Introduction: In today’s lesson we get Jesus’ view on
adultery( Vs. 31-32); Swearing (Vs. 33-77); on retaliation (vs. 38-42); the need to be “perfect, even as your
father which is in heaven is perfect” (Vs. 43-48). It may be argued that the goal set is too high, and
will discourage one not to aim so high, for we all miss the mark from time to time.
However, we would argue that we need to ever keep the goal before us, knowing that
the Lord has made a way of pardon if and when we do fail to reach the mark. The proper
course is to Repent, be forgiven, and start over again.
1. Adultery and the putting away of mates is one of the many
problems that we have today in our society. Attempts to JUSTIFY such is often done by
members of the Lord’s church, to satisfy people in society. Beloved, the Lord says it
plainly, and we can ignore it, reject it, refuse to believe it, but that will not change
the fact of the matter. When one puts away his/her mate, without the other having
committed fornication and marries another, adultery results (Matt. 5:31-32). Also, who ever marries that one who is put away,
commits adultery. God said it, that settles it, and we OUGHT to believe it. It is true
whether or not we accept it. Ultimately, all who violate this and do NOT seek forgiven
will find that their eternity will be miserable!
2. Swearing by certain things, feeling that this exempts one from
telling the truth appears to be what some practice. This is NOT what Jesus says: He says that we are to speak the truth, at alltimes (v. 33-37).When you promise
to do something: DO IT!
3. All of us are often tempted to retaliate -- “get
even” and probably go beyond that which is done to us to
“pay
back” the attacker. Yet, we need to see what God says through His Son, Jesus: Do good
to them who are
not so generous, kind, fair and just to us! Granted that is difficult to do, and yet that
is what we should strive to do, and
when we see that we have fallen short, repent and seek God’s forgiveness.
4. God is always RIGHT in what He does. He never wants any to be
hurt, and He continues to LOVE all and send His rain and sunshine on the evil as well as
the good (Vs. 43-45). We, being His children, should seek to be and act as our Father in
heaven (v. 45). It is not too difficult to love those who love you, even the sinning
publican can do that; we need to be different. It is’t toto difficult to be kind and
gentle or generous when dealing with
one’s brethren (v. 47). Nothing special about that! However, God acts differently,
being concerned about the well being of all people and willing to forgive any who come to
Him through His Son Jesus Christ, who has been set forth for that purpose (Lk. 19:10;
Matt. 11:28-30; Jn. 10:9-10)
Questions:
1.
According to Jesus, what results when one puts away his wife, without her having committed
fornication? (Matt. 5:32)?
2.
What happens when one marries her who has been put away?
3.
Does this mean that when one is put away by his/her mate when they are not being
guilty of unfaithfulness, that they are immediately and without further action
guilty of adultery?
4.
Is all swearing --taking an oath -- wrong? What’s the real message of Jesus about
swearing? (V. 37)?
5.
How does Jesus’ instruction about responding to one who does you wrong differ from
the Old Law? (Vs. 38-42)?
6.
Who is Christ’s disciples to love and pray for? (vs. 43-44)
7.
How are God’s “children” to respond and for what reason? (v. 45)
8.
What is the “reward” and who are we like when we
love only them who love us? (v. 46)?
9.
In what ways does the Lord bless both the evil and good ?(V. 45)?
10.How
are we to be “as” our Father? (vs. 47-48)?