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.

It's 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.

It's 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.” 

It's 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.

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