1. The Life of Christ – Lesson 7
July 4, 2018
Matthew Chapters 5-7
Luke 6:20-49
The Life of Christ – Lesson 7
The Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5:21-48
Jesus’ standard of righteousness

2. Righteousness surpassing that of the scribes and Pharisees re: Lust
Lust – Matthew 5:27-30 “You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’ …” Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18

3. Righteousness surpassing that of the scribes and Pharisees
“… but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (cf. Exodus 20:17) Such was the guilt of David, whose deep and awful crime fully shows the danger of indulging in evil desires, and in the rovings of a wanton eye. See 2 Samuel 11; Psalms 51. (Barnes)

4. Righteousness surpassing that of the scribes and Pharisees
1 John 2:16; James 1:14-15 “All our senses and powers must be kept from those things which lead to transgression.” (Matthew Henry Commentary) So what does this mean in regards to the attraction that men and women have towards the opposite sex?

5. Lust – Matthew 5:27-30
“Lust” – epithumeoo – “to set the heart upon, i.e., long for (rightfully or otherwise)” Strong Not necessarily an evil thing: (Matthew 13:17; Luke 15:16; 1 Timothy 3:1; Hebrews 6:11; cf. Romans 7:7 [Exodus 20:17]) In this case? The type that would lead to the sin of adultery.
The look is supposed to be not casual but persistent, the desire not involuntary or momentary, but cherished with longing (The Expositor's Greek Testament, I, 108).
Many commentators limit the "lust" of Matthew 5:28 to the intention to commit adultery prevented only by the lack of opportunity (cf. Foy E. Wallace, Jr., The Sermon on the Mount and the Civil State, p. 37).

6. Lust – Matthew 5:27-30
Jesus’ standard of righteousness begins long before one commits the sin of adultery.
Again, Matthew 15:19, “out of the heart come … adulteries …”
Thus the need to “watch over your heart with all diligence”
(Proverbs 4:23; Job 31:1; Romans 13:13-14)
Joseph – “How can I do this great sin against God”
As the old saying advises:
One cannot keep the birds from flying over his head, but he can keep them from building a nest in his hair.

7. Lust – Matthew 5:27-30 Matthew 15:19 Matthew15:18
“What great danger we are in of pollution from that which proceeds out of the mouth.” (Barnes)
Matthew15:18
Out of the abundance of the heart.
Matthew12:34 - “Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
“There is no defilement in the products of God’s bounty; the defilement arises from the products of out corruption.” (Also from Barnes)
As the old saying advises:
One cannot keep the birds from flying over his head, but he can keep them from building a nest in his hair.