Matthew 5:38-48 - How Our Enemies Become Our Neighbors (Part 8)

INTRODUCTION

     We preach a Kingdom that is not of this world. (John 18:36-37)

     We live our lives as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven with our    

            values, choices and lifestyle modeled and commanded by

            Christ. (Philippians 3:7-8)

     We live like Christ, because He lives in us.  (John 15:4-5)

I. The Kingdom Citizens' Response to Evil People:             (5:38-42)

            A. "You have heard it was said...

            B. Political Level

            C. Personal Level

                  1. "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person"

                  2. Jesus examples of living these Kingdom standards:

                        "whoever slaps you on your right cheek..."

                        "If anyone wants to sue you for your shirt..."

                        "whoever forces you to go one mile..."

                        "to him who asks of you...or wants to borrow from you.."

                  3. Non-resistance is not enough!

II. The Kingdom Citizens' Response to Enemies:                (5:43-44)

            A. "You have heard that it was said..."

            B. Children of God the Father love like this:

                  1. "love your enemies"

                  2. "pray for those who persecute you"

III. The Kingdom Citizens' Response to Living in Two Kingdoms:                                                                                               (5:45-48)

            A. It's all about "breeding" and the way you are raised.

            B. Be different

            C. Be like your Heavenly Father

CONCLUSION: How do our enemies become our neighbors?

            -- Acknowledge your personal death

            -- Depend on Christ for your new identity

            -- Relinquish your loopholes and expansion statements

            -- Extinguish your mechanical genuflection

            -- Flame the fire of Christ's Spirit in you

                        (Philippians 3:7-11)


Audio:

Matthew 5:31-37 - Citizens of Truth (Part 7)

Matthew 5:31-37
Citizens of Truth

I. Divorce and Committing Adultery
      a. Forfeiting commitments is the Natural outcome of Wandering Hearts
      b. The Marriage Covenant is a Picture of God’s Love
      c. A Broken Covenant “Permits” Separation
      d. Permission can quickly turn into License
II. Oaths and Vows
      a. To swear in God’s name is to call Him as a witness to our integrity
      b. God’s presence everywhere is always a test of our integrity
      c. Kingdom Citizens are called to be men and women of Truth

Audio:

Ephesians 6:1-4 - Five Characteristics Of Fathers Who Please God

Five Characteristics Of Fathers Who Please God

Ephesians 6:1-4

INTRODUCTION

     Are you my father?

     Fathers as Role Models

          Proverbs 3:5-8 "Trust in The Lord with all your heart..."

          Ephesians 5:1-2 "Be imitators of God..."    

Fathers who please God:

1. Approach the "impossible" role of raising children in our culture by honoring God, our Father (Ephesians 6:1-3)

     What this does not mean...

     What this does mean... Ex 20;12; Ro 12:10;  Mal 1:6;  Is 29:13

     What this looks like... 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Cor 10:31

2. Do not provoke their children to anger (Ephesians 6:4)

     What this does not mean... 1 Kings 1:6

     What this does mean... Colossians 3:21

     What this looks like... Luke 15:11-12; Hebrews 10:24

3. Provide nurturing homes ("bring them up")

     What this does not mean...

     What this does mean... Ephesians 5:29

     What this looks like... Luke 15:17-19; 1Timothy 3:4-5

4. Train their children in the Way of The Lord

     What this does not mean...

     What this does mean... 2 Tim 3:16; Heb 12:7-11; Prov 3:11-12

     What this looks like... Luke 15:20a; Prov 21:6

5. Admonish their children in God's love

     What this does not mean...

     What this does mean... Col 1:28; Col 3:16; 1 Thess 5:9-11

     What this looks like... Luke 15:20b-24


Audio:

Matthew 5:27-30 - Behavior of a Kingdom Citizen (Part 6)

Introduction:

The message today may not be suitable for younger children, parents may wish to take their

younger children to Sunday School.

The Huffington post writes that according to data collected from The Normal Bar, 33% of

men and 19% of women admitted to being unfaithful...

Why do people risk so much to gain so little?

(1) People underestimate price they will pay.

(2) Sexual sin compels people to voluntarily do things which in normal circumstances they

would not do.

(3) Easy to allow because it may start with something very small and may seem innocent.

Through this series, we are studying the behavior of a Kingdom citizen.

(A) Matthew 5:27-28: Outward VS Inward behavior:

• The OT law was clear: adultery was wrong.

Jesus tells His disciples that adultery is not the only thing to avoid, but Jesus goes for the inward

feelings and drives.

English translation is using “Lust” from the Greek word epithumeó: which can translate desire

or, lust after.

This verse does not imply that simply to have a desire is wrong however to entertain or nurture

that desire is wrong and inappropriate.

God is the designer of sex and to fulfill those desires God has established marriage covenant.

(B) Matthew 5: 29-30 Importance of Purity:

Why inward and outward purity is important? Jesus reminds his disciples that, “for it is better

that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell”.

Both outward and inward purity is so important that it is sacrificing other good and important

things if that is leading into sin.

Application: If you have problems with inappropriate desire learn to deal with it. For an

example, avoid those circumstances. Understand that you have been already made clean by

Jesus Christ. II Corinthian 5:21. Apart from Holy Spirit you cannot fight this. The Holy Spirit is the

agent of transformation not you.

Audio:

Matthew 5:21-26 - Rethinking Anger (Part 5)

Upside Down: Real Life According to Jesus
Rethinking Anger
Matthew 5:21-26

The human ethic (God’s law wrongly interpreted) - Matt. 5:21
- Human teachers condemn the ultimate angry action.

The upside down ethic (God’s law rightly interpreted) - Matt. 5:22
- Jesus condemns the angry heart and angry speech.

Application (Matt. 5:23-26)
- Anger affects your worship. Therefore, reconcile quickly.
- Where did the anger come from?
- Where is the anger going?

Where do we go from here? The Angry Action That Killed Our Anger


Audio: