The Bethany Bullet Sermon Message - Week of February 16, 2020

Sermon Message: “It Goes Without Saying”

Text: Matthew 5

As He is speaking to those who know the commandments quite well, Jesus gives a new perspective of their meaning.  "You've heard it said, 'Do not murder' I say to you anyone who calls their brother a fool is guilty of such."  "You've heard it said, 'Do not commit adultery' I say to you anyone who looks lustfully at another is guilty of adultery in their heart."

Jesus expands the Commandments in order to eliminate the ability to self-congratulate.  Think back to the last time someone cut you off on the 405, swiped the parking space you'd been waiting for or refused to pull up to the open pump at Costco.  Was "Fool!" heard falling from your mouth?  A four letter word not as PG? 

Couldn't or wouldn't take your eyes off that Super Bowl half time show...

It goes without saying… that Jesus has made it impossible to claim we've kept the Commandments in both the letter and the spirit of the law.

Immediately thereafter Jesus commands perfection of us.  It goes without saying we can't fulfill such a law; and it goes without saying that He has.  Never once did He in deliberation, desire or deed break the law.  His perfection is ours through faith. 

It goes without saying… that those who have received His righteousness through faith are called to be righteous in life.  Discipleship, Spiritual Formation, therefore is not just a head (knowledge) issue but a heart (trust and desire) and hand (action) issue. 

Lent is a wonderful opportunity to embrace discipleship and seek to Form Spiritually in such a way that in head, heart and hand, we who have been declared righteous through faith live out that righteousness in our lives.

– Pr. Kevin Kritzer