Jesus teaches us what it means to be human.

Ryan Rovito

Epiphany '23 • Sermon • Submitted a year ago

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Big Idea: Jesus teaches us what it means to be human.

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Call to Worship

Scripture Reading

Matthew 5:21-37 (NIV)

Kidz Message

Opener

Have you ever felt mad? What made you feel mad?

We might feel mad for a bunch of reasons

We feel disappointed when we thought we were getting pizza for dinner, but instead we get mushroom casserole

We feel frustrated when our grownup says we have to stop playing and go to bed

We feel angry when someone takes our toy away

Do you think being angry is a good thing or a bad thing?

Fire illustration - if it’s in a fire-place or candle it’s great, but if it goes on the curtains it’s really dangerous.

Here is something to remember about feelings… Feelings are neither good or bad, it’s what we do with them that matters!

Message

In the scripture reading today, Jesus talked about Anger didn’t he? he said

Matthew 5:21–22 (NIV)

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister, will be subject to judgment.”

That sounds like Jesus is telling us that feeling Angry is a bad thing, but you know what? Even Jesus got angry sometimes.

In fact, one time Jesus was so angry with people who were taking advantage of others in the temple that he flipped over the tables they were selling things on and chased them out!

So Jesus isn’t telling us not to “feel” angry. He’s telling us that our anger can be dangerous. If we aren’t careful it can burn us and the people we love.

That’s why, when you feel angry toward someone, it’s really important to make it right, right away.

1 - Say something right away: “I feel angry because...”

2 - Listen to their side of the story: Assume they didn’t mean it.

3 - Share an idea for making it right.

This all matters because life is better when we are together. If we let our anger drive us away from others then we aren’t living God’s way.

Prayer

Dear God…

Thank you for Jesus…

…who teaches us…

…how to live your better way.

Thank you and Amen.

Sermon

SLIDE - Title

On-Ramp

PLAYING BY THE RULES STORY

I did not inherit my father’s love for football

When I watch I end up spending most of the time trying to remember all the rules

- What’s holding? how many feet need to be in and when? Why can’t they tackle that guy? etc.

Are the rules the point of the game? No, but the game functions best with fair rules.

My personal hell: perpetual refereeing

While refereeing, you need to sometimes decide how many fouls to let go, because too many rules can suck the life out of the game.

Where’s this all going? Well it’s all fun and games when we are talking sports, but what about when someone breaks the rules in your marriage, in your friendships, in the workplace? What can we learn from Jesus about how the rules impact the truly important parts of our lives?

FAMILY TENSION STORY: real story, changed details

Couple: Sam and Meg, Married for about 4-5 years and have 2 kids under 4

Sam:mechanic and Meg:stay-at-home mom.

Things have been…well…tense.

Meg’s side of the story

- He doesn’t help “that’s women’s work.”

- She is drowning in kid stuff and her husband doesn;t seem to care.

- Sam snaps back saying she doesn;t appreciate how hard he works to keep food on the table.

- His idea of “being present” is just being in the room

- Meg is ANGRY!

- Considering Divorce because she’s on her own anyway.

Sam’s side of the story

- Early wake up to avoid getting chewed out by wife or boss

- Texts about forgetting grocery bags, doesn;t reply

- Before leaving asks to bring home dinner (no reply)

- Return home with no dinner (kid with wrong pants + text mishap)

- He feels like he just can’t win.

Relationships are messy aren’t they?

I imagine you can see both sides of this story, but when we’re in the middle of it, we are looking for who is right and who is wrong. Who broke the rules and deserves a penalty.

COMIC RELIEF: Can you imagine having a referee for your relationships?

- FOUL! Insulting Intelligence

- Out of Bounds! Cruel comparison to their mother

All kidding aside if you think you are in the right in a relationship you may want a ref there to call the plays for you.

We love it when the rules are on our side and struggle to admit it when they aren’t. So, we end up arguing over the rules.

What the Scriptures Say

You might think, then throw away the rules, they aren’t the point are they?

OT Laws were the rules God gave Israel

Scripture Matthew 5:17 (NIV)

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

KEY POINT: God gave us laws to help us play well with one another, and Jesus didn’t come to throw them away, but to draw our eyes to the fullness life has to offer. They are not a weapon to be used against those who “aren’t living right” but a signpost, pointing toward a greater destination down the line.

Today is the second to last day of the Epiphany season where we have been taking a close look at Jesus. As Christians, Jesus is not just our teacher, offering us the best rules to follow. Jesus the human is our reference point as we search for what it means to be fully human.

That’s our big idea for today...

SLIDE - Big Idea 1

Big Idea Part 1: Jesus teaches us what it means to be human.

In the scripture we heard read this morning, we see that first and foremost, to be human is to navigate relational tensions like Sam and Meg are. So, jesus, instead of offering more rules to follow, invites us to look past the rules to where they are pointing.

With the remainder of time, Let’s look at each teaching from this morning’s scripture reading. (Anger, Adultery, Divorce, Oaths)

I believe what you will see in all of these is that

SLIDE - Big Idea 2

Big Idea Part 2: Jesus teaches us what it means to be human and to be fully human is to put reconciliation first.

Anger

Scripture Matthew 5:21–22 (NIV)

We learned with the kids that Anger is like fire, helpful, but extremely dangerous if not focused.

Scripture Matthew 5:23–24 (NIV)

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Explain how people traveled 3 days to offer sacrifices,

The danger is that our anger will destroy us and others if not funneled into reconciliation.

If you have let Anger fester and remain undealt-with then you don’t need to worry about hell because you’re already living in it!

REMEMBER: To be fully human is to put reconciliation first.

ILLUSTRATION:

Adultery & Divorce

Scripture Matthew 5:27–28 (NIV)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Do not commit adultery is the rule, but “not committing adultery” is not full human-ness. In fact if we live anywhere near that line we are likely to destroy our lives.

Sexual health is essential to relational health and being fully human and any sexual activity that drives us into isolation, hiding, or shame is damaging.

Adultery is any sexual activity with someone who is not your spouse, but it starts LONG before sexual activity. It starts when we seek any unhealthy means of satisfying sexual cravings.

REMEMBER: To be fully human is to put reconciliation first.

Sam and Sue are at serious risk for Adultery, even if nothing has happened, they could each easily say “well they suck so I deserve it”

But here is the thing. There are situations where reconciliation will not be possible because one party is currently incapable (because of their own baggage) of not causing lasting harm.

Explain the common practice of divorce certificates.

SCRIPTURE Matthew 5:31–32 (NIV)

“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Divorce is like life-threatening surgery. It can be helpful in the right circumstances, but it is not a tool to “get yours.”

Explain what Jesus is NOT saying - Adultery MUST divorce, or ONLY adultery can divorce

REMEMBER: To be fully human is to put reconciliation first.

Oaths

If you think promises will create reconciliation, think again.

Actions speak louder than words.

SCRIPTURE Matthew 5:37 (NIV)

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

REMEMBER: To be fully human is to put reconciliation first.

Reconciliation is dependent on action, not just words. Wrongs are not made right with apologies, they are made right with tangible actions over long periods of time.

Conclusion/ Application

Give a brief summary of Salvation through the lens of reconciliation

Jesus modeled full human-ness on the cross at our hands.

Call to Action

If you believe it, get baptized.

If you need help, reconcile.

If you don;t know how, ask for help

Benediction

Matthew 5:14–16 (NRSV)

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

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