February 22, 2015 | Bob Bartlett
Passage: Matthew 5:38-48
Red Letter Case for Christianity
“Perfect Christianity”
Matthew 5:38-48
Vs 48 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect”
Positional work in Christ: Hebrews 10:14 “because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
- Meaning: Galatians 5:16 “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
- Meaning: The dawn of a new covenant made possible only by being found in Christ.
Practical work: Vs 45-47 “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”
- Meaning: My Christianity: Is the standard by which all mankind should live.
- Meaning: My Christianity: Is the light by which the world would see the true God.
Tenants of Perfect Christianity
Vs 38-39: “You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
1. Genuine Christianity is to live in perfect meekness. Matthew 5:5 ‘blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth’
- Of Jesus: Matthew 11:29 (KJ) “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart”
- Jesus calls us to meekness that is to be entrusted to God.
Vs 39-40 “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.”
2. Genuine Christianity is to live in perfect forgiveness.
- Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other just as in Christ, God has forgiven you.”
- Lev 18:19 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.”
- What the law cannot do: restore the heart of emotional forgiveness when wronged.
Vs 41-42 “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
3. Genuine Christianity is to live in perfect generosity.
- 2Corinthians 9:11 “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
- “It’s impossible to out-give God” Proverbs 11:25 “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
Vs 43:46 “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...”
4. Genuine Christianity is to live in perfect love.
- Vs 46: “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
- John 13:35 “By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
- Greatest test of loving the unlovable? When we (vs 44) “pray for those who persecute you”
Perfect Christianity is the ongoing will and work of God to conform us to Christ.
2Peter 1:8 “For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”