DIGGING DEEPER

SERMON ON THE MOUNT:

mATTHEW 5:27-32

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. 

29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

How to interpret Deuteronomy 24:1 (a man may divorce his wife if he finds in her “something indecent”):

• Shammai’s View (Stricter) - serious sexual immorality (like adultery).
• Hillel’s View (More Lenient) - any displeasure, even trivial reasons (e.g., burning a meal).
• Jesus’ teaching on divorce (Matthew 5, 19) = divorce was only permitted due to hardness of heart, not part of God’s original intent, and should be rare and only for grave offenses.

Click HERE for helpful Resources on Christian Sexuality



How familiar are you with God’s plan for human sexuality? How interested are you in exploring what Jesus says about it? And how open are you to rethinking or changing your views and lifestyle accordingly?

Read Matthew 5:27-32 and discuss:

What questions does this spark?

What seems to be the universal principle that’s bigger than the specific application with sexuality and marriage?

How does this relate to the Beatitudes in 5:3-12?

If there are two possible extremes to avoid with Jesus’ teaching, which are you more prone to: dismissing them (too liberal) or being destroyed by them (too literal)?

What are examples of specific applications that could be taken with respect to healthy sexuality and marriage commitment according to God?

What is God calling you to do in light of this?

Next week: Matthew 5:33-42 (email questions to david.brack@asburyseminary.edu)

Reference: Click HERE for our intro series on the Beatitudes

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