EXPOSITIONS OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
XVII – “Give to him who asks…”
Matthew 5:38-41                                         September 30, 2007

INTRODUCTION
We continue to study our Lord’s commentary on Matthew 5:20 where He speaks directly to our hearts and our contemporary culture, the culture of the self-absorbed.  Here, the Lord Jesus calls us to give up self and live for God’s Glory alone. 

I.  FINISHED WITH SELF
Preoccupation with self leads to sin.  We are called to die to self and live for Christ.  Our only desire should be to be approved of Him.

II.  AN EYE FOR AN EYE
An important principle of Biblical interpretation is learning NOT to take Jesus’ words out of context. This Sermon is His exposition of the Law of God for His Disciples, the 12.   Why does He reference Deut. 19 when telling us to deny self and live for the Glory of God?   This Law was given to prevent revenge and retaliation.  It was meant to restrain personal vindictiveness.  Galatians 3:20. 

III. APPLYING CHRIST’S TEACHING TO MY LIFE
How can we live this way?
                1)            Stop making excuses and evading the issue.
                2)            Notice how much “self” controls your life.
                                a)             self means defiance of God.
                                b)            holiness means deliverance from self-centeredness.

IV.  THE LIGHT OF CHRIST.
Christ comes into the world to deliver us from self.  Philippians 2.  He humbled Himself.  The final purpose of Christ’s life and death and resurrection is more than the forgiveness of sins.  It is that a new people might be formed, a new kingdom set up; a kingdom where Christ Himself is the pattern.  Ephesians 1. 
II Corinthians 5.  The life that the Lord Jesus calls us to in this is passage is this, “I have finished with self, died to self and my one and only concern is the glory of God.”
For whom are you living today?  Self or the Lord Jesus Christ?