Kingdom Life | October 17, 2021
+ Read Scripture
Matthew 5:20-26
20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
21 "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.
Talk Sheet Questions
One of the popular terms for this kind of self-regulation is “Emotional Intelligence.” Is that what Jesus is going for here?
Is Jesus making this commandment harder than it needs to be? Is he making it easier? Explain.
In your own words, what should you avoid in this passage? What should you do?
Is there ever a time when someone is too big a fool (22) to be reconciled with (23-24)? Explain.
Prayer
Pray that we will live like God’s law is on our hearts, that we will live out of the overflow of God’s Spirit within us.