Going Beyond Series

Title: Going Beyond

Theme: Showing the importance of taking the extra step.

Text: Matthew 5:41

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor [24] and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren [26] only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:38-48)

Review

Section 1: vs. 1 – 20 Sacrifices and rewards.

If we are willing to sacrifice our rights and surrender to God’s ways then there are many rewards. Rewards of comfort and hope. Rewards of seeing God’s kingdom work. Rewards of inheritance and blessings.

Section 2: vs 21 – 37 Making Rash Decisions.

The religious leaders had become comfortable with following the letter of the law but never digging into the intent of the law. They would even make ways to go around it.

Anger. Being careful about holding our anger and resentment against someone. It is as killing them.

Reconciliation. Making every effort to reconcile with the person. Key: If the Lord brings it back to you while you are in the altar or preparing to give. Go and make amends.

Adultery. Lusting after a woman. Lust “anything that clouds the windows of the soul. It comes quick with out expectation. As Job says when he saw a woman he learned to “bounce his eyes”.

Divorce. This is a deep subject that is worth more time than we will give it here. Two keys is the reason and remarriage. Jesus gives justification (not requirement) for divorce here and that is adultery. Paul in 1 Corinthians 7 says it is ok to divorce because of abandonment.

Finally there is a big difference between what we did when we were a believer and follower of God than before we knew Him.

Swearing. We need to be careful with our language. What we say. The words we say. The hint words we use. Our words are important. We will see this in the next chapter.

Self-control is the key.

Listen to this:

A loud commanding voice rang out. Thirteen men looked to their left side to see what all the ruckus was all about. There stood a Roman solider yelling at a young Jewish man," Jew carry my pack one mile." They watched and listened as the Jew pleaded with the solider," but sir I am on my way to work and my business must be opened before the early morning rush. I don't have time to carry your pack you are going in the opposite direction. The solider drew his sword and repeated his orders," Jew carry my pack." So finally the Jew huffed and puffed and frowned and obeyed his orders. Twelve of the thirteen men who watched the episode were astonished. But Jesus was not.

Just about a decade before Jesus came to this earth the Roman senate had passed a law this law read, "In any conquered province within the Roman Empire, soilders may compel able bodied men to bear their burden one mile, but no more."

I don't know if this ever happened but it would not surprise me if it did. Especially knowing the disciples and Jesus teaching techniques and especially knowing the scribes and Pharisees.

This is what I would like to focus on today, and that is verse 41, the NIV version reads If some one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. I want to talk about the second mile. I believe that we as Christians are required to live in the second mile.

I. Christianity is a second mile religion

First Christianity is a second mile religion. Since the beginning of Gods creation there has been many religions established. And before we die we will see many more established. It seems that there is a religion for everything. One to worship the animals, one to worship the trees even one to worship the fish. But there is one thing that Christianity has that none other has. Christianity is a second mile religion. If you are a Christian you are required to live in the second mile. So what is the second mile. Here are a few examples.