Turn the Other Cheek

Introduction:
How do you respond when someone treats you wrong? React in kind? Treat evil with evil? Or stand there and take it? What is the proper response to evil? In His sermon on the mount, Jesus taught what He expects of His disciples as they journey through this life. Perhaps no other subject of Christ’s teaching has been more widely debated and discussed. His teaching here is frequently misunderstood—and often confusing. This passage has been used to condemn men serving in the military; to teach that it is wrong to defend oneself in any manner for any reason; etc. Is that what Jesus is talking about here? Hopefully after today’s lesson we will be able to have a clearer understanding of what Jesus’ point was.

I. The Old Testament Law in this matter:
    A. The commands mentioned in 5:38 found in Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
        1. Given as a rule to delegate the _____________ of ______________.
        2. Main intent: to control excesses of anger, violence, or _______________.
    B. Problem in Jesus’ day: Jews had extended this law to include _____________ ____________.
        1. Made it a rule by which they would take revenge.
    2. Jesus: their/our conduct is to be governed by higher principles!

II. What is the point of Jesus’ teaching?
    A. First, we must consider certain rules of interpretation here:
        1. Must consider the __________ of Jesus’ teaching.
        2. Must not make the teaching appear _____________ ; absurd; or in _____________ with other passages!
    B. Is 5:39 resist not evil to be taken literally at ALL times?
    C. This teaching applies to the _____________ only in his ____________ relationships! Rom. 13:1-7; Col. 3:18-21
    D. It involves the Christian’s ____________ to the things that happen to him.
    E. Primary teaching: one’s attitude toward _____________.
        1. Must become dead to spirit of ______ _______ when wronged!
        2. Must become dead to a desire of ____________.
        3. Must become dead to a love of ________________.
        4. No one can practice Mt. 5:38-42 unless he is finished with self!

III. What about turning the other cheek?
    A. 5:39—one must rid himself of a spirit of _______________
        1. Remember Rom. 12:19; Deut. 32:35!
    B. This does not apply to everything! (defending _______/________; restraining __________)

IV. 5:40—The giving of our coat.
    A. Aimed at the person who is _____________ & determined to take full advantage of the law.
        1. We can get more caught up w/our _________ than our _________!
        2. Doesn’t mean we can’t protest when someone breaks the law; hurts us! Jhn. 18:22-23; Acts 16:37
    B. We are to be concerned about honor/law/__________/righteousness/____________.

V. 5:41—Go the 2nd mile.
A. Jesus concerned about our natural resentment to the demands of the ___________________.
B. Government is in power—it has the right to command us to do certain things. We must comply! 1 Pet. 2:13

VI. 5:42—Lending to a ________________.
    A. He is not asking us to help a fraud; _________________; or a _________________.
        1. But,...it is good to be in the habit of giving!
    B. If there is a deserving friend /brother in need—we should lend to them w/o interest.

Conclusion:
A. It takes a new person to live this kind of life: 2 Cor. 5:17—Have you given yourself to Him? Mt. 16:24



Turn the Other Cheek Introduction: How do you respond when someone treats you wrong? React in kind? Treat evil with evil? Or stand there and take it? What is the proper response to evil? In His sermon on the mount, Jesus taught what He expects of His disciples as they journey through this life. Perhaps no other subject of Christ’s teaching has been more widely debated and discussed. His teaching here is frequently misunderstood—and often confusing. This passage has been used to condemn men serving in the military; to teach that it is wrong to defend oneself in any manner for any reason; etc. Is that what Jesus is talking about here? Hopefully after today’s lesson we will be able to have a clearer understanding of what Jesus’ point was. I. The Old Testament Law in this matter: A. The commands mentioned in 5:38 found in Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21 1. Given as a rule to delegate the _____________ of ______________. 2. Main intent: to control excesses of anger, violence, or _______________. B. Problem in Jesus’ day: Jews had extended this law to include _____________ ____________. 1. Made it a rule by which they would take revenge. 2. Jesus: their/our conduct is to be governed by higher principles! II. What is the point of Jesus’ teaching? A. First, we must consider certain rules of interpretation here: 1. Must consider the __________ of Jesus’ teaching. 2. Must not make the teaching appear _____________ ; absurd; or in _____________ with other passages! B. Is 5:39 resist not evil to be taken literally at ALL times? C. This teaching applies to the _____________ only in his ____________ relationships! Rom. 13:1-7; Col. 3:18-21 D. It involves the Christian’s ____________ to the things that happen to him. E. Primary teaching: one’s attitude toward _____________. 1. Must become dead to spirit of ______ _______ when wronged! 2. Must become dead to a desire of ____________. 3. Must become dead to a love of ________________. 4. No one can practice Mt. 5:38-42 unless he is finished with self! III. What about turning the other cheek? A. 5:39—one must rid himself of a spirit of _______________ 1. Remember Rom. 12:19; Deut. 32:35! B. This does not apply to everything! (defending _______/________; restraining __________) IV. 5:40—The giving of our coat. A. Aimed at the person who is _____________ & determined to take full advantage of the law. 1. We can get more caught up w/our _________ than our _________! 2. Doesn’t mean we can’t protest when someone breaks the law; hurts us! Jhn. 18:22-23; Acts 16:37 B. We are to be concerned about honor/law/__________/righteousness/____________. V. 5:41—Go the 2nd mile. A. Jesus concerned about our natural resentment to the demands of the ___________________. B. Government is in power—it has the right to command us to do certain things. We must comply! 1 Pet. 2:13 VI. 5:42—Lending to a ________________. A. He is not asking us to help a fraud; _________________; or a _________________. 1. But,...it is good to be in the habit of giving! B. If there is a deserving friend /brother in need—we should lend to them w/o interest. Conclusion: A. It takes a new person to live this kind of life: 2 Cor. 5:17—Have you given yourself to Him? Mt. 16:24