Reconciling Broken Relationships

Christians are to live at peace with others and to seek to reconcile broken relationships if at all possible. Many come to worship and ignore the reality that they may be at odds with a brother or sister in Christ. Offering sacrifice in worship is no substitute for the purity of relational reconciliation. Before our worship is acceptable to The Lord, we must make the effort to pursue peace with our fellow believer in Christ.

Matthew 5:21-26

"Anger does a man more hurt than that which made him angry." – Charles Spurgeon

I. The law regarding murder (21)
a. Exodus 20:13
b. Matthew 5:17

II. Jesus’ teaching on anger (22)
a. RACA – “empty headed”
b. FOOL – Greek for “moros”

R. Kent Hughes, “Jesus is saying that we must not think we are safe just because we have not shed blood. We are guilty enough to receive punishment if we have harbored anger and contempt.”

III. Living out Jesus’ teaching (23-26)

a. “I think I can say again that we all know something about this tendency not to face directly the conviction which the Holy Spirit produces in our heart, but to say to ourselves: “Well, now; I am doing this and that; I am making great sacrifices at this point; I am being helpful in that matter; I am busily engaged in that piece of Christian work.” The whole time we are not facing the jealousy we may feel against another Christian worker, or something in our personal, private life. We are balancing one thing with another, thinking this good will make up for that evil.” - Dr. Lloyd-Jones

b. R. Kent Hughes, “Ceremony, regular attendance at worship, and giving will never produce a clear conscience.”

Application Questions:

· Are we responsible for any grudges someone has against us?

· Are we responsible for any anger someone has against us?

· Are we responsible for any bitterness someone has against us?

· Are we responsible for any hostility someone has against us?