Keeping Ourselves unspotted from the world (Lesson 59)
Introduction:
1. We learn from James 1:27 that "pure and undefiled religion before God" includes "keeping ourselves unspotted from the world." 2. In His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Jesus revealed a number of instructions that will help us to remain free from the world's spots. 3. In Matthew 5:21-48, Jesus confronted 5 important subjects: how to treat a brother, adultery, swearing, revenge, and how to treat enemies. a. He first revealed what the Jews had heard about these topics. b. After doing so, He then revealed His will. 4. As we study these topics we must remember the Lord's words in Matthew 5:19-20. 5. With this information before us, let us examine the Lord's teaching concerning "adultery" in Matthew 5:27-32. Discussion: I. (vs.27) JESUS FIRST REVEALED WHAT THE JEWS HAD HEARD ABOUT ADULTERY
A. They had heard, "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). 1. Adultery was a serious offense that was punishable by death (Leviticus 20:10). 2. The Jews knew that adultery was forbidden by the law; however, . . . B. They needed to consider another closely related passage (Exodus 20:17). C. Unfortunately, many of the Jews overlooked this passage. D. After touching on what the Jews had heard, . . . II. (vs.28) JESUS REVEALED HIS WILL CONCERNING ADULTERY
A. A person who looks on someone else with lust is guilty of committing adultery in the heart. 1. Adultery is not just an outward act as the Jews taught. 2. It is a matter of the heart (Matthew 15:19). B. Jesus dealt with this subject because of what the Jews taught and practiced about divorce. 1. The Law of Moses addressed divorce in Deuteronomy 24:1. 2. Some of the Jews developed a very loose interpretation of this passage. 3. In the days of Malachi, the Jews had a serious problem with divorcing the wives of their youth (Malachi 2:14-16). C. The Jews needed to get their hearts right -- this is the key to avoiding adultery (Matthew 5:8). III. (vs.29-30) JESUS WENT ON TO SHOW HOW TO OVERCOME ADULTERY
A. The Lord said that we must remove anything that will cause us to lose our souls. 1. Those things that "offend" us are things that cause us to stumble and fall away. 2. The right eye and right hand represent anything that will cause our souls to be lost. 3. Jesus wants us to get rid of anything that will keep us out of heaven, including lust. B. When we understand how serious adultery is, we will see why the Lord wants us to take such drastic steps. 1. Adultery is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). 2. God will judge adulterers (Hebrews 13:4b). 3. Adulterers will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). C. After showing how to overcome adultery, . . . IV. (vs.31-32) JESUS APPLIED HIS TEACHING TO DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE
A. (vs.31) Jesus referred to what had been said about divorce. B. (vs.32) He revealed His will concerning divorce and remarriage. Conclusion:
1. Marriage was established by God (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:31). 2. Let us be reminded that marriage is honorable (Hebrews 13:4a). 3. Let us be reminded that marriage is for life (Romans 7:2-3). 4. Let us be reminded that both husbands and wives have responsibilities that must be fulfilled (Ephesians 5:22-33).
