Sermon Responding to Enemies Tom Yardley

8/6/2019 Sermon Responding to Enemies Tom Yardley

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"THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT"

Over the last few weeks we have had a number of people preach

to us on the

Given it has taken these few weeks, and the help of Philip Hunt,Warren Honkey, Brian Allen as well as Ken Holt to get us this

far, and we are only about half way through the Sermon on the

Mount was really quite a sermon. Not even Ken with his usual

triple-decker sermons can match the Sermon on the Mount for

content. My father used to speak of the old style Scots ministers

of his youth going on for two or three hours at a stretch. Even

they couldnt match the Sermon on the Mount for content.

Obviously no ordinary human being can match Jesus in this orany other way. So although the subject of my message could

justify at least two normal sermons, youll be pleased to know

that I will take less than three hours to cover the subject.

I prefer to think of the Sermon on the Mount as the Seminar

series on the Mount. It was like the intense training the first

disciples underwent to initiate them into the righteous life of a

servant of Christ. However, Christ did not book a function roomat a big city hotel to run his training program. In those days he

would have taught often in the open air, and this would have

allowed for a larger group of the curious, the cynical, the bored,

and the potentially threatened to gather at the edges of the circle

of disciples as Jesus taught. Some of us have travelled far

enough to be like those disciples in the inner circle, others of us

are still a bit further out on the fringes, not entirely sure what to

make of this fellow Jesus, and some may even still be resistantto what he has to say. Over my life Ive been in all these various

positions. Today Ill share some thoughts on one small part of

the Sermon on the Mount.

A few weeks ago Philip and Ken opened up the journey through

this important material in the New Testament by showing us

how back then and still today, the Christian life set before us in

the Beatitudes is very challenging to our comfortable cultural


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assumptions. Jesus and the life he set before us to follow in his

footsteps goes against so called realism and common sense.

And Warren and Brian both clearly challenged us to come to

grips with the disturbing news that you dont have to be a

murderer or a sex criminal to fall short of Christs demands on

our commitment to do right. We must be pure in thought, word

and not just the most visible deed. They challenged us in the

same way challenged the disciples and others listening with the

six but-attitudes. But-attitudes? Yes, the six contrasts, or

antitheses, set forth by Christ to contrast the attitudes of the

traditional interpreters of the Law, and his affirmation of the old

Law in that he declared (1) clearly in Matthew 5:17-20.

Part 1 - Taking Revenge (Mt 5:38-42)

INTRODUCTION

As we continue our study of Jesus' "Sermon On The

Mount," bear in mind that we are still discussing the "The

Righteousness Of The Kingdom"We have seen Jesus contrast this "righteousness" to that of

the scribes and Pharisees, in how they interpreted and applied

the Law to such matters as:

Murder (21-26)

Adultery (27-30)

Divorce (31-32)

Swearing Oaths (33-37)

Today we will see how Christ completes the six but-attitudesby interpreting the law on revenge and how to respond to

enemies

What do I mean by the but-attitudes?

Christ says six times something like You have heard it

saidbut I say to you1. In Matthew 5:21, 22. You have heard it said to the men

of old You shall not kill, and whoever kills shall be liable

to judgement. But I say to you that everyone who is angrywith his brother, shall be liable to judgment


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2. In Matthew5: 27, 28. You have heard that it was said,

You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that

everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already

committed adultery with her in his heart.

3. In Matthew 5: 31, 32. It was also said Whoever

divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.

But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife,

makes her an adulteress

4. In Matthew 5:33, 34, and 37. Again you have heard that

it was said to the men of old, You shall nor swear falsely.

But I say to you, Do not swear at allLet what you say

be simply Yes or No5. In Matthew 5:38, 39. 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 one who is evil. But if any one strikes

you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.6. In Matthew 5:43, 44. You have heard that it was said,

You shall love your neighbour, 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 heavenNote well Jesus did not say you have read that He said you

have heard that.. If he was criticising the old law of Moses, the

law of the Old testament he would have said you have heard that

it was written, or you have read, or you have heard it read, not

you have heard it said. Why? Because he was criticising those

who interpreted the Law, not the Law itself. He was pointing to

the erros of the Scribes and Pharisees, and softening the law,

and providing realistic ways for people to bend the rules to suittheir hard hearted ways.

1.1 THE LAW OF MOSES AND "THE TRADITIONALINTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION"

In this message, we shall consider what Jesus taught

concerning "vengeance"

[First, by comparing...]


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1.1.1 Concerning The Statement: "An Eye For An Eye,And A Tooth For A Tooth"...

1. It is found in Exo 21:24-25

2. A parallel passage is Deu 19:21From The Context, It Is Seen These Statements Were

Actually Laws For The Civil Courts To Apply

Notice carefully Deu 19:15-21; Exo 21:22-23

They were given to guide the priests in meting out

proper punishment

It Appears That The Scribes And Pharisees Had...

Interpreted these statements so as to justify PERSONAL

retribution!

Applied them by frequently taking matters of revenge into

their own hands

Just As Many People Do Today!

But The Law Of Moses Repeatedly Forbids "Personal"

Vengeance...1. Consider Lev 19:18; Pro 20:22; 24:29

2. Both in the Old Testament and the New Testament, the

matter of vengeance was to be left up to God and His duly

appointed agents: CIVIL GOVERNMENTS - cf. Ro

12:19; 13:1-4

[Therefore, there is really no difference between what the Lawtaught and what we find in the New Testament; there is no place

for personal vengeance in the lives of those who the children of

God.

Now let's examine more closely...]


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1.2 THE "RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE KINGDOM" ASTAUGHT BY JESUS

Jesus Proclaimed Two Principles...

1. DO NOT RESIST AN EVIL PERSON (39a)

a. Not only should you not take vengeance into your ownhands...

b. But don't even oppose (resist) the evil person when the

evil is being done!

2. REACT TO THE EVIL BEING DONE, BY DOING

GOOD! (39b-42)

a. This principle is illustrated by Jesus with several

examples...

1) Reacting to PHYSICAL ABUSE (39b)

a) "Turn the other cheek"


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b) This may refer to offering the other cheek as an

expression of love

2) Reacting to a CIVIL SUIT, by giving more than

what the person is suing for! (40)

3) Reacting to GOVERNMENT OPPRESSION, by

offering to do more than what is being demanded of

you! (41)

4) Reacting to THOSE ASKING FOR HELP, bygiving them what ask for! (42)

5)

6)

7)

8) In each case, the principle is the same

9) We are not to resist the person...

a) Who would mistreat us


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b) Who would try to deprive us of our possessions

10) Instead, react in a positive manner...

a) Demonstrate love towards them

c) Do so by giving them freely MORE than they werehoping to gain by force, oppression, or manipulation!

Is This To Be Taken Literally?

1. Why not?

1. We have several O.T. examples...

1) JOSEPH, in forgiving his brothers - Gen 45:4-

15

2) DAVID, in sparing the life of Saul - 1 Sam

24:8-15


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3) ELISHA, in feeding the army of the Arameans

- 2 Kin 6:8-23

b. We also have several N.T. examples...

1) JESUS, our prime example - 1 Pe 2:20-23

2) STEPHEN, when he was being stoned -

Ac 7:59-60

3) THE HEBREW CHRISTIANS, who

"joyfully accepted" the plundering of their goods -

He 10:32-34

2. If not, then how do we apply these words of Jesus?

a. What does Jesus mean?

b. Give some examples of how to apply these

teachings... ???


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1.2.3 Are We To Apply It "Unconditionally"?

1. I.e., must we decide who is "worthy" to receive this kind

of treatment?

a. Jesus does not give us any indication that we are to use

"discretion"

c. Paul does give some qualifying instructions (e.g., 2Th 3: 10)...

1) But it applies to those who are Christians


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2) And we have a responsibility to "judge" those in the

church, leaving those outside to God - 1 Co 5:9-13

3. I find striking the attitude of the Christians of the

second century, A.D.:

a. "Do good, and give liberally to all who are in need

from the wages God gives you. Do not hesitate about to

whom you should not give. Give to all. For God wishesgifts to bemade to all out of His bounties." (Hermas, 135

A.D.)

b. "And he said to love not only our neighbors but alsoour enemies, and to be givers and sharers not only with

the good but also to be liberal givers towards those who

take away our possessions." (Irenaeus, 185 A.D.)

c. "Do not judge those who is worthy and who isunworthy, for it is possible for you to be mistaken in your

opinion. In the uncertainty of ignorance it is better to do

good to the unworthy for the sake of the worthy, than by

guarding against those who are less good not to

encounter the good. For by sparing and trying to test

those who are well-deserving or not, it is possible for you

to neglect some who are loved by God, the penalty for

which is the eternal punishment of fire. But by helping all


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those in need in turn you must assuredly find some who

are able to save you before God." (Clement of

Alexandria, 190 A.D.)-- These statements were written at

a time when Christians were constantly mistreated,

abused, and manipulated by others!

1.3 CONCLUSION

1. Summarizing the teachings of Jesus concerning vengeance...

a. Do not resist evil

b. Respond to evil by doing good in turn

2. The teachings of Jesus in this passage are admittedlychallenging, and opposed to what what we might call "human

nature"

3. But we are called upon to be "partakers of the divine nature"

(2 Pe 1:4); in other words, to be more like God than men

4. And as we will see in the next lesson, it is in order to

be truly "sons of your Father in heaven" that Jesus

teaches a standard of righteousness that far exceeds

that of the Scribes, Pharisees, and most people today!


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"THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT"

2 Responding to Enemies (Mt 5:43-48)

INTRODUCTION

1. The last section on the subject of "vengeance" (38-42)

contained teachings of Jesus that are certainly challenging

2. Taken literally, it would require radical conduct on the part

of those who are Christians

3. Perhaps we can glean some insight into why we should act

in such a manner, when we consider what Jesus says in

this section concerning the "treatment of enemies" (43-48)


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[First, let's examine...]

2.1 THE LAW OF MOSES AND THE "TRADITIONAL

INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION"

2.1.1 NOTICE THAT THE O.T. DID NOT REALLY SAY"HATE YOUR ENEMY"(43)

1. It did teach to "love your neighbor as yourself" - Lev

19:18

2. But, it also taught that kindness was to be shown to your

enemy - Exo 23:4-5; Pro 25:21-22

AGAIN, THE TRADITIONAL INTERPRETATION HADMISAPPLIED THE LAW!


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1. Though it did enjoin the command to "love your

neighbor"...

2. It inferred from this command that one had the right to

"hate your enemy"!

[In contrast, consider...]

2.2 THE "RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE KINGDOM" ASTAUGHT BY JESUS

IT DEMANDS THAT CONCERNING OUR "ENEMIES"...(44)

1. We "love" our enemies (i.e., show "active

good will" towards them)

2. We "bless" those who curse us (i.e., speak well of them)


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3. We "do good" to those who hate us (i.e., treat them kindly)

4. We "pray" for those who spitefully use us and persecute us

a. Notice, we are to pray FOR them, not just about

them

b. I.e., pray for their well-being, salvation, etc.

THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF THE PRINCIPLEILLUSTRATED IN VERSES 39-42

1. Don't seek vengeance!

2. Instead, react by manifesting aggressive love!

[Why respond to our enemies in this way? Jesus explains...]

2.3 THE UNDERLYING REASON TO REACT IN THIS

WAY


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"THAT YOU MAY BE SONS OF YOUR FATHER INHEAVEN" (45)

1. That is, to demonstrate ourselves to be truly His

children!

2. What is our Father like?

a. He gives material blessings to both the evil and the

good, both the righteous and the unrighteous - Mt 5:45b

b. He is kind to the unthankful and evil - Lk 6:35-36

c. He offered His Son while we were yet sinners and

enemies!


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d. Ro 5:8,10

e. He loved us before we loved Him - 1 Jn 4:10

3. As taught elsewhere, we are to imitate our Heavenly

Father -1 Jn 4:11; Ep 4:31-5:2

OTHERWISE, WE ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN THE"TAX-COLLECTORS" (46-47

)

1. In Jesus' day, they were despised by the Jews,

because they made themselves rich by collecting taxes

from their fellow-men for the Roman government

2 And yet, they would...

a. Love those who loved them


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b. Greet cordially those who greeted them

3 We are no different if our love is

limited to our "brethren" or "friends"!

ONLY THEN WILL WE BE "PERFECT, JUST AS YOURFATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT" (48)

1. The word "perfect" means

"brought to completion, full-grown, lacking nothing"

2. In this context, it has

reference to the matter of showing love and mercy (cf. theparallel passage in Lk 6:36)

3. When we display love and mercy to our enemies...


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a. We are "complete," "full-grown" in demonstrating

love

b. Just as our Father in heaven is when He shows

kindness to evil and unthankful men!

Consider Peters advice to us in I Peter 3:8-12. Suffering fordoing good.

Peter says being kind to people entails five things: love,

humility, unity, sympathy and compassion. But Peter doesnt

just stop here with these nice qualities. He pushes us on to

something that is often even more difficult in verse 9 when he

says, Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with

blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherita blessing.

There are very few things that are harder than keeping our cool

when we are attacked or criticized. But Peter tells us that this is

a big part of what it means to be kind to others. Over and over

again we are told in Gods word not to seek revenge, to let God

take care of things, to not get caught up in trying to even the

score. One of the reasons why God tells us this is becausetrying to even the score is almost always a futile endeavour.

Why? Because we seldom, if ever, keep score the same way

that our enemies do. Their slights and insults always seem to be

greater than ours. And so the result is an endless cycle of the

proverbial Martins and McCoys. And in the process, we do as

much harm to ourselves as to the one(s) we are trying to hurt.

Someone has said that holding on to anger and hostility is like


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grasping a hot coal with the intention of throwing it at someone

elseyou are always the one who gets burned.

So how can we resist the often-overwhelming urges to exact an

eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth? Peter hot tempered

Peter, following his Master Christ, says that you do it by

fighting back with love and kindness. Instead of evil and insult,

you give a blessing. You look for ways to make life easier on

your enemy. You try to love him out of his hostility. You try to

bless her in spite of her hardness. In other words, you do

exactly what God did for us in Christwhile we were yet

sinners and his enemies, Christ died for us.

There is a story about the time when the Berlin Wall was still

standing. Tensions were high over some incident, and the East

Berliners responded by throwing garbage over the wall onto the

West Berlin side. Rather than picking it up and throwing it

back, the West Berliners responded by tossing food (not rotten

tomatoes, or week old pizza, or truly sour sauerkraut, but food

that could really be enjoyed). One person who wrote about

the occasion concluded by saying, Each side gave what it had.

Thats a picture of what Christ wants us to do in those tough

situations when it is easy to lose our cool. We have been given

something greater that God asks us to give in return: Gods

blessing. And we give it, not just to our friends, but to our

enemies, we imitate God and disarm our foes.

So try it. Theres no guarantee that everything will gosmoothly; you may, in fact, just open yourself up to further

ridicule or criticism. If that happens, you can take comfort in

the fact that Christ suffered in the exact same way for choosing

the higher and harder path of forgiveness and reconciliation.

But something else may also happen: you may find your

enemy becomes your friend. And then you will have the

opportunity to share about the greatest blessing: the forgiveness

of God that is offered to us in Jesus Christ.


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At the very least, let us expend as much energy in seeing how

we can apply this passage to lives, as many spend in trying to

explain it doesn't really mean what it appears to say!

2.4 CONCLUSION

1. This section of Scripture is just another vivid

demonstration of how the "righteousness of the kingdom"

EXCEEDS the "righteousness of the scribes and

Pharisees"

2. The principles presented in this sermon are

certainly challenging to our understanding, and to the

application of them in our lives

3. But if we really want to be:

a. "sons of your Father in heaven"

b. "perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect"...

4. ...it is imperative that we be influenced:

a. More by the teachings and example of the Son of

Godb. Than by the attitudes and example of the "tax-

collectors"!

In the next lesson, we shall begin to consider the righteousness

of the kingdom "with respect to man's relation to God" (Mt 6:1-

33)

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Sermon Responding to Enemies Tom Yardley