notes on:

The Perfect Inside Job

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." 
Matthew 7:24-27

"God changes our hearts he will strengthen our homes."

The Inside Changes Everything

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."
Matthew 5:17-18

Insights on the Old Testament (law and prophets)

He did not seek to destroy them.
He did come to fulfill them... and he did fulfill them.
They will not change or fail until all is accomplished.
The Old Testament remains relevant for Jesus' followers.
External obedience to the law will not get you to Heaven.

The Inside take on Six

1. Anger...repent and reconcile v.21-26

It has well been said that the person who refuses to forgive his brother destroys the very bridge over which he himself must walk.
Warren Wiersbe

2. Lust...cut it off before it cuts you up!  v.27-30

How do we deal with lust?

Prevent

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."
Proverbs 4:23

Purify

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9

Protect

"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."
Colossians 3:5

"Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness."
Romans 6:13

3. Divorce...close all exits! v.31-32

4. Oaths...not needed character speaks! v.33-37

5. Retaliation...better to be hurt than hurt! v.38-42

6. Love...everyone! v.43-47

So, what do you think?

"I don't like everything he said so I'm probably not going to do them."

"if Jesus really knew my friends, enemies, spouse and circumstances he wouldn't expect me to do all of that stuff."

"The eight beatitudes last week were a reach but these six things are impossible."

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 
Matthew 5:48