Rise Above the Status Quo
Notes
Transcript
Intro; Throughout this entire message that Jesus is preaching there is one theme that we should have already recognized, “That followers of Christ are to be different than the world!”
We are different because we are no longer dead in trespass and sin but have been made alive in Christ!
We are different because we are the salt of the earth, the light of the world, to guide men to God with a message of hope.
We are different because the Law of God fulfilled in Christ, has led us to the grace of God, and now we are able to approach at all our relationships with one another with the mind of Christ and not of mere men!
Being different is not being better in a prideful way, but simply having the spiritual ability to “Rise Above the Status Quo”!
Status Quo- the current state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues. Not desiring nor looking for change.
Example: You are having dinner at a restaurant you go to often. Looking at the menu, you feel tempted to try something new. However, you are really hungry, and you don't want to risk choosing something you don't like. Because of status quo bias, you want to be on the safe side and order your usual hamburger.
Who coined the phrase “Status Quo”? The Oxford English Dictionary explains, status quo showed up in the fifth century in the writings of Augustine of Hippo.
Augustine of Hippo, also known as Saint Augustine, was a theologian and philosopher and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Africa. In the late 6th century, he was sent from Rome to England to bring Christianity to the Anglo-Saxons. He would ultimately become the first Archbishop of Canterbury, establish one of England's most important abbeys, and kickstart the country's conversion to Christianity. His writings influenced the development of Western philosophy and Western Christianity, and he is viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers of the Latin Church in the Patristic Period. His many works include The City of God, On Christian Doctrine, and Confessions.
So why the phrase “Status Quo”. St. Augustine was tired of seeing the church not rise above the current state of religion. When the church is not different than the world then we have settled for the “Status Quo”!
This morning I want to preach on “Rise Above the Status Quo”
Text; Mt. 5:38-42
Matthew 5:38–42 (NKJV)
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I tell you not to 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 away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
1. Rise Above Retaliation; 38-40
1. Rise Above Retaliation; 38-40
The Old Testament principle of an “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” (Lev 24:20) was intended to keep justice fair and limited. Punishment was to be in proportion to the crime committed.
It serves two basic purposes;
To reduce crime
19 then you shall do to him as he thought to have done to his brother; so you shall put away the evil from among you.
20 And those who remain shall hear and fear, and hereafter they shall not again commit such evil among you.
21 Your eye shall not pity: life shall be for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
To prevent vengeance/retaliation
23 Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech! For I have killed a man for wounding me, Even a young man for hurting me.
24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”
This law has been misused and abused down through the ages for man’s personal vengeance. You get at me, I’m gonna get you. You raise your voice at me, I’m gonna holler at you. You mess with me and I’m goin’ to mess you and your family up. Vigilante justice!
Jesus tells us we must operate in the confines of the law, but also we should rise above the status quo of the law.
Retaliate- Getting even
[39] Turning the other cheek
Turning the other cheek means more than just being hit in the face physically. A slap in the face can come by insult, slander, criticism, rumors, gossip, abuse, threats, and physical attack.
What is our first response? To retaliate, get even [start rumors, criticize, gossip]
Jesus wants us to rise above what our flesh wants to do and change the circumstances by doing what He did.
20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
Jesus wants us to turn the tables on our enemy to change their lives!
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.
This doesn’t mean that we just roll over and let evil win, we just need to fight back, respond, in the right way.
Jesus cleansed the temple twice of the moneychangers, Paul put a man out of the church at Corinth for his ungodly ways, we are to resist the devil and all his evil ways. But not in the way of vengeance and retaliation!
There was an Irishman whom someone hit on the cheek and knocked down. The Irishman got up and turned his other cheek. The fellow knocked him down again. This time the Irishman got up and beat the stuffin’ out of that fellow. An observer asked, “Why did you do that?” “Well,” replied the Irishman, “the Lord said to turn the other cheek and I did, but He never told me what to do after that.”
22 Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.
[40] Give your tunic and cloak
Jesus now turns to legal and fair judgment made against one in a court
The tunic and cloak were pieces of clothing. The tunic [undergarment] and the cloak [outer-garment/robe]. The cloak was the most expensive to make therefore the most valuable. A cloak could be used as a blanket, a sack to carry things in, a pad to sit on, a pledge for a debt, and clothing. Under God’s law, no one could take another person’s cloak.
26 If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down.
27 For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious.
Jesus is saying pay your debt and more-so to show your regret for being wrong.
Humility is not only good for others but for us as well!
9 The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
Rising above the “status quo” changes the circumstances allowing one the opportunity to change the hearts of men!
2. Rise above what is Required; 41
2. Rise above what is Required; 41
Going the extra mile is connected with what is required of a person in that culture.
Roman soldiers had the right to command an ordinary citizen of the country they occupied to carry their backpack/gear for a Roman mile. The Jews hated this because they would have to submit to their oppressor.
Jesus says, “go with him two”. The second mile is your choice. It’s your way of saying, “God is in control here.”
Jesus was revealing to his followers that they belong to another kingdom. They need not fight against Rome (as did the Zealots, a militant group of Jews), which would only end in defeat. Instead, they should work on behalf of God’s kingdom.
No one likes to pay taxes. But we are required by law to pay them. So instead of grumbling every time we pay taxes, just pay them! Regardless of how much taxes we pay, regardless of which political party is in power, if God owns your finances, you will have all you will ever need, and then some!
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
3. Rise Above Resentment; 42
3. Rise Above Resentment; 42
It is the christian ethic to give and help those in need
35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
But in the context of this scripture, Jesus has been dealing with those who are our enemy, or one’s we have had a confrontation with. Jesus is telling us to “rise above the status quo” [Resentment], and give to those who have wronged us just as we would to those that we like.
Resentment- bitterness towards one who treated you unfairly
The flesh would say, “you got what you deserved!”
“You should have thought about that when you wouldn’t help me!”
“You reap what you sow!”
“Serves you right!”
Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
We commit spiritual suicide on the installment plan when we harbor resentment, cultivate self-pity, nourish shame, and refuse to forgive.
Maxie Dunnam
Let Me Say That Again (1996)
Close;
Jesus is commanding us to rise above the status quo of religion and start living in the confines of our spiritual relationship to him. That is different than the world!
It is the same spirit Abraham manifested when he gave the best land to his nephew Lot.
It is the spirit of Joseph when he embraced and kissed the brothers who had so terribly wronged him.
It is the spirit that would not let David take advantage of the opportunity to take the life of Saul, who was then seeking to take David’s life.
It is the spirit that led Elisha to feed the enemy Assyrian army.
It is the spirit that led Stephen to pray for those who were stoning him to death.
It is the spirit of going the extra mile, “Rising Above the Status Quo,” because God is in control!