How to be Perfect
Sermon on the Mount • Sermon • Submitted
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We are wrapping up chapter 5. Steve and Dane did a great job preaching by Gods grace. You might have notices a theme in all of these sections. Anger, Lust, Oaths, Divorce, and now retaliation and loving you enemy. Here is the theme: We need a Savior, We need Jesus, Jesus save me from myself.
Before I begin I wanted to share a story about a family who lived in Jinotepe, Nicaragua.
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Opening Story: Tomas Guevara was the mayor of a small town in Jinotepe Nicaragua he was married with four children. He was mayor during the time of Anastasio Somoza who was the Dictator/President of the country during the 70’s who was in power for around 40 years. Tomas Guevara and Somoza were great friend’s. In Nicaragua a rebellion was about to spark and in 1979 the rival political party and rebel group called the Sandinista's toppled the government and seized control. The Sandinista's would create blockades in the streets so no one would be able to escape the country they were looking for people who sided with the other political party. The home of Tomas Guevara was raided by the rebel army and they informed him that his house did not belong to him but to the Sandinista's and made it to a hospital. Tomas Guevara’s youngest daughter was in her room as soldiers broke into her room pointing an automatic rifle to her face telling her to get out. The family managed to escape and flee the country. Alot of people lost their home, their identity and seeking refuge. Tomas Guevara was my grandfather and the girl in the story was my mother.
If this happened to your family what would you do? How would you feel towards those people that robbed you? This is exactly what happened to the Jews during the time Jesus walked the earth. The Super Power that was Rome came in claimed the country as their territory and they became the authority. Yahweh is no longer your God it is Caeser.
We will see in this passage that Jesus is calling us to a higher standard. Here we will see how to be perfect.
The title of the message is How to be Perfect.
Read
Matthew 5:38-48
Point #1 - Jesus is the exegete of the Law
We need to understand that Jesus is not adding to the law. He is not saying anything new. He is explaining it hence the word Exegete which means to expound. Jesus has a goal and it is to bring back Gods people back to his heart. You see that is what the Law is. You might think it is just 4 books of just law but it is God’s heart. It is his love letter to Israel saying this is who I am. I am Holy. I am Just. I am Merciful. I defend the widows cause. I love the orphan. I take care of the poor. I hate death. I am life.
Jesus once again begins a section with, You have heard that it was said speaking of the law. He quotes from
Exodus 21:24
. “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” You might look at this statement and read the rest of verses 39-42 and say that Jesus is superseding the law. He is not. Remember this when reading and studying your bible Context is King.
What Jesus is saying is not contradictory to the law. Check this out.
· Exodus 21:24
– 22 “When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 But if there is harm,[d] then you shall pay life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
Here the eye for eye and tooth for tooth was God exacting an equal amount of justice for the victim and for the aggressor. Here God is protecting an infant who is harmed or potentially harmed. A life for a life.
Gospel
You might say ok now it makes more sense but still a bit extreme on the life for life part. A little hard to swallow. You and I are law breakers . We sinned against a holy God. On Earth when you break the law there are consequences if you murder in some states you get the death penalty. In Gods court system you get death plus eternal separation. We cant fathom why that is so bad or the gravity of it. We wont until we realize his ultimate worth. An Innocent man was hung on a cross died a criminals death. You and I put him there. Here in this case it is not your life for another life. Jesus is taking your place and gave His life in your place. Once and for all. So that you may be forgiven and reconciled with God.
Thomas Constable said, “The Jews, through Pharisaic teaching, tended to view the law of retaliation as God's permission to take vengeance. That was never God's intention. He simply wanted to protect them from excessive vengeance and to curb vendettas.
You see what they did there somewhere along the way something was added something was tweaked in Gods word. We know the danger that can bring. We look at cults like Mormonism and Jehova’s Witness where they added to scripture. From the beginning when Satan tempted Eve all up until now all throughout human history, Satan has been asking the same question to confuse and divide. “Did God really say that?” Did he really say it is not ok to retaliate?
Let’s get to the heart of it. When the Pharisees tested Jesus in Matthew 19 about divorce. He said, “ Because of the hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives but from the beginning it was not so.” It was with the laws on retaliation it was instituted because of the hardness of men’s hearts. D.A. Carson said, “God gives by concession a legal regulation as a dam against the river of violence which flows from man’s evil heart.”
We have a problem. It is much deeper than behavior it is a heart issue an issue that only God can fix. Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
We need a Savior period but there is hope because the same prophet that talked about the condition of the heart also prophesied about a time when God would change the heart of his people. He would change their heart of stone in exchange for one of flesh where He would write his law on it. They would not go to this person or that person to teach them about God but they will all know Him. This is what Jesus accomplishes on the cross.
Illustration of Failure:
I used to work at Chili’s in Miami as a waiter as I attended Community College. It was during this time where I recently gave my life to Christ and everyone who worked at the restaurant knew that I was sold out for Jesus. Since they knew of this they would test me. Say things. One day I was waiting for the line cooks to prepare food for a customer and one of my co workers slapped me across the head. I let it pass. He did it a second time then a third time. It was at this moment when he smacked my head that I was like, Enough is Enough. I cocked back my leg and kicked him on the side of his knee. He was like “Woah calm down you could have injured me.” I say this story to let you know that I am not perfect and also to let you know that this was not how I should have responded.
Why do I share this? I fall short, I am not perfect.
“Nowhere is our need of the power of the Holy Spirit (whose fruit is love) more compelling.” – John Stott
Jesus love in this section becomes even more radical. He says, “ And if anyone forces you to go one mile go with him two miles.”
The Romans sometimes commandeered civilians to carry the luggage of military personnel, but the civilian did not have to carry the luggage for more than one Roman mile. This imposition exasperated and infuriated many a proud Jew. Here you have Rome who came into the country claimed it as their own, took the land and identity of the people. Big bullies. The same people who did this expected you to carry their luggage a mile. Here Jesus says go with him two miles.
Look at the disciples reaction when they were persecuted and physically attacked. Acts 5:41 says, “ The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” The disciples were honored because they were sharing in the sufferings of Christ.
We are not able to do this on our own strength. We need Jesus and we need His Spirit. If you have neither of those that is your application. Repent and turn to Jesus and ask him to fill you with His Spirit. For those who know Christ and baptized in His Spirit. We must be asking for more it everyday.
Jesus is revealing the our desperate need for Him and for Christians the power of the Holy Spirit.
So Point #1 is Jesus is the exegete of the Law
Point #2 Vengeance belongs to God not you
Re-read
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Our weapons are not of this world. In reality we live in a broken world where they enemy, Satan wants to steal, kill and destroy you. He will tempt people to get at you, he will tempt you, tempt and attack your family. People are not your enemies. It is him. When Christ hung on the cross he said something very profound. He prayed to the Father asking Him to forgive those who put him on the cross for they know not what they do.
It is danger or seeking one’s own justice of one not resisting where you make yourself Judge and executioner where God is not ruler and Judge of all.
I am not talking about pacifism because as a Father and a Husband I will protect my family if I see harm coming to them. Christians are not pacifists. We are people of action. Our weapons are not of this world nor is our enemy.
RT France says, “However, the spirit of the law, which Jesus clarified, did not advocate turning oneself into a doormat. It stressed meeting hatred with positive love rather than hatred. Though Jesus allowed His enemies to lead Him as a lamb to the slaughter, He did not cave in to every hostile attack from the scribes and Pharisees.”
When Jesus says do not resist he is saying to not seek out your own justice. So here is my question: Do you trust Him? He will protect you? He will avenge you? He loves you? It should cause us grief and great fear for those who are our enemies or who has done us wrong because they have to answer to Him!
First let’s look at verse 43 and see if God really said that it is ok to hate our enemies.
Jesus quoting, “ You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy” is not even from scripture. It is from old rabbinic teachings found in the Qumran Manual and it says, ‘that they may love all the sons of light …, and hate all the sons of darkness’
As I mentioned Jesus is expounding on the Law. He is bringing people back to the heart of it. What does the OT say about how to treat our enemy? Is it consistent with Rabbinical teaching?
· 18"'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. – Leviticus 19:18
· 4 “If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. 5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him. – Exodus 23:4-5
· If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. –
Proverbs 25:21
It is consistent with scripture specifically the OT to what Jesus is saying to his audience and to us.
You may say but Thomas you don’t understand the wrong that they have done to me. Yes this is true but you do not realize the wrong you did to Him. An innocent victim. He bore no guilt while every other human had sinned and was condemned to die. Each one of us has broken laws of God that transcend the laws of the land. All of us should be condemned to death by the hand of the highest court in the universe if justice is served.
When we seek to correct the wrong done to us, we set ourselves up as a judge. It is not God anymore. He is no longer the ruler. Rather than being heart broken that they broke God’s law you are offended that they broke you law. Thou shall respect and honor Thomas Rivera. Here my friends is the danger. The bait of Satan.
· James says, “There is One Lawgiver who is able to save and destroy. Who are you to judge another? Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! –
James 4:12 5:9
· Matthew in the following chapter says, “4 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
· Matthew 6:14-15
Illustration: Story of Samuel Morris
Over 130 years ago, in a small Liberian village in West Africa, Samuel Morris was born Prince Kaboo, the eldest son of a Kru tribal chieftain. While still a child, a neighboring clan defeated his people and demanded Kaboo’s father pay a hefty ransom for his son’s return.
The conquering chief subjected Kaboo to terrible treatment and cruel labor. During one of many intense whippings, Kaboo said he saw a bright light and heard a voice from Heaven telling him to flee. Kaboo recalled the rope binding him fell to the ground; he gathered his strength and ran into the jungle.
Eventually he arrived at Monrovia. A missionary who was a graduate from Taylor University preached the gospel to him and he surrendered his life to Jesus.
Lizzie MacNeil encouraged him to travel to America and seek the instruction of her mentor, Stephen Merritt, former secretary to Bishop William Taylor.
Sleeping on the beach at the Robert sport harbor, Morris waited several days before finding passage on a ship in exchange for work. The journey was difficult; Morris was often beaten and assigned to the most dangerous tasks. However, by the time the ship docked in New York in September 1891, the captain and most of the crew had accepted Christ because of Morris’ witness.
He did not grow bitter or sought retaliation on those who beat him. He had an understanding for his desperate need for God’s grace and what it can do. He saw everyone through those lenses. As those created in God’s image. As those whom God loved and died for. As those God the Father so desperately wanted to be reconciled with.
When we choose to hate we are allowing Satan to deceive us and enslave us in the chains of offense and bitterness. He wants to steal from us, kill us and neutralize us.
Jesus gives us practical application here. We can love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
“it is not just a sentimental feeling, but an earnest desire for their good - RT France
Point #1 Jesus is the exegete of Gods law
Point #2 Vengeance belongs to God not you
Point #3 Loving God’s way shows you are his children
Matthew 5:44-45
, “ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”
Look at what a good Father that He is. He is instructing us on how to be His son’s. Jesus is sharing what are the marks of a son of God.
The mark of a son of God is one who loves his enemies not only loves his enemies but has a desire for their good.
John Stott says, “ “The real test of love does not come in how we relate to the kind and loveable but in how we relate to the cruel and despicable.”
Illustration of Corey Ten Boon
Corey Ten Boon lived in Holland during the World War. She was a Christian and her family chose to hide Jews to save them from death in the Concentration Camps. If she wouldn’t have nothing would have happened life would have carried on. She was betrayed and someone informed the Nazi’s that she was hiding Jewish people so they sent Corey, her sister and her dad to the concentration camps. The Lord worked miracles for Corey and protected her. When she freed she forgave the person who betrayed her. Not only that God spoke to her to start a rehabilitation center for people who survived the concentration camps. Get this she opened the door to ex Nazi soldiers as well. Only God can do this to a persons heart who would love and serve those who are your enemies. The Nazi’s who killed countless of Jewish people. Corey Ten Boon understood Jesus’ teaching of retaliation because she did not retaliate she sought to serve. She did not hate her enemy but loved them that she desired only good for them.
Only the cross of Christ can do that to a man or womans heart. Only the indwelling Spirit of God residing in a Christian can empower someone to do this. I have a question for you.
Are you a giver or a taker?
John Bevere a pastor and author compared a giver and a taker with the comparison of the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee. Someone who loves to someone who is hurt, offended, seeking their own interest.
Love does not seek its own, but hurt people become more and more self-seeking and self-contained. In this climate the love of God waxes cold. The Sea of Galilee freely receives and gives out water. It has an abundance of life, nurturing many different kinds of fish and plant life. The water of the Sea of Galilee is carried by way of the Jordan to the Dead Sea. But the dead sea only takes water in and does not give out. There are no living plants or fish in it. The living waters from the Sea of Galilee become dead when mixed with the hoarded waters of the Dead Sea. Life cannot be sustained if held on to: It must be given freely. – John Bevere
Which one are you?
Jesus finishes this section saying,” For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers,[i] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
God is not partial so we should not be partial either. He makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good.
The Love that God is commanding us is not convenient because it calls us to love those who don’t love us back. He says you are no different than the rest because even the most wicked person loves his own.
God has a high standard. Jesus quotes from the book of Leviticus when he says, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
It is interesting that God equates perfection to how we treat others especially our enemies. Guess what they are created in Gods image. The questions we must ask ourselves when confronted by our enemies is this, “Does God love this person?” Yes. “Did Jesus die on the cross for this person?” Yes.
So we must love them as well. If Jesus Christ is your Master if He is your Lord you are not greater than Him this is how we tell the tree by its fruit. We can only do this by abiding in Him. Obeying Him.
Are you here and maybe you have not been loving your enemies? You have not been seeking their good?
Maybe all of this is foreign to you. You sense that something has to change. You don’t know this person named Jesus. You want to know Him. You are tired of being angry, being someone who hates who is bitter holding unto offense.
Maybe God is speaking to you in another way and is calling you to repent. If you fall in any of these three categories, will you repent? Turn from your ways and tell God you will do it His way. Ask God for forgiveness. Would you come up here and our home group leaders will be up here to pray for you.