of sexual immorality are unwanted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, damaged and destroyed families, bitter anger and jealousy (Pr. 6:23-35). The ultimate consequence of unrepentant immorality is God s eternal punishment: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 2. (vs. 28) The look of lust is not a casual glance, but a continual gaze. A. of lust Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. B. of lust The sin of lust leads to more lust and other sins. Consider the ugly story of David & Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). 3. (vs. 29-30) A. Jesus taught us to
B. Jesus taught us to How to Be Morally Pure in a Filthy World: Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Romans 12:1-2 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Titus 2:11-14 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? Psalms 97:10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.