Displaying Flannels and Faith

Intro

It’s finally flannel weather. I am so glad we live in a place that I can wear flannels most of the year. I have consistently been a wearer of flannels all the way back to high school. I love flannels.

Often times, when our kids are young, they want to be like us. I think this changes in the teen years. But my kids know that I love flannels, and because I love flannels, they love flannels. They get so excited to wear a flannel because they get to look like dad. If there is a day in our house, where we all get to wear flannels, as a whole family, you might think it is the best day in the whole world for them.

These cute little humans wearing their cute little flannels, they get to display something I love and am passionate about.

Main Point: Jesus calls his disciples to rise above self-interest and display the Father’s heart in the Kingdom of Heaven.

You might ask where we are meant to go to understand our fathers heart and character. Where Does Jesus tell us to go? To the Word of God. This is where we learn and determine the father’s heart and Character.

Jesus is instructing us with how we understand the Word of God. We don’t go to it as a book of legalism and rules to follow, but a place we go to learn about who God is and how we can display him better.

We sometimes think of Bible as a rule book, or a manual for life. But it is not meant to be this. We read it like a love letter. We cherish it. We learn about the heart of the father through it. And then we uphold it and live it out.

The Old Testament prophets describe God’s law as something that hovered over us to condemn us because we couldn’t keep it. Something that we could not do or keep.

But Jesus has come to fulfill and live out the Old Testament. And now, when we put our faith and trust in him, rather than our own works, we are given a new heart. This is what the prophet Ezekiel says. That God gives us a new heart and writes his law on our heart.

No longer do we have to be motivated by this heart of stone and selfishness, but God gives us a heart that desires to follow him.

Lets dive into some example of how Jesus tells us that we can now live out his law for us.

I. Live Saturated by Truth v33-37

First this Morning, we see how Jesus’s disciples live saturated by truth.

We look at these strange verses about oaths, saying yes or no, and have to ask what are these verses about? Potentially, they are about three things. A) Declaring God as the guarantee of your oath, or B) Swearing things to God C) Swearing oaths at all.

For us to understand what Jesus is saying, we need to run back to the Old Testament text that Jesus is referencing. Lev 19:12

Leviticus 19:12 NET 2nd ed.

12 You must not swear falsely in my name, so that you do not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.

Numbers 30:2 NET 2nd ed.

2 If a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath of binding obligation on himself, he must not break his word, but must do whatever he has promised.

Deuteronomy 23:21–23 NET 2nd ed.

21 When you make a vow to the Lord your God you must not delay in fulfilling it, for otherwise he will surely hold you accountable as a sinner. 22 If you refrain from making a vow, it will not be sinful. 23 Whatever you vow, you must be careful to do what you have promised, such as what you have vowed to the Lord your God as a freewill offering.

Jesus’s point does not seem to be swearing oaths at all, but rather declaring God as the guarantee of an oath and truthfulness

Oaths cannot be evil in an of themselves. Jesus would later be under oath when he is on trial in Matthew 26. Don’t worry, we will get there. Someday...Maybe.

Paul makes “oaths” with God as his witness to new believers.

In a wedding, we say “before God and these witnesses” as a marriage covenant or oath between them.

In court, witnesses used to say “so help me God”

Doctors take the Hippocratic Oath.

Government officials and public servants often have to swear an oath of allegiance.

Military members are “sworn in” with an oath.

Many people from the scriptures and in the early church swear oaths.

So are oaths the problem? Is Jesus’s beef is with oaths?

No, Jesus’s problem is with the truth, and the truth being tied to God. The intent of Jesus’s new way of living is the issue of truth, not oaths.

Without us understanding Jesus’s principle, we might think that Jesus is getting rid of the Old Testament to replace it with his rules. But Jesus has told us this is not his mission. Rather, he is showing his kingdom disciples how to live better in a “greater righteousness.” He didn’t come to abolish the law, but show us how it is to be fulfilled more fully.

So what is with these principles on oath keeping? They are really about truthfulness. This is the intent of the Old Testament and vows and oaths. It comes to compel us to be people of truth.

But Jesus comes to say, just keep it simple, be a people of truthfulness!

If God is a God of Truth, then we as his people should also be truthful.

Jesus says not to take oaths at all by heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or your own head.

The jews held that if the name of God was not specifically mentioned, it was not a binding oath. And there were these silly, trivial levels of how binding they were. Even some minutia details of “if you swear by Jerusalem, not binding, but if you swear toward Jerusalem, it is binding.

But the point Jesus is making is that all of these things are determined by God anyway! Heaven is his throne, the earth his footstool, this is a quotation from the Isaiah 66:1. Jerusalem is his city, he determines that too.

And to end the discussion, you can’t even swear by our own self. Can you change determine for yourself what hair color you are born with? Can you determine the time you start having grey hairs or your hair goes white? No! That is up to God, not you.

So even to swear by your own life, is still swearing by God because all things are under his control.

What ever you swear by is related or controlled by God. No need to invoke him.

Just like divorce and remarriage in the last sermon, the provision for these things should not be needed if we would uphold what God has called us to.

And here, the provision for oaths should not even be needed if we are people of truth.

Adyline is the most responsible two year old. And she loves to babysplain. You may have heard of Mansplaining, where men will explain things to women in a way they might better understand, Adyline does this to Erika and I. When we get into the car to go somewhere, she tells me to wait for mom. Guess what, I was going to wait for mom anyway. She tells us to buckle. Guess what, we were going to buckle anyway. She will even explain to us how to change her diaper. Right now, Erika and I sleep on a pullout couch, she will explain to us how to put the pullout couch away. She will explain to Erika how to fold laundry.

Her explaining to us was unnecessary.

Oaths and swearing should be as unnecessary as Adyline’s Babysplaining. Whether or not an oath or swearing is given, we will follow through anyway.

What are some practical ways we can be people of truth?

By not adding things to what we say. What ever comes out of your mouth, even to the smallest two words “yes” and “no” people should trust us because of our character and because of Who we represent.

Adding anything to this is from the evil one verse 37 tells us. There is debate on the last word of verse 37. τοῦ πονηροῦ could be evil or the evil one. Most scholars believe it is actually the personified evil as Satan. A fun word is articular meaning it has an article in the original language. When something has an article, it moves out of the general sense of the word and can be a person. It is more likely to be a personification of an attribute or a description of a person rather than an aethereal general thing. Jesus is saying that to go beyond simple truths comes from the one who is Evil, not from the concept of evil.

Remember in John 8:44 Jesus is referenced as the father of lies, Satan. Or even all the way back at the first human story of the Bible, Satan comes to tempt Adam and Eve by lying, adding to God’s good truth. Throughout the book of Matthew, and even in the verse two down, verse 39, the same construction is used and is intended to mean an evil person.

Maybe we think this is just a small thing. Lying. But think of how the Bible really calls out lying with people like Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Arron, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, the brothers of Joseph, David, Peter, and Ananias and Sephora. God is serious about lying. And not just lying, God is serious about truth. If he is the God of truth, he wants his people to also be truthful.

So here are some practical concerns for us to think about today.

When we give our word, is it something that others can count on? If we are making a claim, are we characterized by truthfulness in a way that people can trust us?

Do we qualify truth or add to it? Jesus is telling us not to.

And if we are people who have have the words “I swear!” in our regular vocabulary, we can take it out. People can know that we represent God and that our word is good. Even if we haven’t lived this way, we can start today.

II. Live Compelled by Service v38-42

Next, we see living compelled to service.

Jesus says that the old testament says “eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth.” Whatever wrong someone has committed, they should have to pay back in full.

Now again, intent is critical. Certainly justice is involved here. But the main intention here is to end the cycle of violence.

This concept of equal retribution is hard for siblings. No body ever repays evenly, they want to get each other back better. They kicked you, you kick them harder.

But we do this as adults also. We get hurt, we will hurt someone else worse. This is a natural urge. Sinful, but natural. You have have started this fight, but i’m going to finish it. This is human nature.

So the Levitical law comes to limit retribution. If you have something done to you, only do back what was done to you.

But Jesus says in verse 39, that we shouldn’t resist the evil person.

And then Jesus gives a few examples. Slapping, suing for cloths, forced servitude for a soldier, and giving to a beggar.

The first one of slapping is a bit off putting to us. Hammurabi’s code is outside of the bible, from the 18th century BC, but sheds some light on this. If someone slapped your right cheek, this was personally degrading and insulting, even more than the left cheek The punishment would be doubled. Restitution payment would be doubled. But Jesus say don’t seek this restitution at all.

So, this becomes an issue of identity and honor. Will you defend your honor? Or will you leave it up to God?

We also want to mention here, this is private retaliation, not public order. Don’t let evil triumph in society by anarchy. Rather, this is a personal life issue.

I said this last week also, Jesus is not telling you to put yourself under continual abuse. If you are in an abusive situation, marital, familial, work related, get out. Or come and chat with us, we are happy to help walk though making steps to get out.

Jesus is talking about ending the cycle of violence. Ending the cycle of violence doesn’t look like you continually making opportunity where violence can continue and staying in an abusive relationship.

Think about Paul as an example in Acts 22 and 25 when people want to do violent things to him because he follows Jesus. He doesn’t harm them or retaliate, but he also doesn’t say “here am i, stone me.” He invokes his Roman Citizenship, using the government, as a way to end violence.

The issue for us is what will you do next? Do you feel the need to retaliate, get back at them, or are you willing to leave it in the Lords hands? Proverbs 20:22

Proverbs 20:22 NET 2nd ed.

22 Do not say, “I will pay back evil!” Wait for the Lord, so that he may vindicate you.

This is a reminder that God will do the vindicating. But it is hard to trust that he will, especially when we don’t see it in this life.

And do you want to know what is funny, God, the sustainer of the universe and ultimate judge is in a far better position for vindication and retaliation than we ever will be. He will do a better job. We just have to wait for it.

Then notice the Tunic issue. If someone is going to sue you over a tunic, give him your cloak also. Tunic would have been an undergarment long shirt. Cloak would have been a more expensive outer garment. So Jesus says that if someone sues you for the easier piece, give him the other piece also.

In the Old Testament, there were laws in place that ensured no one would take your garment, and if someone did, they would have to give it back to you before the end of the day. But Jesus is telling you that if someone wants to sue you over a thing they have no right to, give them that and even more.

This is denying self interest and looking to help others.

Then the soldier issue. At the time of Jesus, Roman soldiers could invoke any one to walk with them for a mile and carry their equipment. They were the ones occupying the territory, and you were there servants. But the Roman law said that they could only do this for one single mile.

But for the one carrying, this would have been oppressive and humiliating and helpless. But Jesus is telling us to set aside the feelings of hatred, resentment, pride, and live compelled to serve others.

This might be our attitude for a friend. We might be willing to “go the extra mile” for a friend, but for one intentionally trying to humiliate us? This is going to prepare us for the next point also about enemies later.

Then Verse 42 introduces the idea of a beggar asking for money. Or someone asking to borrow from you.

Jesus is calling his disciples to unselfish, uncalculated, unnatural benevolence. Protecting your own resources and best interest should not be your primary goal.

Our temptation is to look at Jesus’s stary eyed optimism of utopia and think its to unrealistic. But what we should be considering for ourselves is how to adopt a non-self centered approach to the way we live our lives. Putting the rights and needs of others before our own.

In the real world, we realize that there will still be a judicial system, courts, and government resources for the less fortunate and for protection of order. But we don’t live our lives this way. We live to serve and set aside our self interest.

When asked for money or help, we might be tempted to think “Will they use my given resources well? Will I ever see a return on this? How will giving get me something in return?”

But this is not the attitude of Jesus’s followers. We give generously.

This idea comes to combat individualism and consumerism in America. Thinking the world is about me and what can the world give me? All of my decisions and actions are based on what can i get out of the situation. Followers of Jesus do not seek their own benefit.

One of my least favorite video genres on the internet are benevolence videos. Someone cuts grass for someone who can’t afford it. They buy meals for the poor. Buy cloths for the homeless. While all of these are good things to do, and while there might be some good intent behind the person, ultimately, the person doing the filming stands to benefit financially and in popularity and fame.

If we are motivated in self interest, we ought to really consider what Jesus is teaching.

With all these examples that Jesus gives us, we want to be careful not to make them strict legalism. But rather, reflect on the principles for life that we can apply to our personal situations.

There is two principles here. Don’t be concerned with your honor, and don’t seek your own benefit. This is a counter-cultural way of living. And the positive of that is to live for the benefit and service of others.

In living to serve others, we might suffer loss, or be hurt, But we trust that the heavenly father will supply our needs and also deal with injustice in his time.

Blessed are the merciful, for they receive mercy.

If you are interested more in this concept, there is a book called “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. He is a controversial author in Christian circles, but this book is fantastic on this subject of Crazy love.

III. Live Warmed by Love v43-44

Next, we see live warmed by love. We see this in verses 43-44

The passage that Jesus is quoting from is Leviticus 19:18

What is interesting, is the words “hate your neighbor” are not in the Old Testament. Jesus is pointing out the reverse.

You might think of it as a photo negative before the digital era. This picture kind of shows that. You have the nice and amazing picture, but there is also a negative of this picture.

Jesus pointing out what they were doing. They were willing to love their neighbor which they took to mean they could hate their enemy. For Israel, neighbor was restrictive to fellow Israelite. Not outsiders.

But Jesus tells them to love both the neighbor and the enemy. Even to pray for the ones who persecute you.

This is the most oxymoronic thing that Jesus says. Love your enemies. By definition, enemies are not loved. To a world living for self interest, this one especially makes no sense.

And notice that in verse 43, the word enemy is singular, and in verse 44, it is plural. This is meant to be an all-inclusive, all-encompassing category. No one is excluded.

Jesus’s concern here is our attitude with the person. Do we love them enough to put their needs before our own? Are we willing to resist retaliation, and instead desire their good and even to pray for their good?

Jesus is showing us here that loving your enemy is not just stopping negative action toward them. But it is positive emotion that comes from our hearts, and leads us to action. Even if it is just initially praying for them.

You might think “Oh yeah, I will pray for them alright. I will pray for their destruction!”

But this is not the heart of love for them that Jesus is calling us to.

What to know what happens when we start praying for people who are our enemies? When we seek their good even through prayer? Our hearts change toward them. We begin to be reminded that they are created in the image of God.

IV. Live Motivated by Holiness v45-48

Last today, we see Live Motivated by Holiness. This is seen in verses 45-48.

Let me just say, I have personally struggled and wrestled with this one this week. Love your Enemies?

I don’t like this command of Jesus. When someone cuts me off in traffic, its somewhat easy to say to myself, I love them. And I will pray for them to have a good day right now.

But, it is harder with people that have had long term affects on our lives. People who have caused us financial loss. People who have wrecked us mentally or emotionally.

I think of the people who have wronged me and been evil to me. The wounds they have given me cut deep and are still hurt as open wounds.

But Jesus tells me to love those people? He wants me to desire their best interest? Jesus I don’t want to! This is too hard of a task!

Maybe that’s why he saved this one for last. To show us the full extent of life lived for God.

But I'm thankful for the next few verses. The rest of this chapter for motivation. Jesus gives three reason for us living in this way.

A. God’s Example of Benevolence (v45)

First Reason, God’s example of benevolence.

Look at verse 45. Matthew 5:46

Matthew 5:45 NET 2nd ed.

45 so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

This is how we model the father. This verse is key to really this entire chapter. We do these things and live the way Jesus has called us to to represent God here on earth.

This is not saying that we become God’s children when we love, but rather it is showing who we truly are.

These efforts of love are not earning us a relationship with God, but rather acting in character with the father. Not becoming, but Being.

You will remember the promise of Matthew 5:9

Matthew 5:9 NET 2nd ed.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

And the reason that we are to love our enemies, is not self interest or general wisdom, but because you reflect the character of God as his children.

I’m so thankful that my relationship with God is not dependent upon me. If my relationship with God was left up to me and my efforts, I would fail horribly. But thankfully, God is the determiner of our relationship with himself. Not me. And knowing that while i was yet a sinner, he sent Christ to die for my sin and secure my relationship to himself.

God is indiscriminately benevolent to all people. He gives rain and sun to the just and the unjust. He doesn’t have to, he is God. He created the galaxies and the minute details of molecules. But he shows his benevolence to people in giving them rain and sun.

God gives to those who even hate him. Reject him. Curse him. Or just ignore him entirely. Resent him even though he has made us and blessed us with life. He still shows benevolence to those people.

B. God’s People of Contrast (v46-47)

The second reason that Jesus gives for us to love our enemies, and live for all the ways he has called us to in this chapter is found in verses 46-47. God’s people are a people of Contrast.

He says if you love those who love you, it isn’t saying a whole lot. It’s easy to love the people who love you. Even tax collectors, who at the time of Jesus were the most despised people of all, love those who love them.

Tax collectors were public enemy number one for Jewish people. They betrayed their people for the sake of money to join the Roman Occupation. And if that wasn’t bad enough, they would extort their own people for their profit and greed. They would be rich while their own people suffered in poverty. Jesus says, if you love those that love you, how are you better than a tax collector?

And then verse 47 says that if pagans gentiles greet each other warmly, how are you better than they?

The purpose is to call us to a different ethic. A commitment to Christ and his holiness. If we are the people of God, and represent him, why should we take pride in acting like everyone else around us?

A greater love and service must be displayed.

C. God’s Own Character of Wholeness (v48)

Last today, look at verse 48 to see God’s level of Wholeness. Matthew 5:48 “48 So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

When we read this verse initially, this verse is daunting. Be perfect like God? How can I live up to that standard! Do you know what i did even this morning? How is this verse grace and not law?

When I’ve heard this text taught by some, they say “look, Jesus is showing you an unattainable standard of something you can’t do.” And yes, we realize that apart from him, we can do nothing. But in Christ, with his spirit in us, we live out this way that he is calling us to. This way that is the true humanity. Truly bearing God’s image as we were meant to do.

Jesus is not the older sibling pretending to hand you a lollipop only to smack it out of your hand before you can put it in your mouth.

But remember, Jesus is talking to his disciples and telling them they can live this way if they are a part of his kingdom. Being perfect like our father is a command, a promise, and a statement of hope.

Perfect is a confusing translation. It really means more than perfection. This verse is a quote from Lev 19:2 and Deut 18:13 where God calls his people to live holy like he is Holy. Jesus changes the word to “telos” in greek. Other places in the New Testament it gets translated as “mature” or “complete.” It carries the idea of whole. Be wholly devoted to God’s ways.

Remember all the way back in verse 20 that Jesus says this is how we can live in a greater righteousness, a different kind of righteousness. Now we see this is a righteousness after our heavenly father.

Our standard of ethics is not based on what everyone else in the world is doing, but based on the one whose image we bear. Who we are created to reflect. When I am trying to determine how I am to live, i don’t look around, I look up!

Do you want to experience the fullness of God in your life? Then follow Jesus and commit your life to him being your Lord.

One author says this idea of being perfect as our father in heaven is perfect is a restful dissatisfaction. Resting in the knowledge that my relationship with God is perfect only because of Jesus and his finished work. But that I desire and continue to being more like my father in heaven.

My son Leland loves the idea of being a dad.

Many of you know, I am a committed and avid coffee drinker. Not a Dunkin drinker, but a specialty, freshly roasted coffees. And my kids from a young age get to be introduced to the golden liquid. Avenleigh and Adyline will drink it, they will even dip their finger in espresso, but Leland loves it. Leland will always ask for the last drink of my coffee. And he loves it no sugar black. Part of his love for coffee is that it is something that Dad loves. He gets to do something that I am passionate about.

Recently, I wanted to do something special with him. So I took him to Starbucks despite my contention with big chain coffee. I got him a small coffee, then went to Lowes to get a few things. He walked through the store with such pride. He said “I think people will look at me and think i am a dad.” And a few min later, a store employee just so happened to say “wow, you are sure a big person, walking through the store with coffee!” And Leland was just beaming ear to ear.

More than the taste of coffee, he got to act like dad. He displayed the things that dad loves. Leland does not model perfect dadness as a four year old. But he loves it.

This is the taste of what it is like us to be Children of God in the Kingdom of Heaven. We look to our father to understand his heart, and then we join him.

Beyond the Walls (Grace and Growth)

Now we get to the beyond the Walls part of this sermon.

Lets talk about the gospel of grace here. What we realize, is that God has exemplified this truth of loving enemies far greater than we do. He is the example par excellence. We are the true enemies of God. Though he has created us, given us life, given us this world to live in, and shown us how to live in it in the fullest way, we have sinned greatly against him. We have all lied, cheated, had bad thoughts, fought for our own selfish ambition, hated people. Just one of these sins is enough to separate us from a holy and perfect God for all of eternity. We deserve his judgement as his enemies.

And we can work and strive to be good all that we want to, but it has no effect on our standing with God. But it is just snow on a pile of dung. Like a murderer standing before a judge, and says “but judge, i washed your car today.” A just judge still has to punish the one with offense if he is a just judge.

But God in his mercy, sought to make us his children. And how did he do this? By sending his own son, who had no sin, to take on our sin. And took our punishment and judgement to the cross. And he did not stay on the cross, but he rose from the dead to give us life. Resurrected new life found in Jesus.

Romans 10:9–10 “9 because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation.”

If you have yet to call on him as your savior, please do that today. Pray and ask him to rescue you from your sin. Repent of sin and ask him to be your savior. This is not something that you might be given, but is a promise that you can KNOW that you have eternal life. You WILL be saved! If you want to know more, please come and talk to Richard or I after the service.

There is a song that says "your blood, has washed away my sin, the Father’s wrath completely satisfied, once your enemy, now seated at your table Jesus thank you.”

To those of us who are following Jesus, what does it look like to follow him selflessly? What does it look like to set aside our own ambition, our love for self, our own pride and honor, and seek him in the service of others?

When a need presents itself this week, rather than thinking “ah! helping this person doesn’t fit well into my week!” or “ah, i can’t give right now!” We ought to think how we readjust our schedule to set aside our selfish ambition and have time to serve others. What costs or even subscriptions might i set aside in my life more generously to others?

Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. If you would like to respond to the text with our hearts and minds today, let us pray.

Father, as once your enemy and now your child, help me to also live wholly and completely after you.

Jesus, help me to follow your example in giving myself away to others in generous kindness.

Spirit, help me to love others this week and proclaim Christ as I serve.