Matthew 5:21-26 “Anger and Reconciliation”

Jon Beck

My sermon/teaching notes for Wednesday, Sept. 2nd  Our current Wednesday Summer Series is THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon.  To see the sermon each week please visit http://www.fbcap.net

Matthew 5:21–26 – A Righteousness that Exceeds!

Matthew 5:20 – For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (ESV)

IN THE FOLLOWING SECTION WE LEARN ABOUT A RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT EXCEEDS.

From Anger To Reconciliation

ANGER

[21] You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment. [22] But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

What has been said – Do not murder

  • Gen. 4:9, 9:6 – Cain killed Abel
  • Man is made in the image of God.
  • Ten Commandments – Exodus 20:13

But I say to you

  • Obviously, Jesus is not abolishing.
  • Remember, He is fulfilling.
  • Bringing into a sharper focus. 

Anyone who is angry with their brother (fellow believer)

  • Why does someone murder?
  • Because they are angry.  HEART ISSUE
  • The desire from within…the desire is the sin.

Insults his brother. You Fool

  • To attack the character of a brother or sister in Christ
  • Our desires.  Our true character.
  • Be careful what you say to someone…WE CANNOT SEE THEIR HEART OR KNOW THEIR MOTIVES.

RECONCILIATION

[23] So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, [24] leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

At the altar…your brother has against you

  • Our relationship with others is more important that ‘ritual worship”
  • Our relationship with others is dependent on have true worship with God.
  • Vertical and Horizontal relationships.

Go, Be reconciled, Come and Offer your gift

4 G’s – The Peace Maker – Ken Sande

  • Glorify God – Everything we do as Christians should be for God’s glory.  Without this motivation, our efforts at reconciliation will not be effective. 1 Cor. 10:13
  • Get the log out of your eye – We must deal with our own heart before confronting someone else about their sin.  If we skip this we will only attack one another. Matt. 7:5
  • Gently restore – Peacemaking is about restoring the relationship and not pursuing human, sinful justice.  This requires patience because people do not see their faults immediately. Gal. 6:1
  • Go and be reconciled – We forgive those who wronged us and commit ourselves to restore the damaged relationship. Matt. 5:24


[25] Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. [26] Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Come to terms quickly…lest you are handed over to the judge

  • Be sure and do what needs to be done now…what YOU KNOW NEEDS TO BE DONE
  • You will be held accountable
  • God never blesses disobedience!
  • For a Christian… not eternal judgement, but the discipline from the Lord

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