“Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.” —Proverbs 5:15, 18

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:27-30; Proverbs 5:1-20

Introduction:

The idea that we can “look but not touch” someone of the opposite sex is commonplace in our society. Lusting and fantasizing over someone else is not only acceptable, we’ve actually begun to encourage it. Yet, Christ came to do away with this “look-but-don’t-touch” rule. If we’ve done it in our heart, then we’ve sinned.

Adultery not only speaks to a specific

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” —Matthew 7:11

Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:7-12

Introduction:

An aspiring pastor was studying under the care of a seasoned pastor. He chose this man for his great faith and perseverance in spite of hardships and setbacks, for his commitment to the Word, for his obedience to the call of God’s Spirit.

As the young man was studying his Bible, he stumbled across Matthew 7:7: “Ask, and it shall be

“It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:  But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication,
causeth her to commit adultery: and whosever shall marry her that is divorced commiteth adultery.”  —Matthew 5:31-32

Scripture Reading: Matthew 19:1-9; Genesis 2:22-25

Introduction:

Marriage was made to be permanent. When someone commits to another person in marriage, they’re making a life-long covenant to remain faithful in every way—spiritually, mentally, emotionally, sexually, and so on. Jesus discusses the issue of marriage and divorce and

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” —Acts 4:12

Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:13-14; John 10:1-10

Introduction:

There’s only one gate into the Kingdom of God—Jesus Christ. Entering into that gate requires the blood of Jesus Christ, the only way of salvation for mankind. But, walking in the way of the gate goes much farther than the conversion experience. The “way of the gate” is the way of Jesus Christ and it’s not only doing what He did but being what He was.

Jesus described

“And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.” —Leviticus 19:12
“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” —Matthew 5:37

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:33-37; 23:16-22

Introduction:

“To forswear means to swear falsely or perjure one’s self. Oaths taken in the name of the Lord were looked upon as binding and perjury of such oaths was strongly condemned by the law. Such phrases like ‘as the Lord liveth’ or ‘by the name of the Lord’ emphasize the

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” —Galatians 5:22-23

Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:15-20; Deuteronomy 13:1-5

Introduction:

Throughout history, false prophets have risen up to deceive the people of God. It happened in the time of Elijah, it happened in the time of John, and it’s happening today. God’s children are being led from the truth of God not only by those outside the body of Christ, but even by those inside the body of Christ (Acts 20:28-31). We’re to be continually watching for false prophets

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” —Philippians 2:3

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 15:7-14; Matthew 5:38-42

Introduction:

Vengeance can make us do incredible things. A man required to pay over $1,000 in alimony each month was so vengeful, he decided to send it to his wife in nickels. Vengeance and retaliation are the subjects Christ addresses in the next passage in the Sermon on the Mount.

Just as many principles from the Old Law had been misconstrued by the Jews of Jesus’ day, so too had the principle

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” —2 Corinthians 13:5

Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:21-23; 25:31-46.

Introduction:

How easy it is to say “Lord, Lord” and not do the will of God. It seems the verses in Matthew 7:21-23 are frequently applied to deceived people who profess Christ but haven’t really been converted—they give lip service to the Gospel, but use it for their own personal gain.

For various reasons, we rarely apply the curse of these verses to

“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.” —Leviticus 19:18

Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:10-24; Genesis 45:4-15

Introduction:

The command of Christ in Matthew 5:44 is a paradox for the ages: love your enemies. By definition, an enemy is someone we should have license to hate. After all, they’re our enemy. Just as He usually did, Jesus presented an entirely new paradigm for His disciples. Love those that hate you, and pray for them, and do good to them. This command

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I wilt liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand.” —Matthew 7:24, 26

Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:3-10; 2 Corinthians 3:10-15

Introduction:

Whether or not we know God is evidenced by the fruit in our lives. Good fruit only comes from a good tree and the only good tree is one transformed by the life of Jesus. It