Sermon Notes from Matthew 5:27–30 (NKJV)
Series Introduction
In Jesus’ day, spiritual “success” was measured by how well one kept the laws and traditions. But Jesus taught that true righteousness flows from the heart. In this “master class,” Jesus goes beyond external actions to reveal the spirit behind the commandments.
Last week’s sermon: Self Checkout Is Open (anger, words, and relationships).
This week’s sermon: Self Checkout Is Still Open — a master class on self-discipline and desire.
1. Check Yourself
Matthew 5:27–28 NKJV
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
- Adultery = intimacy outside marriage.
- In the Old Testament, the penalty could be death (Leviticus 20:10).
- In the New Testament, often divorce (Matthew 19:9).
- But Jesus goes deeper: lust in the heart is already sin.
🔎 Supporting Scriptures:
- Exodus 20:14 NKJV: “You shall not commit adultery.”
- Exodus 20:17 NKJV: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife…”
- Mark 3:28–29 NKJV: All sins can be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
📝 Reflection:
- Lust begins with unchecked desire (coveting).
- Looking is not sin. Admiring beauty is not sin. But desiring in your heart what is not yours is sin.
- Coveting applies not only to people, but also to houses, possessions, positions, popularity, or success.
💭 Self-Study Questions:
- Do I confuse admiration with lust?
- What do I “covet” that belongs to someone else?
- Do I justify my desires rather than bringing them to God?
2. Inspect Yourself
James 1:12–15 NKJV
“…Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”
- Temptation comes not from God, not always from Satan, but from our own desires.
- “You can’t be tempted by what you don’t desire.”
- Honest self-inspection helps us identify weaknesses before they lead to sin.
📝 Reflection:
- Desires unchecked → temptation → sin → death.
- Honest self-examination reveals triggers: a look, a word, a gift, a sound, a touch.
💭 Self-Study Questions:
- What are my strongest temptations, and where do they come from?
- What desires am I afraid to admit to myself or to God?
- Have I mistaken temptation as something external when it’s really from within?
3. Correct Yourself
Matthew 5:29–30 NKJV
“If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out… if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off… for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”
- Jesus uses extreme imagery to emphasize the seriousness of sin.
- Correction means removing habits, places, or people that lead us to temptation.
- Better to lose something now than to lose your soul eternally.
🔎 Supporting Scriptures:
- Romans 8:5–8 NKJV: The carnal mind (desires of the flesh) is hostile toward God.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 NKJV: Paul disciplines his body like an athlete to avoid being disqualified.
- Matthew 7:21–23 NKJV: Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom.
📝 Reflection:
- To correct yourself is to cut off unhealthy influences.
- Self-discipline is hard but necessary for sanctification.
- Salvation includes justification (past), sanctification (present), and glorification (future). We cannot skip sanctification.
💭 Self-Study Questions:
- What habits, locations, or relationships do I need to “cut off”?
- Am I living to please my flesh or the Spirit?
- What disciplines am I practicing daily to grow in holiness?
Conclusion: Self Checkout Is Still Open
Jesus invites us to examine, inspect, and correct ourselves.
If we don’t discipline our desires, they will master us. But if we walk in the Spirit, we will overcome.
“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves…”
— 2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV
📘 Memory Verses for the Week:
- Matthew 5:28 – Lust begins in the heart.
- James 1:14 – Each is tempted by his own desires.
- Romans 8:6 – To be spiritually minded is life and peace.
- 1 Corinthians 9:27 – Discipline your body.
- Matthew 7:21 – Only those who do the will of the Father will enter.
✝️ Prayer Focus:
“Lord, help me to see myself clearly. Teach me to inspect my heart, discipline my desires, and walk in the Spirit. Strengthen me to cut off what hinders me, so I may live to please You. Amen.”