(Ryan Sullivan)

(Dustin Cook)

Introduction: Two guiding principles for the Sermon on the Mount:

? An assumption of a supernatural conversion

o Matthew 7:17

? A demand of a lifestyle of righteousness

o Matthew 5:20, 7:24

1. The Law of Moses … v38

? 'eye for eye’

o Exodus 21:23-24, Leviticus 24:20, Deuteronomy 19:18-21

? ‘Lex talionis’

o A principle of equity in the judicial punishment of crimes

? Twofold purpose

o A guide for justice

o A restraint for revenge

2. The Pharisees’ interpretation

? Extended the scope

o From law court to personal relations

? An excuse for revenge

o Leviticus 19:18, Proverbs 20:22, 24:29

3. Jesus’ demand … v39-42

? The binding principle

o Non-retaliation – “do not resist the one who is evil”

? The fourfold illustration of the principle

o Various circumstances:

1. When insulted … v39

2. When sued … v40

3. When forced … v41

4. When solicited … 42

? What the command is NOT:

o For governments

o Illustrated exhaustively

o Absolutes for ever

Mat 5:33 ESV - "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'

Mat 5:34 ESV - But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,

Mat 5:35 ESV - or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

Mat 5:36 ESV - And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.

Mat 5:37 ESV - Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.

(Greg Ballard)

(Dustin Cook)

Mat 5:21 ESV - "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'

Mat 5:22 ESV - But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.

Mat 5:23 ESV - So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,

Mat 5:24 ESV - leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Mat 5:25 ESV - Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.

Mat 5:26 ESV - Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

(Ryan Sullivan)

(Dustin Cook)

(Greg Ballard)