Title: Going Beyond
Theme: Showing the importance of taking the extra step.
Text: Matthew 5:41
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor [24] and hate your enemy.' 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, 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. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren [26] only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:38-48)
Review
Section 1: vs. 1 – 20 Sacrifices and rewards.
If we are willing to sacrifice our rights and surrender to God’s ways then there are many rewards. Rewards of comfort and hope. Rewards of seeing God’s kingdom work. Rewards of inheritance and blessings.
Section 2: vs 21 – 37 Making Rash Decisions.
The religious leaders had become comfortable with following the letter of the law but never digging into the intent of the law. They would even make ways to go around it.
Anger. Being careful about holding our anger and resentment against someone. It is as killing them.
Reconciliation. Making every effort to reconcile with the person. Key: If the Lord brings it back to you while you are in the altar or preparing to give. Go and make amends.
Adultery. Lusting after a woman. Lust “anything that clouds the windows of the soul. It comes quick with out expectation. As Job says when he saw a woman he learned to “bounce his eyes”.
Divorce. This is a deep subject that is worth more time than we will give it here. Two keys is the reason and remarriage. Jesus gives justification (not requirement) for divorce here and that is adultery. Paul in 1 Corinthians 7 says it is ok to divorce because of abandonment.
Finally there is a big difference between what we did when we were a believer and follower of God than before we knew Him.
Swearing. We need to be careful with our language. What we say. The words we say. The hint words we use. Our words are important. We will see this in the next chapter.
Self-control is the key.
Listen to this:
A loud commanding voice rang out. Thirteen men looked to their left side to see what all the ruckus was all about. There stood a Roman solider yelling at a young Jewish man," Jew carry my pack one mile." They watched and listened as the Jew pleaded with the solider," but sir I am on my way to work and my business must be opened before the early morning rush. I don't have time to carry your pack you are going in the opposite direction. The solider drew his sword and repeated his orders," Jew carry my pack." So finally the Jew huffed and puffed and frowned and obeyed his orders. Twelve of the thirteen men who watched the episode were astonished. But Jesus was not.
Just about a decade before Jesus came to this earth the Roman senate had passed a law this law read, "In any conquered province within the Roman Empire, soilders may compel able bodied men to bear their burden one mile, but no more."
I don't know if this ever happened but it would not surprise me if it did. Especially knowing the disciples and Jesus teaching techniques and especially knowing the scribes and Pharisees.
This is what I would like to focus on today, and that is verse 41, the NIV version reads If some one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. I want to talk about the second mile. I believe that we as Christians are required to live in the second mile.
I. Christianity is a second mile religion
First Christianity is a second mile religion. Since the beginning of Gods creation there has been many religions established. And before we die we will see many more established. It seems that there is a religion for everything. One to worship the animals, one to worship the trees even one to worship the fish. But there is one thing that Christianity has that none other has. Christianity is a second mile religion. If you are a Christian you are required to live in the second mile. So what is the second mile. Here are a few examples.
To love ones neighbor is the first mile, to love ones enemy is the second mile.
To bless those who bless you is the first mile, to bless those who curse you is the second mile.
To do good to those who do good to you is the first mile to do good to those who hate you is the second mile.
Praying for those who pray for you is the first mile and praying for those who despitefully use you is the second mile.
The Pharisees lived in the first mile and Christians live in the second mile.
Christianity is the most rigorous, and demanding, religion in the world. It is the hardest religion in the world. But it is also the most rewarding in the world. When you call yourself a Christian it should be like a certain pride but also a certain humbleness to it. Because it is not easy. If it is easy then you are living the wrong life. If it is not demanding then your are living wrong. This is all because it is a second mile religion. It is loving all.
You see in some religions you have to have a certain amount of money or status in this world then you can be a part but Christianity is unique. You can't be a part of Christianity and a part of another religion. You can be a Hindu and a Buddhist but Christianity is alone. So saying all of this, this is what makes it unique. That is the second mile that Christians take. Going over the
This is what this whole passage about. Look at second mile living.
Turn the Other Cheek
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
IOW. Don’t retaliate. When someone gives physical punishment to you then you don’t retaliate.
This is not easy. We want an eye for an eye.
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” has been used often for retaliation. But it was given for mercy. This limits the punishment. If not a whole village may come after someone for a crime.
Resist and evil person
1. Christ is not saying "resist not evil"—ever. Christ Himself resisted evil. (1) He drove out the money exchangers from the temple (Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15), and (2) He resisted the punishment of the High Priest (John 18:22-23). Paul, the apostle, also resisted evil (cp. Acts 16:35f; Acts 22:25; Acts 23:3; Acts 25:9-10).
The point is this: Jesus and Paul followed the new law, "resist not evil." They observed the spirit of the new law, but they were not enslaved by it. There are times when evil should be resisted. (See note—• Romans 12:18 for more discussion.)
2. Christ is saying "resist not evil," that is, do not seek evil for evil; do not bear a grudge or resent those who have mistreated you. Do not seek revenge or look for a chance to retaliate. But forgive, go out of your way to help those who do evil against you. Such an attitude is the only way to ever reach them for the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 4:17; Matthew 5:3, 10, 19, 21. See Deeper Study #3—Matthew 19:23-24. Cp. Proverbs 20:22; Proverbs 24:29; Proverbs 25:21-22.)
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Matthew I.
When we seek vengeance we let evil come into our lives.
Turn the other cheek is more than physical punishment. This is almost a challenge of insults and hurts.
Give Extra
If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
A tunic was often put up for collateral for debt. People had many tunics. Yet a cloak could not be put up. The outer garment was rare. This may not make sense to us.
Truthfully a tunic could be our in our possessions. Furniture, tvs, easily replaceable. The cloak could be our house.
This is dealing with law suits. Not just giving up to someone.
Generous heart.
Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
4. (5:42) Borrowing— Lending: the great Christian ethic is to give. Christ is pointedly clear: a Christian is to help those who have need, and he is to readily help. Christ allows no excuse. The picture is simple: when someone asks, the Christian gives and does not turn away. However, the Bible does not say to give without discretion. "A good man showeth favor, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion" (Psalm 112:5). Giving is always to be done with discretion (Psalm 112:5). Two things should be looked at and studied to see if a person should or should not give.
First, the effect upon the receiver must be studied. Will it encourage laziness and shiftlessness, idleness and license?
Second, the ability of a person to give must also be studied. He must give and give and learn to give more and more—ever learning to trust God. It is not by chance that people come to the believer for help. They are either aware of the believer's interest and compassion or are brought by God. When brought by God, they are brought both for the growth of the believer and for the benefit of the needful. However, the believer must realistically know his ability to give and how much God wants him to give, and if the person requesting help has a real need.
The point is this: the believer is to live in readiness—a readiness to give and to lend (cp. 2 Cor. 8:11-15 esp. 2 Cor. 8:11). He does not live for this earth and world. He lives for God and for heaven. His citizenship is in heaven, from where he looks for the Savior (Phil. 3:20). Any concern he has for this world and its possessions is only for meeting the necessities of life and for helping others. He exists for ministry, helping and giving to those who have need. In fact, Scripture is clear; the believer is to work for two reasons: to meet his own necessities, and to secure the means to help those in need.
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Matthew I.
Love Your Enemies
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor [24] and hate your enemy.' 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, 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.
Total Opposite
Bless those who curse you. Speaking kind words. Bringing peace to the situation.
Do good to those who hate you. This is the action part. Action speaks louder than words.
Pray for those who spitefully use and persecute you. When a persons heart is this bad prayer is the best answer to intervene. Then look for a way to help.
This is where we become more like God. The story of Jonah is all about this. Jonah did not want to follow God’s way because he knew God would forgive. So he ran. Yet God drew him back. After preaching to Nineveh they repented and Jonah got mad.
Why? Evidence of True Christianity.
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.
(Mat 5:45)
That we may show who we are in Christ. He loves everyone. It is shown by His mercy toward everyone. He blesses even those who do not deserve it. The OT and NT is full of verses about God’s intervention and control of the world. Don’t you think at any minute He could make those who hate Him suffer. Wow! Think about God’s mercy.
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren [26] only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:38-48)
II. Christ lived in a life Beyond the Norm
Second Christ required us to live in the second mile. He did this in two ways. His life and his teaching.
A. His life
First let us look at the life of Christ. What did he do that was living in the second mile. How 'bout eating with Zacchaeus. A known tax collector. A thief in the eyes of the people. This man was hated by the people of the town but he went and ate with him just as he went and ate with the sinners. Now this may not seem to be living in the second mile but these are sometimes people who others don't care about. These are considered to be the low life’s of society such as the homeless. Jesus talked to these people he dealt with these people. Jesus realized that the ones who are saved already have the gospel and the ones who really needed it is the ones who are lost.
B. His teachings
Second Jesus required us to live in the second mile by the things he taught. Let us look at verse 38-48. He tells us to turn the other cheek. One of the hardest things known to man, not to retaliate. It is always tempting to hit back or get back some way at those who do us dirty but Christ tells us to turn the other cheek.
I have heard the story on James Dobson of a woman who was going to her car one night when a man who had escaped from prison had attacked her. She was very frightened. As he drug her into her car she began to pray. She noticed that this had an affect on him. She noticed that it made him feel real bad so she told him of Jesus, and do you know that that night he became a Christian. He gave his heart to God. This is an amazing story and in no way am I telling you not to fend off an attacker but we must be careful not to fend off the world.
Some people I meet it is like the world is their enemy. They spend most of their time avoiding the world too scared that they will be hurt but Christ promises protection. He tells us to resist not evil we are to love our enemies He says for us to take a chance. To love the world they cannot hurt us but maybe we can help them. We see that Christ says that if someone wants your coat give him your cloak also. Don't let things that can be replaced hinder your relationship. He is not saying let people take advantage of you but he is saying to build a relationship.
Christ lived in the second mile in his prayer life. Praying until blood ran down his face. We only pray until our knees hurt or people were leaving. Fighting forty-days and nights with Satan. Fasting and being tempted he gave us examples on how to accept diversities. He did this in his giving. Of his whole self to a life devoted to his fathers business and then to die on the cross for underving people such as I. No complaints when he was spit upon or the solders gambled for his clothes.
We can also see the second mile of other great men such as Enoch , who walked with God. Noah who took ridicule to do Gods command. Moses who gave up a life of wealth to follow God. Peter who came back from denying Christ to preaching on the day of Pentecost. To Paul a man living a sacrificial life for the service of God and calling himself the Chief of all sinners. We even see the people of the 15 and 1600s such as John Calvin who went against the Church and Luther who placed the wrongs of the church on the door.
These were all great men who lived in the Second mile. If they had chosen to live in the first mile there would be nothing no commitment no sacrifice.
Now comes the question, are you living in the second mile. Are you willing to commit your life to God and to leap all boundaries to follow God. Are you willing to take the extra step to call your self a second mile Christian. With heads bowed and eyes closed if you are willing to live in the second mile I want you to raise your hands as a commitment unto God. If there are those who would like to come down and recommit their lives to God and make this known these altars are open. I always want to give an altar call before God. As we pray if you need to come down it is open if no one has come down by the end of prayer then I will turn it over to bro. Sawyer.
The second mile commitment is the next level of the relationship.
Conclusion – It is a matter of the heart
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
(Rom 12:18)
Thought 2. Think about the challenge! The true Christian...
...has his enemies, yet he is to love them.
...has his cursers, yet he is to bless them.
...has his haters, yet he is to do good to them.
...has his spiters, yet he is to pray for them.
...has his persecutors, yet he is to pray for them.
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Matthew I.
(Mat 5:23) Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, (the is the key to these verses) 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." [154] And they divided His garments and cast lots.
(Luk 23:33-34)
