Old Testament Genesis 13:5-15:21
New Testament Matthew 5:27-48
Psalm 6:1-10
Proverb 1:29-33
We Have Issues
is·sue /ˈiSHo͞o/ noun – personal problems or difficulties.
Beginning in Matthew 5 Jesus begins what is known as the Sermon on the Mount. In the second half of chapter 5 Jesus addresses six personal issues we all face in varying degrees.
1. The issue of Anger. Raise your hand if you have never allowed anger to overcome you? I see no hands. This is an issue we all face within and without. That is why Jesus addressed the issue here in Matthew 5.
2. The issue of Lust. Lust can be a wrongful, consuming desire for anything, but here the focus is sexual. This is for both men and women. Men need to guard their eyes and women need to guard their hearts. Sexual lust is so prevalent in our culture that many don’t see the harm done to spouses, children, churches, and communities.
Excursus
For example, consider this blind spot in our popular culture. Last week Bill Cosby sent out a tweet thanking his friends and fans for their support concerning his arrest. His tweet was met with numerous negative responses. In light of the Bill Cosby revelations there has been much scorn, but then you sit down with your sons to watch what is probably America’s real favorite pastime “NCAA football” and there, paraded before their young hungry eyes, is an advertisement for a new movie “Dirty Grandpa.” It appears this movie is all about and older man’s lust. Are you serious? So lust is permissible and portrayed as innocent fun in the movie? What about real life? What about all the women who suffered from a charming comedian, a veneered family values dad, a promoter of education who was filled with lust? In this passage Jesus says when it is in the heart it has gone to far. Do you see our blind spot? Do you have a personal blind spot? (To the boys credit they looked away the first time and the second time they turned the screen off.)
3. The issue of Divorce. This is so prevalent (in part because sexual lust is so accepted) that we barely give it a second thought. Honestly, my heart used to ache a lot more when I heard about divorce than it does now. Yet, when I hear about marital troubles, I still drop to my knees and ask for God to intercede. The consequences and destruction are incalculable for many.
4. This issue of Oaths (Telling the Truth). What if everyone just told the truth? Conversations, controversies, and court cases would look very different. How much time is spent determining if the person you are speaking with is telling the truth?
Matthew 5:37 “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No'”
5. The issue of Retaliation. When we have suffered a hurt or a wrong our natural reaction is retaliation. I am going to get you back for what you did. The proper response, as Jesus states here, is to give. Give kindness, give time, give material possessions, because Christian’s believe good deeds triumph over evil deeds (Romans 12:14-21). This does not mean you are to continue in a harmful or abusive relationship.
6. The issue of Enemies. Enemies come in all shapes and sizes. You may not think you have any enemies, but they are out there. If any immediately come to mind, take time to pray for your relationship with that person to become peaceful and if possible friendly.
Can you see why many also call this “The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached”? The Lord is not afraid to address the issues and go against human reason and wisdom. He does this so we will know the right way to handle the very issues we all face at some level.