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Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 28 : THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Text: Matthew 5:27-32
10 July 2022

INTRODUCTION

1. The Ten Commandments

a) They are also called “The Moral Law”
b) Another aspect of the Law of Moses is “The Civil Law”
c) The third aspect is the “Ceremonial (Religious) Law”

2. The 7th Commandment prohibits committing adultery

THE TEACHING OF THIS LAW

27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
30 And if your right hand causes you to [k]sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
31 “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’
32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except [l]sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

Matthew 5:27-32

1. The legalistic way of understandings this law

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.”

Matthew 5:27

a) The focus is “adultery” itself
b) The Moral Law is interpreted in the light of the Civil Law
c) The Moral Law has deeper implications not covered by the Civil Law
d) This approach had been taken by the religious teachers in Israel for a long time

2. The Teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ

“But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Matthew 5:28

a) The Lord Jesus went much deeper
b) Committing adultery
i) It is not limited to the actual commitment of this Law
ii) If a person lusts after another person, adultery has already been committed

3. Addressing the problem of sin

29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
30 And if your right hand causes you to [k]sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Matthew 5:29-30

a) A person sins because of different causes:

i) The right eye
ii) The right hand
b) The cause of the sin must be recognised and removed
c) If the cause is not removed, it would lead to deeper problems
d) The loss of an important thing (eye, hand) is less than the loss of the whole being
e) One could end up with divine punishment in hell

4. A closely related issue: “Divorce”

31 “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’

32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except [sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

Matthew 5:341-32

a) Divorce was treated as a Civil Law issue
i) Reference was made to the Laws of Moses
ii) Moses had permitted divorce Deuteronomy 24:1
iii) Thus, people feel they can apply this Law
b) The Moral Law aspect was not brought in at all
i) This was left out conveniently
ii) But can the Moral Law be left out so easily?
c) The Lord Jesus brought in the Moral aspect
i) Divorce was allowed if a spouse commits adultery
ii) This is understandable
d) But the current practice in the days of the Lord Jesus was very lax
i) Divorce was made easily available
ii) Different excuses could be made up that would lead to a Law
iii) Court granting certificates of Divorce easily
e) A solemn word of warning
i) Divorce can cause people to end up committing adultery
ii) Divorce was not to be contemplated except for extreme circumstances

CONCLUSION

1. The Lord Jesus upheld the Laws of God

a) Civil Law
b) Moral Law

2. They were given for the good of mankind and society

a) The laws of God teach great morals
b) The Moral law ought to be upheld and not set side by the Civil Law

3. The problem of Sin

a) The Civil Law cannot deal with sin effectively
b) The Moral Law must be applied
c) The grace and mercy of the Lord must be humbly sought
d) Only then can sin be dealt with effectively