Is Kingdom Living Revelant in a Fallen World

Sunday, March 20, 2022

Matthew 5:33-48    -    Kingdom Living is Radical Living

Introduction 

1. Tell the Truth (v.33-37)

Jesus is dealing with oaths because they had turned into nothing more than evasive ways to lie. The OT does permit men to take oaths, even in God’s name (Deut. 10:20). The Apostle Paul consistently swears by God’s name (Romans 1:9; 2 Cor. 1:23; 1 Thess. 2:5,10; etc).

People were going around making promises and not keeping them because they lacked character so therefore they had to ‘add to it.’ Swear by the Lord or Jerusalem, etc

Look at their examples: don’t swear by heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or by your head or hair. All this for the purpose of not telling the truth!

 “These oaths no longer foster truthfulness, but weaken the cause of truth and promote deceit. Swearing evasively becomes justification for lying.” DA Carson

Three Ways We Can Do This:

• Don’t speak impulsively (Eccl. 5:2)
• Weigh your words carefully (Proverbs 13:3)
• Avoid Overcommitting (Eccl. 5:5)

If we as Christians claim to have the truth and live for the one who is the Truth, then why would we want to go around lying or being evasive? Jesus wants our ‘Yes’ to be yes and our ‘No’ to be no!

1. Don’t Seek Revenge (v.38-42)

Many are familiar with this passage and the law. This law was given by Moses to limit and if necessary restrain retaliation (eye for eye, tooth for tooth).

The religious leaders motto: “When you get wronged, get even!”

Jesus gives four examples:

Turn other cheek – notice – the right cheek

Takes your tunic (sues you) -

Go a mile, take 2 – Roman law – carry the supplies up to a mile

Borrow money – Not to give to everyone, but certainly not high interest

“Jesus point is clear: the Christian does the unexpected, because grace makes him or her seek to win others by love rather than retaliate on the basis of rights.” S. Ferguson

“Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did." Proverbs 24:29

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:8-10

“Law gives us rights, but also gives us the liberty to forego our rights so that we might show the righteousness of Christ. We have our rights; our rights are protected by the Word of God. But we also have liberty to forego our rights to manifest the love of Christ. It is not the demanding of his rights that marks a righteous man—but the giving up of his rights that characterizes the man who pleases God.” Dwight Pentecost

III. Love Everyone (v.43-48)

They used this law to justify not loving individuals “because they are not my neighbor.” So there would be discussions on who is my neighbor. Luke 10:25-37

v.44-47 – Jesus is expecting more than this from his disciples!

          1) Pray for them

          2) Do good to them

          3) Bless them

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19

1. Conclusion

“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

The teaching that Jesus has just given shows us how to be perfect like the Father is perfect. The only way in which we can live this way is to put our faith in Jesus and live by the Spirit he has given us.