Jesus Speaks On Retaliation Series

The Great Commission

Part 9 – Sermon on the Mount – Retaliation

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith – www.PS127.org

WELCOME

INTRODUCTION TO SERMON

† The Sermon on the Mount – The Beatitudes

† We are the Salt, staying pure with God’s Holy Word

† We are the Light, showing that Word to the World

† Matthew 5:19 – whoever breaks (‘Loo-o’ loosen or relax) the least of these commands (law) and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.

† Hate is same as murder

† Lust the same as adultery

† Divorce

† Oaths

INTRODUCTION

Matthew 5:38-42 - Retaliation

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 someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

I. Tighten the Law

a. Scripture warns of ‘breaking’ (loosen) the Law

† Matthew 5:19 – whoever breaks (‘Loo-o’ loosen or relax) the least of these commands (law) and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.

b. Jesus clarifies where man distorts

c. Tolerance to a point there is no longer sin

No sin = no need for a savior

The Law of God was not given to justify man, but to show his sin, and a need for a savior.

Galatians 2:16

“know that a man is not justified (GRK Dik-ah-yo-o = innocent) by observing the law,

but by faith (GRK Pistis = moral conviction or commitment to) in Jesus Christ.

So we, too, have put our faith (GRK Pistis = moral conviction or commitment to) in Christ Jesus that we may be justified (GRK Dik-ah-yo-o = innocent) by faith (GRK Pistis = moral conviction or commitment to) in Christ and not by observing the law,

because by observing the law no one will be justified. (GRK Dik-ah-yo-o = innocent)”

We are not made innocent by observing the Law, but guilty.

We are only found innocent by being committed to Jesus Christ.

BELIEVE and you are SAVED…

Acts 16:31

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…”

James 2:19

You believe (in respect to) that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe (in respect to) that—and shudder.

Simply believing there is a God is not salvation.

If so, according to James 2:19 demons would have salvation…

Remember the Greek words…

Pistis = our moral conviction or our commitment to

Believe = pist-yoo’-o – You are committed to

Acts 16:13 should read;’

Acts 16:31

They replied, "Be committed to the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…."

The law is to show our guilt, and being committed to Christ is our innocence and our salvation.

So Jesus tightens God’s Law that has been loosened by man.

II. But I tells you

a. Jesus the Word made flesh (John 1:14)

b. The Word (Jesus) clarifies God’s written Word

III. Jesus says - Do not return evil for evil (do not resist evil)

a. May anthi-stay-mee

i. Don’t stand against

ii. Do not oppose

iii. Do not retaliate

IV. Turn the other cheek

a. Do not return evil for evil

b. This does not mean to be a Christ Follower Door Mat

c. You may rebuke, Jesus did

This statement is figurative.

When our Lord was struck on the cheek in John 18:22-23, He did not simply turn the other cheek.

But He did not retaliate wither.

What He did was rebuke (scold) the attacker.

With dignity, Jesus rebuked the assailant.

d. This phrase is a metaphor

We are not to retaliate evil for evil, but God does not expect us to allow ourselves to be trodden upon.

Christ followers have become weak,

The Word has become watered down in our culture,

Sin against God has become a blurred line,

Tradition has taken place of worship,

Religion taken place of relationship with God,

We have to get back to the Word of God, and take it for what it says.

Jesus in tightening and clarifying the Word tells us;

V. If someone wants…give

a. If they sue for your shirt, give them your coat as well.

b. If they force you to go a mile, go two.

c. Give to the one who asks

d. And do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Because when someone is in need, and we give, not because we sought them, but because they came seeking, we have shown them the way to God.

When one seeks the Lord, He will respond to them.

When one is in need, He will supply.

We are to be the Body of Christ, Here and now, the Kingdom of God on earth.