Reset || Relationally
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A classic saying that says: show me your friends show me your future
Really a statement of influence
we’ve all been influenced into making a poor decision
But we’ve also all been positively influenced by others
There are people in our lives that can lift us up to see a new place
Give us new perspectives
New goals to aim at
New purposes and mission
They helped you “level up” or step up your thinking and perspective
When Jesus began his ministry, He would go around from place to place teaching basically the same thing
Saying, this is what the Kingdom of God looks like
His teachings were giving the world a new perspective on
God
Love
Forgiveness
How we view others and ourselves
Sacrifice
Eternity
Life
His teaching went to the core of so many issues in the world
So many we are still dealing with today…
He had this way of taking what his listeners thought they knew but would take their understanding even higher. STEP UP THEIR THINKING
Matthew 5
14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Jesus is saying…
Don’t hide the light of the love of the kingdom of God in your heart, but live it so the world can see
For darkness to run, light must shine
Jesus is trying to get his listeners, and us, to step up a level and see our purpose in His kingdom
It’s not enough to live a quiet, private life of faith, Let your line shine
He is pushing us out of self-centered complacency
So Jesus goes on to give a list of examples of what it means to be “The light of the world”
Each time taking something his listeners knew and took for granted – And Elevating it
Matthew 5
21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment.
22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry (Without cause) with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to the court.
Anger that is unbridled, unrestrained
anger that leads to hate
This anger leads to murder
But Jesus…
Maybe they deserved it
Maybe I had the right
It’s not hurting anyone
How you view others matters
You are to be the light/city on a hill
Matthew 5
38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
-Playground rules
– I get back what was taken
– I respond like how I was treated
39 But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well.
41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
This is a hard teaching
The Jewish people were occupied by the Romans
– If a Roman soldier asks for something from the, they had to give it
Why is Jesus teaching us this?
Seems impossible
Because there is another kingdom – GOD’S KINGDOM
Here’s the big question for those of us who call Jesus our savior?
WHICH KINGDOM ARE YOU FIGHTING FOR
Longing For?
Dreaming for?
But Jesus wasn’t quite done
He sums up everything he has been talking about…
Matthew 5
43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
Even today, we love to claim love for our neighbor
Those like us
Those are for us
That look like us
Talk like us
Support us
etc
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
Our world needs a relational reset
But that will only come when the children of God start living like the kingdom of God matters
Do your relationships with those most unlike you reflect the light of Jesus in you?
Those you disagree with politically?
Those who have wronged you?
You can’t claim to follow Jesus and disregard his teachings
That’s called a hypocrite
Jesus has elevated our understanding of what Love is and what Love requires
What does love require of you and me?
To serve those most unlike us
To lay ourselves down for the good of others
To be FOR others, even if they are against us
Romans 5
8 But this is how God demonstrates his own love for us: the Messiah died for us while we were still sinners.
10 When we were enemies, you see, we were reconciled to God through the death of his son; if that’s so, how much more, having already been reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.