LIFE LESSONS FROM THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT GOING BEYOND THE BEATITUDES

OBEDIENCE FROM THE HEART MATTHEW 5:17-48

THE GOOD LAW “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.”  Is there a problem with the Law? Here are some reason why we might think so:  Nobody likes the law.  Keeping the law is too hard.  One little mistake makes you a failure. Why bother?  The Law is not bad, it is good. Just not good enough!

EXCEPTIONAL OBEDIENCE "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!” “You have heard…., but I say…!”

“YOU HAVE HEARD…., BUT I SAY…!” 1.“You have heard that you should not murder, but I say even your words can kill!” (v ) 2.“You have heard that you should not commit adultery, but I say that you can violate a person and contaminate your own mind with just a look!” (v )

“YOU HAVE HEARD…., BUT I SAY…!” 3.“You have heard that if you want a divorce you should do it in an orderly way, but I say that there is no such thing as an orderly divorce, it’s messed up.” (v ) 4.“You have heard that you should not break your promises, but I say that if you need to be held accountable for keeping your word; why should anyone trust you in the first place?” (v )

“YOU HAVE HEARD…., BUT I SAY…!” 5.“You have heard that justice requires reciprocity, but I say that if you insist on that kind of justice the world will never change for the better.” (v ) 6.“You have heard that you should love your neighbor and you take it to mean only those who love you back, but I say that when you love people who don’t love you back, that is real God-like love!” (v ) " You shall not hate your brother in your heart, …, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:17-18 ESV)

GROW UP "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” (Matthew 5:48 MSG) τελειος teleios; from G5056; having reached its end, i.e. complete, by ext. perfect: - complete (2), mature (4), more perfect (1), perfect (12).

IS THE LAW REALLY THE PROBLEM? Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. (Psalms 119:97 ESV) Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. (Psalms 119:165 ESV) I hate the double-minded, but I love your law. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! (Psalms 119: ESV)

OBEDIENCE FROM THE HEART... The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT) "But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the LORD. "I will put My instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people. (Jeremiah 31:33 NLT)

LIFE LESSON #9 Obedience to God is not true obedience unless is comes from a heart that loves and desires to follow Jesus. It not only matters what you do, but why you do it. If you focus only on right behavior you will always struggle with mixed motives. If however you make it your aim to align your heart and to purify your desires in accordance with God’s purpose, obedience will be a natural result.