A Dish Best Served Never

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A Dish Best Served Never
Matthew 5:38–42 NIV
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Introduction

A dish best served cold. Meaning... vengeance is more satisfying when exacted some time after the harm that instigated it.
Ford v Ferrarri - after being snubbed by Ferrarri, Ford decided that the best revenge would be to beat them at their own game. They spent enormous sums of money and two years to build a car in secret that would prove to be a world-beater on the race track. Ford got their revenge - but two years after the fact.

1. Evaluate the Law of Retribution (38)

an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
lex talionis
Jesus teaches a profound way of fulfilling the Law with Grace. An example: Lex Talionis - The Law of Retribution.
Matthew 5:38 NIV
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
Matthew 5:38–39 NIV
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
With Cain
Genesis 4:15 NIV
15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.
With Lamech
Genesis 4:24 NIV
24 If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.”
NIV15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.
With Lamech
NIV24 If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.”
With Us
NIV21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

2. Do not Resist an Evil Person (39-41)

2. Do not Resist an Evil Person (39-41)

Matthew 5:39–41 NIV
39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

A slap

By our sin we have slapped the face of God. God justly should have slapped us back. Instead, he bore the slap himself. This is grace.

A lawsuit

If someone wins your shirt in court, give him your coat as well.

A mile

If someone forces you to go one mile, go two.
David’s Autobiography ()
With Us
Genesis 4:15 NIV
15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.
NIV15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.
With Lamech
Genesis 4:24 NIV
24 If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.”
NIV24 If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.”
With Us
With Us
Matthew 18:21–22 NIV
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
NIV21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

3. Give to the One Who Asks (42)

Matthew 5:32 NIV
32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Matthew 5:42 NIV
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Joseph and his brothers
sold into slavery
imprisoned in Egypt twice
found substantial roles in Government
freed
Led the nation of Egypt during a famine
Joseph and his brothers looking for grain and stood before Joseph.
Joseph tested them and when they returned with all of them, he declared who he really was.
Genesis 50:15–21 NIV
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. 18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Conclusion

You will be wronged. David was wronged.
Anointed as a teenager…spent many years being threatened by Saul…crowned king much later.
Saul tried to kill David.
Introduction
1. Evaluate the Law of Retribution (38)
David spares Saul’s life.
2. Do not Resist an Evil Person (39-41)
David again spares Saul’s life.
A slap
Lessons from a man who chose not to retaliate
A lawsuit
Psalm 37:1–2 NIV
1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
A mile
ps 37 3-4
Psalm 37:3–4 NIV
3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
3. Give to the One Who Asks (42)
Conclusion
Psalm 37:5–6 NIV
5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
Psalm 37:7 NIV
7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
ps 37
Psalm 37:27 NIV
27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.
Psalm 37:34 NIV
34 Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.
ps 37 34
Don’t fret
trust in the Lord
Do good
Delight in the Lord
Commit your way to the Lord
Trust in him
Be still before the Lord
Wait patiently
Refrain from anger
Turn from wrath
Turn from evil
Do good
Hope in the Lord
Keep his way
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