02-15: Follow Me: The Way of the Kingdom :: Retaliation and Love for Enemies
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Thank you for joining us today for worship! We continue our Follow Me series by completing chapter 5 of Matthew. Pastor Bobby discusses retaliation and loving our enemies as part of Jesus's teachings in the Sermon on the Mount.
Resources:
: The Bible Project :: https://www.bibleproject.com
: YouVersion Bible App :: https://www.bible.com
Matthew 5:38-48
Love Your Enemies
(Leviticus 24:17–23; Luke 6:27–36)
[38] You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ [39] But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; [40] if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; [41] and 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.
[43] You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? [47] And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?
[48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Sermon Notes
Slide 1
Matthew 5
Slide 2
Exodus 21:23-25
23 But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
Slide 3
Leviticus 24:17-22; Deuteronomy 19:16-21
Slide 4
"'an eye for an eye' implies monetary compensation rather than literal retribution. This approach reflects the Jewish tradition of oral law and legal reasoning, prioritizing monetary compensation over direct retaliation."
Slide 5
“The usual penalties of Hebrew law were capital punishment for a limited number of serious offenses and fines and restitution for the remainder.”[1]
Bible Knowledge Commentary, Leviticus, vol. 2, 631-32
Slide 6
A Right to retaliation
A Right to my things
A Right to my time
A Right to my money
Slide 7
“in the kingdom of heaven self-interest does not rule, not even our legal rights and our legitimate expectations may have to give way to the interests of others.”
Slide 8
Exodus 22:26-27
26 If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, 27 for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
Slide 9
Deuteronomy 15:7-8,11
7 “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, 8 but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. 11 For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’
Slide 10
1 Corinthians 9:12
…Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
Slide 11
Matthew 5:43-48
Slide 12
Leviticus 19:17-18
17 ‘In your heart do not hate someone from your own country. You may speak sharp words to your neighbor, but do not sin because of him. 18 Do not hurt someone who has hurt you. Do not keep on hating the sons of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
Slide 13
Jeremiah 29:4-5,7
4 “This is what the Lord of All, the God of Israel, says to all of His people who have been sent from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 ‘Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their fruit. 7 For if it is well with the city you live in, it will be well with you.’
