Matthew 5:38-42
July 7, 2019 AM
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
Thoughts on a New Bus and Church Finances
We are current with our bills
But we have this need right now
About €2,500 for a commercial van
To carry all the Sunday ‘Stuff’ - to transport everything we use for church on a Sunday
We will save for another 16 passenger bus
It is up to US to take care of this need
We never charge for the Gospel, or for church
And yet we have bills, and do so many things for so many people
If everyone gave… participating by giving our tithe 1/10th of our income like God says
It is the way we pay for things we do
Will you start?
I. Introduction (Matthew 5:38-42)
A. Jesus taught in chapters 5,6 and 7 the superiority of the Kingdom of God
B. And He did it, not by throwing away the Old Testament, or God’s laws, but by teaching what they actually meant, and how they work even today!
C. He now exposes the problem with personal revenge (5:38-42)
1. Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
2. Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
3. Mat 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
4. Mat 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
5. Mat 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
D. This was and IS a hard lesson to hear and obey
II. Review (Matthew 5:17,18,20)
A. Two Kingdoms are at war
1. And if you don’t believe that, then you haven’t YET tried to live like Christ did
B. The two kingdoms are
1. The Kingdoms of this world
2. And the Kingdom of God
C. We live here and now, in this world – this physical kingdom of men, and armies, and troubles
D. But there is another kingdom existing right alongside – the Kingdom of God
E. You were born into this world and its kingdoms…
F. But you must be born AGAIN into the kingdom of God (John 3:3,7)
1. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
2. John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
III. Background
A. Revenge – what a powerful thought
1. An old saying still goes around, “Revenge is a dish best served cold!”
2. Meaning -
To inflict pain or injury in return for an injury received.
To get even with the person who wronged you.
3. We ALL know the power of revenge
a. Someone walks by you and pushes you down, and takes your purse and then runs off – we usually get back up and run after them to clobber them and take back what they stole, and then kick them for even attempting to steal from us!
b. Someone calls us a name and boy do we quickly come up with some names to call them back!
c. My family and I were crossing the old bridge next to the Regional Park one evening, and as we got to the middle of the bridge, a car came racing across from the other side, full of some young twenty-somethings, and they clipped my wing-mirror and kept going! I was shocked, and then furious, and got to the other side and turned the car around and raced after them! But they were long gone!
d. So many movies and novels make big money feeding on people’s thirst for revenge
e. It is our nature to want to get justice for wrongs done against us
1) That’s why there is something called road rage
2) That’s why there are so many arguments and fights in homes
3) That’s why we have judges and courts to force wrongdoers to pay for their offenses
f. But justice never fixes things that have been hurt of broken
g. We take so many things so personally and are offended constantly!
1) Because people rarely repent
2) Because people have long memories about their hurts
3) And because revenge is easier to keep burning in our hearts more than holiness, peace, contentment, and humility.
B. The Audience Jesus was Teaching
1. Jesus spoke as a simple man without political power to a people who were, themselves, essentially without political power either.
2. In other words, most of the people listening to Jesus’ teaching were simply common people, who were not treated equally under the law – had no protection from abuse.
C. The Wrong Teaching Jesus was Correcting
1. The Pharisees and religious leaders constantly taught that it is right to personally get even when hurt, or taken advantage of, or abused
2. They even used Scripture to prove it was right to seek revenge for almost any hurt or wrong doing
3. Jesus took the time to teach them the real way to live and thrive when being hurt
IV.Message
A. This Law is the Cornerstone of Proper Justice
1. The law of God that Jesus is referring to comes from Exodus 21:22-27
a. Exo 21:22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
b. Exo 21:23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
c. Exo 21:24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
d. Exo 21:25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
e. Exo 21:26 And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.
f. Exo 21:27 And if he smite out his manservant's tooth, or his maidservant's tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.
2. An Eye for an Eye – what does that mean?
a. It is a literal law
b. Look at the words in Exodus 21…
1) Life for life
2) Eye for an eye
3) Tooth for a tooth
4) Hand for hand
5) Wound for wound
c. It is simply demanding EQUAL justice for a wrong doing
1) Did you notice? If someone had a servant that owed them a lot of money and so was working it off, and that owner abused them and broke his or her tooth, then that debtor would then officially be free of all his or her debt and could go home!
2) If that debtor lost their eye at the abuse of their owner, they must be allowed to go free!
3) Why? Because God values teeth and eyes and hates abuses a lot!
d. An eye for an eye simply means, The penalty should match the crime
e. Some Examples:
1) Somebody scratches your car means they should pay for it to be repainted
a) NOT that they should be able to get away with it scot-free
b) And NOT that they should pay for a new car for you!
c) But they should be fined the cost of repainting the area of your car that they scratched!
2) If somebody punches you, and knocks out a tooth or two (PICTURE), you should be able to sue for dental work to repair and restore your teeth – not sue for a million euros, but for the value of your tooth!
3) The punishment should match the crime
4) Someone taps your car’s bumper – they should pay for the bumper to be repaired.
a) It would be wrong for them to just walk away and YOU have to pay for it.
b) And it would be just as wrong for you to lie and demand them to pay for a whole new car!
3. These rules used to be the cornerstone of all good law and justice
4. This Biblical principle is now mocked by almost ALL politicians and public officials
a. So, we have the current situation in our courts
1) You would NOT want to read all the abuses that come before the Irish courts, that would turn your stomach in horror, only to see the judgments handed down being so pitiful and unequal to the crimes being committed
2) EX: Someone steals a car and goes for a joy ride and wrecks the car, should be FORCED to pay for the car, and any damage from the joy ride
a) But instead is usually given a slap on the wrist FOR THE 37th time!
3) EX: Someone robs an elderly couple, traumatizes them should be in jail
a) But so many over the past few decades never get more than a reprimand (for the 20th time), and ANOTHER warning that they not do that again!
4) Prison has become something of a last resort – and even persistent offenders are never made to pay equal to their crimes!
5) Judges are too reluctant to impose prison terms for serious offences such as manslaughter, assault causing harm or serious harm, sexual assault, rape, aggravated robbery and burglary.
b. Another Example –
1) A man was stabbed to death during a brawl in a bed and breakfast in June 2015
2) How long do you think the convicted killer was jailed for?
3) The killer was jailed for only FIVE years.
a) Terence ‘Terry” Connors (42) had originally been charged with the murder of Peter Conroy (25), at Palmerstown Lodge B&B, Kennelsfort Road Lower, Palmerstown, Dublin 20 on 9 June, 2015.
b) His plea of guilty to manslaughter and not guilty to murder was rejected by the State and last December Connors was convicted by a jury of Conroy’s manslaughter after a one-week trial.
c) Okay. So far so good.
d) But when it came time for sentancing in February of 2017, at the Central Criminal Court, Connors was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, with the last two suspended, for killing young Conroy.
e) https://www.thejournal.ie/manslaughter-justice-is-a-joke-3249255-Feb2017/
f) I bet you Terry got out for good behaviour after only THREE years!
4) Do you all realise that anyone who murders another person in Ireland, and is convicted of murder, and is sentenced to life imprisonment for that murder, is automatically eligible for release after only seven years? THAT PUNISHMENT DOES NOT EQUAL THEIR CRIME!
5. Most people today feel that compassion is more important than justice, and that the Bible never “really” expresses that a wrongdoing deserves equal punishment
6. Yet, the Bible is clear
a. It expresses equal punishment in Romans 6:23a “The wages of sin is/equals DEATH” Hmmmmm.
b. Act 25:10,11 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
c. Jesus warned that people should NOT be allowed to do wrong with no or little consequences (Mat 18:6) But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7. Every society needs a BLIND, and EQUAL justice system (PICTURE) – or no one will be safe
B. But Jesus Makes Things Personal
1. “But I say unto you…”
a. Jesus does not rebuke the judges, or the magistrates, or the courts – no.
b. He speaks to those who are abused and have no power and no expectation of justice
c. And he says, “You must not resist evil against you!”
1) You must not seek revenge!
2) You must not fight back
3) You must not raise up mobs to attack those that you feel have hurt you
2. Then Jesus gave some serious examples
a. Turning the other cheek
1) To slap someone was and still is an incredible insult
2) So, when someone strikes you on the face – how do YOU respond?
a) I know how most people have been conditioned to respond…
b) Slap right back – no hestitation
3) You might say, “I would never slap anyone…” Oh really?
4) Insulting words are like a slap to the face
5) How do you normally respond when someone insults you? Offends you? Upsets you?
6) Jesus commands us to LET them insult, even slap us
7) Jesus did this!
8) Moses did this – he did not defend himself against slander and attacks (Numbers 12:1-5,9,10) NOT because Moses was weak, but because he KNEW GOD would handle his attackers!
a) Num 12:1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
b) Num 12:2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.
c) Num 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
d) Num 12:4 And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.
e) Num 12:5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
f) Num 12:9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.
g) Num 12:10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.
9) Remember the audience He is teaching – people who wanted to follow Jesus
10) No one else is going to get this, or even want to try and live it
11) So, if you are going to live in Christ’s kingdom, you need to learn to react a different way than you are used to!
12) Let people insult you and even slap you for being a Christian
13) Not very “Western” is it – but VERY Christlike
b. When someone sues us and wins, we are to let them have more than they are demanding
1) Not that we just give everything away
2) But if we have wronged someone, and they sue us and win, we let them have more than they seek
3) Notice, if they “take away thy coat…” – the old word for shirt. That is where we get the phrase “I lost my shirt” in that lawsuit
4) Let them have your cloke also
a) If someone sued you and was awarded your garments (shirt, pants, or dress)
b) Let them also have your outer robe – overcoat
5) NOT let them win, but of you’re guilty then let them win more than they ask for
6) But, even in a corrupt court system, if you lose, let the other side have more than they sought!
7) Do you notice a spiritual truth at work? To yield instead of constantly fight
8) BOY! That would save your marriage!
c. When someone forces you to do something you don’t want to, you do it twice as long! THAT WILL SHOW THEM!
1) The Roman soldiers (PICTURE) were allowed by law to demand of anyone they may pass, to carry their backpack for a Mile (a thousand paces), and then they had to take it back again
2) It applies to your employer asking you to work longer than you want to, and not even being paid for it – and you doing it – for a Christian testimony’s sake
3) Jesus didn’t say, You should only do it for your family, but for whosoever – wow!
4) Some call it “being inconvenienced”
5) But it always is a hassle, and usually upsets us / me!
6) Yet Jesus said, go out of your way to always do more than asked! To the point of even loving your enemy!!! More about that next week!
d. When someone asks for something from us, we give it to them, and lend it to whosoever wants to borrow from us.
1) Our western culture is a hording culture – accumulating things and wealth
2) The Kingdom of God is a giving culture – has no problem with working hard, and then giving away some of the money to anybody who really needs it
3. Jesus is clearly overruling a attitude that was approving of private vengeance
a. The idea is that we do not seek revenge for ourselves, but that we yield our rights, and give up our demands as Christians, knowing that God is the one who actually grants those rights, and can suspend them when He pleases!
b. Otherwise we become hateful, angry, bitter, and vengeful, and we become a tool of Satan, and not a tool of Justice
c. Sir Francis Bacon, a 17th century Christian scientist said, “In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he [becomes] superior.”
C. Nine Kingdom Truths About Revenge
1. Vengeance and Revenge actually belongs to God (Romans 12:17-19)
a. If you try and handle things, you are interferring with GOD, and hindering HIS attempts to judge your enemy!
b. Rom
12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. (DO NOT SEEK REVENGE)
Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
c. Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
d. Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
2. God expects US who have been hurt, to FIRST do good to those that hurt us
a. God expects a Christian to be harmless and kind to those that hurt us
b. Php 2:14,15 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
c. Rom 12:20,21 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
d. We seek to get along with others – not isolationists or racists
e. But we have a limit, when someone is robbing or abusing someone else, we must intervene
3. God expects Governors and Magistrates and Judges to exact justice, with some mercy, not the other way around (Romans 13:1-4)
a. Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
b. Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
c. Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
d. Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
4. It is not wrong to seek justice when seriously wronged (Luke 18:1-8)
a. Luk 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
b. Luk 18:2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
c. Luk 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
d. Luk 18:4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
e. Luk 18:5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
f. Luk 18:6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
g. Luk 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
h. Luk 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
5. Be careful to NOT ONLY seek justice
a. To expect justice for wrongs is a right thing to expect, but it will not make up for the loss you experience because of someone’s act against you – that will have to come from your relationship with Jesus, and with learning how to FORGIVE!
1) Col 3:12-14 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
b. Only Jesus can replace all the hurts and scars with His peace and power to forgive
1) John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
c. Seek to love one another – not judge and repay evil for evil!
6. Jesus is NOT teaching pacifism
a. The Bible is not against war on a national scale, to defend the nation, but against the personal defence of ourselves against general attacks.
b. Do you really think Jesus is commanding us that we should allow others to murder, and rape and smash things while we stand passively by? THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A MINUTE
c. It does not mean let people abuse other people
1) Step in a protect the weak
2) Jesus did not want to be protected because He HAD to die
3) But your little sister, or your mother, or some stranger being abused does NOT have to die if you can do anything about it! Step in and protect them!
d. There is a limit to the amount of abuse we can allow
1) Like when a person attempts to hurt us enough to put us in the hospital – we SHOULD defend ourselves, and enact laws that protect people from evil!
2) Like when a government seeks to slaughter a race of people – like the Germans did towards the Jews in WWII – we should step in and defend them
e. By the way, Countless numbers of Christians have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of people to NOT go to war – conscientious objectors! It would have been nice if a majority of Germans had conscientiously objected to Hitler’s war!
7. But that when someone hurts US, that we LET them, WITHOUT INSTANTLY REACTING (Luke 17:3,4) – slow to wrath!
a. This does NOT mean… Letting people walk right over you and keep physically, emotionally, sexually abusing you
b. Lk 17:3,4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
c. REPROVE, REBUKE, CORRECT, INSTRUCT
8. Pray for judges, and all in authority (1Timothy 2:1,2)
a. 1Ti 2:1,2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
b. They need GOD’S help to know how to do justice and to have mercy only when it will actually help!
9. And, Teach Self-Defence (Luke 22:35-38)
a. Teach and equip your wife, and to your children to stand up to bullies and be able to stop them from hurting them and other people
b. Self-defense is not wrong
c. And protecting other people is not wrong
d. It is better to be strong and capable of defending yourself, and then keeping that strength under control
e. Until someone crossing a serious line – attempting to cause serious injury or death
f. Luk 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
g. Luk 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
h. Luk 22:37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
i. Luk 22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
j. Jesus did NOT say thrown them away!
V. Conclusion
A. Revenge – are you sure you still want it?
B. ALL of us are guilty of hurting others, and breaking God’s holy laws (Psalm 130:3,4)
1. Psa 130:3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
2. Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
3. Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
4. Psa 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
C. God one day will judge the whole world Heb 9:27 “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”
D. How will you fare?
1. You may have been only abused and hurt all your life
2. But you face God and be judged by how YOU have lived (PICTURE)
3. And you will need to have received God’s forgiveness before that day
4. Or else you will be the one to pay for all eternity for all the wrongs and hurts and abusive words and insults and abuses that YOU did towards both people AND God!
E. There is ONE way to escape the justice and judgment of God
1. Turn to Jesus as your Saviour – REAL faith!
2. Cry out for HIS mercy instead of His judgment – which IS coming soon!
3. Ask Him to save YOU from what YOU deserve – from an eternal hell
4. And to give you the gift of eternal life
5. The Bible says in Romans 6:23, "the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
6. Will you seek God’s mercy instead of always justice?
7. It will change your life, and your heart, and your home, and this nation!