Sermon Tone Analysis

Background Passage

Matthew 4:17-7:29

Lesson Passages

Matthew 5:20-26,38-48

Lesson Passages Outline

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The Standard to Exceed (Matt.

5:20)

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Behavior Toward Friends (Matt.

5:21-26)

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Behavior Toward Difficult People (Matt.

5:38-42)

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Behavior Toward Enemies (Matt.

5:43-47)

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The Standard to Seek (Matt.

5:48)

Biblical Truth

Christians who strive for godly perfection will seek to exhibit genuine righteousness in all their behavior.

Life Impact

To help you strive for godly perfection

Prepare

"As long as I get into heaven, I don't care if the gates catch my robes when they close."

The statement stunned me to say the least.

The man seemingly did not want the best of heaven.

Instead, he would be satisfied to miss out on that and have just the least bit of heaven.

I wondered if he realized what else he was saying.

Didn't he recognize genuine salvation leads to godly behavior?

Did his life exhibit any signs of right living, have any evidence of salvation?

I also wondered if he ever gave any thought to living for God and if that had any place in his life.

Do you demonstrate genuine righteousness in your behavior?

What motivates you to do your best in expressing your faith?

Many polls reveal non-Christians and Christians have nearly the same kinds of behaviors.

In other words faith does not seem to provide an impetus to righteous living.

Some people give up on the notion of godly perfection because they already have decided they cannot achieve it.

However, the Bible specifically teaches us to be holy just as God is holy (Lev.

19:2, 1 Pet.

1:15-16).

This lesson will help people understand the standard of behavior Jesus taught and to examine their lives and decide where they still lack godly perfection.

As you study Jesus' teaching about godly perfection, focus on ways you can encourage adult learners to experience the *Life Impact* of this lesson of striving for godly perfection.

Toward that end, you will want to lead them to identify one new area to work toward this perfection.

As you continue your personal Bible study, prayerfully read the *Background Passage* and respond to the *Study Questions* as well as to the questions in the margins for the September 16 lesson in E/xplore the Bible: Adult Learner Guide./

The Bible in Context (Matt.

4:17-7:29)

After His baptism and temptations in the wilderness, Jesus began His public ministry by proclaiming the nearness of the kingdom of heaven (Matt.

4:17).

He also gathered disciples, taught, healed, and cast out demons (Matt.

4:18-25).

He performed these tasks in Galilee (northern Israel), though people from throughout Israel followed Him.

Matthew's Gospel provides a large block of Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt.

5:1-7:29).

The sermon has instructions on how citizens of the kingdom of heaven should conduct themselves.

It can be divided into five sections.

The first section focuses on what God wants to give citizens of the kingdom (Matt.

5:1-16).

The Beatitudes are the blessings God gives to people who cultivate certain spiritual attributes.

They emphasize the inner motive rather than mere outward conformity.

The second section focuses on behavior.

The remainder of chapter 5 is often called "the antitheses" (Matt.

5:17-48).

Each group of these verses follows the same pattern of Jesus' quoting a familiar law and then illustrating how the right behavior is connected to the motive.

Religious behavior (giving, praying, and fasting) is the focus of the remainder of this section (Matt.

6:1-18).

The third section looks at our priorities (Matt.

6:19-34).

Jesus was particularly concerned to show how anxiety or worry can prevent us from receiving the full benefit of God's blessing.

Relationships are the focus of the fourth section (Matt.

7:1-12).

We are not to be judgmental and condemning of others.

The loving relationship we enjoy with God sets the standard for our relationships with others.

The concluding section (Matt.

7:13-29) presents a challenge to choose wisely.

Our decisions have eternal consequences.

The Standard to Exceed (Matt.

5:20)

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter  the kingdom of heaven.

*Verse 20.*

This verse has caused many Christians undue confusion.

Several important points should clear up this confusion.

First, Jesus intended this verse as a rebuke to the *scribes and Pharisees.*

[See /Exploration:/ "Scribes and Pharisees," p. 42.] Jesus opposed them throughout His ministry (see Matt. 23).

He would not have held them up as a positive role model.

Their righteousness was not genuine.

Second, Jesus gave this teaching to rebuke those who might believe Christianity is unconcerned with behavior.

The church has always faced the challenge of "grace abusers" or people who view grace as an opportunity to engage in sin, knowing they will be forgiven.

Here and in Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus clearly indicated the law is an important standard of behavior and will be fulfilled.

Behavior matters.

Standards are important.

Third, Jesus did not intend this passage to define a means of salvation.

Under no circumstances should we present the gospel in terms of obeying more laws than the Pharisees.

To become kingdom citizens we do not need to wash our hands more often, or more severely limit activities on the Sabbath, or engage in more of the activities that characterized scribes and Pharisees.

*/And Today./*

We certainly do not need more Pharisees in the church today!

They might all tithe.

They might attend every service, even Sunday night.

They might fill every committee.

If our churches were full of Pharisees, however, everything would look good from the outside; but something would be radically wrong on the inside.

The law had become the focus for the scribes and Pharisees.

They obeyed the law and ignored basic human needs.

Christianity is couched in love and grace, founded on a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Rules define the scribes and Pharisees.

Relationship defines the Christian.

We must remember how we are approaching this study of Matthew.

This Gospel provides answers to questions of Christians, especially new believers.

One such question concerns the law in particular and behavior in general.

Each lesson title answers a question that is likely to be asked by these Christians.

Concerning behavior and the law we must continue to strive for godly perfection.

Behavior matters.

We are not to try and "out Pharisee the Pharisees" but rather have a relationship with Christ that impels us to live in a way that honors Him.

We are to express genuine righteousness.

Behavior Toward Friends (Matt.

5:21-26)

21 "You have heard that it was said to our ancestors,  Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment.

22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.

And whoever says to his brother, 'Fool!' will be subject to the Sanhedrin.

But whoever says, 'You moron!' will be subject to hellfire.

23 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar.

First go and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.  25 Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you're on the way with him, or your adversary will hand you over to the judge, the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison.

26 I assure you: You will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny!