May 5, 2002 - Lesson: Matthew 5.38-42

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"An appalled parent, angry that her daughter had gotten into a fight at school, spoke harshly: "That's not how I taught you to behave! The devil must have made you do it."

"Her daughter replied, 'Maybe so. But kicking her in the shins was my idea.'" ⁽¹⁾

MAIN BODY:

1. The Christian is a person who lives in a state of controlled violence.
1. How did I arrive this conclusion?
2. Breakdown and Examine the statement of Jesus.
1. ³⁸"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
2. ³⁹But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer.
1. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;
2. ⁴⁰if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well;
3. ⁴¹if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.
4. ⁴²Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
3. These are the circumstances.
1. Can you do this without passion?
2. Can you do this without controlled passion?
3. What is controlled passion, but controlled violence?
3. How long ought we to tolerate being taken advantaged of regardless of the who or the what?
4. As an introduction to the study guide I wrote: (050502o.htm)

We ought to remember that the principles which Jesus taught apply principally to the Christian Community. You cannot expect the non-Christian to think or behave in Christian ways.

This does not mean that we can rationalize our behavior to include violence, retaliation or revenge. And, in as far as it is possible, we must relate to the non-Christian the same ways in which we relate to the Christian. But at the same time, we must not expect that Jesus requires us, except in cases where life is required for our faith, to allow ourselves to be continually beaten up, broken down or borrowed up to the limits of endurance where faith is totally challenged to give up the good fight.

I believe that there are limits beyond which Jesus does not expect us to go. Tough Love often says, "No!" and "No further!" Pastor Shultz

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5. That is why we appeal to the state to help in situations where violence is done to individuals and groups.
6. So Maybe we ought to be more like the Quaker Cowboy.

In the old, old West, a devout Quaker cowboy had been needled and harassed until he could stand it no longer. Speaking up to his tormentors, he announced: "Sir, I do not believe in violence and I would not harm thee for anything in the world. But my compassion for all men compels me to warn thee that thee are standing in the place where I am about to shoot."

2. We are constrained not because we are told to, but by the power of love.

In 2 Corinthians 5.14, (New International Version) we read:

¹⁴For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

1. Christ's love constrains us, (King James Version)
2. Christ's love urges us on, (New Revised Standard Version)

1. The Christian's need to offer a sincere, effective and constructive example constrains.
1. Christianity is defined and modeled by Jesus and he was constrained.
2. He asks us to walk with him.
2. So we are offered some very practical counsel.

Gerald G. May offers these criteria for evaluating our spiritual temperament: ⁽²⁾

1. It is conscious. One is wide-awake and aware of everything that is happening...There is no dullness, no robotic mindlessness.
2. It is intentional. It is the result of the free and unencumbered use of one's will. It is a free choice. It may be called forth from one's heart, but it is never forced or compelled in any way.
3. It is a responsible act. One is willing to accept responsibility for the act if it turns out to be a mistake...
4. It involves responsibility for the consequences as well as for the act itself....One is willing to accept the responsibility...There can be no blaming of any other person, cause, force or entity.
5. It is not directed toward any fully known "object." Thus it cannot in any way be a means of furthering one's self-definition or self-importance. It must be directed toward the true Godhead, existing beyond all image and conception. Thereby, it becomes the giving of one's own mysterious soul to the Ultimate Mystery that created it, energized and sustained it, and calls it forth.
6. It represents a willingness to engage the fullness of life with the fullness of oneself. It cannot be an escape or an avoidance. It must be a yes rather than a no.
3. Or in the practical words of another:
1. If you want to be healthy,...stop doing those things that harm you.
2. If you want harmony in your life,...stop doing those things that cause discord.
3. If you want peace in the world,...stop doing those things that lead to war.
4. If you want a closer relationship with your children,...stop doing those things and saying those things that build up walls between you.
5. If you want to rekindle the romance in your marriage,...stop doing those things that create animosity and boredom.
6. If you want to live in a close-knit, caring community,...stop hiding behind your front door.
7. If you want a spiritual life that fills you up,...stop pouring all your energies everywhere but toward God.

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3. We are attempting to apply biblical principle, but we do this within the context of our Congregational heritage and understanding. As Jay Turbush reported in the April/May/June issue of The Congregationalist:⁽³⁾
1. CONGREGATIONALISTS ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO: 

Are followers of Jesus Christ as the Lord of their lives.

Accept a local church covenant as binding them in love to God and to each other.

Express faith in God, as revealed by the Holy Spirit through scripture, tradition, and personal experience.

Enjoy the freedom of individual conscience and rejoice in the personal responsibility to worship, study, learn, and grow----free from ecclesiastical authority, pronouncements, or creeds.

Share their personal faith through words and deeds, while respecting the differing beliefs of others.

Participate in a local Congregational Church, which is in fellowship with other Congregational Churches.

2. A LOCAL CHURCH IS:

Gathered and united by solemn covenant between the members and God. It is autonomous, self-governing and complete under the authority of Jesus Christ alone with regard to all matters of faith and practice.

3. REGIONAL AND NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS ARE:

Formed for the purposes of providing spiritual support, guidance and fellowship, the exchanging of ideas, and joining in common ministries that are more effectively accomplished through shared resources.

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4. At a symposium on Congregational Covenants at First congregational Church, Los Angles, CA., Third Congregational Symposium: Brings Forth Light and Truth on Covenants by Steven A. Peay

In the words of Dr. Harry Butman:

"Congregationalism isn't just a polity. It's a process; it's people; it's poetry, and prayer...Our polity is a precise thing, hard as a diamond, cut by craftsmen and multifaceted, but with many lights and colors as the angle of view shifts. It has a foreverness. Its many strong, silken threads of logic and life, braided into a tough cord, make a tie that binds head and heart, yet leaves them free.

"Congregationalism is a process, not a completion. It's not static, but kinetic."

1. Today we are voting on a church covenant.
2. A covenant is, in a way, a legal document.
3. But more than a legal document it is one that gives expression to our love for God, for ourselves and for one another.
4. It is the document that constrains us in love to live, worship and work together for the common cause of Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION:

"In 1928, the Church of England revised the wording in the Communion service from 'lively faith to 'living faith.' This revision created quite a stir.

"One Yorkshire churchwarden in particular, who disliked the change vigorously, protested: 'Look at our vicar. He's living, but he ain't lively.'" ⁽³⁾

1. There are a lot of Christians out there who are living. But how many are lively?
1. Lively Christians are those who understand and apply God's covenant principles in their lives and relationships.
2. You have heard it said, but I say unto you.
3. Listen to Jesus and learn what he says and follow his example and apply the I say unto you.

Amen.

1. © 2002 Communication Resources, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Used with permission

2. Gerald G. May, "Criteria for Judging the Legitimacy of Spiritual Surrender," International Christian Digest, April 1988, 31.

3. Jay Turbush, "Who are we: Congregationalism defined," The Congregationalist, April/May/June 2002, pp11-12.

4. Michael Wright, Yours, Lord (London: Mowbray, 1992), 9.

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