Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.19UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.14UNLIKELY
Fear
0.1UNLIKELY
Joy
0.54LIKELY
Sadness
0.56LIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.62LIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0.28UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.87LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.92LIKELY
Extraversion
0.19UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.57LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.75LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Intro:
TS: John MacArthur says of this morning’s text that “probably no part of the Sermon on the Mount has been so misinterpreted and misapplied as 5:38-42.
It has been interpreted to mean the Christians are to be sanctimonious doormats.
It has been used to promote pacifism, conscientious objection to military service, lawlessness, anarchy, and a host of other positions it does not support.”
Remember, before Jesus began His discussion of man’s righteousness vs God’s righteousness, He had declared that He had not come to abolish the Law.
That Law clearly included respect and obedience to human law and authority.
The issue He is addressing is insistence of the Pharisees and scribes on demanding their personal rights and vengeance when they perceived a violation of those rights.
RS: We see a similar attitude today.
As Americans, we love freedom.
We love to demand our rights and insist others respect every perceived right we can imagine.
If you violate them, then vengeance is often swift and universal.
In fact, we have a rush to judgment today that seems to be forgetting due process.
The mere accusation is enough to make you vilified, fired, and outcast by society .
You have heard
““You have heard that it was said, ‘A N EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH
punishment that fits the offense.’
Two aspects
Legal
One aspect is that this was the law of Israel.
Restitution was codified for them.
eye for eye
tooth for tooth
These are civil code and the government had the authority to enforce it.
The punishment was supposed to match the crime.
In Mosaic Law ans in teh Code of Hammurabi this principal had 2 purposes:
it deterred further crime.
b.
It set limits on punishment
Vengeance would lead to excessive punishment.
punishment was to match but never exceed the crime.
Personal
Human vengenace is never satisfied with justice.
It always wants a pound of flesh for an ounce of offense.
It had grown into personal vendettas
They bypassed the trial and went straight to revenge
Made them savage and a dog eat dog society
This is why God reserved vengeance to Himself
God always told the individual to live peacefully and love each other.
Oral teachings had perverted God’s Law and justice.
each took the law into his own hands.
each fought for his rights at the expense of others.
Jewish tradition had twisted God’s restrictions on civil justice into a personal license for revenge.
I say
Jesus called on them to make a radical change.
He calls them back to God’s righteousness.
Again, it is important to point out that Jesus is addressing personal relation, not saying we are to passively tolerate all manners of evil without standing for truth.
We must stand for truth
We are to resist evil every way we can.
proclaim truth
Vote for truth
March for truth!
At times, fight for it.
I fully believe that the generation which stood up to the atrocities of Hitler in WW2 were doing a righteous thing.
They were ending a great evil.
They were ending a great evil.w
teaching which says we are to passively sit by while Satan marches across the world through his emissaries destroying lives.
In speaking of the government, Paul wrote in Romans that it was a force to stand against evil.
This includes enacting laws, policing them, and carrying out wars.
Leaders answer to God for how well they serve that purpose.
Notice what Paul says,
BUT, personal violations of rights between people DO NOT give us license for retaliation!
Jesus is speaking of personal resentment and revenge
He had already said this:
Jesus was interested in elevating relationships
He says:
Do not resist an evil person
[someone who insults you or violates your rights];
In the name of peace, don’t retaliation
He goes into a few examples
First, an attack on our dignity
All humans have the right to be treated with dignity, respect, and consideration.
Sadly, it seems at times we are lousy at showing that.
To the Jews, a slap was one of the most demeaning things you could do to someone.
Jesus says in that case, show restraint.
The AMP Bible says it this way: [simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate--maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise].
Turning the other cheek symbolizes the non-avenging, nonretaliatory, humble, and gentle spirit that is to characterize disciples of Jesus.
Peter ties this to Jesus’ own reaction in
When reviled, He did not revile in return
When He suffered, He did not threaten
Second, violation of our security
If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also
Tunic- an inner layer robe worn
Cloak- Outer layer which would also be wrapped around them at night serving as a blanket.
Most people owned 2 or 3 tunics and only 1 cloak.
Jesus isn’t speaking about robbery, but about a legal claim against us, ( A lawsuit)
Jesus is advocating doing what it takes, even giving up one’s coat, rather than foster animosity with your adversary.
In many ways this is teaching us to pay our debts instead of avoiding them.
The court could not order one to surrender their cloak, but it could be surrendered to pay the debt voluntarily.
Jesus is saying it is better to be defrauded than to be resentful and bitter.
Third, an Infringement on One’s liberty
And whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two
Although, God made mankind in His image and intended us to live in freedom, it is better to go the extra mile in such a case than to retaliate.
coerces
Much like when Simon was forced to carry Jesus’ cross.
There may be times when our liberty is infringed upon by others.
We have a choice in how we respond.
We can fight back in bitterness
We can show the Love of Christ by serving others willingly, for His glory.
Finally, A Violation of Property rights
Possessiveness is a characteristic of fallen man.
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9