INTRODUCTION
- A marriage counselor told a troubled couple they needed to be more sensitive to each other's needs.
- He challenged them to apply the Golden Rule to their marriage, look at things through their spouse's eyes, and treat them the way they would want to be treated.
- The husband really wanted to save their marriage, so one day the next week, he came home a little early with a dozen roses in one hand and a box of chocolates in the other.
- He opens the door and when his wife sees him and burst into tears. In between sobs, she says, "Little Johnny threw up, your parents called and said they were coming over for dinner, and to top it all off, you come home drunk!" (Dan Raymond)
- Have you ever heard something so profound, sounded so simple, yet is very difficult to do in life?
- Our passage in Matthew 7:12 Week 22 of Core 52, also known as the Golden Rule, is a verse from the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew.
- The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of teachings and sayings of Jesus Christ, delivered to his disciples and a large crowd on a mountainside in Galilee.
- The historical context of Matthew 7:12 is vital to understand the significance of this verse.
- Remember, at the time when Jesus delivered this sermon, the region of Galilee was under Roman occupation, and the Jewish people were subject to Roman rule.
- This period was marked by social and economic inequality and religious tensions between different Jewish sects.
- In this context, the Golden Rule was a radical and revolutionary teaching.
- The teaching was not totally new; it had existed in some form throughout the ages.
- As you read your Core 52 lesson this week, Mark Moore gives plenty of examples of this, so I will not repeat what he wrote.
- Usually, the rule was stated from a negative perspective: don't do evil to others, catches the flavor of the way it was stated.
- Some have called this negative way of stating the thought as the silver rule.
- It is good not to do evil to others; however, Jesus will bring us a deeper way of life.
- Matthew 7:12 emphasized the importance of treating others with kindness, compassion, and respect, regardless of their social status or background.
- The passage is so radically different than simply not doing evil to someone.
- The passage we are examining challenged the prevailing cultural norms of the time, which often prioritized power, wealth, and social status over compassion and empathy.
- Let's turn to Matthew 7:12 together.
Matthew 7:12 (NET 2nd ed.)
12 In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.
SERMON
I. The regulation.
- When you understand the context of when Jesus presented the passage, the opening two words in verse 12 are truly radical!
- The NET 2 translates the words IN EVERYTHING; other translations will say WHATEVER YOU WISH THAT OTHERS WOULD TO YOU.
- The cultural context makes this passage sound so simple, yet in practical terms, not so easy.
Matthew 7:12 (NET 2nd ed.)
12 In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.
- The Golden Rule is that we are to treat others as we would want them to treat us.
- Ok, that is easy, or is it?
- Let's go back a little bit to something that I think is easier: don't do evil to others, or put it simply, do no harm.
- Some would call this the silver rule, and I imagine most of us here have no issue with following the silver rule.
- The silver rule says DON'T DO UNTO OTHERS, whereas Jesus says DO UNTO OTHERS.
- The silver rule has more of a negative connotation, "don't do anything bad to others."
- By the way, the silver rule at its core is a good thing; we should not be perpetrating evil or harming others.
- The silver rule does not require you to do anything, it does not encourage engagement with others, it promotes avoidance and separation.
- The Golden Rule encourages us to engage people and do something positive.
- Remember the context: the people were basically under Roman captivity; the Jews did not like the Gentiles or anyone who was not Jewish.
- The silver rule would be easy to apply to all those folks: just stay away from them.
- Don't engage them.
- Simple.
- Here is Jesus stirring the pot again.
- Why did He have to say in EVERYTHING?
Matthew 5:40–42 (NET 2nd ed.)
40 And if someone wants to sue you and to take your tunic, let him your coat also.
41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.
- Let's focus on verse 41, what we call going the extra mile.
- Carrying out the Golden Rule may be easier to do for those we love, but what about those we do not love?
- Roman law allowed their soldiers to force or VOLUNTELL a Jew to carry their equipment one mile.
- Matthew 7:12 even applies to the hated Roman soldiers.
- The way our passage plays out in the life of the Jew at the time would be to carry the Roman soldier's stuff a second mile.
- I cannot imagine how hard that would be to do.
- Who is your Roman soldier that you need to go the extra mile for?
- It is one thing to do no evil to the soldier; it is another thing to engage with those you do not like and actually do something for them that you would want done for you.
- The story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10.
- The Jews hated the Samaritans, and vice versa.
- The hatred was deep-seated because of history.
- In the story, all of the Jews who passed the injured person actually were carrying out the silver rule; they did not harm or perpetrate any evil to the wounded person.
- They simply walked by.
- Why did they walk by?
- Who knows?
- If you were lying on the ground, stripped, beaten, and left for dead, what would you want others to do?
- I bet you would want people around to witness your beating and stripping to get their phones out and film it, then walk away.
- I think you would want help.
- Per the Golden Rule regulation, those who saw the man should have engaged and helped him.
- The Jews hated this story from Jesus because a hated Samaritan was the hero of the story.
- When you know what is right and do not do it, that is also sin!
- In everything!
- Argh!
- That word means IN EVERYTHING!
- Also, others does not exclude anyone.
- Brothers and sisters, we are called to a higher standard when dealing with others when we are in Christ.
- Why did Jesus emphasize this particular teaching?
- What is the underlying purpose and motivation for living by this rule?
- We will explore the theological and moral foundations that make this principle not only practical but essential for a life of faith.
Matthew 7:12 (NET 2nd ed.)
12 In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.
II. The rationale.
- Why did Jesus give us the mandate?
- Jesus says we are to carry out the Golden Rule because doing so fulfills the law and prophets.
- What does fulfilling the law and prophets mean?
- By stating that the Golden Rule fulfills the Law and the Prophets, Jesus emphasizes the foundational principles and values underpinning the Old Testament.
- The essence of the Law and the Prophets can be distilled into the command to love God and love your neighbor as yourself.
- The Golden Rule, "Do to others what you would have them do to you," encapsulates this core teaching of love and compassion.
- In Matthew 22, Jesus was asked a question.
Matthew 22:34–40 (NET 2nd ed.)
34 Now when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled together.
35 And one of them, an expert in religious law, asked him a question to test him:
36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
- Notice in verse 40 that Jesus says that fully loving the Lord your God and loving your neighbor as yourself is the underpinning of the Old Testament.
- Our passage in Matthew 7 explains HOW we do those things.
- Jesus highlights the centrality of love and ethical behavior in fulfilling the requirements of the Law and the Prophets.
- Rather than focusing solely on external observance of rules and rituals, Jesus emphasizes the internal transformation of the heart that leads to genuine love and care for others.
- By living out the Golden Rule, one not only upholds the moral principles of the Old Testament but also embodies the spirit of love and righteousness that God desires from His people.
- The Jewish culture had an external focus on righteousness; hence, Jesus hammered the religious leaders fiercely over the subject.
- Throughout the Old Testament, God stressed that He was not looking for an external show but wanted a changed heart.
1 Samuel 15:22 (NET 2nd ed.)
22 Then Samuel said, “Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as he does in obedience? Certainly, obedience is better than sacrifice; paying attention is better than the fat of rams.
- This is one of many passages that goes down the same path.
- At the core of the Golden Rule is the recognition that every human being is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).
- This divine imprint bestows inherent dignity and worth upon every person.
- When we treat others as we would like to be treated, we honor the image of God in them and the God who created them in His image!
- The Golden Rule encapsulates the essence of God's love and justice.
- Throughout Scripture, we see God's unwavering commitment to love, mercy, and justice.
- By living out the Golden Rule, we align ourselves with God's character and His desire for a just and loving world.
- It is a call to mirror God's love in our interactions, ensuring that our actions reflect His compassion and fairness.
- The Golden Rule is rooted in empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
- It challenges us to step into the shoes of our neighbors and consider their needs, desires, and struggles.
- This empathetic approach fosters compassion, urging us to act with kindness and consideration.
- It transforms our interactions from self-centered to other-centered, promoting a culture of care and mutual respect.
- Let's read our passage one more time to get a final thought.
Matthew 7:12 (NET 2nd ed.)
12 In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.
III. The revolution.
- This final point is one that should excite us at our core if we love God.
- Imagine the impact the church would have on the world if we choose to follow the Golden Rule versus being shackled to the Silver Rule!
- A church that lives by the silver rule does not engage a lost world, they occupy the pews, they circle the wagons and only care for themselves.
- Imagine a church, Christians, that are willing to engage people in our fallen world.
- We want to blame the deterioration of our country on politics, the media, our educational system, or the moons of Jupiter.
- The real problem in all those areas (except the moons of Jupiter) is a result silver rule following churches verses Golden driven churches.
- Imagine how different society would be if the church led the way in engaging the lost world instead of trying to either avoid the world or become just like the world.
- Imagine a world where Christians are involved in all the areas we blame for the church's failure to engage!
- Imagine the impact we could have on the world if we followed the Golden Rule in our daily lives!
- The impact we have could stir a revolution of change.
- The world would be better, and heaven would be more fully occupied!
CONCLUSION
- Living by the Golden Rule requires a shift in our mindset and behavior.
- It calls us to move beyond self-centeredness and cultivate virtues such as empathy, kindness, and humility.
- As we consistently practice treating others with the same respect and care we desire, we undergo a personal transformation that shapes our character to be more Christ-like.
- When we align our actions with the Golden Rule, we experience a sense of inner peace and fulfillment.
- Acting with love and compassion towards others brings a deep sense of satisfaction and joy, knowing that we contribute to the well-being of those around us.
- This inner transformation fosters a positive outlook on life and strengthens our spiritual growth.
- The Golden Rule has the power to transform our relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers.
- We build trust, mutual respect, and deeper connections by treating others with the same consideration and kindness we seek.
- This principle fosters healthy and harmonious relationships, reducing conflicts and misunderstandings.
- Individuals collectively embracing the Golden Rule creates a ripple effect that extends to the broader community.
- A culture of compassion and mutual respect emerges, where people are more inclined to help and support one another.
- This cultural shift can lead to stronger, more cohesive communities that prioritize the well-being of all members.
- ARE YOU READY TO START A REVOLUTION?
- IT BEGINS WITH YOU!
