Transforming Hearts: The True Meaning of Righteousness

Devotional

Day 1: The Heart of God's Law

Jesus reveals that the heart of God's law is our hearts. It's not just about avoiding murder but addressing the anger and contempt that lead to it. This deeper understanding calls us to examine our internal attitudes and align them with God's heart. Jesus uses the phrase, "You have heard it said," to highlight the traditional teachings of the religious leaders, but then He contrasts it with, "But I say to you," to reveal the deeper, heart-focused intent of God's law. He explains that anger, contempt, and insults are serious issues that can lead to judgment, just like murder. This teaching underscores the importance of our internal attitudes and how they affect our relationships with others. [46:40]

Matthew 5:21-22 (ESV): "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire."

Reflection: Think about a recent situation where you felt anger or contempt towards someone. How can you address these feelings and align your heart with God's heart today?

Day 2: The Danger of Fixed Anger

Jesus teaches that anger and contempt are as dangerous as murder because they stem from a heart that seeks harm. This type of anger is a fixed, brooding anger that refuses to be pacified. It is crucial to address these internal issues to prevent them from leading to destructive actions. Jesus emphasizes that righteousness is not just about outward compliance but about the internal state of our hearts. By addressing the root causes of our anger and contempt, we can prevent them from manifesting in harmful ways. [53:51]

Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV): "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."

Reflection: Identify a situation where you have held onto anger. What steps can you take today to release this anger and seek reconciliation?

Day 3: Reconciliation Before Worship

Jesus emphasizes the importance of reconciliation in our worship. If we know someone has something against us, we must seek to make it right before offering our gifts to God. This shows that our relationships with others directly impact our relationship with God. Jesus teaches that unresolved conflicts hinder our worship and that right relationships with others are integral to our relationship with God. This principle is echoed by Paul in Romans 12:17-21, urging us to live peaceably with all as much as it depends on us. [01:10:09]

Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV): "So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

Reflection: Is there someone you need to reconcile with before you can fully engage in worship? What steps can you take today to begin that process?

Day 4: Living Peaceably

Paul urges us to live peaceably with all as much as it depends on us. We have no control over others, but we can control our actions and attitudes. This means striving for peace and reconciliation, trusting God for justice, and not seeking revenge. By living peaceably, we reflect the heart of God and demonstrate His love to those around us. This countercultural way of living leads to a life of love, forgiveness, and peace. [01:12:40]

Romans 12:18-19 (ESV): "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"

Reflection: Think of a relationship where you have struggled to live peaceably. What practical steps can you take today to promote peace and reconciliation in that relationship?

Day 5: Freedom in Christ

True freedom comes from surrendering our anger, contempt, and desire for revenge to Jesus. By experiencing His forgiveness and peace, we can extend the same to others. This countercultural way of living leads to a life of love, forgiveness, and peace. Jesus calls us to a higher standard of righteousness that goes beyond external actions to the very core of our being—our hearts. He invites us to surrender our anger, contempt, and desire for revenge to Him, trusting in His justice and grace. [01:18:28]

Colossians 3:13-14 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you need to experience Christ's freedom. How can you surrender this area to Him today and extend His love and forgiveness to others?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we continued our journey through the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on Matthew 5:21-26. Jesus' teachings here challenge us to look beyond mere external actions and examine the condition of our hearts. He begins by addressing the commandment, "You shall not murder," but extends it to include anger and contempt, showing that these internal attitudes are just as destructive as the act of murder itself. Jesus emphasizes that righteousness is not just about outward compliance but about the internal state of our hearts.

Jesus uses the phrase, "You have heard it said," to highlight the traditional teachings of the religious leaders, but then He contrasts it with, "But I say to you," to reveal the deeper, heart-focused intent of God's law. He explains that anger, contempt, and insults are serious issues that can lead to judgment, just like murder. This teaching underscores the importance of our internal attitudes and how they affect our relationships with others.

Moreover, Jesus teaches that unresolved conflicts hinder our worship. He instructs us to reconcile with those who have something against us before offering our gifts at the altar. This shows that right relationships with others are integral to our relationship with God. Paul echoes this in Romans 12:17-21, urging us to live peaceably with all as much as it depends on us.

In essence, Jesus calls us to a higher standard of righteousness that goes beyond external actions to the very core of our being—our hearts. He invites us to surrender our anger, contempt, and desire for revenge to Him, trusting in His justice and grace. This way, we can live in true freedom, loving and forgiving others as Christ has loved and forgiven us.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Heart of God's Law: Jesus reveals that the heart of God's law is our hearts. It's not just about avoiding murder but addressing the anger and contempt that lead to it. This deeper understanding calls us to examine our internal attitudes and align them with God's heart. [46:40]
2. Anger and Contempt: Jesus teaches that anger and contempt are as dangerous as murder because they stem from a heart that seeks harm. This type of anger is a fixed, brooding anger that refuses to be pacified. It is crucial to address these internal issues to prevent them from leading to destructive actions. [53:51]
3. Reconciliation Before Worship: Jesus emphasizes the importance of reconciliation in our worship. If we know someone has something against us, we must seek to make it right before offering our gifts to God. This shows that our relationships with others directly impact our relationship with God. [70:09]
4. Living Peaceably: Paul urges us to live peaceably with all as much as it depends on us. We have no control over others, but we can control our actions and attitudes. This means striving for peace and reconciliation, trusting God for justice, and not seeking revenge. [72:40]
5. Freedom in Christ: True freedom comes from surrendering our anger, contempt, and desire for revenge to Jesus. By experiencing His forgiveness and peace, we can extend the same to others. This countercultural way of living leads to a life of love, forgiveness, and peace. [01:18:28]
### [78:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[44:51] - Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
[45:44] - "You Have Heard It Said"
[46:40] - The Heart of God's Law
[47:32] - Anger and Judgment
[48:31] - Understanding Anger
[49:46] - The Importance of Our Hearts
[50:54] - Jesus and the Law
[52:23] - External Actions vs. Internal Realities
[53:51] - The Danger of Fixed Anger
[55:18] - God's Law and Our Hearts
[56:33] - The Destructiveness of Sin
[58:05] - Surrendering Anger to Jesus
[59:33] - The Heart of Our Relationships
[60:54] - Insults and Contempt
[62:06] - Everyday Examples of Contempt
[64:15] - Accountability for Our Attitudes
[65:21] - The Danger of Contempt
[66:15] - The Image of God in Others
[67:14] - Division and Ideological Battles
[68:19] - Countercultural Living
[69:16] - The Heart of Right Worship
[70:09] - Reconciliation Before Worship
[71:39] - Making Things Right
[72:40] - Living Peaceably
[73:29] - Trusting God for Justice
[74:39] - Agents of Peace and Reconciliation
[75:28] - Judgment and Sin
[76:40] - The Penalty of Sin
[77:29] - Freedom in Christ
[78:28] - Love, Forgiveness, and Peace
[79:31] - The Story of Corrie ten Boom
[80:32] - Jesus Wants Your Heart
[81:11] - Response Time
[84:39] - Prayer and Worship
[85:34] - Closing Prayer and Instructions

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Jesus say about anger in Matthew 5:21-22? How does He compare it to murder? [47:32]
According to Jesus in Matthew 5:23-24, what should one do if they remember that someone has something against them while offering a gift at the altar? [47:32]
In Romans 12:18, what does Paul advise believers to do as much as it depends on them? How does this relate to Jesus' teaching on reconciliation? [01:12:40]
What are the consequences Jesus mentions for calling someone a fool in Matthew 5:22? [47:32]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus equate anger with murder in terms of judgment? What does this reveal about the importance of internal attitudes? [49:46]
How does unresolved conflict affect our worship according to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:23-24? Why is reconciliation prioritized before worship? [01:10:09]
What does Paul mean when he says, "as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" in Romans 12:18? How does this align with Jesus' teachings on reconciliation and anger? [01:12:40]
How does Jesus' teaching on anger and reconciliation challenge the traditional understanding of righteousness as merely external compliance? [46:40]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt a fixed, brooding anger towards someone. How did it affect your actions and relationships? What steps can you take to surrender this anger to Jesus? [53:51]
Jesus emphasizes the need for reconciliation before worship. Is there someone you need to reconcile with before you can fully engage in worship? What practical steps can you take this week to make things right? [01:10:09]
Paul urges believers to live peaceably with all as much as it depends on them. Identify a relationship in your life where you can strive for peace. What specific actions can you take to foster reconciliation? [01:12:40]
Jesus calls us to examine our internal attitudes, not just our external actions. How can you cultivate a heart that aligns with God's law? What daily practices can help you maintain a heart of love and forgiveness? [46:40]
Think about a situation where you felt contempt or disdain for someone. How did this attitude impact your relationship with them? How can you change your perspective to see them as bearing the image of God? [01:06:15]
Jesus' teaching on anger and reconciliation is countercultural. How can you live out these principles in a world that often values revenge and holding grudges? What support do you need from your community to do this? [01:08:19]
Reflect on the story of Corrie ten Boom and her act of forgiveness. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? How can you rely on Jesus' strength to extend forgiveness, even when it feels impossible? [01:19:31]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We've been taking the summer and walking through the Sermon on the Mount, which is captured in Matthew chapter 5. And it's a series of teachings from Jesus where he is really highlighting what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus and how followers of Jesus live a countercultural life in an upside down kingdom." [44:51] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus shows us the heart of God's law, which is our hearts. Jesus shows us the heart of God's law. It's our hearts. See, I want you to write this down. I want you to remember this, not just because I think it's important, but because as we walk through this Sermon on the Mount, if you're keeping notes along the way, then you now have the tools to go disciple somebody else through the Sermon on the Mount." [49:46] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus says right here that this type of anger in our hearts has the same destructive power as murder and he warns us against it because it goes against God's heart for you and it goes against God's heart for his people. So what do we do with that anger? Because you feel what you feel, okay? What do you do with that fixed focused anger?" [58:05] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus spends so much time in the Sermon of the Mount to point out all of these different external commands that are being taught so that he can refocus them, not on the external things that the teachers of the law or the Pharisees were trying to tell the people, but on something that God actually focuses on, which is us, our hearts." [55:18] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus invites us to an understanding of God's word. He wants your heart for you. He wants your heart. And he wants all of Nothing held back. He wants the good. He wants the bad. He wants the ugly. And he wants to make you new." [01:20:32] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Jesus shows us the heart of God's law, which is our hearts. Jesus shows us the heart of God's law. It's our hearts. See, I want you to write this down. I want you to remember this, not just because I think it's important, but because as we walk through this Sermon on the Mount, if you're keeping notes along the way, then you now have the tools to go disciple somebody else through the Sermon on the Mount." [49:46] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus says right here that this type of anger in our hearts has the same destructive power as murder and he warns us against it because it goes against God's heart for you and it goes against God's heart for his people. So what do we do with that anger? Because you feel what you feel, okay? What do you do with that fixed focused anger?" [58:05] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus spends so much time in the Sermon of the Mount to point out all of these different external commands that are being taught so that he can refocus them, not on the external things that the teachers of the law or the Pharisees were trying to tell the people, but on something that God actually focuses on, which is us, our hearts." [55:18] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We trust God for justice for those that hurt us and we do everything we can to live at peace with those that we hurt. That's it. We are the first to strive for peace as much as it depends on you. You can't make peace, you can't make people be peaceable with you, but you can always be peaceable with them." [01:14:39] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus frees us from this back and forth living in anger and pain to a life of freedom that can only be found in Freedom to love rather than hate. Freedom to forgive rather than hold a grudge. Freedom to find peace rather than conflict." [01:18:28] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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