Message by Dr. David Drake
Series: “Inside / Out”
Living Today The Life Of Jesus
A study through The Sermon On The Mount
Matthew 5-7
How To Fight Like A Christian
Matthew 5:38-42 (NASB)
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’
39 “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.
41 “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
I. Jesus Exposes The Old Testament Standard
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’
1. Equal Payment for Equal Loss
Exodus 21:24-25 (NASB)
24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
Leviticus 24:20 (NASB)
20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; just as he has injured a man, so it shall be inflicted on him.
Deuteronomy 19:21 (NASB)
21 “Thus you shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
2. No Negotiations
Exodus 21:24-25 (NASB)
24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
Exodus 21:23 (NASB)
23 “But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life,
II. Jesus Expresses The New Testament Spirit
39 “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.
41 “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
1. Do Not Resist the Evil Person, Redeem Him
(Surrender)
39 “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
Matthew 5:44 (NASB)
44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
2. Go Beyond Your Christian Response to Reveal the Character of Christ
(Sacrifice)
40 “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.
41 “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
3. Give With No expectation to Get
(Service)
42 “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
Proverbs 25:21-22 (NASB)
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you.
III. Jesus Explains How To Be R.E.A.L.
R… Reveal the Spirit of Christ
Faith in Christ…Fellowship with Christ…Fruitful for Christ
Ephesians 5:18 (NASB)
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control;
E… Eliminate All Barriers Toward Others
Have your own personal “demo day.”
A… Accept (Not Understand) Every Situation
Is From God
Proverbs 3:5 (NASB)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
L… Love People
First, come personally to the Love of Christ.
Second, stay in fellowship with God.
Third, let the fruit be revealed.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control;
God wants us to be REAL when we respond to those around us.