It Begins withthe HeartRev. Kay Carolino5 January 2013Marikina Foursquare Gospel ChurchMatthew 5:13-20 (NLT)

Jesus’ Requirement

Higher level

of righteousn

ess

19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 5:19

20…unless your righteousnessis better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

Matthew 5:20

I. Murder21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’

I. Murder

“raca” -idiot; good for nothing!

“mowros”-fool; moron

I. Murder

Leave your gift

and go your way

II. Adultery27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

II. Adultery

It does not just happen when actually committed but what is

inside the heart

II. Adultery

II. Adultery

“blepon”continuously looking rather than just

casting a passing glance.

II. Adultery

Jesus was asking the Christiansto make a radical sacrifice or

drastic measures to avoid temptations to sexual sin

II. Adultery

I HATEDIVORCE!

II. AdulteryGod hates divorce

because of its devastating impacton family units.

God hates violencebecause it destroys people’s lives

and causes fear in a society.

II. Adultery11 This is what the LORD says:

“The people of Edom have sinnedagain and again, and I will not let them go unpunished!They chased down their relatives, the Israelites, with swords, showing them no mercy.In their rage, they slashed them continually and were unrelenting in their anger.

John 3:6-126 Humans can reproduceonly human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.

7 So don’t be surprised when I say,‘You must be born again.’

8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the windbut can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”9 “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.

John 3:6-12

10 Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things?11 I assure you, we tell you whatwe know and have seen, andyet you won’t believe our testimony.

John 3:6-12

12 But if you don’t believe me whenI tell you about earthly things,how can you possibly believeif I tell you about heavenly things?

John 3:6-12

GenuineRepentance

30 “Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign LORD. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you!

Ezekiel 18:30-32

31 Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel?32 I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn back and live!”

Ezekiel 18:30-32

new

heart

new spirit

Get a