1. Spiritual Maturity
Lesson 4-7 & 4-8

3. 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

5. 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.

7. 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.

9. 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.

11. 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).

13. 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.

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

17. III. Loving Your Enemies (Mt. 5:43-48)
B. Why to Love (v )
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