PUSHING THE LIMITS (18 OF 32)
Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48
This content is part of a series.
Pushing the Limits (18 of 32)
Series: Sermon on the Mount
Robert Dawson
Matthew 5:43-48
As I have studied and preached through the first part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount I would love to be able to stand here and tell you that it has been fun and enjoyable, it hasn’t. It has been extremely difficult at times because this message not only challenges us in the area of our thinking but it chips away at our hearts and reveals our own deficiencies, weaknesses and sinfulness.
To be honest I feel a little like C.S. Lewis did when one of his critics accused him in print of not caring much for the Sermon on the Mount to which Lewis replied, ‘‘As to caring for the Sermon on the Mount, if caring for means ‘liking’ or ‘enjoying’ I suppose that non one ‘cares for it.’ Who likes being knocked flat on his face by a sledge hammer? I can hardly imagine a more deadly spiritual condition than that of a man who can read the passage through with tranquil pleasure.
Living the Christ life is not an easy task. Being formed into the image of Christ is not a process that is always enjoyable even though the results are desirable.
What Jesus teaches here in the closing verses of this chapter may well be the most difficult part of this sermon to hear and obey. It may be some of the most difficult in all of Scripture to practice - not to understand.
Jesus makes Himself very clear and does not mince words. Jesus is describing for us how His people, who are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, are to respond when confronted with difficult people who may personally wrong us, take advantage of us or infringe upon our rights - real or perceived.
1. There are always going to be people who offend us.
2. There are always those who are unreasonable and difficult to deal with.
3. There are always going to be people who take advantage of us.
4. There are always going to be people who infringe upon our time and resources.
When this happens Jesus tells us h ...
Series: Sermon on the Mount
Robert Dawson
Matthew 5:43-48
As I have studied and preached through the first part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount I would love to be able to stand here and tell you that it has been fun and enjoyable, it hasn’t. It has been extremely difficult at times because this message not only challenges us in the area of our thinking but it chips away at our hearts and reveals our own deficiencies, weaknesses and sinfulness.
To be honest I feel a little like C.S. Lewis did when one of his critics accused him in print of not caring much for the Sermon on the Mount to which Lewis replied, ‘‘As to caring for the Sermon on the Mount, if caring for means ‘liking’ or ‘enjoying’ I suppose that non one ‘cares for it.’ Who likes being knocked flat on his face by a sledge hammer? I can hardly imagine a more deadly spiritual condition than that of a man who can read the passage through with tranquil pleasure.
Living the Christ life is not an easy task. Being formed into the image of Christ is not a process that is always enjoyable even though the results are desirable.
What Jesus teaches here in the closing verses of this chapter may well be the most difficult part of this sermon to hear and obey. It may be some of the most difficult in all of Scripture to practice - not to understand.
Jesus makes Himself very clear and does not mince words. Jesus is describing for us how His people, who are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, are to respond when confronted with difficult people who may personally wrong us, take advantage of us or infringe upon our rights - real or perceived.
1. There are always going to be people who offend us.
2. There are always those who are unreasonable and difficult to deal with.
3. There are always going to be people who take advantage of us.
4. There are always going to be people who infringe upon our time and resources.
When this happens Jesus tells us h ...
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