The Golden Rule

Jesus teaches us how to act and why

Following Rules

Warring Labels

A 7-inch decorative globe had the following warning label: "These globes should not be referred for navigation."

An electric razor for men said: "Never use while sleeping."

A warning label on a baby stroller - "Remove child before folding"

A common dust mask label said, “Does not supply oxygen"

"Never operate your speakerphone while driving" - on a hands-free cell phone product called the "Drive 'N' Talk"!

"Danger: Avoid Death"—a warning label on a small tractor

"Harmful if swallowed"—a warning on a brass fishing lure with a three-pronged hook

"This product moves when used"—a warning on a popular children's scooter

A rotary tool includes the following warning label: "This product is not intended for use as a dental drill"

"May cause drowsiness"—a warning label for Nytol One-a-Night sleeping aids

Jesus teaches us the only two things we need to know.

How to Act and Why

Passage Context

Matthew 6:12 ESV

12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

To understand forgiveness we need to understand sound judgment

Ask, Seek, & Knock for guidance - because God is good

Then we need to treat others the way we want to be treated.

Matthew 7:12–14 ESV

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. 13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Two parts but they work together.

Jesus teaches us HOW to act

The golden rule - Emperor Alexander Severus (3 century)

Easy to understand hard to do

Problems

Whatever you wish… Like You Would Want To Be Treated

We don’t know how to love ourselves well

Priorities

Who does this apply to? What is in your power?

Examples

Politics - Legislation that shows morality - listen and try to understand/questions

Work - Respect & opportunity

Family - Grace and prayer - allow them to mature

Treat others the way you want to be treated

Jesus teaches us WHY we take the hard way

Gate = house, palace, temple, city

4 - PICTURES

Wide and easy

Narrow and hard

Photos

JESUS & HIS TEACHING equals the gate

Discipleship is hard and not everyone does it

Not exterior markers

Church attendance

Community involvement

Number of Bible readings per week

Unseen interior markers

Understand forgiveness

Giving Grace

Loving yourself and others when they don’t understand

ONLY FOLLOWING JESUS - gives LIFE

What about those who never hear the name of Jesus

1 - You are asking you don’t count

2 - God’s Characteristics - Good & Just

3 - You have a role to play in this

SO how do we tell people about Jesus - see the golden rule

We don’t need a lot of rules if we accept Jesus’ love and love others out of that love