TITLE: Love and Law- Allies that Show the True heart of God.

TEXT: Matt 5:22-48

THEME: The laws of the kingdom reveal a heart fully devoted to God.

Imagine

You have a sixteen year old boy who demonstrates a behavior pattern that includes stealing, drugs and sex.

Imagine

You have a sixteen year old boy who demonstrates a behavior pattern that includes stealing, drugs and sex.

Question: What do you do?

Love Must Be Tough

Sometimes suffering consequences is the wake-up call they need to jar them into reality and hitting rock bottom is needed for them to see the need for a course correction.

The love-or-law antithesis is false.

According to Jesus love and law are not opponents but allies, forming together the axis of true morality. Law needs love as its drive, otherwise we get the Pharisaism that puts principles before people

Jesus

God’s Son incarnate, was the perfect man, able truly to say,• “I love the Father” and • “I always do the things that are pleasing to

him” (John 14:31; 8:29).

I John 5:3

“This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.”

How do the laws of the Kingdom reveal a heart for God?

1. All the laws are given to clarify to what it means to love God and

others. (1-11)

Matthew 3:3-11

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Matthew 3:3-11

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

I. All the laws are given to clarify to what it means to love God and

others. (1-11) A. The Beatitudes encapsulate the first four of the Ten Commandments.

I. All the laws are given to clarify to what it means to love God and

others. (1-11) A. The Beatitudes encapsulate the first four of the Ten Commandments.

B. The Beatitudes reveal people:

I. All the laws are given to clarify to what it means to love God and

others. (1-11) A. The Beatitudes encapsulate the first four of the Ten Commandments.

B. The Beatitudes reveal people:1. Who hold God in high regard.

I. All the laws are given to clarify to what it means to love God and

others. (1-11) A. The Beatitudes encapsulate the first four of the Ten Commandments.

B. The Beatitudes reveal people:1. Who hold God in high regard.

2. Who accept hardship as part of their devotion to God.

I. All the laws are given to clarify to what it means to love God and

others. (1-11) A. The Beatitudes encapsulate the first four of the Ten Commandments.

B. The Beatitudes reveal people:1. Who hold God in high regard.

2. Who accept hardship as part of their devotion to God.

3. Who sacrifice for others because of their love for God.

I John 2:3

“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

How do the laws of the Kingdom reveal a heart for God?

II. Christ interprets the Ten Commandments to reveal the heart

of the law. (21-42) A. Commandment Six: You shall not Murder

Matthew 4:21-26

21 “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.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “

Matthew 4:21-26

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

Matthew 4:21-26

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny”

II. Christ’s interprets the Ten Commandments to reveal the

heart of the law. (21-42) A. Commandment Six: You shall not Murder

1. The word addresses malicious unlawful killing

II. Christ’s interprets the Ten Commandments to reveal the

heart of the law. (21-42) A. Commandment Six: You shall not Murder

1. The word addresses malicious unlawful killing

2. Human life is sacred because it bears God’s image.

II. Christ’s interprets the Ten Commandments to reveal the

heart of the law. (21-42) A. Commandment Six: You shall not Murder

1. The word addresses malicious unlawful killing

2. Human life is sacred because it bears God’s image.

3. Man has no right to take the life of others or himself.

II. Christ’s interprets the Ten Commandments to reveal the

heart of the law. (21-42) A. Commandment Six: You shall not Murder

B. Commandment Seven: You shall not commit Adultery

Matthew 5:27-32

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. “

Matthew 5:27-32

“30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. 31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 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.”

B. Commandment Seven: You shall not commit Adultery

1. Sex is for marriage only and between a man and woman.

.

B. Commandment Seven: You shall not commit Adultery

1. Sex is for marriage only and between a man and woman.

2. Sex makes two people one flesh.

.

B. Commandment Seven: You shall not commit Adultery

1. Sex is for marriage only and between a man and woman.

2. Sex makes two people one flesh.

3. Marriage is to be a relation of lifelong fidelity.

.

B. Commandment Seven: You shall not commit Adultery

1. Sex is for marriage only and between a man and woman.

2. Sex makes two people one flesh.

3. Marriage is to be a relation of lifelong fidelity.

4. Other people’s marriages must not be interfered with by sexual intrusion.

II. Christ’s interprets the Ten Commandments to reveal the

heart of the law. (21-42) A. Commandment Six: You shall not Murder

B. Commandment Seven: You shall not commit Adultery

C. Commandment Eight: You shall not bear false witness to his neighbor.

Matthew 5:33-37

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; “

Matthew 5:33-37

“…or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

II. Christ’s interprets the Ten Commandments to reveal the heart

of the law. (21-42) A. Commandment Six: You shall not Murder

B. Commandment Seven: You shall not commit Adultery

C. Commandment Eight: You shall not bear false witness to his neighbor.

D. Commandment Nine: You shall not steal.

Mathew 5:38-42

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

D. Commandment Nine: You shall not steal.

1. Intrinsic to the command is the right to private ownership of wealth and property

D. Commandment Nine: You shall not steal.

1. Intrinsic to the command is the right to private ownership of wealth and property

2. Intrinsic to the command is fair remuneration and restitution.

D. Commandment Nine: You shall not steal.

1. Intrinsic to the command is the right to private ownership of wealth and property

2. Intrinsic to the command is fair remuneration and restitution.

3. Intrinsic to the command is being stewards of what God has given you.

II. Christ’s interprets the Ten Commandments to reveal the

heart of the law. (43-48) A. Commandment Six: You shall not Murder

B. Commandment Seven: You shall not commit Adultery

C. Commandment Eight: You shall not bear false witness to his neighbor.

D. Commandment Nine: You shall not steal.

E. Commandment 10: You shall not covet.

Matthew 5:43-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Matthew 5:43-48

“46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

E. Commandment 10: You shall not covet.

A. Conveys the thought of seeking dishonest and dis-honorable gain.

E. Commandment 10: You shall not covet.

A. Conveys the thought of seeking dishonest and dis-honorable gain.

B. Coveting appears here as first cousin to envy: you see what someone else has, and you want to grab it for yourself,

E. Commandment 10: You shall not covet.

A. Conveys the thought of seeking dishonest and dis-honorable gain.

B. Coveting appears here as first cousin to envy: you see what someone else has, and you want to grab it for yourself,

C. Coveting implies being discontent.

Intervention

How do the laws of the Kingdom reveal a heart for God?

III. At the heart of Kingdom laws is loving even our enemies. (43-48)

Matthew 5:43

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”

Romans 13:8-10

“8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,”

Romans 13:8-10

“You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

Samuel Kunhiyop, author of African Christian Ethics

“Churches are full. We plant churches every week. When I was growing up, the belief was that if you are slapped on one cheek, you turn the other cheek, a passive response. But now the young people are saying, “These guys come and kill us in our churches, destroy our churches and buildings. We’re just supposed to watch them? We’re not going to take this sitting down. We’re going to fight back. They destroy our church; we destroy a mosque. They kill our people; we want to go and kill them.”

Samuel Kunhiyop, author of African Christian Ethics

“We have to work on the Christian response, especially when the government that is supposed to defend us cannot. Gandhi says an eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind. If the Muslims kill us and we kill them, then we kill ourselves. There’s no place where revenge has ever solved any problem. I have never believed that revenge is the way forward. I do believe in active response.”

Samuel Kunhiyop, author of African Christian Ethics

“We have to love them. But with young people, it’s not that easy… The church has not declined in any way. In fact, it is growing stronger. But it is difficult for us in Nigeria when you are forced out of a place that legally is your own. Do we need to love Boko Haram members? Do we need to care for them because they want to kill us? Yes. But they want to make us miserable. They victimize us.”

APPLICATION

We live in a world that equates love and tolerance and takes love to mean that we accept certain behaviors that are immoral and destructive. An example is the gay rights movement which argues that if you don’t agree with their agenda then you are hateful and homophobic. One can, and should, call something as sin and still love the person.

APPLICATION

Love is not the absence of law. They are allies that, when properly understood, complement each other. A loving parent is the one who does give his child guidance, boundaries and discipline. Not the one who has not boundaries.

APPLICATION

Holding a person to account is not the same as being unloving.

C.S. Lewis, “Mere Christianity”

"Do not waste your time bothering whether you ’love’ your neighbor ACT as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him.”