Sermon Synopsis

Pastor King is presently preaching a sermon series on Jesus' Sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7). In the latest sermon, taken from Matthew 5:27-32, we learn that Jesus is more concerned about the condition of the heart than what we display on the outside. The law said "Thou shalt not commit adultery," an outward, physical act. But Jesus points out that it is the inward condition of the heart that causes one to look twice, meditate on the desire to act, and ultimately to proceed to do the unthinkable. Jesus came to deal with the heart, and transform us from the inside, so that change can then be reflected on the outside. Jesus went on to say that if our eye or hand causes us to sin, to pluck it out or cut it off (not to be taken literally), meaning that we should allow NOTHING (or if applicable, NO ONE) into our lives that influences us to sin against God or competes with Him for our devotion. This is tantamount to spiritual adultery, a condition where we have placed something or someone in God's place as number one in our lives. God is a jealous God, and He will share His rightful places in our hearts and lives with no one! Our challenge, then, is to live in such a way that God comes first in all, and we commit all of our desires, plans and priorities to Him!