Living Beyond the Law
Matthew 5:21-26
May 12, 2019 AM
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I. Introduction (Matthew 5:21-26)
A. Pay close attention to Jesus’ words
B. Mentions the 6th Commandment
C. “Thou shalt not kill”
D. But then focuses on ANGER!
II. Last Week Jesus Taught about the Importance of God’s Law (5:17-20)
A. Jesus forewarned everyone about what He was about to teach in Matthew 5-7
1. There were many people who would have loved to have destroyed the Law of the Old Testament, and over turned the prophets so that they could have lived any way they please. People basically have done this today!
2. There were many others who worried that Jesus was changing God’s Laws by His teachings
3. But Jesus said He had come to do the impossible – fulfil them!
a. Fulfil ALL the righteousness of the Law – all the expectations
b. Fulfil ALL the prophecies of the Prophets
c. That is exactly what he DID and is doing even now!
B. Three groupings (or classifications) of Moses’ Law:
1. Moral Laws – absolute right and wrongs. They are the same throughout history
2. Civil Laws – how to govern people, and what to expect of both leaders and citizens. They are the foundational ways that any good government operates
3. And Ceremonial Laws – the only way to be made right and to worship God the right way
4. The ONLY thing that was going to change was that Jesus would replace the Ceremonial Laws with Himself – HE is the means to approach God now – THANK GOD!
C. God’s law was not and is not frivolous.
1. It is the foundation for Grace and the entire Gospel.
2. Without God’s LAW, the Gospel makes no sense, and has no purpose! THANK ABOUT THAT!
3. God’s Law show what is right to do, and what is wrong
4. It shows how to deal with each other in a fair and just society
5. Throw it away and you self destruct
D. So, Christianity does not reject the Law and say the world can live just fine without it. It CANNOT live without it
1. No! The world still needs God’s Laws, just as much as it needs God’s Grace!
2. Jesus said not one jot or tittle would disappear from the Law until heaven and earth disappears
3. The whole world needs to know and live by God’s Laws, just as much as we are to live by God’s Grace
E. After reinforcing people’s respect for God’s laws, Jesus then goes right for the HEART as the reason why the Law against murder was so necessary
F. And His first lesson was about ANGER
III. Message – Managing Anger in the Kingdom of God (Matthew 5:21-26)
A. God’s Law said, “Thou Shalt not Kill without good reason” (Exodus 20:13)
1. The Sixth Commandment - Thou shalt not kill – pretty clear isn’t it. But there is a lot to that commandment!
a. The words ‘thou shalt not kill’ are very specific, and command us to never go out of our way to end the life of anyone out of anger
b. Speaking of Premeditated homicide (Murder) See Matthew 19:18
1) If a death was accidental – it is not murder, it was an accident
2) If it was in self defense – it is not murder either
3) If your nation is attacked, and a call goes out for people to rise up and defend their nation in a time of war, it is not wrong
2. So,
a. The Bible never says ALL killing is wrong, but that premeditated murder is wrong
b. But if anyone is killed, it better be for a very, very good reason
c. Or else you will face judgment and serious punishment
B. Jesus took it further – went deeper into the wisdom of that Law
1. You see, in the Kingdom of God, things are taken even more seriously than just “Thou shalt not kill.”
a. He didn’t say things had changed and loosened UP
b. He said things are even tighter now!
2. He said, “Let’s talk about HOW a person ends up killing someone else”
3. I say unto you…
a. Thou shalt not get angry without a very, very good cause
b. Or else you too will face judgment and serious punishment
C. Evidently, Murder is MORE Than an Act of Violence
1. There was, and should be a serious penalty (a judgment) for murder – the death penalty (Gen 9:5,6)
a. The death penalty is not something society votes on, or wants
b. But is necessary and clearly part of the very same law that says thou shalt NOT kill
c. A murderer must know there is an equal punishment for murder
d. No law is any good if not enforceable and not punishable
2. But God’s 6th Commandment deals with more than just an act of violence
3. It covers our REASONS for the violence - our motives, our attitudes, feelings that will lead us to murder if unconquered
a. What kind of attitudes lead up to killing/murder?
1) Not love, or joy or peace
2) But attitudes like ANGER, GRUDGES, BEING OFFENDED
b. And by the way, they are not just feelings – they are wrong, and dangerous according to Jesus
c. The sixth commandment deals with the RESULT of a heart problem – a problem in every human heart!
d. It is vital that we understand what grows into an act of murder
D. Truths About Anger and Murder…
1. Murder begins in our Heart first – as Anger
a. Don’t wait until you kill someone before you see the problem already in your heart (Mark 7:21-23)
1) Mar 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
2) Mar 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
3) Mar 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile [RUIN] the man.
b. That’s why every murder investigation thoroughly examines what a person was doing, and feeling BEFORE a killing happens – to see if they had been angry with the deceased, or been in huge fights with the person before the death occurred
c. ANGER is a weapon we all allow ourselves to use because
1) We THINK it is not deadly.
2) We think we can control it.
3) We think it is usually necessary to make sure the other person hurts as much as they hurt us
4) But it is a weapon, and it can be just as deadly as a literal knife
d. And that is why the Bible says that anger and hatred are just as bad as murder – because if you could get away with it, you WOULD murder when you are angry (see Cain) (1John 3:14,15)
1) 1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
2) 1Jn 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
2. Anger is usually a sin (99% of the time)
a. It is not always wrong to be angry
1) Just as it is not always wrong to kill
2) Remember? Self defence, and accidental deaths are not murder
b. Jesus did NOT say never be angry
1) Only in the “new” Bibles is it always a sin to be angry…
a) NIV Mt 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
b) ESV Mt 5:22 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.
c) KJV Mt 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
2) James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
3) This generation is being raised to NEVER be angry, so boys are effeminate, and society is more unsafe than ever!
4) The problem is, most everybody is almost constantly angry, and therefore in serious trouble with God!
c. You and I must have a very, very, very good reason / or cause to be angry (like David attacking Goliath, 1Sam 17:22-25, 28,29)
1) There is a time to be angry IF you have very good reason – a cause
2) Question – did David have a CAUSE to kill Goliath?
3) A Christian cannot be angry at any one without the fullest of evidence – give people the benefit of the doubt
d. Almost all other anger MUST be repented of and conquered
3. You cannot worship God in Anger (5:23,24)
a. God will NOT accept the worship of an angry man (1Tim 2:8)
1) 1Ti 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
2) Because that man has taken the place of God in his anger – judging the other person, and wanting to punish the other person
3) That goes for women as well
4) Sad that today, women are just as angry as men, and sometime worse!
b. Jesus gives an example of someone trying to worship God (Matthew 5:23-26) – a good thing, being done in a bad way – with anger
1) Brings a gift, and offering, a tithe to God
2) At that moment, he/she remembers a conflict between them and someone else
a) Another person is either angry at them, or has been hurt by them
b) The two of them are at odds – divided, separated by an offense
c) Not frivolous, but serious
d) And MUST be fixed before worship can continue!
3) Jesus commands the angry person to humble themselves and go to the other person and RECONCILE – make things completely right between them!
a) A believer who has offended someone and made them angry must make things right, or make things at last right on their end
b) Most anger comes from an offense and that the offense is not being treated right
c) But Christ’s kingdom, and faith is based upon LOVE and not rightness.
4) Or else their anger will cause THEM to be in trouble instead of the one who made them angry in the first place!
4. Anger is addictive and most dangerous (Col 3:5-8)
a. Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
b. Col 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
c. Col 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
d. Col 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
e. There is a high, a thrill at being angry. Anger is JUST as addictive as FORNICATION (pornography)
f. And once you start, it is very hard to shut off
g. And the consequences / the scars caused by our anger, might never go away
h. So, ANGER and WRATH and filthy, mean words out of your mouth HAVE to be put away / thrown away / conquered!
5. Anger is listed as a serious sin along with a lot of other things that we should fear ever having in our lives
a. Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
b. Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
E. Fear Being Wrongfully Angry
1. In God’s kingdom, if you are angry for the wrong reason, you will face judgments – you will reap God’s judgments!
a. Obviously, Murderers are in danger of judgment (Rev 21:8) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
b. Virtual murder (anger) is just as bad! (Gen 4:5,6)
1) Gen 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
2) Gen 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
3) Gen 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
4) Gen 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
5) NOTICE WHERE THAT ANGER LED… Gen 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
2. Be just as fearful of being angry as the original offense that made you angry
3. Be just as afraid of becoming angry for a stupid reason as you would be afraid of killing someone for a stupid reason!
F. Test Your Anger (Matthew 5:22) THREE QUESTIONS…
1. Do you have a complaining spirit? Constantly seeing problems in other people because of what they have maybe done against you?
2. Are you quick to call someone hurtful names? Using your words like a weapon simply because you think words are SAFER than ROCKS?
3. Do you struggle with constant anger resting in your heart instead of forgiveness?
4. Everyone knew that angry name calling would bring you before local councils
a. Raca is a Hebrew word for “vain fellow” – a word that hurt the other person like a weapon
b. We would say “air head, idiot, stupid.”
c. So, don’t be calling each other names, or you may have to appear before a council to explain yourself and be punished
5. To call someone “fool” is worse
a. The issue here is not just the name calling
b. When you retaliate and judge someone as a child of the devil, and an unbeliever (Ps 14:1). An apostate
c. There are fools
d. But to just accuse without a cause, without proof is a desire to destroy someone’s reputation
1) To accuse them of being a heretic, or of being evil
2) When all you are is looking for some way to use your words as a weapon to hurt the person who has hurt you
6. ALL of these words were referring to how people treat each other and talk to each other when they are in a fight and hating one another! Jesus condemns that!
7. He demands that we make up with each other before we try and worship God!
8. Because it can and MUST be done!
G. Here is the best Part! Conquering Your Anger
1. Can Anger be conquered? YES!
2. What makes conquering anger so hard?
a. Pride – the feeling that the other person should not get away with hurting you!
b. Unforgiveness - Anger and unforgiveness go hand in hand
1) If you cannot forgive, it is because you are holding anger in your heart
2) You cannot do that
3) If you are angry for more than a day, it is because you are REFUSING to forgive them in your heart
4) And that is SIN
3. First, Fear Being Angry
a. See YOUR anger for what it is – a way for the devil to take over your heart, and your home (Eph 4:26,27).
b. FEAR What Anger is Doing to Everyone in Your Home
1) It will…
a) Invite SATAN into your home
b) And, it will hurt YOU more than the person ever hurt you in the first place!
2) If you are quick to get angry, you obviously do NOT realise what it is going to do both to you and to everyone around you! KILL!
3) And if you have a habit of STAYING angry, you need to constantly Repent of staying angry instead of forgiving offenses against you
4) So, Be VERY slow to get angry
a) Anger is acceptable in short duration, but never anger without a cause (James 1:19) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
b) And then drop it like you would a deadly snake
(i) Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice [EVIL WAYS OF THINKING]:
(ii) Pro 22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
(iii) Pro 19:19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
4. FORGIVE the Person who hurt you in the same amount that YOU have been forgiven by God for hurting HIM (Eph 4:32)
a. Do it before they even ask to be forgiven!
b. Remember what God did with ALL His anger towards YOU? He poured it out NOT on you, but on the Lamb of God, His OWN SON, so that YOU and I could be forgiven and reconciled to God!
c. There is NO forgiveness from God for you without you forgiving others! (Mk 11:25,26)
d. You are NOT forgiving their SIN against you (only GOD can forgive sin); but you ARE forgiving THEM for sinning against YOU!
e. Then, replace the anger with the RIGHT way of thinking about offenses against you! Replace it with forgiveness, love and dependency on God.
5. FOREBEAR - Let GOD bring Justice (Eph 4:2; 6:9; Col 3:13)
a. To forbear means to hold off getting even – even in words only!
b. Hold your tongue and quench your heart’s angry fire!
c. By God’s amazing grace, you can put off getting even, and leave the vengeance to God to take care of (Rom 12:19).
6. CONFRONT the Person (Matthew 18:15) – don’t just ignore what people do to you. Tell them they hurt you / or did wrong towards you. Be respectfully honest with them.
7. Now you can Forget the Offense – put it behind you
a. We are commanded to FORGET some things of our past on purpose (Philp 3:12-14).
b. You cannot forgive and forget until you have done all the above
8. And then finally, you can RECONCILE (Matthew 5:25)
a. Reconcile as a priority
1) That means RESOLVE things quickly
2) It only takes ONE to forgive
3) It takes TWO to reconcile
b. Stop whatever you are doing – even good things, worship, etc
c. Go to the person angry at you
d. Agree with him/her as much as possible
e. Let not the sun go down at the end of a day before you get things right
f. THIS is the mark of REAL Christian community
g. MOST people are intensely bitter and angry because of hurts
h. Adversary is a legal term – like in a law-suit
i. Do NOT fight your opponent
j. Instead…
1) Listen to them – all that they say and feel
2) Learn from them
3) Agree with them about whatever may be true – yield
4) Change yourself
9. Or else God will NOT protect you from total ruin in the courts here and at the Judgment Seat of Christ in heaven!
a. You’re anger will cost YOU more than the person who hurt you
1) Separation from brother/wife/husband
2) Division in a church
3) The judgment of God
4) The silence of God in your prayer life
5) The bondage of your anger
6) And even prison in this life if your anger goes on too long and becomes violence and deadly
IV.Conclusion
A. God’s Law said, “Thou Shalt not Kill without good reason”
B. Jesus took it further – went deeper into the wisdom of that Law
C. Murder is More Than an Act of Violence
D. It is a deadly problem in the heart
E. Test Your Anger
1. Do you have a complaining spirit?
2. Are you quick to call someone hurtful names?
3. Do you struggle with constant anger resting in your heart instead of forgiveness?
F. Conquer your Anger
1. By the almighty power of the Lord Jesus Christ IN your LIFE now! HE will help you AFTER he humbles you
2. Fear Being Angry
3. Forgive the Person in the same amount that YOU have been forgiven (Eph 4:32) Do it before they even ask to be forgiven!
4. Let GOD bring Justice (Eph 4:2; 6:9; Col 3:13)
5. Confront the Person (Matthew 18:15) – don’t just ignore what people do to you. Tell them they hurt you / or did wrong towards you. Be respectfully honest with them.
6. Now you can Forget the Offense – put it behind you
7. And then finally, Reconcile (Matthew 5:25) as a priority
8. Or else God will NOT protect you from total ruin in the courts here and at the Judgment Seat of Christ in heaven!