The Sermon on the Mount: The King’s Mandate-It’s the Thought that Counts
Sermon Series: The Life of Jesus: From Creation to the Cradle to the Cross to the Crown
Sermon Title: The Sermon on the Mount: The King’s Mandate-It’s the Thought that Counts
Sermon Text: Matthew 5: 27-31
Sermon Date: October 23, 2013
Proverbs 4: 23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
The New Century Version translates that verse 23 Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.
Romans 12:2 “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Matthew 15:11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
Philippians 4: 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think on these things.
- The Present Day Predicament
- In the World
55 per cent of all marriages end in divorce because of infidelity.
40% more likely to get a divorce if you live together first.
Porn addiction was cited as a factor in 56% of the divorces.
The average divorce cost state and federal tax payers #30,000 per divorce.
55 per cent of all marriages end in divorce because of infidelity.
40% more likely to get a divorce if you live together first.
Porn addiction was cited as a factor in 56% of the divorces.
The average divorce cost state and federal tax payers #30,000 per divorce.
- In the Church
68% of church going men view pornography on a regular basis
76% of Christian young adults 18-24 actively seek out porn
49% of Christian young adults say all or most of their friends seek out porn
62% of Christian teens say they have received nude images
40% of Christian teens have sent nude images
33% of Christian females age 13-24 use porn regularly
- The Problem with Pornography
- Psychological Poison – It’s addictive
- Social Sickness – It causes great harm in the world as people act out what they see
Not everyone who uses porn is a sexual predator but every sexual predator uses porn.
- Domestic Damage – It devalues the spouse because it tells them they aren’t enough.
- Spiritual Destruction – It destroys the soul like a cancer.
III. The Pathway to Purity Psalm 119: 9-16
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I declare
all the rules[a] of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
- Living according to God's word. "By guarding it according to your word"
- Seeking God with all of your heart "I seek you with all my whole heart"
- Not straying from God's Law “let me not wander from your commandments!”
- Memorize the Word of God "11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you." - Verbalize the Word of God " With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches." - Internalize the Word of God "15 I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word."