2009-09-06 Character in Shoe Leatherpub

							“Character
                                                                                  3. The protection of marriage vv. 31-32
                                                 in                                  “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a
                        Shoe Leather”                                                certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you ...” v. 31

                      Matthew 5:21-48
                      (Church Bible p. 959 )                                      4. The protection of speech vv. 33-37
                                                                                     “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do
                                                                                     not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’
The Sermon on the Mount is all about obedience in the trenches.                      But I say to you ...” v. 33
Jesus may have spoken these words on the mountainside, but He                        “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything be-
intended them to be obeyed in the everyday grind.                                    yond this comes from the evil one.” v. 37
“Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and
teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of
heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be                  5. The protection of relationships vv. 38-48
called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19                                 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
“I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17                  But I say to you ...” v. 38
Rather than removing the bar, Jesus raises the bar.                                  •   Protecting our Actions vv. 38-42
“But I tell you …” 8X v.18, 20, 22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44                               •   Protecting our Attitudes vv. 43-48

Five Arenas Where the Shoe Meets the Pavement
1. The protection of human life vv. 21-26
   “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not               Talk about raising the bar …
   murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’” v. 21               “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” v. 48
   •    Murderous Attitudes                                                          “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I
         “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be           have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ” v. 17
         subject to judgment.” v. 22a
    •   Murderous Words
         “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.” v. 22b

2. The protection of human sexuality vv. 27-30
    “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’” v. 27
    •   Adulterous Thoughts, Looks and Desires
         “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already                         Finding Significance - #4
         committed adultery with her in his heart.” v. 28                                                 Fred A. Hartley III, Lead Pastor
                                                                                                   September 6, 2009   Lilburn Alliance Church
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