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.

Mt.5:38-42

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.

Mt.5:38-42

“Eye for Eye” “Tooth for Tooth”

Old TestamentEx. 21:22-25 Lev. 24:15-21 Deut.19:16-

21

Guideline for judges“lex talonis” = equal retributionPunishment match the crime“Quid pro quo” = something for something

Standard for just punishment

Resist Not Evil

Resist = withstand

Turn the other cheekSlap does not endanger lifeInsultJesus - Jn.18:22

Don’t retaliate - don’t get down to their level

Resist Not Evil

“Turn the other cheek”

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.” Rm.12:17

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rm. 12:21

Keep mouth closed

Tunic = shirtCloak = robe or coat

What about our rights ??Often ready to fight

“Rights” is often self-interest !!

“And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”

Roman soldiers could force you to carry 1 mile

Jews did not like this law.

Marked off 1 mile

Does not want to carry pack one milecarries, drags, throws it downangry rest of the day

2nd mile mancarries it without complainingconversation – goes beyond mile markerhappy he has gone second mile

Brings out best in others - Mt. 7:12

Lightens life’s burdens2nd mile makes home life better

Husband / Wife

Children

Imagine whole Church going 2nd mile:

Burdens of life Forgiveness Involvement

EvangelismVisitationHospitalityTeaching classWorship servicesElder / Deacon

“Always abounding in the work of the Lord”

There are many

blessings of doing what Jesus commands us here

in Matthew 5:41

The religion of the second mile is performance beyond the call of duty, or doing more than one’s duty.

Going the extra mile is to do more than is expected.

When a man walks the first mile he becomes a candidate for the second.

God’s people must go beyond the minimum requirements.

Experience abundant living

Bring out best in others

Change perspective on life

Help change the world

Growth - Number and Spirituality

Sermon by Arthur Pigman

Evans Church of Christ

515 Gibbs Road

Evans, Ga. 30809

706-855-1249

evanscoc@bellsouth.netevanscoc@bellsouth.net

www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org

Sunday Morning April 6, 2014