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Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 31 : THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Text: Matthew 5:43-48
31 July 2022

INTRODUCTION

1. Series of sayings/teaching that were addressed

a) “You shall not murder” Matthew 5:21-26
b) “You shall not commit adultery” Matthew 5:27-32
c) “You shall not swear falsely” Matthew 5:33-37
d) “An eye for an eye” Matthew 5:38-42

2. Each saying

a) Addressed
b) Corrected
c) A deeper insight is given

THE LAST OF THE SERIES

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 5:43-48

THE ORIGINAL CONTEXT

17 ‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.

18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:17-18

1. A brother is not to be hated

2. The word “neighbour” is used as a synonym here

3. No vengeance is to be taken

4. No grudges against the children of your people
(Another synonym for the word “brother”)

5. Love for a neighbour (brother) is commanded

THE NUANCE TAUGHT

“Hate your enemy”

Matthew 5:43b

1. This thought arose

a) Historically
b) Israel suffered much because of their enemies
c) The nation had learned to hate enemies

2. But was this the correct teaching?
The answer is an obvious “No!”

THE TEACHING OF THE LORD JESUS TO LOVE AN ENEMY

1. Clearly stated

“But I say to you, love your enemies”

Matthew 5:44a

2. Expressions of this love

a) Bless those who curse you
b) Do good to those who hate you
c) And pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

3. Sons of God the Father Matthew 5:45a

a) The Example of God’s expression of love
i) The sun shines on the evil and the good
ii) The rain falls on the just and the unjust
b) If love is “exclusive”
i) To those who love you
ii) Only to those who are “brethren” Matthew 5:46
iii) No better than tax-collectors! Matthew 5:46-47

THE CHALLENGE TO BE “PERFECT”

1. This is not a call to be “sinless”

2. It is rather a challenge to be:

a) Mature
b) Complete
c) In understanding
i) Heart
ii) Mind
iii) Spirit