I. Intro
​Big Idea: We can have integrity in Christ.
II. Do Not Break
A. We live in a world of agreements. Deuteronomy 6:13; Matthew 5:33a
B. The people of Israel knew vows to God are serious. Matthew 5:33b
III. Do Not Swear
A. Be careful about taking oaths. Psalm 76:11; Matthew 5:34a; Acts 18:18; Hebrews 7:21
B. People like to seem righteous. Matthew 5:34a-35; Acts 5:1-11; Romans 12:9
IV. You Cannot Make
A. We’re not in control! Matthew 5:36; 1 Corinthians 4:2-4; James 4:13-15
B. God holds us accountable. Psalm 139:1-4; Hebrews 4:13
V. All You Need to Say
A. Integrity sets us free. Matthew 5:37; John 8:32
B. Respond to God’s promise to you. Psalm 15:4; Matthew 26:73-75; Philippians 1:6

​The Next Step Life Group Follow Up
§ What’s a verse from the Bible that has shaped your life?

§ Why do you think Jesus addressed oath-making in the Sermon on the Mount?

§ How do people in our culture try to appear trustworthy?

§ Why would it be difficult to function in our world without oaths?

§ How can having faith in Christ help us to have integrity?

§ Read Acts 5:1-11. Why do you think God disciplined Ananias and Sapphira so severely for misrepresenting their pledged offering?

§ How can letting our yes be yes and our no be no affect our witness?

§ What’s a specific way you can respond to Matthew 5:33-37?

​To watch live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.

I. Intro Big Idea: In His abundant love, God commands us to honor marriage covenants.
II. In His Heart…
A. The teachers of the Law focused on the physical act of adultery. Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:27; Colossians 3:20-23
B. Jesus focuses on our hearts which is where adultery comes from. Matthew 5:28
III. Your Whole Body…
A. Sin affects our whole person. Matthew 5:29
B. We must take drastic measures to deal with our sin. Matthew 5:30; James 1:22-25
IV. Anyone Who Divorces…
A. Certificates of divorce were given to protect women. Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Mathhew 5:31
B. Marriage reflects the Trinity. Matthew 19:1-12; Philippians 1:8
V. Anyone Who Marries…
A. Jesus wants to protect us from divorce. Matthew 5:32; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Ephesians 5:21-27
B. God offers a union of sacred grace. Hebrews 13:4

​The Next Step Life Group Follow Up
§ Who’s someone besides your spouse (if you’re married) that you have a strong bond with? What’s something that makes that relationship valuable?
§ If you had to give an abbreviated version of Sunday’s message on Matthew 5:27-32, what would you make sure to focus on?
§ What are some ways our culture misunderstands or devalues the covenant of marriage?
§ Why is it important for us to take responsibility for and deal drastically with adulterous desires?
§ What’s the difference between showing grace and enabling when it comes to harmful behavior in marriage?
§ How can FBCE help build, protect, and honor marriages?
§ Any specific attitudes or actions God is calling you to change after dwelling on Matthew 5:27-32?

I. Intro Big Idea: Jesus came to save murderers.
II. Subject to Judgment
A. The teachers wanted judgment to reside in human courts. Exodus 20:13; Numbers 35:6-34; Matthew 5:21; 1 Corinthians 6:5-7
B. Jesus revealed the true offense in murder. Matthew 5:22a
III. Answerable
A. We can murder in our estimation of people. Matthew 5:22b; 15:18
B. We can come under God’s judgment in our judgment of people. Matthew 5:22c
IV. Offering
A. How others feel matters. Isaiah 58:1-5; Matthew 5:23; 1 Corinthians 13:3
B. We must take the initiative in reconciliation. Matthew 5:24; John 13:34-35
V. Settle Matters
A. We must be peacemakers. Matthew 5:25: 23:23
B. Anger costs everything. Matthew 5:26

The Next Step Life Group Follow Up
§ What’s something that makes you angry?
§ What’s something from Sunday’s message on Matthew 5:21-26 you hope we talk about as a group?
§ Why do you think the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law wanted to keep the focus of murder on the superficial act of killing someone?
§ Why do you think Jesus wants us to be concerned about murder as first and foremost an issue of the heart?
§ What’s the outcome of making offerings before settling our matters with those who have something against us?
§ How can our anger imprison us?
§ How can the truth that Jesus paid for our sin in full free us from unrighteous anger?
§ What are ways our church family can settle matters quickly as a witness to the world?
§ What’s a specific way you sense God is calling you to respond to Matthew 5:21-26?

I. Intro Big Idea: Fulfillment comes through the One who fulfilled the Law.
II. Salt
A. Salt affected everything. Jeremiah 29:7; Matthew 5:13a
B. We can lose our influence. Matthew 5:13b; Romans 13:1-7
III. Light
A. The church cannot hide. Matthew 5:14-15
B. The gospel emanates through actions. Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:4
IV. The Law
A. The Old Testament points to Jesus! Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:25-27; Romans 7:12; Hebrews 9:22
B. The Old Testament instructs Christians. Matthew 5:18; Romans 6:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 10:14
V. Be Called Great
A. Practice and teach the Law Christ commands. Matthew 5:19, 22:37-40; Mark 12:30-31
B. Pursue righteousness by faith. Matthew 5:20; Romans 9:30-33

​The Next Step Life Group Follow Up
§ What’s a contest or something you’ve won?

§ What’s something from Sunday’s message you found compelling, challenging, or confusing?

§ How can Christians lose their saltiness?

§ How do modern Christians hide their light individually or collectively?

§ How can the truth that Jesus fulfilled the Law make it possible for us to follow it?

§ Read 22:37-40. What’s a way we can practice and teach the Law of Christ as a church that will help others to do the same?

§ How is God calling you to respond to Matthew 5:13-20 by faith? Pray for one another.

I. Intro Big Idea: If Jesus is our King, we can enjoy His future kingdom now. Mathew 4:23; 5:1-2; 7:28-29
II. Comfort
A. Recognition of what we lack leads to God’s riches. Matthew 5:3
B. Admission of loss leads to deliverance amid grief. Matthew 5:4
III. Fulfillment
A. Knowing our places leads to rulership. Matthew 5:5; 25;23; 1 Corinthians 6:3
B. Continual desire for what’s good leads to satisfaction. Matthew 5:6
IV. Mercy
A. Willingness to forgive means we understand we’ve been forgiven. Matthew 5:7; 18:21-35
B. Integrity leads to ultimate intimacy. Matthew 5:8; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
V. Reward
​A. Pursuit of peace reflects our connection with Christ. Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18
B. Rejoice over rewards received in grace. Matthew 5:10-12

Matthew 4:12-25

​​To watch live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.