Week 5: Matthew 5:27-32
Hello there!
This week we continued our study of the Sermon on the Mount. (If you were absent, click here to watch the sermon back--you won’t want to miss it!)
If you are wondering why we have chosen to study this teaching of Jesus to kick off 2025, it is because we want to focus in on finding purpose. Each of us has an idea of what “the good life” looks like, but Jesus challenges us to rethink “the good life” through the lens of God’s Kingdom.
This Sermon contains some of Jesus’ most poignant teachings, and we want to encourage you to not only engage with this message on Sundays, but to take it with you throughout the week. With that in mind, here are some resources we’ve put together for you to use this week in your personal time based on the Scripture passage we read and the message from Sunday.
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Bible Project video: If you want a brief overview of these verses, check out this video about lust and adultery, and this video about Jesus’ curious words regarding hand and eye mutilation, from our friends over at the Bible Project!
Bible Project podcast episode: For a deeper dive, listen to this podcast to hear what Tim Mackie and Jon Collins have to say on this excerpt!
Book recommendation: If you are looking for a book that speaks to some of the themes Pastor Makenzie preached on, check out The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard (or chat with any of our preaching staff about what they have been reading)!
Finally, here are some questions that you can use in your personal study to reflect on, whether in journaling, prayer, or conversation.
What “things” might you need to confess and release today?
In what ways might you be holding onto comfort rather than letting the Lord lead you to “the good life”?
Know that you are deeply loved and called to share that love with others. We hope to see you next week as we continue to learn and grow alongside you!
Grace and Peace,
Community Cup staff
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