Sermons on Matthew 5:28
The various sermons below interpret Matthew 5:28 by emphasizing that Jesus' teaching extends beyond the physical act of adultery to address the deeper issues of the heart, such as intent and desire. Both sermons highlight the use of the Greek text to underscore the importance of internal motivations, with one sermon focusing on the dual responsibility of both the individual who lusts and the one who provokes lust. They both stress that Jesus is not abolishing the law but rather deepening its meaning, using the rhetorical device of antithesis to expand the commandment against adultery to include lustful intent. Additionally, both sermons emphasize the significance of the "second look" or prolonged gaze, which Jesus condemns as a manifestation of lustful intent, challenging cultural norms that previously excused such behavior.
While both sermons share common themes, they diverge in their theological emphases. One sermon ties the seriousness of dealing with sin directly to one's salvation, suggesting that a refusal to address sin may indicate a lack of genuine faith. This approach underscores the necessity of repentance as a marker of true discipleship. In contrast, the other sermon focuses on the dignity and image-bearing nature of individuals, emphasizing that sexual desire should be appropriately channeled to avoid devaluing it. This sermon encourages an internal examination of one's heart and desires, rather than attributing issues of lust to external factors.
Matthew 5:28 Interpretation:
Confronting Lust: A Heartfelt Call to Holiness (Mountain Vista Baptist Church) interprets Matthew 5:28 by emphasizing that lust is an issue of the heart, not just a physical act. The sermon highlights that Jesus' teaching goes beyond the physical act of adultery to include the intent and desires of the heart. It explains that the Greek text can be understood in two ways: one, as forbidding leering looks intended to stir up lustful thoughts, and two, as opposing the act of causing another to lust. This dual interpretation places responsibility on both the individual who lusts and the one who seeks to provoke lust in others.
Maintaining Sexual Integrity in Digital Babylon (Midtownkc.church) interprets Matthew 5:28 by emphasizing that Jesus is not abolishing the law but deepening its meaning. The sermon highlights the rhetorical device of antithesis used by Jesus to extend the commandment against adultery to include lustful intent. It explains that Jesus is addressing the deeper issue of the human heart, focusing on motivation and desire rather than just the act of adultery. The sermon also clarifies that Jesus is condemning the prolonged gaze or the "second look" intended to possess or own someone, rather than natural attraction. The use of the Greek present participle is noted to emphasize the sustained look, and the sermon stresses that Jesus is dismantling cultural norms that excused lust as less severe than adultery.
Matthew 5:28 Theological Themes:
Confronting Lust: A Heartfelt Call to Holiness (Mountain Vista Baptist Church) presents the theme that true followers of Christ will seek to repent and do whatever it takes to deal with sin, emphasizing that refusal to address sin is an indicator of not truly knowing Christ. This sermon uniquely ties the seriousness of dealing with sin to one's salvation, suggesting that a lack of repentance may indicate a lack of genuine faith.
Maintaining Sexual Integrity in Digital Babylon (Midtownkc.church) presents the theme that Jesus' teaching on lust is a call to protect the dignity and image-bearing nature of individuals. The sermon emphasizes that sexual desire is not inherently bad but should be channeled appropriately to avoid devaluing or cheapening it. It also highlights the importance of internal examination of one's heart and desires, rather than blaming external factors for issues of lust.
Matthew 5:28 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Confronting Lust: A Heartfelt Call to Holiness (Mountain Vista Baptist Church) provides historical context by explaining that in Jewish culture at the time, the right eye and right hand were considered symbols of power and ability. Jesus' use of these symbols in his teaching about radical removal of sin highlights the importance of taking drastic measures to avoid sin, even if it means losing something valuable.
Maintaining Sexual Integrity in Digital Babylon (Midtownkc.church) provides historical context by explaining that in the ancient world, adultery was excusable for husbands but not for wives, and that men often blamed women for their own lustful temptations. The sermon notes that Jesus' teaching was counter-cultural, insisting that neither adultery nor prolonged gazes were permissible for anyone, regardless of gender. It also mentions that Jesus' use of the pronoun "he" was intentional, addressing the cultural norms of the time.
Matthew 5:28 Cross-References in the Bible:
Breaking Free: Embracing God's Design for Intimacy (Prairie Heights Church) references 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, where Paul instructs believers to avoid sexual immorality and live a holy life. This passage is used to support the idea that sanctification involves choosing to become more like Jesus and avoiding behaviors that lead to lust and sexual immorality.
Confronting Lust: A Heartfelt Call to Holiness (Mountain Vista Baptist Church) references several passages, including Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18, which are part of the Ten Commandments prohibiting adultery. The sermon also references Genesis 1:26-27 to emphasize the image of God in humanity and the importance of viewing others as people Christ died for, rather than objects to be consumed.
Maintaining Sexual Integrity in Digital Babylon (Midtownkc.church) references Exodus 20:14, the commandment against adultery, to show how Jesus is extending this commandment in Matthew 5:28. The sermon also mentions Genesis 1:28, where God blesses and commands humans to be fruitful and multiply, to emphasize that sexual desire is part of God's good creation.
Matthew 5:28 Christian References outside the Bible:
Confronting Lust: A Heartfelt Call to Holiness (Mountain Vista Baptist Church) references Daniel Doriani, who provides an interpretation of the Greek text in Matthew 5:28, suggesting that it can be understood as forbidding both leering looks and actions intended to provoke lust in others. This dual interpretation adds depth to the understanding of the passage by highlighting the shared responsibility in lustful interactions.
Maintaining Sexual Integrity in Digital Babylon (Midtownkc.church) references Tim Mackey, who explains that Jesus is addressing the deeper issue of the human heart by going underneath the commandment. The sermon also quotes Dale Bruner, who distinguishes between natural attraction and the prolonged gaze condemned by Jesus.
Matthew 5:28 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Breaking Free: Embracing God's Design for Intimacy (Prairie Heights Church) uses an article by a Harvard graduate to explain the role of the brain in lust, attraction, and attachment. The sermon describes how hormones released during these stages can lead to the sin of lust, illustrating the scientific aspect of how lust affects individuals.
Maintaining Sexual Integrity in Digital Babylon (Midtownkc.church) uses the story of Isabel Hogeben, a 16-year-old who wrote about her experience with pornography, to illustrate the pervasive and damaging nature of digital lust. The sermon also references Dutch biologist Nicholas Tinbergen's concept of a "supernormal stimulus" to explain how artificial stimuli can distort natural desires, comparing it to the effects of pornography on the brain.