A poem written by Ruth Bell Graham in honor of Mother's Day, expressing a mother's prayer and the comfort of God's understanding.

A Mother's Day Poem

Exploration of the concept of righteousness in the Gospel of Matthew, contrasting it with Paul's epistles and discussing the rich young ruler's failure to embody true righteousness.

Understanding Righteousness in Matthew

Jesus' teaching on the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the need for a change of heart and providing practical examples of whole person behavior.

The Sermon on the Mount

Jesus' emphasis on reconciliation and harmony in personal relationships, addressing anger and the importance of being right before God and others.

Reconciliation and Personal Relationships

Jesus' teaching on adultery, focusing on the internal condition of the heart and the need to address unrepentant sin and desires.

Adultery in the Heart

Discussion on the need to quench impure thoughts and the consequences of harboring anger, emphasizing the importance of repentance and purity of heart.

Quenching Impure Thoughts

C.S. Lewis's perspective on the significance of daily decisions and the compound effect of good and evil choices.

The Importance of Daily Decisions

Discussion on the importance of guarding one's heart and the impact of sexual immorality on the condition of the heart.

Guarding the Heart and Sexual Morality

Insightful teachings on marriage, divorce, adultery, and the responsibilities of husbands and wives.

Teaching on Marriage and Divorce

Reflection on the nature of marital relationships, the responsibilities of spouses, and the impact on future generations.

Examination of Marital Relationships

Recap of the main teachings and a heartfelt Mother's Day prayer.

Summary and Mother's Day Prayer

- The speaker begins by acknowledging Mother's Day and reciting a poem by Ruth Bell Graham.
- The sermon focuses on the concept of righteousness as understood by Matthew in the Gospel of Matthew.
- Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount are discussed, with a focus on the internal nature of righteousness.
- Three practical examples of whole person behavior according to Jesus are provided.
- The sermon emphasizes the need for a change of heart in order to achieve greater righteousness.
- The structure of Jesus' teaching and the example of anger as a form of murder are discussed.

- The speaker reads from Matthew 15:18 about the importance of the heart's condition
- He reflects on Mother's Day and the relationship with his own mother
- He encourages those with strained relationships with their mothers to seek reconciliation
- Jesus' love for mothers is highlighted, as well as his concern for personal relationships within the church
- The importance of reconciling with others and letting go of anger is emphasized
- The need to address conflicts swiftly and admit guilt is mentioned

- It is important to make things right quickly to avoid legal issues
- Jesus emphasizes the importance of being right before God and others
- Adultery in the heart is addressed, with focus on the condition and intent of the heart
- Sin begins in the mind and needs to be quenched before it leads to action
- Practical application is discussed, with the need to avoid stumbling and remove triggers
- A fictional example is given to illustrate how emotional issues can lead to destructive behavior

- The speaker quotes C.S. Lewis on good and evil, emphasizing the importance of daily decisions
- He discusses the use of pornography by both men and women and the importance of guarding the heart
- Jesus's teaching on divorce and remarriage is explained, with emphasis on the condition of the heart
- The speaker encourages examining the heart in relationships and treating spouses in a way that reflects God's nature
- The big idea is that greater righteousness requires a change of heart, and examples from Jesus's teachings are given to illustrate this point

- The prayer is for mothers to be loved and cherished on Mother's Day
- Gratitude is expressed to God for creating each person in their mother's womb
- Mothers are asked to be surrounded by love and to feel appreciated
- The focus is on the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit
- The prayer asks for blessings of joy and gratitude on Mother's Day

The sermon on Mother's Day focuses on the concept of righteousness as understood by Matthew in the Gospel of Matthew. It emphasizes the need for a change of heart to achieve greater righteousness, with practical examples and teachings from Jesus. The speaker also reflects on Mother's Day, encourages reconciliation with mothers, and emphasizes the importance of addressing conflicts and guarding the heart. The prayer is for mothers to feel loved, appreciated, and blessed on Mother's Day."""

In honor of Mother's Day, I'd like to begin with a poem written by Ruth Bell Graham.

Her husband was evangelist Billy Graham, and her poem is called A Mother's Day poem.

Listen, Lord, a mother's praying, low and quiet.

Listen, please, listen what her tears are saying.

Lift the load from her bowed shoulders till she sees and understands you who hold the worlds together, hold her problems in your hands.

I want to acknowledge that if your mother is no longer with you, or if your mother, Or if your spouse who was a mother is no longer with you, or if you're a mom who lost a child, or if you are unable to conceive a child, or if you are single, that God hears your prayers, he sees your tears, he knows your heart, he understands, and the God who holds the world together will comfort you in the palm of his hand.

Last week we journeyed to the top of the mountain where we got to see a panoramic view of the Gospel of Matthew, where righteousness is a key theme.

And I really wanted us to understand the definition of righteousness as understood by Matthew as we read in the Gospel of Matthew as we hear in the Sermon on the Mount because it is different from how the word righteousness is used by Paul in his epistles.

And so if we understood the word righteousness, we'd have a better understanding of the context of the teaching of what we were reading.

We asked ourself if there is more to life than what is found in Solomon Grundy's nursery rhyme, which breaks down an individual's life into the days of the week.

We also heard about a rich young ruler who failed miserably, unable to love his neighbor or to take care of the poor because of his great riches and this served as an obstacle of what true righteousness as defined by Matthew does not look like.

According to Jesus' sermon on the mount, a blessed life, a flourishing life, a good life, is 1 that requires a greater righteousness than that of the Pharisees.

Being right before God and right before others.

You see, the Pharisees, their understanding of righteousness is that it was all about being right with God.

They failed most of the time right with others because it was about the external, not the internal, not what was inside their heart.

If not, I'm trying to bridge it now for you.

You see, from our definition last week, we also had a big idea, and I might have said it once or twice.

Righteousness is whole person behavior that accords with God's will, nature, and coming kingdom.

And this morning as we continue our study on this Sermon on Mount, Jesus is going to provide 3 practical examples of what whole person behavior looks like.

You will recall Jesus' words from Matthew 5 verse 17, 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.

And Jesus here in our passage this morning, he is going to show them, he is going to tell them what this fulfillment looks like, how it's going to incur.

He's going to teach them that it's about an internal righteousness.

And I promise you this, this morning, Jesus's statements, they're going to be challenging, they're going to be compelling, and they are going to cut to the heart.

So this week's big idea is greater righteousness requires a change of heart.

Now before we proceed I'd like to point out a couple of observations regarding the structure of Jesus's teaching so that we'll have a greater appreciation as we go through it.

First, as we read through each of these teachings, we are gonna notice something.

Jesus is gonna say, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago.

You have heard that it was said to the people long ago.

You have heard that it was said, and it has been said.

3 different ways of saying the same thing.

And Jesus, what he is doing in each of the examples, he's pulling back the curtain on Israel's history and is reminding them what was written in Torah.

You have heard what it was said in the past, but I now say to you, and with that, he provides practical examples.

So in each of these 3 examples or exegesis that we are going to see.

We have a reference to Torah, an explanation by Jesus, and then a practical explanation provided by Jesus.

That's what we're looking at this morning.

So please turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 5 beginning at verse 21.

You have heard that it was said to those of old, you shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.

But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.

And whoever says to his brother, Rahka, shall be in danger of the council.

But whoever says, you fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

You will notice that there is a reference to Torah.

Jesus is quoting Exodus chapter 20 verse 13, 1 of the 10 Commandments, when he says, you shall not murder.

Many of you might be familiar with Statistics Canada.

They produce statistical data and insight to help Canadians better understand the country's population, resources, economy, society, culture.

I'm convinced, tongue in cheek, that if you looked up murder in the year 1 AD under statistics Israel, if there was such a thing, that the number of reported murders were significantly limited, especially under the teaching, rule, authority of the Pharisees.

So when Jesus is saying these words, everyone who takes pride in the fact that they were not murderers, are now challenged.

Because Jesus says, you can't even have murderous thoughts.

Jesus, he's addressing a specific issue regarding the fulfillment of righteousness.

He is saying that when we are angry with a brother or a sister, Someone who is made in the very image of God.

That this is not whole person behavior that accords with God's nature, will, and coming kingdom.

Jesus equates the consequences of anger with the same judgment as murder.

And maybe we did not verbally call someone a moron or a fool, But maybe we thought it.

Jesus in this passage is speaking about a greater righteousness that requires a change of heart.

When we consider the 10 Commandments, they were never intended solely to be used as rules etched on stones.

That's what the rich young man ruler failed to understand when he asked Jesus, what must I do to receive eternal life?

Obedience was never intended to be an external act.

Rather, it requires a change of the heart.

Last week we talked about internal versus external purity.

We read from Matthew chapter 15 verse 18, but what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart and this defiles a person for out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander, these are what defile a person.

Jesus deeply cares about the wholeness of a person and the condition of our heart for what comes out of it, that is what defiles a person.

Today is Mother's Day, a day when we honor mothers.

I am so grateful for my mother and the relationship I have with her.

That's why she tells me repeatedly that I need to sleep more, to eat less, to lose weight, and to visit her more often.

And I don't always do a great job showing my appreciation to her or holding my tongue.

Sometimes I get angry, but my mom and I, we always make right, and I love my mother, and I know she loves me, and my wife, and my 3 children, And I know that her criticism comes from a good place.

But I wonder if there are here some this morning that are hurting because of the type of relationship they have with their mother or the type of relationship they don't have with their mother.

Perhaps they haven't spoken to their mother in a while over something that was said or done a long time ago.

If that is you, I am truly sorry for the pain that you are experiencing, and I want to encourage you as best as possible to move past that anger, to reach out if possible to your mother, and to make things right as best as you can.

Not only because that anger and bitterness is unhealthy, but because it is what Jesus would have you do.

And if your mother is no longer with you, pray to God that he will remove the hurt from your heart.

Jesus deeply cares for mothers, including his own.

During Jesus' crucifixion, as he hung nailed to a cross, beaten, bleeding, and publicly tortured for our sins, he looks out into the crowd, and he sees his mother, the 1 who gave him birth, the 1 who fed him, the 1 who clothed him, the 1 who took care of him, the 1 who taught him the scriptures.

Kind of what Ishi was sharing this morning as she shared what it's like to be a new mother.

And at that moment, as Jesus hung from the cross, 1 can only imagine what he was thinking, feeling, as he saw in horror, or the horror, the look of horror on his mother's face.

We read in John chapter 19, when Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, woman, behold your son.

Then he said to the disciple, behold your mother.

This morning we sang about beholding Jesus.

To behold means to look at something with incredible appreciation, to gaze upon, the way we do if we saw a sunset or an eclipse or whatever happened this weekend that I missed it.

When Jesus sees his mother, he beholds her.

In 1 of the most profound, but also 1 of the saddest moments, he is there to comfort her, to make sure that she will be taken care of when he is no longer there by the disciple that he loves.

Time, in a sense, is put on hold for Jesus to honor his mother in this very real and special and moving way.

Chauffeur, cook, clean, counsel, nurse, etc, etc., etc., and all those countless things seen or unseen.

You know, as a husband and as a child, I don't think we will always fail to appreciate you as much as you deserve to be appreciated.

But know this, just as Jesus looks out and he beholds his mother, Jesus looks out and he sees you, just as you are.

And your value is not in what you do, your value is in Christ and Christ alone.

Continuing in chapter 5 verse 23, Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you leave your gift there before the altar and go your way.

First be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift.

Jesus is concerned with personal relationships within the church.

The issue here is how can a person truly worship God if that individual is angry with a brother or sister in Christ?

Jesus says go, leave your gift at the altar and be reconciled with that individual who has something against you.

To be reconciled means to coexist in harmony, and that's what Jesus desires.

And sometimes this reconciliation can only happen through the help of the Holy Spirit.

Lewis wrote in the Screwtape Letters, it does not matter how small the sins are, provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the many away from the light and out into the nothing.

Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick.

Indeed, the safest road to hell is the gradual 1, the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.

Murder is no better than cards, if cards can do the trick.

Allow me to suggest that murder is no better than anger if anger can do the trick.

Hard to be the salt to the earth and the light to the world if we are harboring anger.

We need to examine our hearts, as painful as that may be.

We need to repent, which means or requires a change of heart, a change of mind, a change of action, otherwise we are killing and being killed with murderous thoughts and words.

We should not let anger linger because it will grow and consume us.

If we want to flourish, We need to release our anger and replace it with God's love.

And this is often made easier for me when I think about and remember the cost of my anger to Jesus, my sin displayed on that cross at Calvary where he died for me.

Agree with your adversary quickly while you are on the way with him.

Lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer and you be thrown into prison.

Assuredly I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

Here we have an example of a conflict that exists outside of the church, and Jesus is saying that all matters of contention should be dealt with swiftly, especially when there is a reluctance to admit guilt.

The judge might rule against you, might cost you a lot more than just a settlement.

I can tell you from personal experience that after receiving a letter from the Department of Justice, and remember they have the dual mandate to support the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of Canada, and if that sounds bad, just imagine how scary it is when you receive a letter.

It's always better to cooperate, especially when you are innocent.

Otherwise, you pony up for lawyers, it becomes expensive, you drag the issue to the court, sleepless nights, not fun, and you don't know what the outcome may be.

Jesus says this, he says, what you need to do is you need to be right before God, and you need to be right before others.

That's where we need to address unrepentant sin.

Greater righteousness requires a change of heart.

These are the 3 teachings that we have in Matthew 5 and we're not going to shy away from them and I apologize for that on Mother's Day and that's why I'm trying to make connections that are personal and real in everyday life.

But Jesus is now going to move along and he is now going to address adultery in the heart.

You have heard that it was said to those of old, you shall not commit adultery, but I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery within her heart.

Remember, a greater righteousness is not solely about the external, but includes the internal.

It speaks about the desires of the heart.

He says, you shall not covet your neighbor's house.

You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.

Again, if there was such a thing as statistics Israel, I believe that back then there'd only be a handful of instances where adultery occurred because of the watchful eye rule teaching of the Pharisees.

Unlike today, where a click of the button invites Satan right into your home.

He says, whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Jesus is not only concerned about the action associated with adultery, but he is emphasizing the importance of the condition and the intent of the heart.

Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Whoever looks at a man to lust for him has already committed adultery with him in her heart.

So sin begins in the mind, and that's where we need to quench such thoughts before we nourish them into action.

To the youth and young adults, even the radiant here this morning, I have the following story to share.

Many years ago I was involved in ministry outside of Rosemont Bible Church with a group of young people, many of whom were about your age.

We had a great time doing the work of the Lord, sharing the gospel, investing in people's lives.

So you can imagine the shock and the horror when years later I found out that someone with whom we served was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to prison for the distribution of child pornography.

My heart, as well as many others, was broken.

First, for all the children affected in this horrific crime, and for their families.

Second, for this individual with whom I served with, for her siblings and parents.

Third, for all those who turned away from the faith because of this heinous act.

Let me be clear, if this is something that happened to my children, I would have some serious heart issues.

But when you think about the sinner and less about the sin, as hard as that may be.

You wonder how that individual fell from grace.

And before you know it, 1 thing leads to another.

Sin begins in the mind and we need to quench such thoughts before we nourish them into action.

Young ladies, 1 day, Lord willing, you will be mothers.

Speaking of brokenness, I want to particularly say thank you to all the mothers here this morning or online who are victims of an adulterous relationship.

Thank you for your continued support and sacrifice, and the love you show for raising your children.

People like me are forever grateful, and it's my prayer that no mother would have to harbor anger or resentment arising from such deep hurt and betrayal.

In terms of practical application, verse 29.

If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out, then cast it from you, for it is more profitable for you than for 1 of your members to perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you, for it is more profitable for you than 1 of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

I am happy to be standing before you this morning with both eyes and both hands.

For this reason, I don't believe that these verses should be taking literally, I believe they should be taking figuratively.

Because if you pluck out my eyes and you cut off my hands, I'm still gonna have impure thoughts.

What I love about the Gospel of Matthew, and there's this continuation throughout the whole book, is that in Matthew chapter 18, and I'm gonna read it, this is what Jesus says, beginning at verse 6.

He says, do everything in your power to avoid stumbling.

If anyone causes 1 of these little ones, those who believe in me to stumble, just as I read this, just hear the number of times that Jesus references the word stumble.

It would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble.

Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come.

If your hand or foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away.

It is better for you to enter life maimed and crippled than to have 2 hands or 2 feet and be thrown into eternal fire.

And if your eye causes you to Gouge it out and throw it away.

It is better for you to enter life with 1 eye than to have 2 eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

We have similar language to Matthew chapter 5.

It was David's first glance that caused him to stumble.

If only he had removed himself from the balcony.

Done everything possible not to put himself in a compromising situation that led to impure thoughts.

Now, I think we need, this is me speaking, I think we need to figure out what those triggers are and how they lend themselves to such hazardous and destructive behavior.

Here is a fictional example, I wanna clear that out.

A husband and wife, they have a heated argument.

In her anger, the wife calls her husband a fool, a moron.

He knows what he did was wrong, and he regrets making his wife upset.

But his wife's name calling makes him feel insecure and unworthy.

Instead of turning to God or addressing these issues with his wife, which should include an apology on both sides, he looks to escape how he is feeling emotionally through the click of a button on the internet.

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