Sermons
Doing the Impossible, Pt. 1
January 31, 2021
Ministry:
- Sunday Morning
Speaker:
- Jeff Crotts
Text: Matthew 5:38-5:42
Series:
- Matthew
“Is your life any different than anyone else’s?”
- What if I asked you to do the impossible?
- The final verse of chapter 5 says:
ESV Matthew 5:48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
- Jesus summarizes what he expects! From all of chapter 5.
- Jesus requires, when abused, never retaliate! (In kind).
“Is this reasonable?”
Scripture nowhere condones abuse or living unprotected.
- Proverbs speaks to walking wisely.
- Not being taken advantage of.
- Parents protecting “nurturing” children.
ESV Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
- Abused spouses, flee abusers.
- Find refuge from the attacker.
- Seek safety to know to do.
- Making peace where possible.
- Being at peace where not
Jesus addresses the believer’s response to abuse.
Lifestyles, distinct from everyone else!
- We know generally good and honest people.
- Who sacrificially give what exceeds the norm.
- These same people have limits.
- When abused or taken advantage of.
- Quickly turn on their abuser.
- Christians, when attacked, can be something “more” marking them, children of God.
- Something “more” differentiates, from those watching.
Jesus’ sermon breaks into two practical units, marking believers, unique.
- When attacked, take abuse in a way no one else can (vv. 38-42).
- When attacked, not only take the abuse, but also love your abuser (vv. 43-48).
- Instead of retaliating, love.
- A dramatic response, a clear witness.
A Christian’s response, reshapes the heart.
C.S. Lewis in his classic, Mere Christianity explains this best.
The rule for all of us is perfectly simple. Do not waste your time bothering whether you “love” your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less…The difference between a Christian and a worldly man is not that the worldly man has only affections or “likings” and the Christian has only “charity.” The worldly man treats certain people kindly because he “likes” them; the Christian, trying to treat everyone kindly, finds himself liking more and more people as he goes on – including people he could not even have imagined himself liking at the beginning.
I was recalling my conversion as a senior in high school at seventeen years old.
- I was in my first month as a new believer.
- Walking out of my recreation center with a school friend after a workout.
- A gang of teenagers approached and first assaulted my friend separating us.
- Only to surround me as I was trying to get in my car.
- As I turned to open my door, one of them punched me in the face.
- Having a metal object attached to his hand.
- Split the skin just beneath my eye.
Looking in my rear-view mirror I saw blood pouring down my cheek.
- I had a single thought, “I need to forgive him.”
- Being a new believer, my thoughts gave way to anger.
- I wrestled with whether I could or would actually do that.
- A few weeks later I met back up with the guy who hit me.
- In the same parking lot of this same recreation center.
- We stood face to face but this time I had two rather large friends with me.
- My one friend disarmed him of his metal object.
- Suffice it to say, he nervously acknowledged what he had done.
- His admission stirred compassion inside me.
- I told him, “I forgave you for what he did.”
His response was remarkable.
- He panicked, unwilling to look into my eyes, with an unsteady posture.
- Exclaiming, “So, you are one of those people!”
- He had been exposed to Christians and now wrestling with what he had done.
- I believe this event was more for my two friends standing there than the young man who had jumped me.
- Two weeks later, I was told in a different school, this same person, fighting again, had been slammed through a lunchroom table.
- I did not wish this on him.
- He still needed what I had been given.
- Grace and forgiveness.
Forgiving without retaliation marks true followers of Christ.
- Jesus puts this inside the hearts of those who are his.
- Grace and power to live a path that is otherwise impossible.
Prop: Two impossibilities made possible by God’s intervening grace which cause Christians to stand out in a lost world.
1. God gives his children grace to absorb abuse and not retaliate in kind (vv. 38-42)
Another corrective opens the same way as all the others.
- Repeating the phrases, “You have heard that it was said…But I say to you” almost reads with a sigh.
- “What did the Rabbi’s do this time!”
“An eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth” was a repeated Old Testament phrase.
ESV Exodus 21:24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot
ESV Leviticus 24:20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him.
ESV Deuteronomy 19:21 Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Lex Talionis, Latin for “Law” on retaliation.
- The “Oldest Law in the world.”
- First documented in the “Code of Hammurabi.”
- Ancient tablet dated in 2nd millennium B.C.
- Oldest deciphered writing in the world.
- Dated with Abraham, pre-Moses.
Moses later adapted this Law into Old Testament scenarios (Ex. 21; Lev. 24; Dt. 19).
- Context tells us Lex Talionis frames the Law into fairness.
“The punishment fits the crime.”
- Some see the Old Covenant system as Zero Tolerance.
“Theft, punishable by amputation” (fingers, hands).
“Is the Old Covenant applied with no case-by-case judgment?”
“Not at all.”
- Scenarios understood in terms of unique circumstances and motives.
- Dealing in terms of moral culpability.
The context mostly solving accidental dangers.
“Like being gored by an ox.”
- Often a farmer’s (agricultural) context.
- Resolution sought in terms of:
- Fair compensation, reparations, and restitution made.
- Judgements or executions left for extreme, malicious cases.
The Pharisees were again twisting the Law.
- This slippery slope is where false teachers contort truth to justify sin.
- Extra-biblical laws wrongly applying Lex Talionis, “An eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth.”
- To commend, retaliation.
- To impose revenge or responding in kind!
- Extra-biblical laws wrongly applying Lex Talionis, “An eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth.”
- Meant to show mercy and to contain vengeance.
- Instead of a malevolent measure, Lex Talionis slowed rash and even harsh judgments.
There is an ancient quote:
“A small infraction by one tribe against another, for instance, trespassing, was met by a beating, and then returned by homicide, and then countered by genocide.”
The foundation of law is to limit evil.
- Punishments should be meant to fit the crime.
John Calvin: “One of the principal functions of the law was its role in restraining sin.”
Easy to leverage something clear into someone never intended.
- Our Country pushes the envelope, twisting “free speech” to mean, “You can say anything!”
- Then twist it to mean, “You can only say what is politically correct!”
The most famous phrase from: The Declaration of Independence is:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…”
- Considered one of the most well-crafted sentences in the history of the English language.
- Jefferson and the signers were promoting civil and moral rights,
- Not creating a contract for license.
“Do whatever you want with no consequences!”
Jesus clears up the confusion again seeing God’s Law as the way to address the heart.
- Jesus’ followers are never to seek revenge! Ever!
- Retaliation, not an option.
- Vengeance is left with God.
ESV Romans 12:19-21 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good
Leave vengeance with the only One qualified to enact it.
- Jesus calls for counter-intuitive action.
- What is impossible for the world.
- What makes an impression.
Verses 39-42 presents four scenarios, framing a believer’s response to abuse.
a. Insulting your dignity (v. 39)
Being slapped on the cheek is not referring to a random attack.
- Rabbinic Law calls this, “The Heretic’s Slap.”
- A calculated insult to embarrass you.
- Backhand.
- This context helps in two ways.
- Does not mean, never defend yourself.
- You are not a brawler, but likewise not passive when violently attacked.
Paul, calls Christians to fight for the truth.
- Fight the good fight of faith.
- He uses military and sports analogies.
- Christians guard the Gospel.
- Pastors protect the flock from wolves.
- We destroy “speculations” and whatever is raised up against the knowledge of God!
How this translates when attacked is case by case.
- God requires defending your household.
- I can do so in good conscience.
- I have personally scared off home intruders.
- Faced off with the demon-possessed.
- By faith, not retaliation.
- When insulted, or assaulted, instead of ramping up, rely on the Holy Spirit and ramp down.
- See these as trials or perhaps persecutions.
- What God allows is what to endure.
Instead of engaging in a battle of insults, you take the higher ground.
- The playground battle, being baited into a fight.
- Do not take the bait, seek the Spirit’s control.
- Instead of raising shields, be vulnerable.
The language is emphatic. “Do not resist the one who is evil” (v. 39).
- “Evil” or “evil one” (cf. verse 37) implies “Satan”
- Rather than retaliating, face your attacker.
- Rather than passivity, face your attacker.
- Instead of weapons built from pride, respond in humility.
ESV Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- Humility is not shrinking away and is the opposite of what Jesus is saying.
- Jesus endured insults and slaps at the Cross and never turned away.
- Countering attacks with Truth.
- Never denying who he was.
- Never forsaking his mission.
- Jesus endured insults and slaps at the Cross and never turned away.
ESV 1 Peter 2:23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
- Believers are promised insults for the Truth, for Christ.
The secret to staying in the battle is bringing every issue subject to Scripture.
ESV 2 Corinthians 10:1-5 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ–I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!–2 I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ
b. Suing for your possessions (v. 40)
The “outer cloak” was an inalienable possession (Ex. 22:26; Dt. 24:13).
- Meaning the “tunic” something someone could legally go after.
- The tunic was an undergarment, worn close to the skin.
- The cloak, indispensable in the desert, worn in cool evenings to sleep.
ESV Exodus 22:26 If ever you take your neighbor’s cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down
ESV Deuteronomy 24:13 You shall restore to him the pledge as the sun sets, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you. And it shall be righteousness for you before the LORD your God.
Kent Hughes “It was possible to sue for the shirt, but no one could take another person’s cloak for a permanent twenty-four-hour day possession.”
- This was a nomadic and poor circumstance.
- Jesus is counseling the poor.
- Apply humility to avoid being dragged into a legal battle.
Where possible, stay out of court (legal fees and drama) – stand willing to be defrauded.
What about Luke 6:29 reversing “your cloak with tunic?”
ESV Luke 6:29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.
- The circumstances are no more dramatic.
- No matter the method used to defraud you.
- Take the attitude of full surrender.
“Are believers always supposed to stay out of court?” “Never sue anyone?”
ESV 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!4 So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church?5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers,6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud–even your own brothers!
- Christians should not take each other to court.
- A horrible testimony within the Body of Christ.
Verse 7 asks, “Why not rather be defrauded?”
- Governing authorities have a definite purpose to restrain this world’s sin (cf. 13:7 – Governing authorities are “God’s servant for good”).
- Circumstances may make the Law’s protection necessary.
- For safety and even your wealth.
- That said, 1 Corinthians 6 keeps the priority of testimony front and center.
“Even when you have the right by Law, you have the right to give up your right.”
c. Commandeering you into service (v. 41).
Roman officials would force Jews to carry military equipment on demand.
- Remember Simon of Cyrene (Matt. 27:32).
- The Roman soldier must have known he loved Jesus?
- Matthew says they “compelled” him to carry Jesus cross!
- The Romans pressed him into service.
I liken this to a military draft where you may or may not agree with the cause.
- How are you supposed to respond?
- Literally, go the extra mile.
- Primarily your attitude being right.
d. Swindling your money (v. 42).
Give money to desperate people even when their motive is questionable.
- When you lend your money, you really are giving it away.
ESV Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.
- God’s word says not to lend with “surety.”
- Give your possessions freely.
- Leaving the outcome with God (Ex. 22:25; Lev. 25:37; Dt. 23:19, Pr. 6:1).
ESV Exodus 22:25 “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him.
When encountering someone in desperation, the temptation is to default to:
“I do not want to finance someone’s drug or alcohol habit.”
“I do not want to enable laziness.”
- Tipping the scales leaving no room to be moved in your heart?
- What if the Lord is prompting you to help?
Remember James 2:15-16.
ESV James 2:15-17 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Jesus is saying, that obeying the Law from the heart requires genuine faith.
- Fake faith attaches conditions to its charity.
- “I will buy you a hamburger” Right?
- “What if someone doesn’t want or need a hamburger?”
- Jesus is not solving “world hunger.”
- Jesus did not heal everyone while here.
- He healed whole towns but not every town.
- His primary mission was winning hearts.
[Piper] “When you stand before God in heaven, God is not going to be concerned with how discerning you were with your charity!”
God is not impressed with hyper-sensitivities!
ESV Matthew 25:35-40 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
You say, “Jesus standard is impossible!”
- “Isn’t this the point?”
- We stand out and only stand out when our faith rises to this level.
- Jesus is present within this sphere of sacrifice.
See opportunities to respond like Jesus as evangelism.
- “How can I win others?” Live like this!
- Yes, exercise discernment to know when to protect from an abuser.
- Still, when reviled, never retaliate in kind.