Sermon Notes

Matthew 5:38–42 NIV
³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ ³⁹ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

Exodus 21:23–25 NIV
²³ But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, ²⁴ eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, ²⁵ burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

Ephesians 6:13 NIV
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

1 Peter 3:8–9 NIV
⁸ Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. ⁹ Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

———

Series Resources

Go deeper with additional resources from our teaching team.

———

Discussion Igniters

(1)  How do you respond when people mistreat you? 

(2)  Read Matthew 5:38–42.
What is Jesus instructing his followers to do in this passage?

(3)  Read Ephesians 6:13 and 1 Peter 3:8–9.
How are followers of Jesus supposed to resist evil?

(4)  How does Jesus say we can restore and call to repentance those who attack, persecute, or abuse us?

(5)  What are some things we can do to demonstrate our value as image-bearers, and call others to see that value in everyone?