Is Kingdom Living Relevant in a Modern World? #6
Text: Matthew 5:21-26     March 6, 2022 Rick Applegate
Focus Point: Treat sin seriously and deal with it quickly.

1. Obey the heart of God’s commands. (vv.21-23)
“You have heard it said to those of old…” and “But I say to you…” – Jesus is after the heart of the
command.
He is interpreting what it really means.
He is telling us how live by it today.
What’s the point?
• Show no one is innocent before God.
• Show how God takes sin of anger, unresolved conflict, unforgiveness and bitterness,
seriously.
We worship what we shouldn’t and we devalue what we should esteem.
Anger – ongoing, continuous reality.
Insulting words – words of contempt.
You fool – expression of hatred.

2. Deal with unresolved conflict quickly. (vv.23-26)
Inside and Outside the Community of Faith.
Outside (vv.25-26) – deal with things quickly; it is better to be wronged than to have your conflict
or even error made public.
Inside (vv.23-24) – all of this is pre-Cross; resolve conflict before you offer your gift of worship to
God.
How do we apply post-Cross?
Fix what is broken before we “worship”. Worship is in vain if relationships are broken.

3. Delay can bring death.
There are consequences: judgment, council, hell fire; thrown into prison or bad consequences.
“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman
as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not
be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7
“So that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” 2 Corinthians
2:11
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the
devil.” Ephesians 4:26-27