The Commands of Christ – Part 4:
Go the Second Mile, Love your Enemies, Be Perfect and Practice Disciplines in Secret
HOFC - Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org
This Document is a Sermon Outline, you may hear the full audio of the actual sermon by following the link Online Audio Files located above for this, and other Full Sermon Audios. For a complete list of Sermon Outlines, visit TruthDigest.org, or Truth Digest on facebook; for our Official Church website, visit PS127.org, or find us on facebook at House of Faith Church
SERMON INTRODUCTION
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
SERMON SERIES
Part 1 – Make disciples, baptize them and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you
Part 2 – Repent, follow Me, rejoice and let your light shine
Part 3 – Honor God’s Law, be reconciled, do not lust and keep your word
Part 4 – Go the second mile, love your enemies, be perfect and practice disciplines in secret
Part 5 – Lay up treasures in heaven, seek God’s Kingdom, judge not, but do not cast pearls
Part 6 – Ask, seek and knock, do unto others, choose the narrow way and beware of false prophets
Part 7 – Pray for laborers, be wise as serpents, fear not, and hear God’s voice
Part 8 – Take my yoke, honor your parents, beware of leaven, and deny yourself
Part 9 – Despise not little ones, go to offenders, beware of covetousness and forgive offenders
Part 10 – Honor marriage, be a servant, be a house of prayer and ask in faith
Part 11 – Bring in the poor, render to Caesar, love the Lord and love your neighbor
Part 12 – Await my return, take communion, be born again and keep my commands
Part 13 – Watch and pray, feed my sheep, baptize my disciples
Part 14 – Receive God’s power and make disciples
TODAY’S SERMON
Part 4 – Go the second mile, love your enemies, be perfect and practice disciplines in secret
SCRIPTURE READING
Jesus is giving this command, to Preach, Baptize and Teach, to everyone who is a follower of Christ Jesus. Then to the disciples, and today to His disciples.
I. GO THE SECOND MILE
a. “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.” – Matthew 5:38-42
b. Understanding Jesus’ Wording
i. Obviously, if we are to understand Jesus’ command, we need to understand the words He is speaking to us. Originally recorded in the scripture in Greek, we need to look to the literal translation and modern usage of the words.
ii. “Do not resist and evil person” In this case, resist meaning to “retaliate”, or fight with an evil person.
iii. A slap on the right cheek representing an “offense” that causes you pain
iv. In other words, they offended you, Jesus is not talking about an actual physical attack in which you must stand there like a crash test dummy and let someone abuse you.
v. Turning the other cheek means, you A) do not return evil for evil (i.e. if they sin against you, you do not sin against them in retaliation), and B) presenting the other cheek is a sign of DEFIANCE.
vi. Meaning to be BOLD, stand your ground doing what is right in the eyes of God regardless of the sins one commits against you. Do not fall into sin yourself retaliating those who offend or sin against you.
c. Go Above and Beyond for others
i. “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well”
1. Setting wrongs right.
2. We talked about being reconciled last week to those you have wronged before bringing your offers to the Lord.
3. Jesus expounds on making things right, if someone is suing you, the scripture is saying you ARE in the wrong, if you are in the wrong, make it right!
4. The verse last week said, even if it’s on the way to court!
5. If they want your shirt, give them your coat as well…to make it right, and go beyond that which is required of you.
a. If you only do what is required when making a wrong right, you have not done more than even the non-believers do.
b. We must show ourselves to be more concerned with righting wrongs because of who we serve.
ii. “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two”
1. You want me to go 1 mile, good, let’s go two for I get my strength from the Lord and will not tire.
2. As previously stated, go beyond that which is “required”
iii. “Give to the one who asks you, do not turn away those who want to borrow from you”
1. You do not borrow from me, but the Lord for all belongs to Him, and He alone is my provider. If you repay, good, if not, you owe the Lord not I.
2. Luke 6:34 “And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.”
II. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
a. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” – Matthew 5:43-46
b. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
i. Illustration – a phone call I received the other day, a friend wanted to pray against those who speak against me, to which I declined.
ii. LOVE your enemies, PRAY FOR those who persecute you
1. I Corinthians 13 love, the WAY you treat them.
2. Prayer FOR them that persecute you, that YOU may BE children of your Father in heaven.
c. This is an evil fallen world and things happen to both the righteous and unrighteous
i. We need to understand from this verse, things happen, good and bad, to good and bad people.
ii. Everyone, whether good or bad, needs to be loved and prayed for
iii. Love, the way we treat them, so they are drawn TO the kingdom and Christ Jesus
iv. Pray for those persecuting so they will turn from being instruments of evil, and submit to the Lord Jesus
III. BE PERFECT
a. “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Matthew 5:46-48
b. Again, the Greek words are important in Jesus’ words here
i. Literal says in this verse, “You shall therefore be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect”
ii. Meaning, DO (live) what I just said to you (Matthew 5) and you will be “like” your Father in heaven.
iii. This does not mean “perfect” as in the English word of perfection, never making a mistake, but rather, live this way and you will be like your Father in heaven.
c. The “therefore” is the key!
i. Therefore, implies the standard of the previous statements (Matthew 5) are being DONE by YOU,
ii. You will “be like” your father in heaven.
IV. PRACTICE DISCIPLINES IN SECRET
a. “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven, - He is on the throne
hallowed be your name, - Even His name is Holy
10 your kingdom come, - Which came when Christ dies on the cross
your will be done, -His will, not ours
on earth as it is in heaven. – It is now, since Jesus, through the cross, has been given ALL AUTHORITY in heaven and on earth!
11 Give us today our daily bread. – Manna from heaven, through Jesus, the Holy Spirit
12 And forgive us our debts, - Our sins
as we also have forgiven our debtors. -Those who sin against us
13 And lead us not into temptation, - He will never tempt us
but deliver us from the evil one.’ –Salvation through Jesus
hallowed be your name, - Even His name is Holy
10 your kingdom come, - Which came when Christ dies on the cross
your will be done, -His will, not ours
on earth as it is in heaven. – It is now, since Jesus, through the cross, has been given ALL AUTHORITY in heaven and on earth!
11 Give us today our daily bread. – Manna from heaven, through Jesus, the Holy Spirit
12 And forgive us our debts, - Our sins
as we also have forgiven our debtors. -Those who sin against us
13 And lead us not into temptation, - He will never tempt us
but deliver us from the evil one.’ –Salvation through Jesus
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
16 “When you fast, do not look drab as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. – Matthew 6
b. Who are we “doing” for?
i. Is our actions truly for the Lord, or for us to get praise from man?
c. Prayers as an example
i. The abuse of speaking in tongues is the perfect example here…so many misuse the gift (if they even have it to begin with), done in public to bring attention to themselves, and the praise of men.
ii. What we do MUST be for the right reasons, or else…
iii. I Corinthians 3:11-15 “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.”
The spiritual gift of tongues is real, not everyone who claims to have it does.
The tongues that the disciples spoke on the Day of Pentecost were “known languages”
Acts 2:1-11 “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
This was not babbling, on the Day of Pentecost, but “known” languages.
God does use the other gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 14:1-28)
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written:
“With other tongues
and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”
and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become a sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal” (1 Cor. 13:1)
CONCLUSION
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus promises His us, while we are obeying His commands to preach, baptize and teaching others to obey His commands, He will be with us to the end of this age!
Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?
Want to hear the audio to this sermon?
No comments:
Post a Comment