Matthew 5:27-32: It Started Long Before the Affair (5-31-26)

Jesus doesn't wait for the affair to happen. He goes further back — to the glance, the thought, the habit of the heart. In Matthew 5:27–32, Jesus redefines adultery not just as an action but as an orientation of the soul — and He calls us to a radical honesty about what we're really looking for in other people. In this sermon, Pastor Brad walks through three uncomfortable but freeing truths: lust begins in the heart long before any physical act; it requires urgent, practical attention — not willpower alone; and the covenant of marriage is something Jesus takes seriously enough to defend. But this isn't just a sermon about what we've done wrong. It's about a Savior who has never broken covenant with us — even when we've broken it with Him. Topics covered: What Jesus actually means by "looking lustfully" The difference between attraction and objectification Practical steps to address lust before it takes root What Jesus said about divorce — and what He didn't say How the gospel speaks to those carrying guilt from the past