Saturday, April 01, 2017

Not about the eyes but the heart

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matt 5:28

'What one generation tolerates the next generation will embrace' 
John Wesley

Quoted in 'Different', p. 117

Tomorrow, we have a sermon on 'adultery in the heart' as part of our series called 'Different: Living the Holy Life' which will address the cultural pandemic of pornography. In preparation for leading, I have re-read MLJ's sermon on Matt 5:28 and this section struck me:

'Above all, this doctrine of sin leads us to see the absolute need of a power greater than ourselves to deliver us. It is a doctrine that makes a man run to Christ and rely upon Him; it makes him realize that without Him he can do nothing. So again I would say the New Testament way of presenting holiness is not just to say, 'Would you like to live life with a capital "L"? Would you like to be permanently happy? No, it is to preach this doctrine of sin, it is to reveal man to himself so that, having seen himself he will abhor himself and become poor in spirit and meek, he will mourn, he will hunger and thirst for righteousness, he will fly to Christ and abide in Him. It is not an experience to be received so much as a life to be lived and a Christ to be followed'  

The Sermon on the Mount, p.240

Feel free to join us at 9.15  or 11 if you are around.

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