The Sermon on the Mount
Basic Christian Living #11
Sermon the Mount “More Than Murder… A Higher Standard”
Matthew 5:21–26
21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. 25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.
He is not lowering the bar—He is raising it.
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” Matthew 5:17
I. The Law Addresses Actions — Jesus Addresses the Heart
“You have heard… ‘You shall not murder’… but I say to you…” vs 21
II. Anger Is Not Harmless — It takes root in the Heart
“…you are in danger of the fires of hell.” Vs22b
III. Reconciliation Is More Important Than Ritual - It is about the Heart
“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. Vs 23-24
IV. Don’t just settle differences - Clear the Heart
“When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly.” Vs 25a
Matthew 5:20:
“But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
Matthew 5:21–26
21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. 25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.
He is not lowering the bar—He is raising it.
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” Matthew 5:17
I. The Law Addresses Actions — Jesus Addresses the Heart
“You have heard… ‘You shall not murder’… but I say to you…” vs 21
II. Anger Is Not Harmless — It takes root in the Heart
“…you are in danger of the fires of hell.” Vs22b
III. Reconciliation Is More Important Than Ritual - It is about the Heart
“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. Vs 23-24
IV. Don’t just settle differences - Clear the Heart
“When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly.” Vs 25a
Matthew 5:20:
“But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!