Spiritual Maturity Lesson 4-7 & 4-8

Theme Matt. 5:48 “Be ye perfect” - mature A spiritual mature person… 1. Thinks & does what is right in God’s eyes 2. Loves God above all others & loves others above himself 3. Doesn’t do just the minimum

I. Keeping your Word (Mt. 5:33-37) A . The believer must keep his word; he must not make a promise and then break it. B. Christ encouraged men not to make oaths, their word should be their bond. C. “Yes, yes; No, no” D. Christ did not forbid taking oaths.

II. Sacrificing your Rights (Mt. 5:38-42) A . Toward Physical Attack (v.39) 1. A man hits you in rage, turn the other cheek (show that no retaliation is coming). 2. Good stewardship of life would require self-defense.

II. Sacrificing your Rights (Mt. 5:38-42) B. In Court (v.40) 1. If someone wins a judgement against you, act in way that shows no retaliation is coming.

II. Sacrificing your Rights (Mt. 5:38-42) C. Toward the State (v.41) 1. If a Roman soldier were to require a Jew to carry a burden for a mile, he was to carry it for 2 miles (no vengeful spirit).

II. Sacrificing your Rights (Mt. 5:38-42) D. Toward Borrowers (v.42) 1. If someone asks for a loan, give it to them if at all possible.

III. Loving Your Enemies (Mt. 5:43-48) A. How to Love (v. 43-44) 1. “Love your neighbor & hate your enemy.” 2. We are to love & pray for our enemy. 3. ‘Getting even’ is not the Christian approach

III. Loving Your Enemies (Mt. 5:43-48) B. Why to Love (v. 45-48) 1. Love is consistent with God’s character a. We are children of our Father b. Our Father is kind to the evil, granting them sunlight & rain when needed. 2. Reward comes when we treat our enemies with kindness