Let Your ‘Yes’ Be ‘Yes’

Sun. 6/29/2008

Matthew 5:21-37

Key verse: 5:37

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

Read verses 21-26.  The sixth commandment says, “You shall not murder” (Ex 20:13; Deut 5:14.  What more did Jesus have to say about this commandment (22)?  How are anger and murder related?  Why is anger a hindrance to coming to God (Eph 4:26; Mt 18:32-35; Mk 11:25)?  What should we do about it (23-24)? 

Jesus said that anger is subject to the same judgment as murder.

Anger is the seed of murder.  Murder begins in the heart with angry thoughts.

First, anger is a sin, and sin is what hinders us from coming to God.  Second, Jesus came to forgive our sins, so we also need to forgive others.

We need make up with our brother or sister, and be freed from our anger.  

Read verses 27-30.  The seventh commandment says, “You shall not commit adultery” (Ex 20:14; Deut 5:15).  What more did Jesus say about this commandment (28)?  How can your eye or hand cause you to sin?  What shows the seriousness of sin?

Jesus said that looking lustfully is already adultery in our heart

(Give and ask for examples).  Sin in our heart influences what we look at and what we touch.  

Sin is more serious than losing a part of our bodies.        

Read verses 31-32.  How does Jesus view divorce?  What does this say about the commitment of marriage?

Jesus views divorce as adultery, or unfaithfulness.

Marriage is a lifetime commitment.

Skim through verses 33-37.  What does verse 37 tell us about the importance of keeping our word?  Give an example of when you have said ‘Yes’ to something, but not kept your word.  Is there anything you shouldn’t do, but have trouble saying ‘No’ to? 

Not keeping our word is a sin.  “[Satan] is a liar and the father of all lies” (John 8:44).   

(Give and ask examples)

(Give and ask examples)