On Sunday Nev spoke about how we are to PURSUE LOVE AND PUT AWAY ANGER. Jesus taught,
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.” (Matthew 5:21)
Recent killings in the news show us that anger and murder continue to have a huge impact on our lives. Jesus is making reference to the Sixth Commandment (Exodus 20:13; Deut. 5:18). Here in Matthew 5, Jesus is showing us the true heart of this Command. He continues,
‘But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.’
John puts it this way,
‘Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.’ (1 John 3:15)
Jesus is taking the Old Testament and showing how it is to be applied in light of His coming. Jesus raises the standard – we are not to murder, but we are also to refrain from anger! (Of course, this is not prohibiting godly anger - Eph. 4:26). On top of this, Christians are to take the initiative in pursuing love and peace (See 5:9)
RESPONSE
Let’s allow this text to be like a mirror to us. Are you prone to anger? Do you regularly express hatred? Do you look back and see a trail of broken relationships? As important, are you pursuing love and peace?
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - PURSUE LOVE AND PUT AWAY ANGER
Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Suggested opener/Ice-breaker
What has brought you joy in the news this week?
On Sunday Nev spoke about how we are to PURSUE LOVE AND PUT AWAY ANGER. Jesus taught,
I) DO NOT MURDER
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.” (Matthew 5:21)
Recent killings in the news show us that anger and murder continue to have a huge impact on our lives. Jesus is making reference to the Sixth Commandment (Exodus 20:13; Deut. 5:18).
II) LOVE FULFILS THE LAW
As we saw last week, Jesus said,
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.” (Matthew 5:17)
Jesus is showing us the true heart of this command is to value human life and pursue reconciliation. It seems that the Pharisees and teachers of the law were emphasising that murder was the important thing to avoid. However, God is interested in the heart because it's from the heart that the act of murder flows. Therefore, Jesus continues,
‘But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.’ (Matthew 5:22)
Jesus is taking the Old Testament and showing how it is to be applied in light of His coming. Jesus raises the standard – we are not to murder, but we are also to refrain from unrighteous anger. As Paul writes,
The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law.’ (Romans 13:9-10)
Therefore, it's only as we are positive and actually pursue love, that we are actually keeping God's command as He intended. Christians are to take the initiative in pursuing love and peace (See 5:9). Jesus continues,
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift..." (Matthew 5:23-24)
Discussion questions
1. Did God speak to you about anything in particular from Sunday's message or the blogs this week?
2. Nev shared the difference between righteous and unrighteous anger; righteous anger is limited to 'anger at what makes God angry; it's anger that is rightly measured and controlled.' Do you struggle with unrighteous anger? If so, would you like to share any examples that might help the group?
3. James wrote,
'My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.' (James 1:19-20)