EXPOSITIONS OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT–XV
“… It is more profitable …”
Matthew 5:27-32 September 16, 2007
INTRODUCTION
Verses 21-48 of Matthew 5 are an illustration of what the Lord Jesus means by what He says in verse 20. In verses 22-26 our Lord deals with anger, character assassination, purity and integrity in word and deed. Here in verses 27-32, He deals with purity and integrity of heart and mind.
I. THE EXCEEDING SINFULNESS OF SIN
The Pharisees had boiled the Law down to the physical action. The Lord Jesus stresses the importance of the motives of the heart. Why did the Lord Jesus die on Calvary?
II. THE NECESSITY OF CHRIST’S ATONING SACRFICE
Apart from the Law we cannot understand Christ’s atoning sacrifice for us miserable sinners. Apart from this and the work of the Holy Spirit we will never have a right understanding of sin. We must understand the depth and power of sin. James 1:13-15. And we must deal with sin’s:
A) depth and power
B) subtlety
C) perverting nature and effect. Jer. 17:9. Rom. 3:23 & 6:23.
III. THE IMPORTANCE OF A CLEAN HEART
Refraining from the act is not enough. Our hearts must desire holiness and purity of life. Sin has consequences. The goal for the Christian is to have a heart that never knows bitterness or envy or jealousy or hate or spite, but one that is always full of the love of Christ. I Samuel 16:7. Because of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, we must exercise radical surgery on our own hearts and minds and imaginations by bringing it all under subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 8:14. Colossians 3:5. I Thessalonians 4:1-12 & 5:22. Job 31:1. I Corinthians 5:9-14 & 15:33. II Thessalonians 3:6. I Peter 1:16. Ephesians 1:4
We cannot cleanse ourselves from our unrighteousness. It is the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, through the cleansing Blood of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross washing us clean. Is it your desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus?
Some of the resources used for this study:
Daniel M. Doriani THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
John R.W. Stott, CHRISTIAN COUNTER-CULTURE
Sinclair B. Ferguson KINGDOM LIFE IN A FALLEN WORLD
James M. Boice THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
Martyn Lloyd-Jones STUDIES IN THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
