Sermon on the mount: Matt 5:33-48

INTRODUCTION

Good Morning LC -

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CASE STUDIES

In Matthew 5 Jesus gives us 6 case studies for how we are to fulfill the Law of God in Righteousness and Justice.

FIRST 3 Case studies

How we are to live righteously towards our neighbors and community.

Murder / Respond to offence with mercy, compassion, and seek reconciliation.

Don’t even look with a lustful eye.

Divorce - Seek reconciliation / stop looking for easy ways out / Honor your covenant.

Today we will finish up Matthew 5 as we look at the last three case studies of Jesus.

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THE CHURCH NEEDS THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS MORE NOW THAN EVER.

Many Christians like to think that in Jesus we do not have enemies, but the reality is we are surrounded by enemies of the cross and enemies of the Church of Jesus.

We once held cultural sway but today Paganism is shaping the Western culture and hate, violence, dishonesty for gain, and injustice towards the weak is the new normal.

In this environment the Church is always pressured to react by:

Clothing itself in Pagan culture and excusing it as…Well, they are doing it.

Acting passively in fear of rocking the boat.

Acting out in violence.

And hating the very ones Jesus has sent us into the world to reach.

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Jesus shows us that even in an unjust world full of evil, we can respond righteously and justly, while maintaining our own dignity.

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YOU COULD TITLE THESE 3 CASE STUDIES - HOW TO LIVE JUSTLY IN AN UNJUST WORLD.

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CASE STUDY 1: LET YOUR YES BE YES AND YOUR NO BE NO!

Matthew 5:33–37 NASB95

“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ “But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. “Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. “But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.

Leviticus 19:12 NASB95

‘You shall not swear falsely by My name, so as to profane the name of your God; I am the Lord.

In the days of Jesus, the Jewish Rabbis created a rule for swearing and it is written in the Midrash.

Swear by God - keep your oath.

Swear by anything else and you can back out.

OUR WORLD ISN’T MUCH DIFFERENT.

The world is a me first world and its culture of deception for personal gain is everywhere.

We the Church of Jesus are to be people who can be counted on, believed, and willing to do the hard things to keep our word.

If you say you will do it, then do it.

Follow through.

A lie is a lie and Jesus calls it evil.

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BE A REVOLUTION OF JUSTICE IN AN UNJUST WORLD.

Matthew 5:38–42 NASB95

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

Exodus 21:24 NASB95

eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

Leviticus 24:20 NASB95

fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; just as he has injured a man, so it shall be inflicted on him.

The law gave even handed justice with no respect to the people involved.

Western law is based on this OT Law - Blind lady justice.

Revenge and retaliation comes easy to us humans.

We don’t want an eye for an eye we want a head for an eye.

Jesus is not arguing against the Biblical law but showing us how to fulfill it.

A way that is full of justice and righteousness.

A way that restores our dignity and opens the eyes of our enemy.

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK.

Matthew 5:39 NASB95

“But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

Back hand slap or open left hand slap.

Both slaps are an attack on a persons dignity.

An attack on your station - you are lower and not even a human.

JESUS IS NOT TEACHING PASSIFISM

Forcing a slap of equals

Not going MMA but showing your enemy that you are on equal footing.

Forced to see you as a dignified equal.

SEWING FOR YOUR SHIRT - LEGAL ATTACK.

Matthew 5:40 NASB95

“If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.

An evil attack to wrongfully take what is yours.

Rather than fight - give him your coat.

YOU ARE MAKING A POWERFUL STATEMENT:

You evil will not bring me harm because I am clothed by God.

Therefore I will not respond in kind but rather with kindness - here take my coat.

May Jesus use me to be a blessing to you.

Evil men rely on schemes and lies and may even use the court to get what they want. But children of God rely on Him to supply all our needs.-

WALK AN EXTRA MILE - EVIL THROUGH CONSCRIPTION

Matthew 5:41–42 NASB95

“Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

Attack on your dignity again.

Imagine, having this happen to you in front of your kids.

But how should we react in a way that restores our dignity and does not escalate the evil?

Go 2 miles / You had to walk one mile

Now with your own free will and in kindness you walk 2.

· We are saying – I am a man like you, I am an image barer of God like you, and while you chose evil to belittle me, I have chosen love, honor, and kindness to serve you.

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All 3 Attacks are against our human dignity – Physical / Law / Conscription

OUR RESPONSE IS TO BE ONE OF LOVE AND ONE THAT ALLOWS GOD TO TAKE CARE OF VENGEANCE.

Romans 12:18–21 NASB95

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Finally, our last case study - LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.

Matthew 5:43–45 NASB95

“You have heard that it was 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.

Leviticus 19:18 NASB95

‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.

Jesus final call to us is to fulfill this law to the absolute fullest.

Recognize that even our enemy is our neighbor.

Even our enemy is our mission field.

This is not a call to acceptance but a call to love.

To love with a supernatural love that produces a supernatural prayer.

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JESUS CONCLUDES HIS TEACHINGS WITH THESE INCREDIBLE WORDS.

Matthew 5:46–48 NASB95

“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 brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

JESUS IS CALLING US TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES IN THE SAME WAY GOD LOVES HIS.

Romans 5:8–10 NASB95

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

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CONCLUSION

We are being called out of a culture of being Red In Tooth and Claw into a new kind of Humanity.

A people who fully rely on God in every part of our lives.

A people who reflect Heaven on Earth.

A people who through their lives point to the New heaven and Earth.

I think of Stephen who laid his life down.

Instead of fighting he preached.

Oh and his death and that sermon softened the heart of a man named Paul to the point where he could expereince Jesus.

I think of all the saints who were burnt at the stake - singing hymns while their bodies went up in flames.

I think of the Roman colusium full of Christian deaths - and how it ws the blood of the myrters and not their swords that caused the flame of Christianity to spread like a wildfire through Europe.

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IF I COULD SUMMERIZE THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS TO US IT WOULD SIMPLY BE THIS.

In a world of Paganism, violence, selfish motives, and decitefulness.

May we reflect the image of Jesus to this world, may they see Christ in us and not a reflection of themselves.