Today we are continuing our sermon series going through the Gospel of Matthew.

Message Outline

Today, we’re continuing on in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus is in the midst of teaching what it looks like for people to be a part of the Kingdom of God. Today, we’re looking at what He has to say about adultery and lust. Scripture teaches us that:

We need to realize that lust is a sin and we can control our thoughts
Matt. 5:27-28, 2 Cor. 10:3-6, 1 Pet. 1:14-15, Rom. 7:21-25

Common misconceptions about lust:
1. All sexuality is dirty - Gen. 2:18-25, Song of Solomon, 1 Cor. 7:1-5, Ez. 16, Hosea, 2 Cor. 11:2, Rev. 19:6-10

2. Temptations are the same as sins - Heb. 2:18. 4:15, Matt. 4:1

3. Over valuing sexuality1 - Cor. 6:12-13, 20, Ecc. 3:1-8


How to deal with lust:
1. Get radical with it
Matt. 5:29-30, 1 Cor. 6:18, 1 Pet. 2:11, James 4:7, Gen 39

2. Cut out anything that causes you to lust
Matt. 5:29-30, 2 Sam. 11, Gal. 5:16, Col. 3:5, 2 Tim. 2:22, James 1:14-15

3. Seek out accountability
James 5:16, Ecc. 4:9-12, 2 Cor. 5:10, Gal. 6:2

4. Focus on your relationship with Lord
Matt. 26:41, Rom. 1:21-27, 7:15-20, 8:6, 13:14, 1 Thess. 4:3-5, Eph. 5:3, 1 Cor. 10:13, 2 Cor. 5:17

Getting Started

Take some time to read over Matthew 5:27-30 and pray.
1. Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it?
2. What are some common misconceptions about sexuality in our culture?3. What are some common misconceptions about sexuality among Christians?
4. Be honest with yourself: have you ever struggled with lust? How so?
5. Do you struggle with lust during this season of your life? How so?

Diving In
In order to understand lust, we first must understand what the Bible teaches about our sexuality. Scripture is clear when it comes to our sexuality. God created sex, and it is good, but it has its parameters. Those parameters are that sex is only to be between one man, and one woman, who are married. If you would like to hear an entire message on why we believe that, please go to our website and listen to the message from last year when we talked about that: hmcworship.com/sermons/bethechurchweek6.

1. Many people think that only their outward actions count, and that they can’t control what they are thinking, but Jesus’ teachings about lust elevates the standard that God has for our sexuality, from our outward actions, to what is going on within our hearts. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. How can you better learn to control your thoughts?
2. What common thoughts do you have that are not honoring to God?
3. How do you think your life would change if you learned how to better control your thought life?

Many times in the church, we can have misconceptions about our sexuality. We can easily fall into the trap of thinking all sexual thoughts are sinful. As we discussed in the message, there are obviously sinful thoughts we can have about sexuality, however, by erroring on the other side, we can actually cause ourselves issues. What effect do you think it would have on you, to look at Scripture, and realize that sex is good (so long as it is in its proper context).

1. What misconceptions have you had about sex before?
2. Read Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15. How does realizing that Jesus was tempted sexually help you in your temptations?
3.How can you help fellow believers to have a better understanding about what Scripture says about sexuality?

Read Matthew 5:29-30 again. Jesus doesn’t go softly on lust. He is clear that we need to cut out anything in our lives that causes us to lust. What in your life causes you to lust?
1. Where are you most commonly tempted to lust?
2. Where, emotionally, are you, when you are tempted to lust?
3. What do you need to cut out of your life, and how can you practically accomplish that?
4. How do you think focusing on your relationship with the Lord would help you to stop lusting?

Applying the Scripture
What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word?
1.What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture?
2. How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord?
3. Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?

CHURCH FAMILY NEEDS: Pray for the Ewing family; Jason unexpectedly passed away recently. Pray for Jerry Jamrozy, who has bone cancer.

MISSIONARIES: This month pray for Janyne Johnston.


FAMILY OF THE WEEK: Each week we’ll pray for a different family in our church. This week pray for Barb.

HILLSIDE HAPPENINGS: Pray that the church would continue to stay unified under Christ. Pray for our livestream and for the people joining us there. Pray for Casa Del Alfarero, the Spanish-speaking Missionary Church 5 minutes from our building.

CURRENT HAPPENINGS: Pray for the war in Israel. Pray for the war in Ukraine.

Attendance
In-person on 2/25: 47
Online views (through 2/29): 12

Giving
Online (2/19/24-2/25/24): will be included in next week’s bulletin
In-Person on 2/25/24: $150 for general
Total general needed weekly to meet budget: $1623

Parents, mark your calendars! Our kids’ ministry is putting on their annual glow-in-the-dark egg hunt on March 22nd. Check in with one of our kids ministry team leaders for more details.

This is a great time to join a small group! Joining a small group is a great way to grow in your faith. There is a small group that meets on Sunday mornings, at 9:30am, and men’s and women’s groups that meet every other Tuesday evening. For more information, please see Pastor Josh.

The foster closet is running a book drive and would love to have your help! For more information, see the insert in the bulletin, or see April Rollf.

If you do not receive our weekly emails, announcements, and prayer requests, please join our email list! You can do so by going to hmcworship.com/im-new

TECH: Our worship team is looking for someone who would like to run sound and/or slides. Please see Pastor Josh.

WORSHIP TEAM: Would you like to help out on the worship team? Please see Carolyn Dodd for details.

PRAYER GUIDE: Will you be in prayer for Hillside? Prayer guides are available at the welcome counter. Also, if you would like to be a prayer advocate, please see Pastor Josh.

MAINTENANCE TEAM: Would you like to help out on the maintenance team? We need help inside and outside the building. Please see Jeff Soule for details.