Calvary Baptist Church, Brenham Texas / Pastor Billy Sutherland

29 July, 2020 - Wednesday Night study

Sermon on the Mount – Part 6 – Chapter 7

Last week – Don’t Judge harshly, judge ourselves – don’t give holy things to wicked people

PRAYING

Three levels of intensity – asking, seeking, knocking

7 Ask (keep asking - Holman), and it shall be given you; seek (search / diligently search), and ye shall find; knock (walk up to the door), and it shall be opened unto you:

Promises:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Uses the comparison of parenthood – sinful people can do good things

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

A loaf of bread could look like a rock or a stone – a cruel joke?
Like God is asking “do you think you love your children more than I love mine?”
God will always do what is best for His children

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

An earthly (sinful) parent will not give something worse than what was requested.

11 If ye 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?

Does God always give us what we WANT?
Examples – bread or fish – sustenance – things a “child” would need to survive.

When it APPEARS that God is not answering prayers… (in OUR time)

We have little or no faith – because of their unbelief, no miracles… Matt 13:58
1. Oh ye of little faith – Matt 8:26 – wind and waves
2. Matt 6:30 – the grass of the field, needs supplied – O ye of little faith
3. Matt 14:31 – O thou of little faith – Peter walking on water, begins to drown
4. Disciples could not cast out demon – you unbelieving and perverse – Matt 17:17
5. Eph 3:20 – Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine…
6. Not “God, you HAVE to”, but “Lord, you CAN….”
We don’t persevere in prayer – The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man – James 6:16
1. The woman who came to the judge over and over and over…. “importunity” Matt 18:5
We are earthly minded – as though this world is all that is, not focused on Kingdom Living
1. Col 3:1-2 – set your mind on things above, where Christ is seated… not on earthly things which are temporal
2. We want God to bail us out of consequences of bad decisions or even disobedience
3. Help me pass this final exam for which I have not spent any time studying
Our perspective is not the same as God’s
1. We see the knotty side of the tapestry – God sees the finished product – the “big picture”
2. 1 Cor 13:12 – we see but a poor reflection, then we will know fully… we know in part!
3. Isaiah 55:8-9 – my thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are higher than yours
4. Do you really want God to do things your way, rather than His way?
God is not a vending machine – put a prayer in, get a response out
1. Jesus compares God here to a responsible parent – won’t give a rock if asked for bread
2. A responsible parent would never give a child everything they want
3. Grandparents get to give the kids whatever they want!
4. “I think God for unanswered prayer” – at the time, we’re unhappy, later maybe not so much
Suffering – WE often don’t see the value of suffering or doing without
1. 2 Cor 4:17 KJV - For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2. 2 Cor 4:17 ESV - For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
3. Suffered to where “we despaired even of life itself” 2 Cor 1:8
4. Prayed 3 times for ‘the thorn of flesh’ to be removed – “Grace is sufficient”. 2 Cor 12:9
Don’t understand God’s discipline
1. Hebrews 12:5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Calvary Baptist Church, Brenham Texas / Pastor Billy Sutherland

22 July, 2020 - Wednesday Night study

Sermon on the Mount – Part 5 – Chapter 7

Chapter 6 - Models for Giving, Praying, Fasting, Money, Trust

Matthew 7 – Judging Others – how to treat others – live as True Children - Responsibilities

Don’t Judge

7:1 Judge (krinō – to divide, separate, cut in two - discern) not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Don’t judge – so you won’t be judged
Sowing and reaping – what you plant is what you get – so incredibly simple
If you judge (plant) you will grow judgment
With the measure you use – proportionality – MOTIVE
What is the “measure” you use? Justice? Mercy?
INVERSE – showing mercy and forgiveness
What a man sows, so also shall he reap
Fruit inspector – evaluator – try the spirits to see if they be of God
Jesus – “Judge a righteous judgement” John 7:24
Jesus – “You have rightly judged” Luke 7:43
Still contrasting what’s going on on the outside, with what’s going on in the inside
Don’t EMBRACE a judgmental attitude – to make you look good by making them look bad
Can you “judge” if somebody else is saved?
- The Bible gives a great deal of information on Salvation.
Can you judge another’s spiritual condition?
- Fruit of the Spirit?
What is your MOTIVE for judging?
Is there MERCY and CONCERN and COMPASSION in your “judgment”?
“’Judge Not’ is not a command to be BLIND, but rather a plea to be charitable” – D A Carson

Judge!

3 And why beholdest thou the mote [speck] that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam [log] that is in thine own eye?

Judging is allowed, but HYPOCRITICAL judgment is condemned. Superficial judgment.
Is it truly your BROTHER (in Christ)? If so, are you helping?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

But let a man examine himself…
Sin always seems to seem more evil when “the other guy” is doing it
We can minimize our own (little white lie) and maximize (bald faced liar) others

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

We often tend to focus on the sin others do that look the most like our own sin
We do not need to be judge, jury and executioner, failing to see our own sin

Exercise GOOD Judgement

6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

The dogs or the hogs – first, don’t judge – then judge yourself – and exercise good judgment
Jews generally didn’t domesticate dogs – NEVER pigs
You have been entrusted with sacred things – and some can receive, others will mock
“pearl” – margaritēs – a word of great value - Margaret – the things that are pure, holy, true
You have been entrusted with sacred things, and you need to be able to discern – judge!
Vs 7-11, Jesus talks about prayer and the need for wisdom, Golden Rule in v 12
Do unto others as you would have them do to you goes right back to “don’t judge, lest…”
Hypocritical / Unjust / Presumptuous judgments – BAD
Judging people is EASY – Loving people is HARD

Calvary Baptist Church, Brenham Texas / Pastor Billy Sutherland

15 July, 2020 - Wednesday Night study

Sermon on the Mount – Part 4

Matthew 6 – Trespasses/forgiveness – Fasting – Treasure in Heaven - Anxiety

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Follow up on “do we really mean it when we pray “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive…

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Very clearly stated – the INVERSE – not just “assumed inverse”

Fasting (See notes in next section below from prior teaching)

16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

WHEN you fast, not if – should be a secret thing
Studied fasting in December 2018, copy attached

17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Don’t draw attention to the fact that you’re fasting

Treasures in Heaven

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Motivation for why we do what we do.

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Bill Gothard youths to Russia – Nikita Khrushchev – “they have lights in their eyes”

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Choose ye this day whom you will serve –

Anxiety

Corona Virus has the world on edge – affecting so may aspects of life globally
Nuclear war – bomb shelters – Kennedy’s assassination – stock market…
Public anxiety is high, and it’s fueled by a sense of helplessness – nothing we can do to end it
Be vigilant, be informed, be careful – “worry” – lack of faith in God’s care
DO NOT WORRY (take no thought) – vs 25, 31, 34 – ‘stop an action that is already ongoing’

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

We have CHOICES in what to eat, where to eat, what to wear – they had survival concerns

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

After asking about worry – conclusion – O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

You have a MASTER – v 25 “therefore” – v 24 sums up a discussion of MASTER – whom ye serve

You have a FATHER – v 26 – the birds of the air – singing, soaring, flying, YOUR Father feeds them

You have a FUTURE – I don’t know my future, but I know the One who knows my future!

Said the Sparrow to the Robin, “I would surely like to know

why these anxious humans beings rush about and worry so”.

Said the Robin to the Sparrow, “Friend, I think that it must be,

they have no Heavenly Father such as cares for you and me”.

Calvary Baptist Church, Brenham Texas / Pastor Billy Sutherland

15 July, 2020 - Wednesday Night study

Sermon on the Mount – Part 4

Matthew 6 – Trespasses/forgiveness – Fasting – Treasure in Heaven - Anxiety

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Follow up on “do we really mean it when we pray “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive…

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Very clearly stated – the INVERSE – not just “assumed inverse”

Fasting (See notes in next section below from prior teaching)

16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

WHEN you fast, not if – should be a secret thing
Studied fasting in December 2018, copy attached

Don’t draw attention to the fact that you’re fasting

Treasures in Heaven

Motivation for why we do what we do.

Bill Gothard youths to Russia – Nikita Khrushchev – “they have lights in their eyes”

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Choose ye this day whom you will serve –

Anxiety

Corona Virus has the world on edge – affecting so may aspects of life globally
Nuclear war – bomb shelters – Kennedy’s assassination – stock market…
Public anxiety is high, and it’s fueled by a sense of helplessness – nothing we can do to end it
Be vigilant, be informed, be careful – “worry” – lack of faith in God’s care
DO NOT WORRY (take no thought) – vs 25, 31, 34 – ‘stop an action that is already ongoing’

We have CHOICES in what to eat, where to eat, what to wear – they had survival concerns

After asking about worry – conclusion – O ye of little faith?

You have a MASTER – v 25 “therefore” – v 24 sums up a discussion of MASTER – whom ye serve

You have a FATHER – v 26 – the birds of the air – singing, soaring, flying, YOUR Father feeds them

You have a FUTURE – I don’t know my future, but I know the One who knows my future!

Said the Sparrow to the Robin, “I would surely like to know

why these anxious humans beings rush about and worry so”.

Said the Robin to the Sparrow, “Friend, I think that it must be,

they have no Heavenly Father such as cares for you and me”.

5 December, 2018
Calvary Baptist Church, Brenham, TX
Pastor Billy Sutherland

Fasting

Supernatural Fast

Matt 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

Survival –

You can survive for 3 Minutes without air
You can survive for 3 Days without water (if sheltered from a harsh environment)
You can survive for 3 Weeks without food (if you have water and shelter)

WHEN you fast… (expected that you will)

Matt 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Special Power from Fasting

Matt 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Mark 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

A Widow Fasting Often

Luke 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Pharisee Fasting and bragging

Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Great Results from Fasting in Acts

Acts 10:30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

Acts 13:2 – Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Fasting

Check with your doctor!
Voluntary deprivation of food in order to focus on prayer and fellowship w God.
- Regular fast – no food, but water and/or juice are allowed
- Partial fast – omitting a specific food (meat or candy) or meal – veggies & water like in Daniel’s test – Dan 1:12 (Lent and Advent)
- Full fast – No food or drink – Acts 9:9 – Paul not eat or drink anything 3 days
Private or Corporate / Private or Public
You can pray without fasting, and you can fast without praying - When these two are combined, there is real power
Only time prayer and fasting was REQUIRED in OT was Day of Atonement – Jer 36:6 and Acts 27:9
Moses fasted 40 days on Mt Sinai, receiving the Law – Ex 34:28
King Jehoshaphat called for a fast when about to be attacked – 2 Chron 20:3
Men of Nineveh fasted (with sackcloth) because of Jonah’s preaching – Jonah 3:5
David fasted when he learned that Saul and Jonathan had been killed – 2 Sam 1:12
Nehemiah fasted because Jerusalem was in ruins – Neh 1:4
Darius, King of Persia, fasted because he put Daniel in lion’s den – Dan 6:18
Judges 20:26 - Israel fasted and inquired of God for battle plans

1Samuel 7:3-6 - Israel repented and fasted before the Lord
1Samuel 21:12-14, 2Samuel 1:12, 1Chronicles 10:12 - after King Saul's, Jonathan's, Israeli army's deaths
2Samuel 12:16 - David fasted for his dying son
2Samuel 12:21-23 - why David fasted for his dying son
1Kings 21:4ff - Ahab fasted pouting and angry
1Kings 21:7ff - Ahab's wife Jezebel proclaimed fast in plot against Naboth
1Kings 21:17-28 - Ahab heard the LORD's punishment and Elijah's additions, fasted meekly, and the LORD put off his punishment
2Chronicles 20:3-4 - Jehosaphat proclaimed fast for Judeans before inquiring of the LORD
Ezra 8:21-23 - Ezra proclaimed fast in exile to humble themselves to ask LORD for their safe journey with children and possessions
Nehemiah 1:4 - hearing bad news, Nehemiah mourned and fasted before praying to the God of heaven
Nehemiah 9:3 - On the first day of the 7th month, Ezra read the Book of the Law of Moses to the returned exiles. On the 24th day of that month, they separated from foreigners to fast, stand, read from the Law, confess sins, praise and worship God (led by the Levites), and promise to obey the law given by God's covenant. Esther 4:1-3,16 - Back in Persia, royal official (and Jew) Mordecai refused to bow to the king's nobleman, Haman, who got King Xerxes' approval to annihilate all Jews in the kingdom. The king didn't know his new wife was Jewish. She asked her people to fast for and with her.
Esther 9:15ff - Regulations for Purim (named after the lot that was cast for the date- 12th month, 13th day) regarding fasting and lamentation (Esther 9:31)
Psalm 35:13 - Those who fast for enemies when they are ill with the same mourning and praying as for family members don't receive thanks or appreciation.
Psalm 69:10 - Those consumed with zeal for things of the LORD weep, fast, and endure scorn from those around them.
Psalm 109:24 - Fasting takes physical toll

Calvary Baptist Church, Brenham Texas

Pastor Billy Sutherland

8 July, 2020 - Wednesday Night study

Sermon on the Mount – Part 3

Matthew (Levi) is the most “Jewish” of the 4 Gospel writers. – the “Messiahship” of Jesus

Chapter 6 of Sermon on the Mount - Longest recorded discourse in the Gospels.

Not presenting “the way of Salvation” – unlike John, or epistles – “the Kingdom people”

A “higher law” than the Law of Moses – “you’ve heard it said – but I say”.

Law of Moses – what we should and should not DO --- Jesus – what we should or should not think

Finished last week with “be ye therefore perfect”.

Two ways to be saved – the way of the law – “to be perfect, never sin” – a sinner saved by Grace

Giving

6:1 – your alms before men to be seen of them – motive.

The “object of the glory” – is it you, or is it God?

All boils down to motivation – is my motivation to receive “reward of men”?

If men find out, without me making it known, does it “rob” me of my reward before God?

Praying

V5 - Praying – don’t be like the hypocrites – love to pray standing in the synagogues and corners of the street to be seen of men – motive.

Obviously referring, at least in part, to the Pharisees, who happen to be in the audience.

Prayer should be natural – you’re talking to God, not men – prayer should not be “aimed” at men

V6 – secret prayer – you should pray more in private than you do in public

V7 – WHEN you pray – vain repetitions – “heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do”

Some say petition only ONCE – Jesus prayed 3 times at Gethsemane – “more than once is OK”

There’s point at which you’ve said it all – Paul prayed 3 times to have the thorn removed.

The “importunity” – Luke 18:5 – “because this widow kept pestering me…” Luke 11:8 – a friend

Love garments and headgear and “props” and recognition – to be seen of men. “Pious”.

Vain repetitions vs well crafted prayer? Written prayer?

“Third Army Prayer” – Patton – chaplain write a prayer for clear weather… Battle of Bastogne

Msgr. James H. O'Neill – Chief Chaplain of the Third Army through 5 Campaigns of Patton

December 8, 1944 – “This is General Patton, do you have a good prayer for weather?”

Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish Thy justice among men and nations.

Patton – “put out a training letter on the subject of prayer – write about nothing else – just the importance of prayer – let me see it before you send it”. (486 chaplains, 32 Denominations)

Praise in prayer – thanks in prayer – prayer journal.

Controversial thing – “the Lord’s Prayer” vs “the Model Prayer”. (John 17)

V9-13 – After this manner therefore, prayer ye (Luke 11, “teach us to pray” not exactly the same)

Can an unsaved person pray that? “Our Father” – He is if you’re born again into the Family of God

Is there “power” in repeating this prayer?

Did Jesus intend for us to repeat this prayer verbatim? Can this be “vain repetition”?

Can we pray the “model prayer” really meaning every word?

“Hallowed be Thy Name” – very “Jewish” prayer – the Name is sacred, cannot even be written

The Lord cannot “pray this prayer” – it asks for forgiveness.

Do you REALLY want your debts (trespasses) forgiven “as you forgive others”?

“Thy Kingdom Come” – the return of Christ? His Kingdom principles?

Thy Will be done – the rebellion of Lucifer – Is 14 – ONE rule – one Kingdom

Our daily bread – the ability to work – “what’s it’s name” (daily provision) – provisions

“Lead us into temptation” -

Calvary Baptist Church, Brenham Texas

Pastor Billy Sutherland

1 July, 2020 - Wednesday Night study

Sermon on the Mount – Part 2

Vs 15 You are the Light of the World

The second of the seven “I AM” statements that are the theme of the Gospel of John…

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world.

Let your line shine – see your good deeds and Glorify your Father Christ-likeness is the GOAL of Salvation – it is WHY we are saved – to become like Christ

Eph 2:8-10 = by Grace through faith – VERSE 10… we are SAVED to good works

Jesus never talked about “making decisions” as we do – it was “making disciples”.

Christ Came to Fulfill the Law – 17-20

Jesus has come to fulfill, not abolish the Law or the Prophets – OT will never pass away

ALL Scripture is given… not even the smallest parts will disappear

Three divisions of the Old Testament

the Torah - the “Teaching”, or Pentateuch, or Five Books of Moses – the Law
the Neviʾim, or Prophets (Prophets speak to the people on behalf of God)
the Ketuvim, or Writings.

V20 – unless exceed your righteousness (measuring reed) far surpasses the Pharisees – shocking – it is the HEART that is important, not the legalistic teachings – that soft spot in your heart for God

V21-22 - attacking the oral teachings/traditions – murder vs hate, actions vs heart, outside vs in

an attitude toward our own – our brothers – fellow Christians, in our case
Raca – only found here - empty headed, not capable of thought, worthless, “to spit”
“thou Fool” – in danger of hell fire. - Matt 23:17 – Jesus called “fool” – “you blind fools!”
Luke 12:20 – “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee…” 1 Cor 15:36 – thou fool
Maybe not Greek word mōros, but Hebrew word that means apostate or “cut off” – you who confine others to Hell, are in danger of Hell yourselves
The context here is the thoughts of your heart – the motivation
Hell is the place of the future punishment called "Gehenna" or "Gehenna of fire". Originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast, where Molech (Canaanite god) was worshiped, and children were sacrificed, a fit symbol of the wicked and their future destruction.
Jesus speaks or preaches on Hell 22 times. James, once – tongue set on fire from hell.

23-26 – ATTITIDE – the attitude must be appropriate before the ritual is significant

The offended party has responsibility – “your brother has something against you”
Make things right, THEN come to the altar – 60% commandments about people relationships
Church Covenant – “slow to anger, but always ready for reconciliation.
People’s Court (Doug Llewelyn) “don’t take the law into your own hands – TAKE THEM TO COURT” (Monty Hall)
God’s Court – don’t take your brother to court – take them to the Cross.
1 Cor 6:1-8 - 7 …To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?

27-28 – Adultery vs Lust – or same thing? “You have heard it said…” The attitude precedes the act.

29-30 – pluck out your eye and cut off your hand?

31-32 – Deut 24, Moses allows divorce – had become just a way of getting a new wife – attitude

33-37 – oaths are not the problem – it’s that we’re such liars that we have to “Swear to God” to try to make somebody believe us. We should be known as “men (and women) of our word”.

38-42 – Retaliation – turn the other cheek – walk the second mile – be generous with things

43-48 – Love your enemies – YOU MADE them! Don’t be like the Publicans who only love those who can do them good. Be PERFECT!!!