IF LOOKS COULD KILLMatthew 5:21-26

THE DISCIPLE’S HANDBOOKStudies in the Sermon on the Mount

THE DISCIPLE’S HANDBOOK

Disciple’s Character

Code

Worship Economy

Relationships

Choices

THE DISCIPLE’S CODEGood Enough (5:17-20)

If Looks Could Kill (5:21-26)

Flames of Desire (5:27-30)

Breaking Up is Hard … on You! (5:31-32)

To Tell the Truth (5:33-37)

Sweet Revenge (5:38-41)

I Love Him … I Love Him NOT! (5:43-48)

THE DISCIPLE’S CODEGood Enough (5:17-20)

If Looks Could Kill (5:21-26)

Flames of Desire (5:27-30)

Breaking Up is Hard … on You! (5:31-32)

To Tell the Truth (5:33-37)

Sweet Revenge (5:38-41)

I Love Him … I Love Him NOT! (5:43-48)

2%22%

76%

1. When Jesus said "You have heard that it was said ... But I tell you ..." what was he doing?

Doing away with the OT law entirelyGiving his personal opinion about the OT lawReplacing the OT law with a different lawGiving his disciples a fuller understanding of what the OT law was really about

UNRESOLVED ANGER IS SIN

Matthew 5:21-22

Matthew 5:21-22

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

20%

9%

72%

2. Why do you think Jesus said that the one who harbors anger is subject to the same judgment as the person who

commits murder?

Anger is a dangerous emo-tion that can lead to violenceMurder can be the result of harbored angerAnger violates God's command to love

31%

69%

3. Which of the following do you think is more important?

Self-control that keeps the disciple from acting on his/her emotionsThought-control that keeps the disciple from harboring harmful attitudes

Misunderstandings about this verse:

NOT the same as murder

NOT just as bad as murder

NOT, in itself, sinful

Initially a response, not a choice

“Raca” and “fool” are insults

“Hell” is “Gehenna”

God takes anger seriously

Notice the structure in this verse:• Anyone who murdersYou have heard

• Anyone who is angryBut I tell you

• Anyone who says “Raca”Again

• Anyone who says “Fool”But

2 Corinthians 12:20

For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.

Ephesians 4:26-27, 31

In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. … Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Colossians 3:8

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

1 Timothy 2:8

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

James 1:19-20

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

RECONCILIATION IS IMPORTANT

Matthew 5:23-24

Matthew 5:23-24

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

Matthew 18:15-17 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, … 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church…

4%

96%

4. Why should we resolve conflicts with fellow believers as quickly as possible?

It eliminates stress that can contribute to physical and emotional illnessOur attitudes toward others reflect our relationship with God

RECONCILIATION IS URGENT

Matthew 5:25-26

Matthew 5:25-26

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he 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 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

28%

72%

5. How could a person pay a debt if he/she was in debtor's prison?

He/she could work as a day laborer to earn money to pay back the debtUnless someone came to pay the debt for the prisoner, he/she would probably die there

A broader principle

• Urgent to avoid consequences Consequences of unresolved anger

• To bring repentance (Godward)• To bring reconciliation (manward)

God will discipline you

• Don’t make God get the big stick God can increase the pressure

PRACTICAL ADVICE ABOUT ANGER

Anger is an Alarm

Can you put it away?

Three techniques:Silence Breathe Smile

Shift perspectivesWill this matter in a year? month? week?

Still bothering you? Talk to them!

Be as calm as you can be

Be willing to listen

Forgiveness is for you

Still bothering you? Talk to them!

Be as calm as you can be

Be willing to listen

Forgiveness is for you

Still bothering you? Talk to them!

Be as calm as you can be

Be willing to listen

Forgiveness is for you

UNRESOLVED ANGER IS A SIN

Let Jesus deal with your sin once and for all