“I Love This Place” Series
“Like a Good Neighbor, God’s Church Is There”
Matthew 5:38-48
Introduction:
Do any of you know what the “golden rule” is? It a rule of living that Jesus gave us saying that successful living focuses on two things: “Loving God with our all our heart and loving our neighbor as ourselves.”
Eight times in the Bible we are told to love our neighbor. It was a staple, not only of Jesus’ teaching but His living.
1. It shows up in the story of the Good Samaritan.
2. It shows up in the way Jesus treated the lepers; although He was not from the neighborhood,
he treated them like a neighbor should.
3. It shows up in the way Jesus treats us; He is always there, although He his home was heaven,
as Max Lucado put it, “He moved into the neighborhood.”
If you watched “Home Improvement” years ago starring Tim Allen, you will remember a guy named “Wilson.” We never knew if Wilson was his first name or second name. He was just “Wilson.”
For eight seasons (From 1991-1999) “Tim to the Tool Man Taylor” would go into his backyard and would talk to his neighbor. Over those seasons “Wilson” was almost like the neighborhood sage. We knew he was highly educated, well read, traveled extensively, and was the cousin to Brian Wilson of the Beach boys.
Yet, one thing we never knew was what Wilson looked like. The reason why was because he never showed his whole face.
It was always partially hidden. There was a reason for that. The reason was two-fold:
1) Because Tim Allen had real life neighbor as a kid that would talk to him from the fence and
Tim was so short that he could never look at his neighbor eye to eye. So, in the show, He
created a character to honor his real-life neighbor.
2) Because it reminds us all that any one of us can be a neighbor. We all can fit the bill of being a
good neighbor. It’s a choice.
In Jesus life, ministry, and teaching He calls us to be a neighbor. A real neighbor. One that is simply defined by the command to: “love your neighbor as yourself”
One of the things Jesus loves about His church is that we are dispersed into different neighborhoods. We live in a community of people. We may not have a picket fence to lean over, but we have a neighborhood to take Jesus into. We do this as we “ “love our neighbor as ourselves.” Do you want me to explain what that means best? It means simply: “Love your neighbor like Jesus.”
Transitional Sentence: How do I love my neighbor like Jesus?
I. Forgive Others Like Jesus
Vs. 38-40-“ You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and an tooth for a tooth, but I say do not resist an evil person, but whoever slats you on your right check, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.”
Explanation:
One day Jesus went and sat down on the side of a hill in Galilee and explained to us how like is designed by God to be lived. This “talk” or “sermon” is called “The Beatitudes” which basically means: “The attitudes that ought to be.”
When it came to relationships and Jesus; He had the right attitude. It was an attitude of forgiveness and grace. Do you think you have Jesus’ attitude? Let’s see.
In Jesus day there were a lot of things being taught about relationships. In the synagogues Rabbis were quoting the Old Testament passage of Exodus 21:4 that simply reads: “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
This was taught consistently, but the way it was taught was incorrect.
When God communicated this verse, He was providing a guideline to the judges of Israel in how to administer civil justice. It was not in a section on how we should treat our neighbor.
They took this verse out of the realm of governmental justice, and put it in the hands of anyone. Therefore, they interpreted the verse in this way: “Take justice into your own hands. If someone knocks out your tooth, knock theirs out. If they stomp on your foot; stomp on theirs.”
Likewise, Rabbis took it to the next level and said: “You are obligated by God to do this. They went as far as to say, “If you punch me, I am obligated to punch you back because God told me to do get you back. Eye for an eye, a punch for a punch. (More or less)
The common teaching of Jesus day was not about forgiveness; it was about revenge and retribution.
Illustration: Hell has no furry
I was reading about a woman several years ago that put her husband’s car in the classified section of her local newspaper.
It simply read: “Showroom ready muscle car for sale, $200.” Days passed and no one called feeling it was some sort of hoax until one young man called and the woman answered.
He quickly inquired if the ad was real and if so, could he come see it.
He arrived and saw a car that he knew was worth over 6 figures. He looked under the hood, drove it, and sure enough, it was in perfect condition.
Surprised by the $200 price tag he asked: “Do you really want $200 for this car? “Her response, “No, since I met you, you seem to be a nice young man, I’ll take $99.50 for the car.”
Immediately, he took out a $100 bill and said: “Keep the change.” She signed over the title, gave him the keys, and thanked him for his purchase.
Before he left he asked: “Ma’am, my I ask why you are selling the car so cheap?” Her response: “Sure, my husband left me and moved to the Virgin Islands with his secretary and the last thing he said to me was, sell the car and send me the money....so that’s what I did.”
Application:
Revenge and retribution are normal, natural, and part of our instinct aren’t they? Yet, Jesus addresses our hearts with offering a “better way to live.” To help us he presents two scenario’s:
1. Scenario #1- The slap scenario
Jesus first provides “ the slap study.” In verse 39 he says: “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person, but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”
In Jesus culture, one of the ways that someone would insult another person was to slap them.
They would slap someone with the back of their hand across the right cheek. It was “back handed” slap that was meant to “insult” but not “injure.”
We don’t insult people in that way in our culture. Do you know how people insult people today? Mostly through social media. I guess because you’re less likely to get slapped if you insult through the internet.
Jesus basically says, “Don’t insult back, take it and trust God do deal with it. “That’s not easy is it?
Jesus modeled this. Jesus was mocked and insulted endlessly during his life. He was called many names: A drunk, an illegitimate child, a glutton, a blasphemer, a son of Satan, and many other things.
This went to a whole new level during His trial and crucifixion as people plucked his beard, stripped him naked, beat him with whips while bowing down to him as a King, they spit in his face, and even wagged their head as a symbol of rejection and insult.
The physical pain of the cross was difficult but can you imagine the mental, emotional, and psychological pain and pressure he faced?
In the synagogue teaching, Jesus would have been in the right to demand revenge; yet His love was bigger than the rabbinical teachings of His day.
2. Scenario #2- The sweater scenario
In verse 40 Jesus talked about a lawsuit where someone was sued, and in that day, people layered their clothing. They had “outer garments” and “undergarments.”
Basically, the outer garment would be like wearing a sweater or coat over a t-shirt. If you were sued, you might be required to give someone literally “the shirt off your back” but Jesus says, in the spirit of truly reconciling the loss, give them your sweater as well.
Jesus says if they won the lawsuit, out of a deliberate desire to settle things; as much as you can; make things right. Do it out of love.
He is basically saying, take away the boundaries of your love.
God tells us that adopting Jesus way of forgiving can transform our live and relationships.
Consider what we read in Titus 3: 3-7: “Once our lives were full of resentment and envy. But then... Christ saved us – not because we were good enough to be saved but because of His kindness and love – by washing away our sins and giving us the new joy of the indwelling Holy Spirit... all because of what Jesus our Savior did so that He could declare us good in God’s eyes.” Titus 3:3-7 (LB)
The Lord says, “Forget what happened before and do not think about the past. I am going to do something new... I will make rivers on dry land.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (GW)
Transitional Sentence: How do I love my neighbor like Jesus?
II. Make Friends with Others Like Jesus
vs. 41- “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. ”
Explanation:
The Bible says: “He who wants friends must be friendly.” Proverbs 18:24
There were different types of people in Jesus day that most people did not want to be friends with.
These people are put on display in verses 41-42.
Do you struggle to befriend:
a) People who are not like us.
In Galilee there were two different types of people. One was the Jews; the other was the Romans.
Never could there have ever been people more different from each other:
a) Politically they were different. They honored Caesar alone. They suppressed the Jews. The
Jews actually wanted a political Messiah to free them from the politically charged Roman
suppression.
b) Spiritually they worshipped everything from men to animals.
c) Sexually they were known for their promiscuity with both women and men.
d) Relationally they were arrogant and mean. They treated the Jews like slaves.
To be honest, not only were Jews and Romans not alike, they hated each other. No love was lost between the two groups.
Yet, in verse 41 Jesus said something radical. He said simply: “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.”
In Jesus day, the land of Judea was under Roman rule and occupation. Roman soldiers had certain rights under Roman law. One of those “new laws” of the land was that if the soldier was carrying his heavy pack and became tired of it; by law he was allowed to demand that a Jewish man or woman carry his pack.
Understand again, the Jews hated the Romans. They taxed them heavily. They treated them like slaves. They often took advantage of the Jewish people. The Jewish people were people of pride. They were God’s chosen people and to insult them, they would require them to carry their packs a mile. It was the law.
I am told that history records that often the Jews would place markers perfectly one mile away from their homes. The reason? They did what they were required to do by Roman law. Yet, they did not want to go one inch beyond the required law.
The despised oppressor forced the Jews saying, “Carry it Jew!” And you would walk counting every step and with hatred in your eyes, you would reveal that you fulfilled your obligation; now you have a choice.
If a follower of Jesus carried the soldiers pack the first mile; he did it as a slave under suppression, yet, if he carried it a second mile, he did it as a servant free of obligation.
Jesus was a “second miler.” He even said of those who crucified Him; “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”
Jesus prayed for Roman soldiers; and one of them actually said: “Surely this was the Son of God.”
2. People going a different direction than us
Roman soldiers were often headed in a different direction than the Galilean Jew. Imagine the Jew in a hurry headed east; yet they come in contact with a soldier going west. They would have to turn around, go 1 mile east and then back track another mile to simply get back to where they started.
That could irritate a soul couldn’t it?
Yet, the soldier was in authority and the Jew had to comply. Does anyone have a boss they have to obey who is headed a different direction than you?
Maybe a Mom and Dad who has told you to do one thing but you want to do another?
Conflict usually occurs when we insist on things being done our way.
James 4:1 says: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it...”
We often struggle with people that won’t let us have it our way.
3. People who have nothing to offer to us.
Have you ever had someone in your life that take a lot but give little? Jesus made note of these people saying: “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.” Vs. 42
A lot of people chose their friends based upon personal benefit. If a person can benefit them; they want to be best friends. If there’s no benefit; they move on.
I think all of us have had that horrible experience of standing and talking to someone and they are looking around the room to see if they can find someone they’d rather be talking to because there’s a greater benefit getting to know them over you.
Do you know what the Bible says about building relationships?
Philippians 2:4 says: “Look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own.”
Galatians 6:8 says: “The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others – and ignoring God – harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! “
Aren’t you glad Jesus did not operate that way? He looked at people like Zacchaeus and invited himself over to his house. Did you get that? Jesus invited Himself over. He didn’t wait for an invitation. I’m sure Zacchaeus thought Jesus would never consider such an invitation.
What did benefit would Jesus have in coming over to His house for lunch?
Illustration: Royal “rub you the wrong way”
Does anyone ever “rub you the wrong way.”
I’m not a fan of celebrity or royalty gossip but experts have been hired to explain to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to tell them why she rubs people the wrong way.
Do you know what they came up with? She’s too dramatic. Imagine that as an American actress. ? But they say specifically that she touches her face too much and it communicates a more “damsel in distress” character than a “royalty character.”
Application:
Have you ever considered the band of disciples? How many of them would have “rubbed you the wrong way?”
How about the boys who had momma show up to ask for a seat next to Jesus in the Kingdom?
How about Peter who is out fishing without clothes on?
How about people like Thomas who refuses to believe in the resurrection?
How about Judas who was all about money?
Yet, Jesus loved every one of them. He even died for them.
Let me ask you: Do you have any idea how annoying you are to a holy God? Yet, God stepped across the barrier and moved into our neighborhood and loved us.
If he did that for you, how will you approach them people in your neighborhood?
Transitional Sentence: How do I love others like Jesus?
III. Give To Others Like Jesus
vs. 43-45- “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Explanation:
Jesus concludes this section by drawing a strong contrast between the contemporary teachings of His day, to His teachings.
Rabbis of Jesus day encouraged loving your neighbor and hating your enemy. Yet, Jesus tells us how God treats people. He rains down blessings upon his family and those who have made themselves His enemies.
God is a perfect giver. Have you paused to think about how He has treated you.
I love Lamentations 3:22-23 that says: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.”
The bottom line: God is generous. His generosity is seen the easiest in the cross. Oh, how grateful I am for the cross. How about you? It was there that God gave us His best. He gave us His Son Jesus.
That cross should be the standard of our investment in others.
Illustration: Giving? Like a turkey?
Paul Harvey reported that, during the 1995 Thanksgiving Season, a woman purportedly called up the Butterball Turkey Company's hotline and asked whether it was advisable to cook a turkey that had been in her freezer for 23 years.
The customer service rep advised her that as long as the freezer had maintained a below-zero temperature, it would probably be ok. However, she was warned that the turkey would be less than tasty.
The woman responded, "Oh, that's what we thought. We'll just donate it to the church.
Application:
Listen: If the cross is our standard, we ought to give to love and our lives to others like God did. We should give our best.
Do you know what God promises? “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25
God loves lavishly and generously and the cross reminds us of that every day.
Invitation:
Have you received what He has to offer? Have you received eternities best? Have you received Jesus?
Church, are we giving a “cross worthy” testimony of Jesus to the community? Will you join us as we “refresh” our neighborhoods, and relate the gospel through it?
Individually, is there someone God is calling you to be a neighbor to? Why not start today?
