Adultery: Matthew 5: 27-32

Introduction

Jesus’ second kingdom ethic addresses relational purity and deals with two aspects of one issue: adultery. Jesus isn’t addressing two separate issues – lust and divorce – but, instead, he is explicating how adultery unfolds from these two actions.

As we begin to deal with this text we should recall how Jesus’ first kingdom ethic was based in the first “creation ethic”: God created us in his image, therefore, our whole person has inherent and irreducible value, which we are called to respect in all people.

Our text today follows the same pattern as Jesus’ second kingdom ethic is also based on the second “creation ethic”: God created us male and female in his image, therefore, marriage is inherently sacred and should be honored by all.

So, to understand Jesus’ teaching about relational purity, we need to first examine its Old Testament foundation:

Genesis 1:27 (CSB) So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.

One of God’s creative purposes for humanity is that we reflect his likeness in our marriage unions.

Therefore, Jesus’ teaching about adultery is meant to teach us how to guard against the sin that will destroy the divine blessings bestowed upon our marriage union.

•Jesus does not hold a low view of sex
•Jesus does not treat sex as inherently dirty or sinful
•Jesus demonstrates a high view of human sexuality by honoring the
experience
•Christian doctrine is so particular about sex because
--We place particular value on the human body as the temple of the Holy
Spirit
--We place particular value on the relational union of marriage.

I want to acknowledge up front that some parts of this sermon may weigh on some people more than others and we may feel the sting of conviction. I ask you not to fear that conviction because it is the necessary work of the Spirit to renewing your person.

I also want to ask that you stay with me until the end because it will be our conclusion where we will apply the gospel (i.e. “the good news”) to Christ’s teachings. My objective in this lesson is to demonstrate the good news and hope of the gospel in light of the Kingdom’s righteousness.

Matthew 5:27–32 (CSB)
27 You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. 28 But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. 31 It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce. 32 But I tell you, everyone who divorces his wife, except in a case of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.