Anger, Revenge & Loving Others

Matthew 5:21-26; 38-48

Flip The Script 04 | Mick Veach | lead pastor | first aired on 01.26.20

Introduction

1. We must understand that Christ suffered so we could be blessed
   We are blessed to be a blessing

2. How does the world view relationships?

   • Conditional—if I win, then you win
   • Cautious—Trust is always an issue
   • Callous—Given up on real relationships

3. Biblical worldview on relationships

   a. Forgiveness begins with God—Matthew 6:14-15
   b. Live at peace with everyone—Romans 12:18
   c. Think of others’ needs—Philippians 2:4
   d. Serve one another—John 13
   e. Love one another—John 15:12

4. As we look at anger, revenge and loving others, the foundation is obvious
   

   a. Our correct responses and actions will be dependent upon the relationship that we have with Jesus
   b. Relationships reveal the depth of our spiritual maturity

Jesus flips the script on how we interact with one another

I.

Peace over

Reveal Answer

(21-26)

A. Jesus puts anger on the same level as murder

1. The Sixth Commandment is properly translated, “Do not murder”—do not take innocent life
2. Translated into English as “thou shall not kill” it can lead to contradictions in scripture
3. The Mosaic Law permitted capital punishment

B. The Pharisees were seeking to restrict the application of the Sixth Commandment to the deed of murder alone (21)

1. Jesus disagreed and moved the standard to thoughts and words (22)
2. Jesus taught that anger and insult were just as bad
   C. Biblical teaching on anger
3. Don’t let it linger or you will sin—Ephesians 4:26
4. Righteous anger is justified—Matthew 21:12-13
5. Anger does not work in our righteousness—James 1:20

D. When our relationships don’t have peace, we will be unable to worship properly (23-24)

1. Many are unable to worship because of broken relationships
2. We must reconcile before we worship

E. Peace is the antidote for anger
This comes in our relationship with Jesus and then gives us the ability to respond to the evil in the world

Key Point—Peace will resolve anger in our hearts

II. Choose

over

Reveal Answer

(38-42)

A. It is critical for us to understand the Mosaic law
B. The Pharisees had extended justice/punishment from the courts to the realm of personal relationships
C. Jesus was not teaching against the law or state

1. He was targeting personal relationships

a. Don’t retaliate
b. No Revenge

D. Resist the Devil or evil, but don’t retaliate in four areas:

1. Don’t physically retaliate
2. Don’t prosecute in court
3. Don’t hesitate to serve
4. Don’t hold back blessings with money

E. Jesus is not saying:

1. Temperamental weakness
2. Moral compromise
3. Political anarchy
4. Total pacifism

F. Jesus is teaching:

1. Giving must not be refused
2. Giving must benefit the receiver
3. Giving must be in private and done heartily

Key Point—Living like Jesus will be a blessing, living for myself will cause revenge to be the norm

III. Choose

Reveal Answer

(43-48)

A. The Greek gives us a more detail explanation of love:

1. Storge—Family Love
2. Eros—Romantic Love
3. Philio—Friendship Love
4. Agape—Unconditional Love

B. Verses (43-48) are obviously calling us to show agape love to those who wish us harm

1. We don’t need to love our enemies like our family
2. We fall in love with those near to us, but our enemies, we choose to love

a. Not a feeling of the heart
b. We love even if we don’t like

C. This type of love is impossible without first experiencing the love of God in our hearts

D. Why does Jesus demand we love this way?

1. We become perfect as he is perfect
2. We become like Jesus, which is our goal
3. Jesus loved all the way to the cross—even those who hated Him

Key Point—Radical love is the way we will change the world, one person at a time

Call to Action

1. Seek peace with Jesus and anger will be conquered
2. Bless others and revenge will be avoided
3. Choose this radical love and it will extend to others
   
   

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