“The Priority of Relationships and Reconciliation”
Matthew 5:21-26 May 18, 2008 Play
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- 1.
The Deadliness of Contempt
- a.
Resistance
to foreign aid grave mistake in Myanmar
- b.
Some
reconciliation with Japan / Taiwan as help China
- 2.
Law, Torah, and Teaching: Restrictive or
Supportive?
- a.
Focus
of Jesus’ teaching on God’s Kingdom, internal obedience (5:20; 7:21;
6:33)
- b.
‘Torah’
instruction - less restrictive than ‘law’ (Prov 2:1,20ff)
- c.
Matthew
portrays Jesus as new ‘Moses’: teaching saves life from storms
- 3.
Abusive Remarks: The Priority of Respect
- a.
Not
just murder, but anger and derogatory words forbidden (21f)
- b.
God
looks for inner righteousness: put away anger, abusive speech (Col 3:8;
Jas
3:9f; 4:11f)
- c.
JI
Packer resists blasting unorthodox bishop for undeserved discipline
- 4.
Be Reconciled: The Priority of Relationships
- a.
Be
reconciled before offering gift at altar (23f)
- b.
Love
for God linked to love for neighbour: mercy if have been merciful (Mt
22:37ff;
Jas 2:8,13; 2Cor 5:18ff)
- c.
Offended
man sorted through angry feelings before having communion
- 5.
Conciliatory Measures or Captivity
- a.
Urgency
of settling matters before penalty of prison (25f)
- b.
Danger
of ‘fire of hell’, also captivity to bitterness/conflict
- c.
Live
deeper than pagans pursuing food, clothes but heading for destruction
(6:31f;
7:13f)
- 6.
Already Out of Prison
- a.
Pastor
overcame difficulty forgiving son’s murderer
- b.
grew
together in Christ, freedom (Gal 5:1)