Matthew 5:21-22; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Bible Study – 7/6/22

written by Pastor Nathaniel Jordan – New Gardners Church Of God In Christ
taught on 6/21/22

Matthew 5:21-22

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ ²² But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matthew 5:21-22 (NLT)

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

1 Thessalonians 5:22

Abstain from every form of evil.

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Introduction

1. Christians have been labeled as hate mongers in today’s culture. There may be some validity to this claim because of the way some have handled today’s hot topics. Some have responded in non-loving ways when confronting sin. Instead of confronting the sinner with love, some of us have confronted the sinner with hatred. Instead of hating sin, some of us have hated the sinner.
2. We have to check our motives when dealing with sinners and a good check and balance system for how we approach the sinner is “love”. We must hate the sin, and not the sinner.
3. The lesson today should help us to exhibit love to everyone, not just the saved. This can be done by hating the sin but loving the sinner. We have to take off a spirit of hatred and put on the spirit of love.

Hatred (Matthew 5:21-22)

1. Matthew chapter five is best remembered as the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus spoke to a multitude of people about the Beatitudes, the Similitudes, and Jesus’ fulfilment of the Law. This leads us into our passage this evening.
2. Jesus first brought up the severity of murder. Then He brought up the severity of anger, being angry with someone. The reason Jesus probably brought the two out together is because hatred brings the same judgment as murder.
   • We’ve either said it or heard someone say; “Well at least I didn’t kill anybody” when facing rebuke for a wrongdoing. Well now we see that hatred is just as bad as murder.
3. we must not hate another person, we must not desire to harm or hurt another person. In God’s sight that is like killing him. We must not despise and condemn and insult another person. That is the same as killing his honor, his reputation.

Side Note:

1. There are quite a few hot topic items circulating throughout our communities lately:
   • Gun violence.
   • The justice system.
   • Racial inequality.
   • United States, Mexico border.
   • Abortions
   • Alternative Lifestyles.
2. We are supposed to let our stance be known as representatives of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, not through hatred.
   • There is a right way and a wrong way to take a stance against what God calls sin. Our task, as disciples of Christ is to be witnesses that turn people to Him to be forgiven of their sins, and not drive them deeper in their sin.
   • Ephesians 4:15 lets us know the right way to take a stance against sin and that’s speak the truth in love.

Love (1 Corinthians 13:1-8)

1. It’s good to do all the things we are known to do as Christians. Speak in tongues, prophecy, have strong faith, give to people in need, donate money and goods. But without love, all of what we can do outwardly doesn’t mean anything. Guess what?
2. Sometimes we can be caught up in ourselves. We have to be careful that we don’t let our high mindedness cause us to exhibit an appearance of hatred toward anyone, especially the sinner.
3. We see in verses 4-8 that love suffers long (showing patience to others) and is kind-showing kindness to others. Then we see what love doesn’t do:
4. Love bears all things. The one filled will love protects the reputation of others by not bashing them, ridiculing them or making them feel less than what God created them to be.
5. Love never fails! The kind of love Paul is talking about isn’t a doable thing on our own, but it is possible through the Holy Spirit.

Application

1. Hating sin and not the sinner. Is that possible? Yes!
   • We hate sin be recognizing what sin is and refusing to take part in it and pronouncing that sin is contrary to God’s nature. Sin is to be hated, not excused, embraced or taken lightly.
   • Sin stinks to God.
2. We love sinners by:
   • Showing them respect. 1 Peter 2:17 – Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
   • Pray for them. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 – Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3. It is a true act of love to treat someone with respect and kindness even though you do not approve of his or her lifestyle or sinful choices.
4. It is not loving to allow a person to remain stuck in sin. It is not hateful to tell a person he or she is in sin. In fact, the exact opposites are true. Sin leads to death, and we love the sinner by speaking the truth in love. We hate the sin by refusing to condone, ignore, or excuse it.
5. We must be angry with sin because God is angry with sin (Romans 1:18). But we must not get angry with the sinner. If we do, we ourselves will be sinning; we too will be subject to judgment, God’s final judgment.
6. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Ezekiel 18:32 – For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord GOD. “Therefore turn and live!”
7. Quote: “The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them”.—George Bernard Shaw
8. Remember 1 Thessalonians 5:22 when you attempt to steer someone in the right direction; “Abstain from every form of evil.” Responding with hatred and correction without love is evil. Take off  hatred and put on love!

Resources: New King James Version and New Living Translation Bibles.  | The Applied New Testament Commentary by Thomas Hale. |  Gotquestions.com | Quote from George Bernard Shaw

Bible Study – 7/6/22