Click here to download in pdf format.
Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.Ivor J.W.Oakley (23-7-2000
Guisborough Evangelical Church)
(Additional Reading Psalm 66:16-20)
We have now reached the point
in the Sermon on the Mount where the Lord spells out in detail the requirements
of his disciples. He has already emphasised that his teaching is a fulfilment
and completion of Old Testament revelation. He has pointed out the difference
between the external, man-centred righteousness of the Pharisees and the heart
righteousness which he requires, which goes below the surface, to the desires
and motives and the inner man. God-centred righteousness is wrought in us by the
Holy Spirit, and is beyond our own efforts and striving.
Now in the rest of Matthew 5
we find six examples of inner righteousness. Jesus presents six antitheses which
contrast the interpretation of God’s Law by the Pharisees with his own
interpretation. He draws out the full meaning of God’s Law. His formula is “You
have heard that it was said….. but I tell you….”.
The plan is to make general comments about the standards of the Lord in these six antitheses, and then look in particular at the first of these, concerning murder.
(a)
The authority claimed by our Lord.
Jesus faces these teachers of
the law, with all their numbers and impressive learning, and claims that he has
unique and divine authority. I tell you (Matthew 5:22) – here is the
authority of God. Here is no mere man or teacher or scribe or prophet. No one
else claimed such authority. A scribe at the time of Jesus would say “There is
teaching that …”, and then quote from the numerous great teachers of the
past. Even the Old Testament prophets could go no further than say “Thus saith
the Lord..”
Jesus’ claim, “I say to
you”, is unique. Who would dare rival or emulate him? Jesus was either out of
his mind, a deceiver, or he was telling the truth. He was either a mad man, a
bad man, or the God man. A lunatic, liar, or the Lord. This is every man’s
dilemma.
(b)
His teaching was not a code of law, but principles to be applied in
various situations.
He did not give a detailed law
for every situation. People want a religion where everything is cut and dried.
They want the Bible to be like a repair manual – look up Section 2, Paragraph
3, Sub-heading (d), and Note 2 – and there’s the answer! Instead, God gives
us general, broad principles to be applied by use of sanctified common sense and
the Holy Spirit. There is a limit to being able to give “chapter and verse”
for doing various things and every single action. There is no chapter and verse
to tell us we should meet at 11am, and sing from this hymnbook or that, and go
home to a cooked meal. God does not treat us like children. God gives us
guidelines and principles of conduct, and we are responsible for implementing
them in our circumstances and culture. God’s concern is with the spirit, not
with the letter.
(c)
Concern not just with outward action but with inner man – thoughts,
desires and heart.
Unlike the Pharisees, and the
modern man of the world, with an eye on external acts, Jesus goes deep to the
inner life and the real man. He is talking about more than physical acts of
murder and adultery. If our righteousness was only about outer acts, we would
soon be patting ourselves on the back and be pleased with ourselves, and imagine
God owes us something. It is a whole different matter when God says he looks at
the desires and the heart. D.L.Moody said that if a photographer were to set up
in town, taking photos of not just faces but of inner life and heart, he would
not get many customers.
(d)
Not only negative, but positive meaning.
The Jews were very good at
saying what they did not do wrong – “I don’t do anybody any harm”. But
the real question has to be asked – “What real and positive good do you
do?”. I recall people, especially between the wars when I was growing up,
emphasising negatives in particular areas and practices, and believing that so
long as they kept away from them, all was well. I recall a lady introducing her
husband to me, knowing that I was in the ministry and wanting to impress,
firstly told me his name, and in the next breath: “.. and he doesn’t drink
or smoke”. So many people think these are the things that matter – but they
are very secondary and external matters, the real thing is, does he know the
Lord, is he in God’s will, does he live for God’s glory?
(e)
The Lord’s teaching was designed to produce a whole, positive,
beautiful Christian character.
The Christian life is not meant to be oppressive. It is not meant to be abject slavery to oppressive rules – though the world seems to think this. His commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). We enter the glorious freedom of the children of God (Romans 8:21) when we are born again and the Holy Spirit is given full sway and is unfettered in our life. The result is that fellowship with God is deepened, we grow in spiritual things, we walk in his will and glorify his name.
You have heard it was said
to the people long ago “Do not murder” … but I tell you that anyone who is
angry with his brother will be subject to judgement (Matthew 5:21-22). By
the way, the sixth commandment, in the context of the Old Testament scriptures,
does not refer to warfare or death penalty. Of course the Jews kept the sixth
commandment, their hands were clean and they were very proud of that, they had
not done anybody any harm. Jesus’ reply is that it does not stop a putting a
knife in someone. It has a much wider meaning. It extends to angry thoughts and
insulting words. That is much more challenging and demanding. How do we stand
when we look at this commandment in all its fullness and with all its
ramifications? Jesus goes beyond the letter to the spirit of the law. Murder
implies anger i.e. hatred, bitterness, intention to harm to get ones own back,
resentment. This is tantamount to murder. If conditions are right, and if we
could get away with it, inner feelings could soon spill over into murder.
But is there not a place for
righteous anger? Jesus was angry with the traders when he cleansed the Temple.
What of God’s wrath? Is it not right for the Christian to be angry at sin? Yes
it is, but we need to distinguish between the person committing the sin and the
sinful deeds themselves. Luther knew all about righteous anger. He said there is
an anger of love which wishes no one evil, where we are friendly with the
person, but hostile to their sin. Anger with sin, but sorrow for the sinner. I
would go further and say that the holier we are, the more angry we are with sin
– but not anger against the person because of our own pride, jealousy, hatred,
malice or vanity.
Then Jesus goes from speaking
of anger to speaking of passionate language. The Greek word raka
, or “fool”, is a term of abuse or contempt, meaning something like empty
head, bonehead, numbskull. In Jesus’ day, the term had religious and moral
overtones. In the Old Testament this term was used of someone denying God’s
existence and living an evil life. It was a word which reflected on a man’s
moral character (robbing him of his character and reputation), rather than on
his mental ability. Jesus also implicates all the contempt, arrogance, snobbery
and scorn which goes with using the term.
How Jesus’ words find us
out. How superficial our definitions of sin are. Angry thoughts and insulting
words are tantamount to murder in God’s sight. If we express a desire to get
rid of someone in our way, our thoughts and words might as well be “I wish he
were dead”. We cannot be right with God if we are wrong with men in such ways
as this.
Then he argues that we must
find positive steps to affect reconciliation. If you are offering your gift
at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled (Matthew
5:23-24). Keep God waiting in order to be right first with your brother. Don’t
wait till the end of the service to do it. If I had cherished sin in my
heart, the Lord would not have listened (Psalm 66:18). No worship or service
can compensate for enmity with another. The sin must be dealt with.
Then Jesus uses a scene from a
law court to emphasise the need to be right with others before it is too late.
Act at once, you may be in eternity tomorrow, and it will be too late to be
reconciled. Need to take prompt action before situation gets worse and
deteriorates. In personal dealings with others, in nine cases out of ten, prompt
action will stop the situation getting worse.
John Wesley wrote twelve rules for preachers, with emphasis on holiness of life. Rule 7 is: “Tell everyone what you think wrong in him, and that plainly, else it will fester in your heart. Make all haste to cast the fire out of your bosom”.
You shall not murder. Jesus
says that means anger, abusive talk, contempt, hatred, resentment, arrogance,
scorn. God knows your heart. Jesus warned the Pharisees of this is Luke 16:15.
How many times have we all committed murder? Our lives are scrutinised by the
Lord. What are we guilty of, or liable for? Be warned, this paragraph speaks
about judgement, and the fire of hell. Thank God, he who is the teacher with
unique authority, the judge, is also our Saviour. He will save his people
from their sins (Matthew 1:21). God demonstrates his own love for us in
this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Then hunger and thirst for righteousness which extends to heart, motives and desires. God will give what he demands. Are you walking in a right relationship with God? Do you try to please him? Does he have supreme place in your life? Do you live to his honour and glory? Do you have a zeal for his honour? Do you examine yourself in the light of Christ and his teaching? Is there any action to be taken? Is there a wrong relationship, an apology needed, a confession, a restitution, a debt to pay? Will you take that first step, and do all to remove barriers? Do it now – today.
