Matthew 5:38-48.

2. SermonSermon
ontheMount:ontheMount:ontheMount:ontheMount:
NavigatingaNavigatinga
DogDog--EatEat--DogDog
WorldWorldWorldWorld
Matthew 5:38Matthew 5:38--4848

3. DogDog--eateat--dog…?dog…?
••Do unto othersDo unto others beforebefore they dothey do
unto you!unto you!
Don’t get mad; GetDon’t get mad; Get EVENEVEN!!••Don’t get mad; GetDon’t get mad; Get EVENEVEN!!
••Whoever dies with the mostWhoever dies with the most
toys wins.toys wins.
••Kill ‘Kill ‘emem all. Let God sort ‘all. Let God sort ‘emem out.out.••Kill ‘Kill ‘emem all. Let God sort ‘all. Let God sort ‘emem out.out.
••[Add yours here][Add yours here]

4. Simple commands…Simple commands…
••Ours world is selfish and violentOurs world is selfish and violent
••The number of mass murder eventsThe number of mass murder events
has skyhas sky--rocketed since Columbinerocketed since Columbine
••The number of mass murder eventsThe number of mass murder events
has skyhas sky--rocketed since Columbinerocketed since Columbine
••That in turn has boosted numbersThat in turn has boosted numbers
in violent selfish acts like road ragein violent selfish acts like road rage
••Churchill had a confrontation with a lady in anChurchill had a confrontation with a lady in an••Churchill had a confrontation with a lady in anChurchill had a confrontation with a lady in an
elevator one night…elevator one night…
••Revenge is a desire of our nature, but Jesus…Revenge is a desire of our nature, but Jesus…

5. 3838 “You have heard that it was said, ‘“You have heard that it was said, ‘AANN EYEEYE FORFOR
ANAN EYEEYE,, ANDAND AA TOOTHTOOTH FORFOR AA TOOTHTOOTH.’.’ 3939 But I say toBut I say to
you, do not resist an evil person; but whoeveryou, do not resist an evil person; but whoever
slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toslaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toslaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toslaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to
him also.him also. 4040 If anyone wants to sue you and takeIf anyone wants to sue you and take
your shirt, let him have your coat also.your shirt, let him have your coat also.
4141Whoever forces you to go one mile, go withWhoever forces you to go one mile, go withWhoever forces you to go one mile, go withWhoever forces you to go one mile, go with
him two.him two. 4242 Give to him who asks of you, and doGive to him who asks of you, and do
not turn away from him who wants to borrownot turn away from him who wants to borrow
from you.from you.

6. 4343 “You have heard that it was said, ‘“You have heard that it was said, ‘YYOUOU SHALLSHALL
LOVELOVEYOURYOUR NEIGHBORNEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’and hate your enemy.’
4444 But I say to you, love your enemies and prayBut I say to you, love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you,for those who persecute you, 4545 so that you mayso that you mayfor those who persecute you,for those who persecute you, 4545 so that you mayso that you may
be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for Hebe sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He
causes His sun to rise oncauses His sun to rise on thethe evil andevil and thethe good,good,
and sends rain onand sends rain on thethe righteous andrighteous and thetheand sends rain onand sends rain on thethe righteous andrighteous and thethe
unrighteous.unrighteous. 4646 For if you love those who loveFor if you love those who love
you, what reward do you have? Do not even theyou, what reward do you have? Do not even the
tax collectors do the same?tax collectors do the same? 4747 If you greet onlyIf you greet only

7. your brothers, what more are you doingyour brothers, what more are you doing thanthan
othersothers? Do not even the Gentiles do the? Do not even the Gentiles do theothersothers? Do not even the Gentiles do the? Do not even the Gentiles do the
same?same? 4848Therefore you are to be perfect, asTherefore you are to be perfect, as
your heavenly Father is perfect.your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:38Matthew 5:38--48, NASB48, NASB

8. A. Christ’s Countercultural Counsel…A. Christ’s Countercultural Counsel…
••Vs 38Vs 38--39, We cannot conform39, We cannot conform
to our culture is we are ever toto our culture is we are ever to
have an impact on it…have an impact on it…have an impact on it…have an impact on it…

9. 3838 “You have heard that it was said, ‘“You have heard that it was said, ‘AANN
EYEEYE FORFOR ANAN EYEEYE,, ANDAND AA TOOTHTOOTH FORFOR AA TOOTHTOOTH.’.’EYEEYE FORFOR ANAN EYEEYE,, ANDAND AA TOOTHTOOTH FORFOR AA TOOTHTOOTH.’.’
3939 But I say to you, do not resist an evilBut I say to you, do not resist an evil
person; but whoever slaps you on your rightperson; but whoever slaps you on your right
cheek, turn the other to him also.cheek, turn the other to him also.
Matthew 5:38Matthew 5:38--39, NASB39, NASB

10. A. Christ’s Countercultural Counsel…A. Christ’s Countercultural Counsel…
••Vs 38Vs 38--39,We cannot conform to39,We cannot conform to
our culture is we are ever toour culture is we are ever to
have an impact on it…have an impact on it…have an impact on it…have an impact on it…
••The “eye for an eye” is a veryThe “eye for an eye” is a very
important OT Law from Ex,important OT Law from Ex,
Lev, and Deut. LexLev, and Deut. LexTalonisTalonis----
the Law ofthe Law of RetalliationRetalliationthe Law ofthe Law of RetalliationRetalliation
••It was punishment for crimes that the Judges wereIt was punishment for crimes that the Judges were
to mete out, not the individualto mete out, not the individual–– but Jesus expectsbut Jesus expects
more from usmore from us–– His code of conduct inVs 39His code of conduct inVs 39

11. Aa. Jesus’ code…Aa. Jesus’ code…
1.1. ReleaseYour RightsReleaseYour Rights
••This is difficult because weThis is difficult because we
Americans sue for everythingAmericans sue for everything
••This is difficult because weThis is difficult because we
Americans sue for everythingAmericans sue for everything
••Jesus wants us to refuse to fightJesus wants us to refuse to fight
for these thingsfor these things
••It requires the courage andIt requires the courage and••It requires the courage andIt requires the courage and
maturity of completematurity of complete
dependency on the sovereignty of Goddependency on the sovereignty of God

12. Aa. Jesus’ code…Aa. Jesus’ code…
2.2. Release our right toRelease our right to
personal dignitypersonal dignity
Jesus carefully chooses HisJesus carefully chooses His••Jesus carefully chooses HisJesus carefully chooses His
wordswords–– “slaps you on your“slaps you on your
right cheek” is figurative, notright cheek” is figurative, not
literalliteral–– it’s a Jewish colloquialit’s a Jewish colloquial--literalliteral–– it’s a Jewish colloquialit’s a Jewish colloquial--
ism for a “backism for a “back--handed slaphanded slap
or insult”or insult”–– this is not about self defensethis is not about self defense

13. Aa. Jesus’ code…Aa. Jesus’ code…
••VvVv 4040--42, the outer cloak42, the outer cloak
doubled as a warm blanketdoubled as a warm blanket

14. ““4040 If anyone wants to sue you and take yourIf anyone wants to sue you and take your
shirt, let him have your coat also.shirt, let him have your coat also.
4141Whoever forces you to go one mile, goWhoever forces you to go one mile, go4141Whoever forces you to go one mile, goWhoever forces you to go one mile, go
with him two.with him two. 4242 Give to him who asks ofGive to him who asks of
you, and do not turn away from him whoyou, and do not turn away from him who
wants to borrow from you.”wants to borrow from you.”wants to borrow from you.”wants to borrow from you.”
Matthew 5:40Matthew 5:40--42 NASB42 NASB

15. Aa. Jesus’ code…Aa. Jesus’ code…
••VvVv 4040--42, the outer cloak42, the outer cloak
doubled as a warm blanketdoubled as a warm blanket
••Under Mosaic Law, it was aUnder Mosaic Law, it was a••Under Mosaic Law, it was aUnder Mosaic Law, it was a
protected possessionprotected possession
••For the benefit of the Kingdom,For the benefit of the Kingdom,
we should be willing to give upwe should be willing to give up allall possessionspossessionswe should be willing to give upwe should be willing to give up allall possessionspossessions
••These verses are oftenThese verses are often mismis--interpreted as tointerpreted as to
seem ridiculous or impracticalseem ridiculous or impractical–– Jesus isJesus is
NEVER ridiculous or impractical!!NEVER ridiculous or impractical!!

16. Aa. Jesus’ code…Aa. Jesus’ code…
••InVs 41, the word “forces” orInVs 41, the word “forces” or
“compels”, Greek ‘“compels”, Greek ‘aggareuoaggareuo’’
Roman soldiers had the authorityRoman soldiers had the authority••Roman soldiers had the authorityRoman soldiers had the authority
to make ato make a jewjew carry their shield orcarry their shield or
other stuff for a mile, under theother stuff for a mile, under the
penalty of death if they did notpenalty of death if they did not–– they hated itthey hated itpenalty of death if they did notpenalty of death if they did not–– they hated itthey hated it
••Jesus is teaching us to “go the extra mile” toJesus is teaching us to “go the extra mile” to
win the hearts of those who oppose uswin the hearts of those who oppose us

17. B. Love not Hate…B. Love not Hate…
••Vs 43, part of this is Scripture,Vs 43, part of this is Scripture,
the rest is added by Phariseesthe rest is added by Pharisees

18. ““4343 “You have heard that it was said, ‘“You have heard that it was said, ‘YYOUOU““4343 “You have heard that it was said, ‘“You have heard that it was said, ‘YYOUOU
SHALLSHALL LOVELOVEYOURYOUR NEIGHBORNEIGHBOR and hate yourand hate your
enemy.’”enemy.’”
Matthew 5:43 NASBMatthew 5:43 NASB

19. B. Love not Hate…B. Love not Hate…
••Vs 43, part of this is Scripture,Vs 43, part of this is Scripture,
the rest is added by Phariseesthe rest is added by Pharisees
Scripture never tells us to hateScripture never tells us to hate••Scripture never tells us to hateScripture never tells us to hate
anyone, just sinanyone, just sin–– other religions…other religions…
••“You’ve heard”, Jesus said“You’ve heard”, Jesus said–– again spoken byagain spoken by
the Pharisees, but a gross misinterpretationthe Pharisees, but a gross misinterpretationthe Pharisees, but a gross misinterpretationthe Pharisees, but a gross misinterpretation
of the Lawof the Law–– manipulative, selfmanipulative, self--servingserving
Rabbis and PhariseesRabbis and Pharisees

20. B. Love not Hate…B. Love not Hate…
••VvVv 4444--45, obviously, these guys45, obviously, these guys
let their emotions dictate hatinglet their emotions dictate hating
their enemiestheir enemiestheir enemiestheir enemies

21. ““4444 But I say to you, love your enemies and prayBut I say to you, love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you,for those who persecute you, 4545 so that youso that you
may be sons of your Father who is in heaven;may be sons of your Father who is in heaven;may be sons of your Father who is in heaven;may be sons of your Father who is in heaven;
for He causes His sun to rise onfor He causes His sun to rise on thethe evil andevil and thethe
good, and sends rain ongood, and sends rain on thethe righteous andrighteous and thethe
unrighteous.”unrighteous.”unrighteous.”unrighteous.”
Matthew 5:44Matthew 5:44--45, NASB45, NASB

22. B. Love not Hate…B. Love not Hate…
••VvVv 4444--45, obviously, these guys45, obviously, these guys
let their emotions dictate hatinglet their emotions dictate hating
their enemiestheir enemiestheir enemiestheir enemies
••Love enemies and pray for persecutorsLove enemies and pray for persecutors––
Really???Really???
••The last part of 45 is for our understandingThe last part of 45 is for our understanding––••The last part of 45 is for our understandingThe last part of 45 is for our understanding––
God pours out His Blessings on us and NoGod pours out His Blessings on us and No--
believers alike, [believers alike, [VvVv 4646--47]47]

23. 4646 For if you love those who love you, whatFor if you love those who love you, what
reward do you have? Do not even the taxreward do you have? Do not even the taxreward do you have? Do not even the taxreward do you have? Do not even the tax
collectors do the same?collectors do the same? 4747 If you greet onlyIf you greet only
your brothers, what more are you doingyour brothers, what more are you doing thanthan
othersothers? Do not even the Gentiles do the? Do not even the Gentiles do the
same?same?same?same?
Matthew 5:46Matthew 5:46--47, NASB47, NASB

24. B. Love not Hate…B. Love not Hate…
••VvVv 4646--47, God’s love knows no47, God’s love knows no
boundariesboundaries
If we are to become like Him, thatIf we are to become like Him, that••If we are to become like Him, thatIf we are to become like Him, that
is what we must achieveis what we must achieve
••EspeciallyEspecially insideinside the churchthe church
••What? I mean we love everybodyWhat? I mean we love everybody–– no cliques,no cliques,••What? I mean we love everybodyWhat? I mean we love everybody–– no cliques,no cliques,
clubs, or secret groups. Everyone is alwaysclubs, or secret groups. Everyone is always
invited to the Lunch Bunch every week!invited to the Lunch Bunch every week!

25. C. Be Perfect like the Father…C. Be Perfect like the Father…
••Vs 48, HOW is it possible…?Vs 48, HOW is it possible…?

26. ““4848Therefore you are to be perfect, as yourTherefore you are to be perfect, as your““4848Therefore you are to be perfect, as yourTherefore you are to be perfect, as your
heavenly Father is perfect.”heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48, NASBMatthew 5:48, NASBMatthew 5:48, NASBMatthew 5:48, NASB

27. C. Be Perfect like the Father…C. Be Perfect like the Father…
••Vs 48, Sanctification; the mission!Vs 48, Sanctification; the mission!
••As you become more and moreAs you become more and more
like Him every day of your life,like Him every day of your life,
••As you become more and moreAs you become more and more
like Him every day of your life,like Him every day of your life,
you are accomplishing perfection!you are accomplishing perfection!
••Hebrews 7:19 says, “…Hebrews 7:19 says, “… (for the Law made(for the Law made
nothing perfect), and on the other hand therenothing perfect), and on the other hand therenothing perfect), and on the other hand therenothing perfect), and on the other hand there
is a bringing in of a better hope, throughis a bringing in of a better hope, through
which we draw near to God.” (NASB)which we draw near to God.” (NASB)

28. Take Home!Take Home!
WWJHUD?WWJHUD?
••Be unselfishBe unselfish–– start livingstart living••Be unselfishBe unselfish–– start livingstart living
for the good of everyone, not just yourfor the good of everyone, not just your
familyfamily
••Turn the cheekTurn the cheek–– let the insult go; nolet the insult go; no••Turn the cheekTurn the cheek–– let the insult go; nolet the insult go; no
running tabs on “enemies’” wrongsrunning tabs on “enemies’” wrongs
••Be a blessing in their lives as wellBe a blessing in their lives as well