Deep and Wide

Follow Along with the Message

"Deep and wide, deep and wide, there's a fountain flowing deep and wide. . ."   Deeper than we expect.  Wider than we deserve.

God always is.

--MURDER AND ANGER

6th Commandment is an example.  "You shall not murder."

Jesus (Matthew 5) makes it wider.  It is about ANGER and HATRED.

Anger isn't always wrong (Mark 3:5).

The anger that comes to stay is wrong.  "Everyone who is angry (continual action verb) with his brother" (v. 22).

Name calling.

This is the ground from which murder grows.  These are the early, verbal wounds of a heart that hates.

--MURDER AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Two brilliant illustrations.

This time, your brother is angry at YOU (v. 23).

Matthew 15:12.  "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?"

SHOCKING application (implications).  Put worship on pause.  The priority is your brother.

     "Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger" (Ephesians 4:26).

--MURDER AND ALIENATION

2nd illustration

Now they are opponents.  Anger is replaced with apathy or animosity.  They are taking each other to court.  Open conflict.

Make friends!  (Eunoeo--eu, good; noeo--thoughts)

     "A city or house divided against itself will not stand" (Matthew 12:25).

     "If it is very painful for you to criticize your friends you are safe in doing it.  But if you take the slightest pleasure in it, that is the time to hold your tongue" (Alice Miller, quoted in The Friendship Factor, Alan Loy McGinnis.

Not naïve, New Testament!

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Not simple.  Deep and wide.  "Whoever sheds human blood, by man his blood shall be shed" (Genesis 9:6)  War, capital punishment, self defense.

We do not murder.  We do love. 

     "You have heard it said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven;  for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?  Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  If you greet only your brother, what more are you doing than others?  Do not even the Gentiles do the same?" (Matthew 5:43-47).