Pulpit Curriculum: Righteousness Redefined:Truthfulness, Forgiveness, and Love in the Kingdom
August 4th – August 10th, 2024
Sermon Summary
Today’s sermon continued the series “The Kingdom Unveiled” where Jesus unveils the deeper principles of the Kingdom of Heaven, emphasizing the importance of words and actions in building up others and reflecting God’s love and truth. In this portion of the sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:34-48) the preacher explained Jesus’ teaching on issues related to oaths, retaliation, and love for enemies. He included several calls to action where listeners were challenged to commit to truthfulness, embrace forgiveness, and love their enemies.
Verse of the Week
Matthew 5:43-44
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 and pray for those who persecute you.”
Going Deeper
Review: Review Matthew 5:34-38
1) Using references such as Leviticus 19:12 ,Numbers 30:2 , and Deuteronomy 23:21-23 , explain the religious leaders’ understanding and practice of oaths.
a) In light of this how then should we interpret Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:33-37 ?
b) What was Jesus asking them to do differently?
2) What does Jesus mean when he says, “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”?
b) What was he teaching about the way that we should communicate?
3) According to the preacher, Jesus called for “simple, straightforward honesty”. Where else in scripture do we see similar teaching? List at least 3 references from different writers.
4) According to the preacher, the principle known as lex talionis (the law of retaliation) found in the Old Testament allowed person to seek retaliation and exact retribution for an offence.
a) Compare Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:38-42 to texts such as Exodus 21:24 ,22:26-27; Leviticus 24:20 ,Deuteronomy 19:21 and other similar texts of the law.
b) How did Jesus redefine the law of retaliation (lex talionis)?
5) Jesus taught that we should love our enemies. What is required for us to do this? Support your response with scripture.
Assess Your Life
The following questions are meant to encourage personal reflection and identify areas for spiritual growth in your relationship with God. Ask yourself the questions, respond honestly, write down your responses, and then prayerfully seek God’s conviction and guidance to move forward to repentance and restoration. In your Small Group, or in discussions with your friends and family, be open to sharing your responses with others in a spirit of accountability and transparency.
1) Examine your current communication patterns and identify any areas where honesty may be compromised. Identify areas where you may exaggerate, twist the truth, or make promises you cannot keep.
2) Identify individuals or situations where you harbor resentment or a desire for retaliation, where forgiveness is needed. Ask God to help you see the person or situation through His eyes. Seek God’s help to forgive and release any feelings of resentment or anger.
Application
One key objective of this Pulpit Curriculum is taking God’s truth as exposed in the sermon and helping people apply that truth in practical and intentional ways to plot a course toward obedience and transformation. This section is intended to achieve that objective.
1 I will make a conscious decision to speak the truth in all situations, even when it is difficult. Practice saying “yes” or “no” without adding unnecessary explanations or guarantees.
2 I will take practical steps to show kindness or generosity to those who have wronged me.
3 I will commit this week to pray for the well-being of those who have wronged me
I will ask_____ to hold me accountable in this.
Sermon Main Points
Commit to Truthfulness/Integrity in Speech (Matthew 5:33-37)
Embrace Forgiveness and Resist Retaliation
Love for Enemies (Matthew 5:43-48)
Sermon Reflection
What stood out for me in this sermon?
• Righteousness redefined includes the integrity of our speech. Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard of truthfulness, suggesting that their simple “yes” or “no” should be sufficient without the need for elaborate oaths..
• Truthfulness in communication builds trust and credibility.
• Jesus redefines righteousness by challenging the traditional understanding of justice. Instead of seeking retribution or exacting punishment equivalent to the offense, Jesus calls for a response characterized by non-retaliation, generosity, and mercy. This new standard emphasizes grace and forgiveness over strict justice. True righteousness involves going beyond what is fair to embodying the spirit of mercy and generosity, even towards those who wrong us.
• Jesus redefines righteousness by calling us to love not just our friends but also our enemies. This radical love goes beyond human expectations and reflects the character of God, who shows grace and mercy to all. True righteousness involves extending love, forgiveness, and prayers even to those who oppose or harm us.
What can I do to remember this?
Quotes
5 Day Study Plan
Use the Inductive Bible Study method to study these scriptures this week and remember to share with someone else.
Follow these steps
1. Observe the text.
(What do you see in the text? Look for answers to questions like: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)
2. Interpret the text.
(What did God and the human author of the text want the original people reading this text to understand/do? Why?)
3. Apply the text.
(How do I need to change in my thinking, my affections, my attitudes, and/or my actions?)
Day 1 - James 5:12
Day 2 - Romans 12:14-21
Day 3 - Matt 18:21-22
Day 4 - Ephesians 4:32
Day 5 - Colossians 3:13
For best results, this content should be read and prepared privately and then discussed in your small group or with family / friends. We were not created to do life alone - get connected with a small group and grow together.