The sermon discusses the proper interpretation and application of the "Golden Rule" from the Bible. It argues that the Golden Rule from Jesus is different than similar sayings from other religions in that it calls for actively doing good to others rather than just avoiding harm. The sermon also says the Golden Rule should mainly guide how Christians treat each other, not serve as a basis for theology. When applied between believers and in daily life, it can transform relationships and end conflicts.

2. SermonSermon
ontheMount:ontheMount:ontheMount:ontheMount:
TheThe
“Golden“Golden
Rule”Rule”Rule”Rule”
Matthew 7:12Matthew 7:12

3. A series on judging …A series on judging …
••Last week we looked atLast week we looked at resourcesresources
the Believer needs to judge rightlythe Believer needs to judge rightly
••AgainAgain–– in our Salvation lies a greatin our Salvation lies a great••AgainAgain–– in our Salvation lies a greatin our Salvation lies a great
responsibility; to guard truth as wellresponsibility; to guard truth as well
as share it accuratelyas share it accurately
••The soThe so--called “Golden Rule” is one of the mostcalled “Golden Rule” is one of the most••The soThe so--called “Golden Rule” is one of the mostcalled “Golden Rule” is one of the most
misunderstood statement in the Biblemisunderstood statement in the Bible–– it isit is
NOT the sum total of Christian truth, NOR is itNOT the sum total of Christian truth, NOR is it
God’s plan of RedemptionGod’s plan of Redemption

4. A series on judging …A series on judging …
••I have found that “Christians” all tooI have found that “Christians” all too
often build their whole theology onoften build their whole theology on
this “Golden Rule”this “Golden Rule”this “Golden Rule”this “Golden Rule”
••Because of this practice, liberalismBecause of this practice, liberalism
and heresy have slipped through theand heresy have slipped through the
cracks of this “rule” by its misinterpretation ascracks of this “rule” by its misinterpretation ascracks of this “rule” by its misinterpretation ascracks of this “rule” by its misinterpretation as
the foundation of Political Correctnessthe foundation of Political Correctness
••MosMos folks believe that every world religion hasfolks believe that every world religion has
this exact rule within its teachingsthis exact rule within its teachings–– also a liealso a lie

5. 1212 “In everything, therefore, treat people the“In everything, therefore, treat people the
same way you want them to treat you, forsame way you want them to treat you, forsame way you want them to treat you, forsame way you want them to treat you, for
this is the Law and the Prophets.”this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12 (NASB)Matthew 7:12 (NASB)

6. A. Lies about the “Rule”A. Lies about the “Rule”
••“Every Religion of the world has a“Every Religion of the world has a
rule of the same substance”rule of the same substance”
••Not true.They all have things thatNot true.They all have things that••Not true.They all have things thatNot true.They all have things that
could leave acould leave a novicenovice to buy thatto buy that
statement, but I will show you the subtle, yetstatement, but I will show you the subtle, yet profoundprofound
differencedifference in the way false religions state their “Goldenin the way false religions state their “Golden
Rule”, and the actual words of Jesus Christ in verse 12Rule”, and the actual words of Jesus Christ in verse 12Rule”, and the actual words of Jesus Christ in verse 12Rule”, and the actual words of Jesus Christ in verse 12
••There is something similar in the JewishTalmud, so JewThere is something similar in the JewishTalmud, so Jew
would’ve thought they had heard this before; but it is awould’ve thought they had heard this before; but it is a
little differentlittle different

7. A. Lies about the “Rule”A. Lies about the “Rule”
••Talmud says, “What is hatefulTalmud says, “What is hateful
to you, do not to your fellowto you, do not to your fellow
men.That is the entire Law;men.That is the entire Law;men.That is the entire Law;men.That is the entire Law;
all the rest is commentary.”all the rest is commentary.”
••See the difference yet?See the difference yet?
••Hinduism says, “This is the sum of duty: doHinduism says, “This is the sum of duty: do••Hinduism says, “This is the sum of duty: doHinduism says, “This is the sum of duty: do
naught to others which if done to thee wouldnaught to others which if done to thee would
cause thee pain.”cause thee pain.”

8. A. Lies about the “Rule”A. Lies about the “Rule”
••Buddha said, “Hurt not othersBuddha said, “Hurt not others
with that which pains yourself.”with that which pains yourself.”
••Figure it out yet? Or does it stillFigure it out yet? Or does it still••Figure it out yet? Or does it stillFigure it out yet? Or does it still
seem the same as the “Golden Rule”seem the same as the “Golden Rule”
••Islam says, “No one of you is a believer until heIslam says, “No one of you is a believer until he
desires for his brother that which he desires fordesires for his brother that which he desires fordesires for his brother that which he desires fordesires for his brother that which he desires for
himself.”himself.”
••Confucius said, “What you do not want othersConfucius said, “What you do not want others
to do to you, do not do to others.”to do to you, do not do to others.”

9. A. Lies about the “Rule”A. Lies about the “Rule”
••See what’s different?See what’s different?

10. 1212 “In everything, therefore, treat people the“In everything, therefore, treat people the
same way you want them to treat you, forsame way you want them to treat you, forsame way you want them to treat you, forsame way you want them to treat you, for
this is the Law and the Prophets.”this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12 (NASB)Matthew 7:12 (NASB)

11. A. Lies about the “Rule”A. Lies about the “Rule”
••All the false religions were similarAll the false religions were similar
but Jesus’ words were differentbut Jesus’ words were different
••Jesus asks you to do somethingJesus asks you to do something••Jesus asks you to do somethingJesus asks you to do something
favorably to othersfavorably to others, while the others only, while the others only
prohibitprohibit you from doing somethingyou from doing something unfavorableunfavorable!!
••Jesus: Do unto others what you want them to doJesus: Do unto others what you want them to do••Jesus: Do unto others what you want them to doJesus: Do unto others what you want them to do
to youto you
••Others:Others: Don'tDon't do to others what youdo to others what you don'tdon't wantwant
done to youdone to you

12. A. Lies about the “Rule”A. Lies about the “Rule”
••The difference is subtle;With theThe difference is subtle;With the
othersothers, all that is required is that, all that is required is that
you don’t harm other people (PC)you don’t harm other people (PC)you don’t harm other people (PC)you don’t harm other people (PC)
••With Jesus, what is required is that you showWith Jesus, what is required is that you show
kindnesskindness to othersto others
••The problem of application comes in forgettingThe problem of application comes in forgetting••The problem of application comes in forgettingThe problem of application comes in forgetting
to whom Jesus was giving this information:to whom Jesus was giving this information:
••The Future Ecclesia!The only way you can applyThe Future Ecclesia!The only way you can apply
this 100% is to a fellow Believerthis 100% is to a fellow Believer

13. B. Guiding Principle for ConductB. Guiding Principle for Conduct
••Notice this also inVs 12(b)..Notice this also inVs 12(b)..

14. 1212 “In everything, therefore, treat people the“In everything, therefore, treat people the
same way you want them to treat you, forsame way you want them to treat you, forsame way you want them to treat you, forsame way you want them to treat you, for
this is the Law and the Prophets.”this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12 (NASB)Matthew 7:12 (NASB)

15. 1212 “In everything, therefore, treat people the“In everything, therefore, treat people the
same way you want them to treat you,same way you want them to treat you, forforsame way you want them to treat you,same way you want them to treat you, forfor
this is the Law and the Prophetsthis is the Law and the Prophets.”.”
Matthew 7:12 (NASB)Matthew 7:12 (NASB)

16. B. Guiding Principle for ConductB. Guiding Principle for Conduct
••Vs 12(b), Jesus’ statement, thoughVs 12(b), Jesus’ statement, though
slightly different from theTalmud, isslightly different from theTalmud, is
in harmony with the Law & Prophetsin harmony with the Law & Prophetsin harmony with the Law & Prophetsin harmony with the Law & Prophets
••RememberRemember–– this whole sermon isthis whole sermon is
teaching the difference between phony Phariseeteaching the difference between phony Pharisee
righteousness andrighteousness and TrueTrue righteousnessrighteousnessrighteousness andrighteousness and TrueTrue righteousnessrighteousness
••This “rule” summarizes all that the L&P taught,This “rule” summarizes all that the L&P taught,
just like Paul’s summary of all the Law in Romansjust like Paul’s summary of all the Law in Romans
13:813:8--1010

17. 88 Owe nothing to anyone except to love oneOwe nothing to anyone except to love one
another; for he who loves his neighbor hasanother; for he who loves his neighbor has
fulfilledfulfilled thethe law.law. 99 For this, “For this, “YYOUOU SHALLSHALL NOTNOT
COMMITCOMMIT ADULTERYADULTERY,Y,YOUOU SHALLSHALL NOTNOT MURDERMURDER,Y,YOUOUCOMMITCOMMIT ADULTERYADULTERY,Y,YOUOU SHALLSHALL NOTNOT MURDERMURDER,Y,YOUOU
SHALLSHALL NOTNOT STEALSTEAL,Y,YOUOU SHALLSHALL NOTNOT COVETCOVET,” and if,” and if
there is any other commandment, it is summedthere is any other commandment, it is summed
up in this saying, “up in this saying, “YYOUOU SHALLSHALL LOVELOVEYOURYOURup in this saying, “up in this saying, “YYOUOU SHALLSHALL LOVELOVEYOURYOUR
NEIGHBORNEIGHBOR ASASYOURSELFYOURSELF.”.” 1010 Love does no wrongLove does no wrong
to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillmentto a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment
ofof thethe law.law. Romans 13:8Romans 13:8--10 (NASB)10 (NASB)

18. 88 Owe nothing to anyone except to love oneOwe nothing to anyone except to love one
another; for he who loves his neighbor hasanother; for he who loves his neighbor has
fulfilledfulfilled thethe law.law. 99 For this, “For this, “YYOUOU SHALLSHALL NOTNOT
COMMITCOMMIT ADULTERYADULTERY,Y,YOUOU SHALLSHALL NOTNOT MURDERMURDER,Y,YOUOUCOMMITCOMMIT ADULTERYADULTERY,Y,YOUOU SHALLSHALL NOTNOT MURDERMURDER,Y,YOUOU
SHALLSHALL NOTNOT STEALSTEAL,Y,YOUOU SHALLSHALL NOTNOT COVETCOVET,” and if,” and if
there is any other commandment, it is summedthere is any other commandment, it is summed
up in this saying, “up in this saying, “YYOUOU SHALLSHALL LOVELOVEYOURYOURup in this saying, “up in this saying, “YYOUOU SHALLSHALL LOVELOVEYOURYOUR
NEIGHBORNEIGHBOR ASASYOURSELFYOURSELF.”.” 1010 Love does no wrongLove does no wrong
to a neighbor; therefore love is theto a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillmentfulfillment
ofof thethe law.law. Romans 13:8Romans 13:8--10 (NASB)10 (NASB)

19. C. How to Apply it…C. How to Apply it…
••Though it is given for the Believer, it isThough it is given for the Believer, it is
still usable with “Lost” folks in yourstill usable with “Lost” folks in your
witnessing “toolbox”witnessing “toolbox”witnessing “toolbox”witnessing “toolbox”
••Imagine what it is like to be told you’reImagine what it is like to be told you’re
wrong, or in sinwrong, or in sin----
••Wouldn't you want to be told in a loving andWouldn't you want to be told in a loving and••Wouldn't you want to be told in a loving andWouldn't you want to be told in a loving and
patient spirit?patient spirit?
••As you would have others try to persuade you toAs you would have others try to persuade you to
changechange religiouslyreligiously, so treat those you seek to win, so treat those you seek to win

20. C. How to Apply it…C. How to Apply it…
••When we have to correct each otherWhen we have to correct each other
••No one likes having their mistakesNo one likes having their mistakes
oror sinssins exposedexposed–– when necessary,when necessary,oror sinssins exposedexposed–– when necessary,when necessary,
don’t we prefer being approacheddon’t we prefer being approached
with a meek and patient spirit?with a meek and patient spirit?
••As you would have others offer youAs you would have others offer you
constructive criticism, like so give it to themconstructive criticism, like so give it to them
••As you would have others offer youAs you would have others offer you
constructive criticism, like so give it to themconstructive criticism, like so give it to them
••And in “how we treat” family, neighbors,And in “how we treat” family, neighbors,
enemiesenemies

21. C. How to Apply it…C. How to Apply it…
••Everyone likes to have loving families,Everyone likes to have loving families,
good neighbors, no enemies, right?good neighbors, no enemies, right?
••Imagine how applying this “rule” willImagine how applying this “rule” will••Imagine how applying this “rule” willImagine how applying this “rule” will
transform us individually, nut it maytransform us individually, nut it may
also transform those folks around us!also transform those folks around us!
•• Sibling rivalry would ceaseSibling rivalry would cease
••Neighbor squabbles would be nonNeighbor squabbles would be non--existentexistent••Neighbor squabbles would be nonNeighbor squabbles would be non--existentexistent
••Enemies would become friendsEnemies would become friends
••Don't limit the application of the Golden Rule toDon't limit the application of the Golden Rule to
matters of faith!matters of faith!

22. Take Home!Take Home!
1.1. Don’t fall into the PC trapDon’t fall into the PC trap----
the “Golden Rule” is mainlythe “Golden Rule” is mainlythe “Golden Rule” is mainlythe “Golden Rule” is mainly
for you to apply to your brothers and sistersfor you to apply to your brothers and sisters
in Christ, except in a witnessing contextin Christ, except in a witnessing context
2.2. It is not a theology or a means ofIt is not a theology or a means of2.2. It is not a theology or a means ofIt is not a theology or a means of
redemption; it is a means for siblingredemption; it is a means for sibling
harmonyharmony–– true righteousness!true righteousness!