Unpacking Matthew 5 and the Call to Holiness
Last week’s sermon on anger set a profound foundation for our understanding on how deep-seated emotions and unrighted wrongs can disrupt our spiritual and communal life. Continuing this journey, we dove into a teaching that not only challenges but demands a radical reassessment of our internal desires.
The Heart of the Matter: Adultery and Lust
This week as we gathered, we turned to a passage that continues to elevate the conversation from mere behaviour to the intentions of the heart. As we journeyed through verse 27 to 30, we are confronted with a stringent view on adultery, expanding it beyond physical acts to include even the lustful intent harbored within one’s heart, with Jesus teaching that looking at another person with lust is akin to committing adultery.
This shift from external acts to internal intentions highlights a pivotal theme in our faith journey—the transformation of the heart. Jesus wasn’t merely reforming old laws; He was intensifying them to illustrate that righteousness begins within the internal life of each individual.
Lust, as discussed in the message, is defined as a strong sexual desire; however, it is its biblical interpretation that pulls weight—coveting and desiring forbidden things. Rooted in the Greek word Epithumeo, this intense desire extends beyond physical longing to include the covetousness that can lead to multiple forms of sin—murder, theft, false witnessing, and more.
We can trace lust back to Genesis where Eve’s interaction with the forbidden fruit underpins the destructive nature of coveting. It is this misalignment with God’s plan, choosing our desire over His, that leads to downfall and sin. Each covetous thought bears the potential to blossom into actions that break commandments and degrade the moral fabric of our society.
As we named the existential crisis of our age—a crisis of contentment and calling, we came to realise this is exacerbated by a culture that incessantly feeds our desires with the immediacy of material answers. Social media, adverts, films, and more not only contribute to this crisis but complicate our battle against temptations such as lust, materialism, and selfish desire.
Drawing wisdom from Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:11-13 and 1 Timothy 6:6-9, the message emphasizs mastering contentment in all life circumstances. Paul’s teachings remind us that spiritual richness does not equate to material abundance; rather, it is found in the freedom from want, the strength found in Christ to face life’s varying circumstances.
But John writes to the believers in his first letter and in 1 John 2 he shares the origin of sin in all of us; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
The lust of the flesh describes what it means to live life dominated by our senses, the drive for extravagant gratification of all our material desires irrespective of God’s will and plan for our lives.
The lust of the eyes dealt with the realities of pornography—a widespread struggle that is diminishing the quality of personal and spiritual lives. With alarming statistics about its consumption, the effects on relationships, and the spiritual decay it fostiles, the discussion underscored the urgent need for vigilance and proactive measures in our personal lives and within our church communities.
The pride of life is a nod arrogant notion that’s still a reality 2000 years after this letter was written, that we are self sufficient; that we will can do it our way, with our truth on our terms.
As we explored the graphic metaphors Jesus went on to use—gouging out the eye or cutting off the hand that sins, whilst not advocating physical harm, these hyperboles stress the severity with which we must regard sin and the lengths we should go to eradicate it from our lives. Sin’s gravity must be acknowledged if we are to pursue purity of heart and deed.
The sermon concluded with practical steps towards achieving personal purity and communal integrity. From maintaining accountability through technologies and community support to embracing spiritual disciplines that align our desires with God’s will, the call to action was clear.
Our gathering was a potent reminder that while sin is potent, Christ’s power to redeem and transform us is greater. It beckoned us back to the essence of the Gospel—freedom in Christ not just from the penalty of sin but from its pervasive power.
The resonating message from this message was one of hope and actionable faith: Starve the seed of sin and fight earnestly for the crown of life promised to those who persevere. The victorious Christian life is not just about thwarting visible misdeeds but nurturing a heart that wholly delights in God’s law and His love.
Starve the Seed to Win the War: Unpacking Matthew 5 and the Call to Holiness
Last week’s sermon on anger set a profound foundation for our understanding on how deep-seated emotions and unrighted wrongs can disrupt our spiritual and communal life. Continuing this journey, we dove into a teaching that not only challenges but demands a radical reassessment of our internal desires.
The Heart of the Matter: Adultery and Lust
This week as we gathered, we turned to a passage that continues to elevate the conversation from mere behaviour to the intentions of the heart. As we journeyed through verse 27 to 30, we are confronted with a stringent view on adultery, expanding it beyond physical acts to include even the lustful intent harbored within one’s heart, with Jesus teaching that looking at another person with lust is akin to committing adultery.
This shift from external acts to internal intentions highlights a pivotal theme in our faith journey—the transformation of the heart. Jesus wasn’t merely reforming old laws; He was intensifying them to illustrate that righteousness begins within the internal life of each individual.
Lust, as discussed in the message, is defined as a strong sexual desire; however, it is its biblical interpretation that pulls weight—coveting and desiring forbidden things. Rooted in the Greek word Epithumeo, this intense desire extends beyond physical longing to include the covetousness that can lead to multiple forms of sin—murder, theft, false witnessing, and more.
We can trace lust back to Genesis where Eve’s interaction with the forbidden fruit underpins the destructive nature of coveting. It is this misalignment with God’s plan, choosing our desire over His, that leads to downfall and sin. Each covetous thought bears the potential to blossom into actions that break commandments and degrade the moral fabric of our society.
As we named the existential crisis of our age—a crisis of contentment and calling, we came to realise this is exacerbated by a culture that incessantly feeds our desires with the immediacy of material answers. Social media, adverts, films, and more not only contribute to this crisis but complicate our battle against temptations such as lust, materialism, and selfish desire.
Drawing wisdom from Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:11-13 and 1 Timothy 6:6-9, the message emphasizs mastering contentment in all life circumstances. Paul’s teachings remind us that spiritual richness does not equate to material abundance; rather, it is found in the freedom from want, the strength found in Christ to face life’s varying circumstances.
But John writes to the believers in his first letter and in 1 John 2 he shares the origin of sin in all of us; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
The lust of the flesh describes what it means to live life dominated by our senses, the drive for extravagant gratification of all our material desires irrespective of God’s will and plan for our lives.
The lust of the eyes dealt with the realities of pornography—a widespread struggle that is diminishing the quality of personal and spiritual lives. With alarming statistics about its consumption, the effects on relationships, and the spiritual decay it fostiles, the discussion underscored the urgent need for vigilance and proactive measures in our personal lives and within our church communities.
The pride of life is a nod arrogant notion that’s still a reality 2000 years after this letter was written, that we are self sufficient; that we will can do it our way, with our truth on our terms.
As we explored the graphic metaphors Jesus went on to use—gouging out the eye or cutting off the hand that sins, whilst not advocating physical harm, these hyperboles stress the severity with which we must regard sin and the lengths we should go to eradicate it from our lives. Sin’s gravity must be acknowledged if we are to pursue purity of heart and deed.
The sermon concluded with practical steps towards achieving personal purity and communal integrity. From maintaining accountability through technologies and community support to embracing spiritual disciplines that align our desires with God’s will, the call to action was clear.
Our gathering was a potent reminder that while sin is potent, Christ’s power to redeem and transform us is greater. It beckoned us back to the essence of the Gospel—freedom in Christ not just from the penalty of sin but from its pervasive power.
The resonating message from this message was one of hope and actionable faith: Starve the seed of sin and fight earnestly for the crown of life promised to those who persevere. The victorious Christian life is not just about thwarting visible misdeeds but nurturing a heart that wholly delights in God’s law and His love.