The Christian disciple – trustworthy The Christian disciple – trustworthy & loving – Mt.5:35-48& loving – Mt.5:35-48

The Christian disciple:-The Christian disciple:-

1.1. Treats people with dignity – 5:21-26Treats people with dignity – 5:21-26

2.2. Is faithful in marriage – 5:27-32Is faithful in marriage – 5:27-32

3.3. Keeps their word – 5:33-37Keeps their word – 5:33-37

4.4. Loves others – 5:38-48Loves others – 5:38-48

As we live like this we reflect God’s As we live like this we reflect God’s character – character – there is no higher calling. there is no higher calling.

1. Keeping your word – 5:33-371. Keeping your word – 5:33-37

a. Moses stressed that oaths / promises a. Moses stressed that oaths / promises should be kept – Num.30:2; Dt.23:21should be kept – Num.30:2; Dt.23:21

b. “Clever” ways were made to avoid thisb. “Clever” ways were made to avoid this

c. Jesus gives the true / full meaning c. Jesus gives the true / full meaning

d. We see:-d. We see:-

1. Human tendency to dishonesty1. Human tendency to dishonesty

2. The need for disciples to be known as 2. The need for disciples to be known as trustworthytrustworthy

2. Totally loving people – 5:38-482. Totally loving people – 5:38-48

a. Passive non-retaliation –v.38-42a. Passive non-retaliation –v.38-42 1. The principle – “Don’t retaliate” 1. The principle – “Don’t retaliate” v.38 – instructions to Judges – Dt.19:15-21v.38 – instructions to Judges – Dt.19:15-21 2. Examples given2. Examples given a. Severe insult-v.39; Mk.14:65; 15:16-20a. Severe insult-v.39; Mk.14:65; 15:16-20 b. Someone taking advantage of us-v.40fb. Someone taking advantage of us-v.40f - don’t insist on your rights –Ex.22:26; - don’t insist on your rights –Ex.22:26;

1Cor.6:6,71Cor.6:6,7 - be prepared to sacrifice- be prepared to sacrifice““Live” the Cross as well as preaching itLive” the Cross as well as preaching it

b. Active love – 5:43-48b. Active love – 5:43-48

1.1. Correcting misinterpretation –v.43Correcting misinterpretation –v.432.2. Making clear the command – v.44fMaking clear the command – v.44f a. Don’t retaliate a. Don’t retaliate b. Be willing to sacrificeb. Be willing to sacrifice c. Pray for – v.44; Lk.23:34c. Pray for – v.44; Lk.23:34 d. Do them good – Lk.6:27,35d. Do them good – Lk.6:27,35When we fail to love our enemies we:-When we fail to love our enemies we:- a. Fail to reflect God –v.45; Rom.5:8a. Fail to reflect God –v.45; Rom.5:8 b. Are the same as those around us –v.46,47b. Are the same as those around us –v.46,47

A great differenceA great difference

The way of the worldThe way of the world

1. Retaliate1. Retaliate

2. Love those who love 2. Love those who love youyou

The kingdom of GodThe kingdom of God

1. Passive non-1. Passive non-retaliationretaliation

2. Love your enemy2. Love your enemy

3. Summary – 5:483. Summary – 5:48

a.a. This is a high calling – to reflect God’s This is a high calling – to reflect God’s charactercharacter

b.b. Only God can make this possibleOnly God can make this possible

1. A new birth – new life / heart – Eph.4:241. A new birth – new life / heart – Eph.4:24

2. The transforming Spirit – Eph.5:1,22. The transforming Spirit – Eph.5:1,2

3. The goal reached – 1 John 3:1-33. The goal reached – 1 John 3:1-3