1. “The Cure for Conflict”
Religion vs. Spirituality” – p.3
Matthew 5:21-32

2. Matthew 5:20
“unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven”.

3. All People Matter:
The Scripture – (v.21) "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'

4. All People Matter:
Exodus 20:13 simply says: “Do not murder” - Exodus 20:13
“If anyone takes the life of a human being he must be put to death.” - Leviticus 24:17

5. All People Matter:
Murder = “intentionally taking another’s life,

6. All People Matter:
The Spirit – (v.22) But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

7. All People Matter: The word raca means empty-headed.
Anger is an emotion that can not be denied.

8. Adultery
The Scripture (v.27) "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'
Adultery means “marriage breaker” but could be expanded to mean “covenant breaker”

9. Adultery
The Spirit (v.28) But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Lust is an insatiable desire for more.

10. Adultery
To lust is to want what you don’t have and weren’t meant to have. – Josh Harris, Sex is not the Problem (lust is)

11. Adultery Limited to the mind
but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. - James 1:14-15 (NIV)

12. Adultery
Isolated from others

13. Adultery Pursued in moderation it is safe
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. - Colossians 3:5-6 (NIV)

14. Adultery Pursued in moderation it is safe
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. - Ephesians 5:3 (NIV)

15. Divorce
The Scripture (v.31) - "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.'

16. Divorce
If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce…Deut. 24:1
The Biblical command to grant a certificate of divorce was not a command to divorce,

17. Divorce
The Spirit (v.32) But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

18. Divorce
“Marital unfaithfulness” is ongoing “sinful activity that intentionally divides the marital relationship” (Wilkins, 247).

19. Bottom Line:
Jesus centered people seek and apply the heart intention of God’s instruction not merely the letter of it.

20. All People Matter
Principle: It is our responsibility to treat people as if they matter to God. (vv.23-24)

21. All People Matter Keep short accounts (vv.23-24)
"Therefore, 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 to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

22. All People Matter Settle relationship matters quickly. (vv.25-26)
"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Don’t defend yourself.

23. All People Matter
Don’t defend yourself.

24. Adultery Principle:
Jesus expects us to live in sexual responsibility.

25. Adultery Principle: Practice the law of limits (vv. 29-30)
If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

26. Adultery Principle: Practice the law of limits (vv. 29-30)
And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

27. Adultery Principle:
Lust is a matter of the heart not the eyes or the hand.

28. Adultery Principle:

29. Adultery Principle:

30. Adultery Principle:

31. Adultery Principle:

32. Adultery Principle:

33. Adultery Principle:

34. Adultery Principle:

35. Adultery Principle:

36. Adultery Principle:

37. Adultery Principle:

38. Adultery Principle:

39. Adultery Principle:

40. Adultery Principle:

41. Divorce Principle: Jesus sees the marriage relationship as permanent.
But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

42. Divorce
When and if considering a divorce, be sure to consult the Bible.
Remember that God accepts repentant people (1 Cor. 7:20-24).
“the way of the unfaithful is hard”, - Prov. 13:15