“Lifting up Jesus and lifting up each other.” It doesn’t always ring out loud in the auditorium, but it’s always a sweet sound to my heart. I was grateful to be back together last night and continue our walk on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). As we have learned over the past few weeks, Jesus continues to raise the bar, cutting to our hearts.
Last night we honed in on Matthew 5:21-26. He addresses the really obvious sin of murder…a sin most people can write off as not pertaining to them. Recognizing that murder doesn’t tend to randomly show up, Jesus teaches us that if we harbor anger toward a brother or sister in Jesus (in the Church family) we are guilty of murder! We stated it this way last night:
“What’s on the inside always shows up on the outside.” Jesus spoke to this later in chapter 12 – “the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” In other words…our words and actions come from what we allow to brew inside! And that is why Jesus tells us to address the anger, hate, bitterness we harbor toward others so that we don’t end up destroying them.
Other points made:
-Jesus really cares about our careless words (especially our “just kidding”s)
-You cannot be right with God and wrong with others.
-Do your part to make peace.
-Make peace before giving praise.
Questions to ask at the table or when you’re driving in the car:
- What are some things you’ve heard people say you need to be happy? In other words, what do they say is the blessed life? Do you agree/disagree?
- When it comes to relationships, what is the BAD ADVICE people give to those who have been hurt by someone?
- What does Jesus put on the same level as murder? How does He raise the bar even further?
- Why do you think Jesus takes our careless words so seriously?
- What does it mean to be reconciled to someone?
Read James 1:19-27 and James 3:16-18 for insights on what we can/cannot control and what contributes to discord.
ACTION STEPS: DO YOUR PART TO MAKE PEACE!
Who do you need to make peace with?
What impurity might Jesus want to address in you?