Going Above and Beyond for King Jesus - 5/12/2024 Sunday Sermon

The Tabernacle Today

Going Above and Beyond for King Jesus

Jesus goes from a person’s head to their feet in today’s passage to illustrate how He calls believers to go above and beyond the law so they can impact others with the gospel!

Read Matt. 5:38-42 Going Above and Beyond for King Jesus Let’s Pray!

The law teaches that punishment should fit the crime V. 38

Jesus is referring to the Law of Retribution spoken of in places like Ex. 21:24, Lev. 24:20, and Deut. 19:21. The Law of Retribution was never meant to sanction personal retaliation, but gave guidance to leaders to ensure both that justice was done and that punishments fit crimes.

He shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it, and giving it to him to whom he did wrong. -Numbers 5:7

Jesus taught believers to go beyond the law for gospel impact V. 39a

Everything Jesus taught and did in Matthew’s gospel is building toward His giving us the Great Commission in Matthew 28.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in Heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” -Matt. 28:16-20

Why did the first Christians take the gospel even to ‘evil’ people who opposed them? They knew that they too had once been ‘evil’ sinners, opponents of God.

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” -Luke 11:13

Non-believers don’t have the Holy Spirit living inside them – all they have is the old sin nature, which like gravity pulls them back toward carnal actions. Lost people act lost because they are lost.

What is Jesus calling us to do?

Show the same kindness to others God has shown to us!

God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance. -Romans 2:4b

3 ways believers go beyond the law V. 39b-42

Believers are not to react to every insult (v. 39b)

Turning the other cheek DOES NOT MEAN you would be doing the right thing if you stood and did nothing while your family or neighbor or even a stranger was attacked, or that Christians should decline military service.

Turning the other cheek DOES mean you are not personally looking to answer every insult with an insult, perpetuating a conflict.

Believers are willing to give the shirt off their back (v. 40)

Jesus here is telling believers to extend the patience they would show a brother to non-brothers also, even thought it was underserved. They had received underserved grace, they were to show it to others.

To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? -1 Cor. 6:7

This does not mean believers should not set boundaries to avoid harassment, abuse, and excessive financial loss. It does mean the default setting of believers is to be “for people” and try to work things out.

Believers are willing to go many miles out of their way (v. 41)

Why does Jesus call believers to ‘go the extra mile?’

Because it’s in the second mile when others start believing there is something to your faith.

Now here’s where we need wisdom – because the same Paul who was willing to endure insults for the gospel also at times DID utilize his citizenship rights to avoid further mistreatment (Acts 16:35ff).

When non-Christians see Christians act and react in ways that are above and beyond what’s expected, and what they themselves don’t have the spiritual power to do, they want what we have and ask about Jesus.

Are you prepared to give to help others the way Jesus gave to help you?