Completed Through the Teaching of Christ  (Part 4)

Humilty in Response to Evil

Text: Matthew 5:38-42

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (04/01/01)

Introduction:   

There is only one principle in this text.   It is summarized in the words of Christ in vs. 39.

“But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil:”

Now this principle is driven home by use of explanation and illustration.

There are some tough things here.  Some difficult applications to our life.  Some say, “It is not for today, but for the Millennial Kingdom”,  I say “What about the rest of Matthew 5, is it not for today?  It must be for today!!”

The discipline in practice that is taught in this passage requires great humility of heart.

HUMILITY – The place of absolute dependence upon God.

MEEKNESS – Power under control.

Humility is not the position of weakness, it is the position of strength.

Humility comes before exaltation.

EXAMPLE: Christ

Philippians 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

How does this relate to the daily situations and confrontations of life?

Family? Marriage? Business? The Church?

Take the position of strength (humility).  If you respond in anger, defensiveness, pride, resentment, bitterness etc.  you have taken the position of weakness.  Take the high road!!

I. The Background of the Principle vs.38

“An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:”

LOOK UP & READ Exodus 21:22-25

A. Legal Retribution

This was both provided for and carried out under this system.  It is proper and helpful.  And, we might add, needed today.

Ecclesiastes 8:11  Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

B. Personal Retribution

Not permitted under Moses.   Would lead to vengeance, vigilantism, and anarchy.

II. The Principle Explained vs.39

Not only is Christ saying “No retaliation, No Revenge”’ He is saying “No resistance”.

Subsequent to this, “You are to LOVE your enemies” vs.43f

“That ye resist not evil:” (Lit. – The evil man)

What does that mean?

A. Pacifism?

There have always been those who have interpreted this in its strictest sense and then applied it to the refusal of military service and or self defense of any kind.

This sort of teaching becomes the ground for those who would….

ATTACK the morality of the gospel.

ASSUALT Christianity as inconsistent.

EXCUSE failure to attempt obedience to commands which are “impossible to carry out”.

B. No self defense or Protection?

Christ’s Example

John 18:22-23  And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

23  Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

Paul’s Example

Acts 22:1  Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

ILLUS: Someone breaks into your home, or begins to attack and harass your family.  What do you do?

What is in the job description of the Shepherd?

John 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Did not David slay a Lion and a Bear?

To resist or punish the wrongdoer is not inherently sinful, but to resist or resent in a passionate, revengeful spirit is deeply sinful.

C. Seeing the Battle from God’s Perspective

The idea is to let evil have it’s course; to leave it for God to punish and control.

Evil not to be returned for evil on the personal level.

LOOK UP & READ Romans 12:17-21

James 1:20  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

The following encouragement came as Jehoshaphat and Judah faced the alliance of the Ammonites and Moabites.

LOOK UP & READ II Chronicles 20:15-17

1 Peter 2:23  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

III. The Principle Illustrated vs.39-42

There are FOUR examples given, all of which amplify this one principle as given in vs.39.

Now they are examples of the extreme.

These situations are not likely to occur, yet even if they did the principle holds, and therefore it is surely true that every experience of a lesser degree of severity is covered by this same principle.

He greater includes the lesser

A. Extreme Insult vs.39

To smite meant to smite with the rod or an open-handed or open-palmed blow to the jaw. 

The emphasis of this example is insult not physical injury.

It was the ultimate personal insult one could suffer in that day.

Christ suffered in such a way on more than one occasion.

Matthew 26:67  Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

ILLUS: If someone spits in your face it is the similar insulting act.

How many have had that happen?   How many have been insulted in some way?

Name calling, Questioning of motives.  These are painful experiences.  (Use Personal illustration)

Who do we usually receive an insult from?

From whom does it hurt the most?  Usually from someone close, family, church member, associate.  At least we take it more personally coming from these sources.

“Turn the other Cheek”

Not a self righteous taunt or dare, but a willingness to suffer the insult.  To leave the judgment to God.

Who are we the most willing to displease?  God or the World?

B. Extreme Injustice vs.40

Latin Proverb – “If one sues you for the egg, give him the hen also”.

COAT – The inner garment, or tunic (A long shirt reaching below the knee, bound or tied up with a belt or girdle.) In some cases two were worn.

CLOAK – Garments in general; or the Outer garment (loose robe) – Frequently used by the poor as a covering by night.

Explain the law under Moses.

Exodus 22:26  If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:

Since this was the law the Jews would naturally have allowed the inner garment to be taken by judicial process rather than the outer one.

APPLICATION: Sueing of thy brother – I Corinthians 6:7-8

ILLUS: Meadowvale property

C. Extreme Impressment vs.41

Explain the hardship of the Jews under Roman impressments.

This was a Persian practice continued by the Greeks and Romans.

Initially it was applied to make one a public courier.  Eventually under the Romans it became the compelling or coercing to perform any public service.

This was especially offensive to the Jews.

EXAMPLE: Simon bearing the cross of Christ.

Matthew 27:32  And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

Luke 23:26  And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

ILLUS: Paying of our Taxes.  Example – Cork Albright (Holland/Belgium)

Romans 13:7  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

D. Extreme Imposition vs.42

Lending is tantamount here to generosity and benevolence.  Not a formal loan from your financial institution.

The Jews were forbidden from charging each other interest. (Exodus 22:25)

Hebrews 13:16  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

James 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Lend when it is both pleasant and convenient, but also when it is neither pleasant nor convenient.

LOOK UP & READ Luke 11:5-8

Helpful Principles on Benevolence:

1. Give as unto Christ (Matthew 25:35-40)

2. Do not expect reciprocation (Luke 6:30-36)

3. Give as you have ability

Proverbs 3:27  Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

4. Give according to the need - Discernment needed (Prov. 3:27)

5. God will provide your need

Proverbs 11:24-25  There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

25  The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Proverbs 19:17  He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

BALANCE:

God promises to give us in Christ Jesus whatsoever we ask, yet gives us what is appropriate.

James 4:3  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

To give to those who ask amiss would neither be appropriate nor helpful to those who ask.

Conclusion:     (Review)