The Extra Mile
July 27, 2025 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: The world tells us to respond with the same attitude in which we are treated; Jesus calls us to respond with love, grace, and sacrificial service—even to those who don’t deserve it.
Focus Passage: Matthew 5:38-48
Supplemental Passage: Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Romans 12:1 NASB)
Introduction: Israel, during the time of Christ, was under Roman rule. They were their oppressors, and were hated by the Jews. One of the most hated of Roman laws: The one that would allow a soldier to force a person to carry his possessions one mile!
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A man was asked to paint a boat. He brought with him paint and brushes and began to paint the boat a bright red, as the owner asked him. While painting, he noticed that there was a small hole in the hull, and quietly repaired it. When finished painting, he received his money and left.
The next day, the owner of the boat came to the painter and presented him with a nice check, much higher than the payment for painting. The painter was surprised and said "You've already paid me for painting the boat Sir!"
"But this is not for the paint job. It's for having repaired the hole in the boat." "Ah! But it was such a small service... certainly it's not worth paying me such a high amount for something so insignificant."
"My dear friend, you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened.
When I asked you to paint the boat, I forgot to mention about the hole. When the boat dried, my kids took the boat and went on a fishing trip. They did not know that there was a hole. I was not at home at that time. When I returned and noticed they had taken the boat, I was desperate because I remembered that the boat had a hole. Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them returning from fishing. Then, I examined the boat and found that you had repaired the hole! You see, now, what you did? You saved the life of my children! I do not have enough money to pay your 'small' good deed." (Source Unknown)
I. First Mile Mentality - Doing What’s Required
a. Do what’s expected (Attend church, give, read Bible, share Christ, etc)
b. Approach the Christian life like a checklist—just get it done.
c. Motivation: Obligation over devotion. It’s about staying in bounds, not growing in grace.
II. Second Mile Mentality - Serving Beyond the Norm
a. Go beyond what’s expected and do extra (teach SS, take care of nursery, work in children’s ministry, missions, etc)
b. Go from obligation to opportunity—doing more than what’s required out of love for Jesus.
c. Finish the job, then ask: What more can I do for the kingdom?
d. The second mile isn’t crowded—it’s where the blessings and breakthroughs happen.
III. Salvation Mentality - Living as One Who Has Been Bought With a Price
a. If we truly believed we were destined for Hell and Jesus saved us, we’ll realize that our lives belong to Him!
b. "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20 NASB)
c. When we live as redeemed people, we see all of life—home, work, church—as a platform for service.
Invitation: Are you living for Christ with a "bare minimum" mindset? What could the Church accomplish if we all lived out our salvation with a second-mile mindset?
The Bible says, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)
