The Distinctive Nature of Light--Part Five--The Distinctiveness of Jesus; Part Four 01/24/2021
The Distinctive Nature of Light • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction:
1. The world has a different standard of success than God.
A. As Christians we need to be careful not to neglect salvation for worldly success.
1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
1. Worldly success is nice, but when it’s cost is ones soul it is too high.
36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
2. This is what we talked about last week—the problems of loving money.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
A. The world says the more money the better.
1. Money fixes all problems.
2. Money brings happiness.
3. Money brings security.
B. The world says show no mercy to get what you want.
1. Step on whoever you have to , to get to the top.
2. If someone hurts you hurt them more.
3. Hurt someone before they hurt you.
Body:
1. The world says show no mercy to get what you want.
A. Step on whoever you have to, to get to the top.
1. A lack of mercy will cause us to not care how we treat people.
7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.
2. But God has alway taught His people to care about how others are treated.
12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
A. God cared about how the Israelites treated strangers.
21 “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
B. God cared about how the Israelites treated the poor.
6 “You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute.
A. God would make sure that His people provided for the poor.
10 And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the Lord your God.
C. God cared about how the Israelites treated orphans and widows.
22 “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry;
4. Scribes and Pharisees often times did not care who they stepped on to get to the top.
38 Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, 39 the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
3. Jesus was distinctive because he cared about people.
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
B. If someone hurts you hurt them more.
1. A lack of mercy will cause one to act this way.
10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
2. This is not how Jesus taught us how to be.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?
3. Jesus is distinctive because he cares even about his enemies.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
C. Hurt someone before they hurt you.
1. A lack of mercy will cause one to act this way.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
A. Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus the high priest.
10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
B. Peter stuck first but was told to sheath his sword.
11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”
2. If anyone would have had the right to have this attitude it would have been Jesus but Jesus said this...
52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
3. Jesus was distinctive because even when he was on the cross he was merciful.
34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
Conclusion:
1. Jesus was distinctive because...
A. He cared more about people than stepping on people to climbing the corporate ladder.
B. He cares even about his enemies.
C. Even when he was on the cross he was merciful.
