Sermons on Matthew 5:41-45:

"Achieving Perfection" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jun 30, 2006

Sermon #11 in a study in the Sermon on the Mount

In the previous two sermons we have handled verses twenty and twenty one, if not thoroughly, I hope at least sufficiently to stress to the hearer and reader that what we have before us is a faithful record of the Lord of the universe, the one who spoke all things into existence, the one who has ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20-48

Denomination: Orthodox

Surpassing Righteousness

Contributed by Lee Henry on Jul 7, 2006

In Matt. 5:17-48, Jesus challenges his audience to have a righteousness that flows from the heart and thus surpassess the external righteousness displayed by the Pharisees.

Surpassing Righteousness Matt. 5:17-48 Introduction: In the beginning verses of Matt. 5, Jesus is preaching to the multitude and is sharing revolutionary thoughts. He has taught them how to be blessed by God by changing from the inside out. He has told them how to establish a relationship with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Watch The Father And Imitate Him

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Aug 11, 2006

Israel was called to imitate God and so are we. Jesus achieved it, and he is in the process of making us perfect so that we will be like him.

I read a story this week (by Bishop Tom Wright) about a Father who was preparing to go away on business for several weeks. He was anxious to make sure that his wife would be looked after during his time away and so he had a quiet word with his eldest son who was about 9 years old at the time. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Anglican

Serves 'em Right Series

Contributed by Dale Miller on Jul 7, 2004

Jesus once again raises the standard, I want revenge, but Jesus says,

GETTING WHAT YOU DESERVE MATTHEW 5;38-42 38"You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’£ 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

And Who Is My Enemy?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Aug 7, 2004

How do I love my enemy?

In a recent column in Leadership Weekly, Gordon MacDonald, a retired pastor and editor at large for Leadership, a journal for pastors, reflected on a comment from Louis Berkhof who said, "God does not want us as objects but as covenant partners, partners who can converse. He desires our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-47

Denomination: Church Of God

Taking Revenge... Or Not! Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 27, 2005

How are we to understand this teaching of Jesus? 1. It is about trusting God. 2. It is about not doing it our way. 3. It is about being like God.

In Judith Viorst’s book for children entitled I’ll Fix Anthony, Anthony’s younger brother complains about the way his older brother treats him. The little brother says: “My brother Anthony can read books now, but he won’t read any books to me. He plays checkers with Bruce from his school. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Methodist

Turning The Other Cheek - By Michael Prabaharan Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Mar 14, 2005

The Sermon on the Mount is an invitation – to taste and see this God, to join his club and deepen his kind of life skills.

Turning the Other Cheek I’ve been trying to figure out a realistic application for turning the other cheek ever since as a young person a mentor of mine once pointed out to that to teach his son this attitude was a license to getting him bullied at school. No way am I going to encourage my son ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-48

Denomination: Anglican

Why Isn't Life Fair

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 25, 2005

People are troubled by the fact that life doesn’t seem to be fair. Peace and encouragement don’t come from rationalizing life, but from focusing on the love, presence and power of God in our lives.

THE SEVEN SERVICE JUNE 30, 2002 Matthew 5:45 “Why Isn’t Life Fair?” INTRODUCTION Growing up with brothers and sisters, a big issue for us was fairness. We always counted the number of presents, at Christmas time, in order to make sure that they were equal and thus fair. The value of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:45

Denomination: Lutheran

"Am I Really A Christ-Follower?" Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Apr 10, 2005

Our Lord, our Leader, our Savior, our Forgiver...do we really follow in His steps?

“Am I Really a Christ-Follower?” Matthew 5:43-48 Has anyone done something to you recently that was just wrong? Something that hurt you, harmed you? Made you angry? How about something a long time ago? A deep and lasting hurt that penetrated deep into your heart and soul? Anything come to mind? It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"What About My Rights?" Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Apr 10, 2005

As a follower of Jesus Chist in a free America, how do I understand where rights and responsibilities meet? What rights DO I have?

“What About My Rights?” Matthew 5:38-42 Today more than ever, we hear people insisting that their “rights” be given to them – even rights that they don’t really have. As followers of Jesus Christ, we cannot help but wonder if we have the same or different rights as others, what our rights really ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"The Extraordinary Privilege Of Giving -- God's Way" Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Apr 10, 2005

What is the message of Jesus really all about in reagrds to giving? What is it that Jesus really wants us to know and understand from what He teaches?

“The Extraordinary Privilege of Giving – God’s Way” Matthew 5:42 What is the message of Jesus all about? What is it that Jesus really wants us to know and understand from what He teaches? In the most basic sense, He wants us to know and understand what it means to no longer be a lost and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love Your Enemies Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Apr 10, 2005

Christ-followers seek to model His character when others choose to harm or humiliate us.

(adapted from Southeast Christian Church’s series: Living a Life of Integrity"0 SERIES: “WORDS OF WISDOM FOR KINGDOM LIVING” TEXT: MATTHEW 5:38-48 TITLE: “LOVE YOUR ENEMIES” INTRODUCTION: A. A truck driver is sitting in a crowded roadside diner ready to eat his lunch. It’s not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Get Even, Get...love

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Apr 26, 2005

Message on loving enemies and such.

Don’t Get Even, Get...Love Matthew 5:38-48 April 24, 2005 Introduction If I were to ask you what kind of movie most of you ladies like, I’m guessing you would say, "romantic comedies." You know, the funny movies where the couple falls in love after all, and everything’s just fine. If I were to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Wesleyan

Mr Weaver Fish

Contributed by Ken Durham on Aug 12, 2005

Even Jesus was not free from conflict and opposition in His ministry and unfortunately nor are we, yet He calls us to love our enemies.

MR WEAVER FISH 1. Introduction: On a mission trip to Kosova this summer I had a very nasty encounter with a weaver fish. This innocent looking fish lurks in the sand craftily leaving just its dark dorsal fins showing and anyone unlucky enough to step on one can be in serious ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Treating Your Enemies Right

Contributed by Vinnie Cappetta on Apr 4, 2006

It is natural for us to hate those who treat us poorly. It seems outrageous to do anything else, right? But, we forget that Jesus came to bring a new way of doing things; He wants us to treat our enemies right. Check out what He says . . .

Treating Your Enemies Right Matthew 5:43-48 Think back to someone(s) who hurt you deeply. Ever asked the question, “What am I supposed to do with these angry feelings?” What if you could speak to Jesus about this? What if he could answer you? What might he say? First, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational