SCRIPTURE REFERENCES » Matthew 5

May 13
27

This Week’s Catechism – 5/26

Doctrinal Standard #70 & 71

  • Q. What is the seventh commandment?
  • A. The seventh commandment is: You shall not commit adultery.
  • Q. What does the seventh commandment require?
  • A. The seventh commandment requires us and everyone else to keep sexually pure in heart, speech, and action.


Memory Verses

  • “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: 1 Corinthians 7
  • Support Passages: Genesis 1:26-28, 2:23-24, 39:1-18; Matthew 5:27-32, 19:3-12; Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5:22-33
  • Bible Story: Matthew 5:20-30

Thoughts

  • Parents, I encourage you to begin this healthy discussion with your sons and daughters earlier than later. It is important that we instill a strong biblical worldview about sex early on as our children will be pressured in so many ways to adopt a secular worldview.
  • “Emphasizing the fact that sexual desire, and the proper satisfaction of it, is not wrong. This is evident from the account of creation. When Adam was first created, ‘there was not found a help meet for him [that is, a mate fit for him]’ (Gen. 2:20). And it was God who said, ‘it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make a help for him’ (v. 18). Then, when God had created Eve and brought her to Adam, he prophesied, saying, ‘Therefore, shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh’ (v. 24). Thus we see that even in a sinless state there was sexual urge. It was divinely created. And there was nothing evil in it then, for we read that ‘they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed’ (v. 25). From this we learn that sex desire is not wrong in itself. Neither is it wrong to satisfy or fulfill this sex desire if this is done in the way that God has ordained. The Bible frankly recognizes the fact that it is this need which draws people together in marriage.”
  • We do well, then, to realize the depths of sinful corruption to which men go. God recognized this, and therefore spoke out plainly about these sins in His Old Testament law. What we need to realize is that we ourselves are – by nature – inclined to these same sins (all sexual sin). We need to realize that it is only by the grace of God that we ourselves can escape the corruption that is in the world (2 Peter 1:4). Let us consider, then, the way in which the Lord enables men to rule the impulse of sex to His glory, and then own good. (1) The Bible says that God gives to some the gift of continency. By this we mean that God enables some to live without having sexual relations, by giving them the strength to resist temptation to adultery. Jesus said, ‘there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there are eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it let him receive it’ (Matt. 19:12)… (2)For others, however – and this includes most people – this is not possible. ‘Every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn’ (1 Cor. 7:7-9). Thus, for most, marriage is the God-given means of controlling sexual desire. Even then, however, marriage must be ‘only in the Lord’ (1 Cor. 7:39), that is, between two believers.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What is the seventh commandment?
  • What does the seventh commandment require?
  • What are practical ways to keep sexually pure?
  • What are the two ways the Lord enables us to rule the impulse of sex?(refer to thoughts section)
  • Read Matthew 5:28 and discuss Jesus’ teaching about this commandment.
  • Explain why Jesus is not only concerned with our actions but with our heart?

[1] Williamson, C.I. (2003). The Westminster Shorter Catechism – 2nd Edition. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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May 13
20

This Week’s Catechism – 5/19

Doctrinal Standard #66-69

  • Q. What is the reason for the fifth commandment?
  • A. The reason for the fifth commandment is the promise of long life and prosperity, if these glorify God and are for the good of those who obey this commandment.
  • Q. What is the sixth commandment?
  • A. The sixth commandment is: You shall not murder.
  • Q. What does the sixth commandment require?
  • A. The sixth commandment requires making every lawful effort to preserve one’s own life and the lives of others.
  • Q. What does the sixth commandment forbid?
  • The sixth commandment forbids taking one’s own life or the lives of others unjustly or doing anything that leads to suicide or murder.

Memory Verses

  • “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask” (James 4:1–2, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Matthew 5:21-26
  • Support Passages: James 2:1-13, 4; Exodus 21:12-14; Joshua 20:1-6; Numbers 35:29-34; John 2:13-22; Psalm 144; Matthew 5:38-48
  • Bible Story: Genesis 14:1-16

Thoughts

  • If we are not careful, we can read the Ten Commandments and easily dismiss some of them as commandments that we have never nor will we ever break. We must remind ourselves that all of these commands deal not only with our actions but also with our heart. Matthew chapter five records Jesus talking about this very thing.  “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:21–28). God is not only concerned with our actions but also with our heart. “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander”(Matthew 15:19). Therefore, when we read the Ten Commandments we must be careful to not dismiss some them too quickly as if we have never or will never transgress them.
  • Catechism question sixty-six (What is the reason for the fifth commandment? The reason for the fifth commandment is the promise of long life and prosperity, if these glorify God and are for the good of those who obey this commandment) is combined in this lesson because it reminds of the benefits in honoring our father and mother. The teachings of our fathers and mothers are usually those that are concerned with love for one another and the love of God. Fathers and mothers teach their children character traits and skills that will make them successful and content in this life. If more children honored their father and mother we would see a drastic change in the types of crimes committed each and every day.

Discussion Questions

  • What is the sixth commandment?
  • Have you every sinned against this command?
  • What is Jesus perspective on this command?
  • Where does murder and every other sin come from?
  • If Jesus is concerned not only with our actions but with our heart, how do we deal with our heart?
  • What connection is their between honoring your parents and breaking the sixth commandment?
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Nov 12
18

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #40 & 41

Doctrinal Standard #40 & 41 (1 of 4 weeks)

  • Q. What rules did God first reveal for man to obey?
  • A. The rules He first revealed were the moral law.
  • Q. Where is the moral law summarized?
  • A. The moral law is summarized in the Ten Commandments.

Memory Verses

  • “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished” (Matthew 5:17–18, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Matthew 5:17-20
  • Support Passages: Psalms 1, 19, 25:8-15, 119; Deuteronomy 6:4-9,11:18-32, 30:11-20
  • Bible Story: Matthew 10:17-31

Thoughts

  • Chapter 19.5-19.7 of the Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 with notes from Peter Masters provides a good description on of how the moral law is an important part of the Christian life.
  • “5. The moral law ever binds to obedience everyone, justified people as well as others, and not only out of regard for the matter contained in it, but also out of respect for the authority of God the Creator, Who gave the law. Nor does Christ in the Gospel dissolve this law in any way, but [on the contrary] He considerably strengthens our obligation to obey it.
  • 6. Although true believers are not under the law as a covenant of works, to be justified or condemned by it, yet it is of great use to them as well as to others, because as a rule of life it informs them of the will of God and their duty and directs and binds them to walk accordingly.

    It also reveals and exposes the sinful pollutions of their natures, hearts and lives, and using it for self-examination they may come to greater conviction of sin, greater humility and greater hatred of their sin. They will also gain a clearer sight of their need of Christ and the perfection of His own obedience [to the law on their behalf].

    It is of further use to regenerate people [in self-examination] to restrain their corruptions [sinful tendencies], because of the way in which it forbids sin. The threatening of the law serve to show what their sins actually deserve, and what troubles may be expected in this life because of these sins even by regenerate people who are freed from the curse and undiminished rigours of the law.

    The promises connected with the law also show believers God’s ­approval of obedience, and what blessings they may expect when the law is kept and obeyed, though blessing will not come to them ­because they have satisfied the law as a covenant of works. [To do this would of course require perfect obedience to every part all the time.] If a man does good and refrains from evil simply because the law encourages to the good and deters him from the evil, that is no evidence that he is under the law rather than under grace.

  • 7. The aforementioned uses of the law are not contrary to the grace of the Gospel [the Gospel of undeserved mercy and favour], but they sweetly comply with it, as the Spirit of Christ subdues and enables the will of man to do freely and cheerfully those things which the will of God, which is revealed in the law, requires to be done.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What is a moral?
  • Who decides what is moral? Why
  • Name each of the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5 and Exodus 20).
  • Why are these considered to be moral laws?
  • Can you be accepted before God by keep these commands perfectly? Explain
  • How is someone accepted before God?
  • How do these laws play an important part in the life of a Christian? (see “Thoughts” section).

[1] Masters, Peter (1982). The Baptist Confession of Faith 1689 – Notes by Peter Masters. Ashland, Ohio, USA; BookMasters, Inc.

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