
TRANSPARENCY, FREEDOM AND UNQUENCHABLE LOVE
Winning the kingdom Battles
May 16, 2021
Matthew 5:33-48
Jesus Forbids Oaths
33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
Go the Second Mile
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Love Your Enemies
43 “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, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Making clear statements allows both our
and others to grow.
Acts 5:1-4
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
Proverbs 10:19
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.
Freedom is found in never allowing my
to become my life.
Leviticus 24:17-21
17 ‘Whoever kills any man shall surely be put to death. 18 Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, animal for animal.
19 ‘If a man causes disfigurement of his neighbor, as he has done, so shall it be done to him— 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so shall it be done to him. 21 And whoever kills an animal shall restore it; but whoever kills a man shall be put to death.
Freedom allows us to remain
.
Romans 12:21
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Freedom allows us to assist with
needs.
1 Corinthians 6:7
7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?
Freedom allows us to do
than the law requires.
Freedom allows us to give even to those who have no
claim.
Luke 6:30-31
30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
“Kingdom living no longer operates under “
” human actions.”
Romans 12:17-19
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
“Kingdom living does not allow us to
the responsibility of decision by simply making rules.”
Unquenchable love
all thoughts and actions.
1 Corinthians 14:1
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
“We can be vulnerable because in the end we are simply
in Christ.
Life Group Homework
May 16, 2021
Getting to Know You
1.Who was the bully in your school?
Going Deeper
1.Read James 1:19-25. How does James teaching here line up with what Jesus was teaching in Matthew 5:33-48?
2.Refresh your memory of the life of Joseph in Genesis 37-50. Look specifically at 50:18-21. Share how Joseph was victimized and yet refused to be a victim.