• The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, continued:
  • Point 1: Murder and the law (Matthew 5:21-26)
    • Jesus looks at the roots of murder.
    • Anger, contempt, hatred – murder’s mileposts (I John 3:15)
    • These are attitudes, under our control.
    • Don’t let it fester. (Ephesians 4:26-27)
      • So important, make it right before worshiping.
      • What did God say about sacrifice?
    • Worship not acceptable with the wrong attitude.
    • Don’t let legal adversity linger – get it resolved quickly.
  • Point 2: Adultery and the law (Matthew 5:27-30)
    • Where does adultery begin?
    • Don’t go there.
    • Do whatever it takes not to go there.
  • Point 2 ½: Marriage and divorce (Matthew 5:31-32; Genesis 2:18-25)
    • Adultery was considered very bad.
    • Divorce (other than for fornication) just as bad (Matthew 19:3-9)

[Sorry, no audio available for this lesson.]

• The Bible’s usage of “ekklesia” continued:
  • Local church assembled: I Corinthians 14:26,28
  • Evaluate the following:
    • “I was baptized in the church.”
    • “I was baptized into the church.”
    • “I was baptized into the Benchley church.”
    • “He’s an elder of the church.”
    • “Christ is Head of the church.”
    • “Christ is the head of the church, and elders oversee the church.”
    • “This church established 33 A.D. This building erected in 1994.”
    • The church
      • Its origin: Jerusalem, 33 A.D.
      • Its organization: Elders, deacons, saints, …
• The Bible uses “church” as a collective noun.
  • A collective noun names (collects) a group that is composed of individual members. Examples: A team of players; a pack of wolves; an army of soldiers; a pride of lions; a colony of bats; a family composed of members.
  • Just look at how the word “church” is used. Notice that the Holy Spirit uses the word to refer to a unit of people (either universal or local) who are saved.
    • Acts 8:1,3
    • Acts 11:26
    • Acts 14:26-28
    • I Corinthians 1:2
    • I Corinthians 12:27-28
    • Philippians 1:1 (“church” in Philippians 4:15)
    • Hebrews 12:23
    • Acts 2:41,27 (KJV/NKJV say “church” in Acts 2:47; Acts 5:11)
  • Which is more accurate?
    • The church saves.
    • The church is the saved.

• Introduction
  • Joshua 1:9
  • Hebrews 10:31 – If one is not one of God’s people, he had better be afraid.
  • II Timothy 3:12; II Corinthians 12:7-9
  • Psalms 56:11; Hebrews 3:6
• Be not afraid:
  • To set out boldly for heaven
    • Hebrwes 4:16
    • Hebrews 2:4
    • Ecclesiastes 12:13
  • To use our talents in the service of the Master.
    • I Corinthians 2:1-2 – Paul himself was not a great orator.
    • Matthew 25:15 – Each will be judged according to his ability.
  • To stand for the truth.
    • Ephesians 6:10-18
  • Of the past
    • God will take care of your past if you will let Him!
    • Philippians 3:8,13-14
  • Of the present
    • Hebrews 13:5; John 16:32 – God will not forsake us.
  • Of the future
    • Matthew 10:28; II Timothy 1:12
  • Of death
    • The Christian has no reason to fear death.
  • Of judgment
    • Matthew 5:41
    • We do not have to fear the judgment if we live and die in Christ.

• Proverbs 16
• Proverbs 20:29
• What can older folks do to serve God?
  • Show us what marriage can be.
    • Mark 10:6-9
    • II Peter 2:7-8
  • Use your time for the glory of God.
    • Matthew 25:14-30
    • Psalms 92:12-15 – We should still yield fruit in old age.
  • Transform regret into motivation.
    • I Samuel 3:11-18; 4:15-18 – Eli’s death
    • Psalms 51:12-15
  • Teach the next generation how to live for God.
    • Psalms 71:18,1-9,14-20

• Beatitudes, continued:
  • Persecuted (Romans 8:35-39)
    • Roll over and take it? (Acts 9:22-25)
    • Resist it? (Matthew 10:22-23)
• Remember who you are
  • Salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)
  • Light on a hill (Matthew 5:14; I Thessalonians 1:6-7; I Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7-8)
• The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:17-20)
  • They followed the form
    • Not just as written
    • Also as falsely interpreted (Matthew 15:1-20)
    • They neglected the foundations of the law.