Matthew 5:21-26 What Jesus Said About Murder
Introduction: What if you were arrested and charged with
murder? Most would say, “I would never
commit murder.” Do not be too sure. Listen to what Jesus said about murder.
I. Jesus first called attention to what the
Law said and what the forefathers had said. Verse 21
A. The law said, “thou shalt not kill.”
B. To this the Pharisaic
forefathers had “and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.”
(the court).
II. In contrast, Jesus gives His
own explanation of the law. Verse 22
A. He spoke not in
contrast to the law, but to the saying of the fathers.
1.
What they said was right, as far as it went.
2.
They just did not go far enough.
B. Jesus said that
to be angry with another person puts one in danger of the judgment. Verse 22
1. He
spoke not of the earthly court. (There
was no law written which forbid anger and no court
which
would try a man for being angry).
2. He
spoke about the court of God. (God sees
the heart and punishes one for the sin of anger).
C. Jesus said that
to slander a brother puts one in danger of the council. Verse 22
1. The
word “Raca” means “senseless, idiot, imbecile”, etc.
2. In
this case the anger produces slander.
3. He
is in danger before God because of the anger and in danger before the court for
slander.
D. Jesus said that
to hate puts one in danger of hell-fire. Verse 22
1. The
word translated “fool” is an expression of hatred.
2. One
guilty of hatred is not saved. I John 3:15
3. One
guilty of anger is guilty of murder, but not premeditated murder.
(The heat of anger, a saved person can
do this).
4. One
guilty of slander is also guilty of murder, but not necessarily
premeditated.
(It too, can be the heat of
anger. A saved person can be guilty).
5. One
guilty of hatred is guilty of murder in the first degree.
(Premeditated with malice a fore
thought).
III. Some practical suggestions
by Jesus. Verses 23-26
A. If someone is
angry with you, go to him and seek to make peace. Verses 23-24
1. Do
not wait for him to come to you.
2.
Forgive and ask forgiveness.
B. Do so quickly.
1.
Make this a matter of top priority. Verse 24
2. Do
so before he makes trouble for you. Verses 25-26 (Whether you are guilty or not).
IV. Some questions.
A. Who can claim
to be able to keep the Law.
1. One
who keeps the letter of the Law may be guilty of the sin of murder.
2. We
have all been guilty of murder and some guilty of murder in the first degree.
B. What saved
person does not need to go to God in confession of sin. (Confess our anger and slander).
C. Is there some
saved person here who needs to go to some brother and say, “Let’s make peace.
Let’s be friends?”
Conclusion: First, get right with God. Second, get right with your fellow man.
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