The Golden Rule: Living Life to the Fullest
The Sermon on the Mount • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
“Πάντα οὖν ὅσα ἐὰν θέλητε ἵνα ποιῶσιν ὑμῖν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς ποιεῖτε αὐτοῖς· οὗτος γάρ ἐστιν ὁ νόμος καὶ οἱ προφῆται.”
INTRODUCTION:
1. THE PRINCIPLE
1. THE PRINCIPLE
12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
A- The Essence of the Principle.
A- The Essence of the Principle.
1- The essence of the principle requires that we think before we act.
a- “whatever you would like them to do to you.”
b- Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
2- Philippians 2:4
4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
2- The essence of the principle requires that we focus on others, rather than self.
a- “Do to others”
b- 1 Corinthians 10:24
24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
3- The essence of the principle reminds us of the law of sowing and reaping.
a- Job 4:8
8 My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same.
c- Colossians 3:24-25
24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
25 But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.
B- The Extent of the Principle.
B- The Extent of the Principle.
1- The extent of the principle is all people.
a- Galatians 6:10
10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
2- The extent of the principle is all words and actions.
a- Colossians 3:17
17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
2. THE PRACTICE
2. THE PRACTICE
12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
A- The practice of the principle is the basis of the teachings of the scriptures.
A- The practice of the principle is the basis of the teachings of the scriptures.
1- All of the Law and the Prophets are summed up in this principle.
a- “This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”
Specifically the second part of the ten commandments.
11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
12 “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
13 “You must not murder.
14 “You must not commit adultery.
15 “You must not steal.
16 “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
17 “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”
Specific teachings of the prophets dealt with this principle.
6 This is what the Lord says: “The people of Israel have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! They sell honorable people for silver and poor people for a pair of sandals.
7 They trample helpless people in the dust and shove the oppressed out of the way. Both father and son sleep with the same woman, corrupting my holy name.
8 At their religious festivals, they lounge in clothing their debtors put up as security. In the house of their gods, they drink wine bought with unjust fines.
17 Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
2- This principle is clearly seen in the teachings of Christ and the apostles.
a- Romans 13:9
9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
B- The practice of the principle begins with who we are.
B- The practice of the principle begins with who we are.
1- We are children of God.
8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
2- We are ambassadors for Christ.
20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
C- The practice of the principle has great consequences.
C- The practice of the principle has great consequences.
1- The way we treat people is a direct reflection on Christ and the Gospel.
a- Philippians 1:27
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
2- Then way we treat people can cause people to either accept or reject Christ.
a- 1 Corinthians 10:33
33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.
CONCLUSION:
What practical steps can you take to apply the essence of Matthew 7:12 in your daily interactions?
