The Golden Rule
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Greetings…
This year we have been focusing on “The Life of Christ.”
Lately, we have been looking at Christ’s greatest sermon recorded, the Sermon on the Mount.
Today, we finish looking at different lessons therein by looking at one of the most well known of Jesus’ teachings within that sermon, “The Golden Rule.”
Have you ever found yourself in a situation with someone, with the need to make a spur of the moment decision?
Wondering what is the right way to act?
Unable to recall whether the bible specifically addresses that moral dilemma?
In Jesus teaching on the Golden Rule we find a quick and easy way to know what to do, something easy to remember.
Let’s read Matthew 7:12…
Matthew 7:12 (ESV)
12 So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Let’s examine our lesson for today.
The Gold Vs Silver Rule
The Gold Vs Silver Rule
There Have Been Similar Rules Taught.
There Have Been Similar Rules Taught.
Throughout time there have been a lot of similar teachings as the Gold Rule that Jesus taught.
Hinduism teaches…
“This is the sum of duty: do naught to others which if done to thee would cause thee pain”
Buddhism teaches…
“Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.”
Jewish Tradition teaches…
“What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.”
Baháʼí Faith teaches…
“He should not wish for others that which he doth not wish for himself, nor promise that which he doth not fulfill.”
As you can see there is a central theme with each of these.
Don’t do to others what you don’t want done to you.
However…
Jesus’ Rule Is Different.
Jesus’ Rule Is Different.
Matthew 7:12 (ESV)
12 So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Jesus requires you to do something favorably to others, while the others only prohibit you from doing something unfavorably to others!
Jesus: “Do” to others as you want done to you.
Others: “Don’t” do to others what you don’t want done to you.
Note the difference.
With others, all that is required is that we don’t harm others.
With Jesus, we must actively “seek out others” and do for them what we wish others would do for us.
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Summary
Summary
All of the quotes we looked at earlier came from religions that predate the “incarnate Christ.”
Hinduism by about 2000 years.
So what Jesus was teaching was “new” and “different” than what most were accustomed to.
It focused on actually “loving your neighbor” not just “not hating your neighbor.”
This is what makes Jesus’s rule the “Golden Rule” and all others the “Silver Rule.”
So then…
How Can We Apply This?
How Can We Apply This?
Teaching The Lost.
Teaching The Lost.
Many of you know what it’s like to hear and be shown that what you had always thought to be true was not true.
That what you thought the God’s word taught wasn’t right.
That your parents or loved ones didn’t actually do nor teach what God really expects.
Hopefully, someone with compassion and with a loving and patient spirit taught you.
When we teach the lost, we need to teach with love, compassion, and patience.
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect
How can we apply the Golden Rule, we should apply it when…
Rebuking Brethren.
Rebuking Brethren.
No one likes to have their mistakes, errors, etc., point out.
When necessary, wouldn't we prefer to be approached with a meek and patient spirit?
As you would want others reproving and rebuking you do also to those needing it.
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
How else can we apply this Golden Rule, we should apply it with…
Family Matters.
Family Matters.
Everyone wants a “loving family” and applying the Golden Rule is the best way to achieve such.
Imagine how many sibling rivalries would end of the Golden Rule was applied.
10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Imagine how many marriages would still be intact if the Golden Rule had been applied.
Ephesians 5:25 (ESV)
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
Imagine how many children would grow up in safe homes if the Golden Rule was applied.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Summary
Summary
The Golden Rule has applications in all interactions between us and those around us.
Let us not limit it but rather let it guide us in all we do with our fellow man.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Think of the impact the Golden Rule would have on the world if everyone adhered to it.
Though we can pray for such we know this is a sin filled world and though we might not be able to impact the world, you and I can certainly impact the lives of those we come in contact with.
Let’s make certain we are doing our best to impact peoples lives around us by listening to the words of Christ.
Matthew 7:12 (ESV)
12 So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them…
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.