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MATTHEW 5: 21 - 26

"THOU SHALT NOT KILL"

Intro: "Except your righteousness exceed..."

I. "THOU SHALT NOT KILL."
        A. Whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment
        B. Was not this a law? "Thou shalt not kill."
                1. Yes,  but Pharisees add - whosoever shall kill, etc.
                2. Is that not also in the law? Num. 35:30,31.
                3. Yes, but by putting them together - reduce the to just one facet, actual
                   murder.
        C. Secondly, they reduced the punishment or judgment to civil magistrates.
                1. Reduced it to murder only its punishment to civil courts only. I have kept
                   this law command.

II. "BUT I SAY UNTO YOU."
        A. What matters is the Spirit not the letter.
                1. Whosoever is angry with his brother is in danger of the judgment.
                2. We should not express feelings of contempt. "Whosoever shall say to his
                   brother Racca (vain fellow)."
                        a. Out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts, murders...
                        b. You can destroy a man's reputation.
                3. Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
                        a. Expression of abuse.
                        b. Bitterness and hatred of heart expressing itself in words.
                4. What about Christ's words of anger, "Ye fools and blind..." speaking as
                   judge.
        B. Our attitude is not negative but positive.
                1. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar.
                2. Take positive steps to set things right.
        C. Terrible danger of trying to balance evil with good behavior. Pharisees experts.
                1. I Sam. 15 - SauI.
        D. Agree with thine adversary.