The Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:33-48

Counter Cultural Christianity Matthew 5:33-48

“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the L ORD.’ -Matt 5:33 “If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. - Deut. 23:21 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. - Exod. 20:7 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. -Lev. 19:12 If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. - Num. 30:2

Counter Cultural Truthfulness Matthew 5:33-36 When you swear ‘by the altar,’ you are swearing by it and by everything on it. And when you swear ‘by the Temple,’ you are swearing by it and by God, who lives in it. And when you swear ‘by heaven,’ you are swearing by the throne of God and by God, who sits on the throne. - Matt. 23:16-22

Counter Cultural Truthfulness Matthew 5:33-36 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus replied, “You have said it. - Matthew 23:16-22 “This is what the L ORD says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that I will certainly bless you….” - Gen 22:16-17

Counter Cultural Non- Retaliation Matthew 5:38-42 …eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. – Exod. 21:24

Counter Cultural Non- Retaliation Matthew 5:38-42 then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. - Deut. 19:17 …eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. – Exod. 21:24

Counter Cultural Non- Retaliation Matthew 5:38-42

Counter Cultural Non- Retaliation Matthew 5:38-42

Counter Cultural Non- Retaliation Matthew 5:38-42

Counter Cultural Lovers Matthew 5:43-48 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the L ORD.” - Lev 19:18

Counter Cultural Lovers Matthew 5:43-48 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbour - Lev 19:18 Hate Your Enemies

If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. -Prov. 25:21 “If you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey that has strayed away, take it back to its owner. If you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, do not walk by. Instead, stop and help. - Exod. 23:4-5 Counter Cultural Lovers Matthew 5:43-48

Counter Cultural Lovers Matthew 5:43-48 O God, if only you would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers! 20 They blaspheme you; your enemies misuse your name. 21 O L ORD, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? 22 Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Counter Cultural Lovers Matthew 5:43-48 PERSONAL PERFECT VS

Counter Cultural Lovers Matthew 5:43-48 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?” - Rev. 6:9-10

Counter Cultural Lovers Matthew 5:43-48 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” - Luke 6:27

Counter Cultural Christianity Matthew 5:33-48

Counter Cultural Christianity Matthew 5:33-48 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. -Psalm 139:23-24