THE MISUNDERSTOOD ART OF FASTING”

From the “SERMON ON THE MOUNT – AND BEYOND !!!”

Jeremy Stopford, Semi-Retired Pastor

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:16-18).

If you were ever to visit quaint little (under 8 thousand residents) Norwich, NY, you would immediately be drawn to the little red caboose in the business section on East Main Street, not very far from our local post office. For decades this caboose housed “Millie’s Diner”, with Millie herself as its chef! The food was good (serving breakfast and lunch Monday-Saturday), and the company even greater.

I remember the day as if it were yesterday. One of my privileges back then was to go to Millie’s each day just before noon to find out what the day’s special was for the employees at City Hall, located just across the street from the restaurant. That day I relayed to the front office folks that “Today’s special at Millie’s is chicken and biscuits.” Immediately I was told, “LEAVE RIGHT AWAY! Don’t you remember that this is the first day of the office diet?”.

FASTING. Today we would simply interpret that as “not eating for a certain season.” But what did it mean in Jesus’ day? Why was it so important to include in His valuable Sermon on the Mount? There are at least 3 good definitions of “to fast”:

1. To be without food or hungry; to suffer hunger

2. The temporary refraining from food for religious purposes

3. To be empty

Remember definitions #2 and #3, as they will be quite helpful in this study!

TOO FAST OR NOT TOO FAST Now THAT’s funny, especially to a car driver! Let’s try again.

TO FAST OR NOT TO FAST Funny how two added “o’s change the entire intent! How was this an important part of Jesus’ day, so important that His listeners knew right away what people to whom He was referring?

They knew there was a wrong way (verse 16) whereby the religious leaders had an outward show to give an appearance of spirituality. The Savior then taught (verse 17) “but when YE fast”, showing the true intention of this art which was thus most misunderstood. And then? It is to be done BEFORE GOD ALONE and not as before men or for their favor. It was A DENYING OF SELF. Hence comes the title, “NOT ME” (verse 18).

There are many Biblical helps or usages of “fasting” which give us the how and why of fasting. I like to refer to them as our “SEVEN SOUND SUPPORTS FOR THE SERVANT SEEKING FOR SUSTENANCE FOR THE SOUL”. (Honestly, Dr. Becker pays me WAY too much!)

1. Esther 4:16 A mourning for national sin through the avenue of faith

“Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

Esther was in a position of political importance, the queen for the king. I would encourage you to read the entire book of Esther in one sitting. In the face of extreme political (and spiritual!) opposition, Queen Esther called for a season of fasting. This would be a national turning to true faith in the Living God!

I remember that 50 years ago, in my freshman year (and only year, before transferring to Bible School) at a liberal arts college in upstate New York, the student body was invited to give up an evening meal. In exchange, the school would donate the cost of that meal toward a ministry which was providing food for the poor, starving people of Bangladesh. It was my first exposure to true Biblical fasting. I spent the entire night in God’s word. And whenever I felt the hunger urge, I immediately bowed my head in prayer for the people of Bangladesh (and for those ministries there with which I was familiar).

2/3. (Read Dan. 6:16-18 where fasting [by the king] was for the purpose of overturning seemingly impossible circumstances [Daniel thrown into the lion’s den]

Daniel 9:1-3 When confronted with God’s Word

“In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. 3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.”

This is a most fascinating piece of Scripture! The prophet Daniel – note the words: THE. PROPHET. DANIEL. The one and only. Servant of the Lord who both forthtells and foretells God’s Word. Daniel himself, most well known servant. Daniel was reading the Bible for himself! In particular, he was reading the scroll of Jeremiah in what we call today Jeremiah 25:10 [you may not realize that chapter and verse divisions are not considered inspired but added by spiritual men of God for the intent of making Bible reading much easier]. Daniel was a Jewish captive in Gentile – and idol worshiping – Babylon. By reading the Word of God, he learned God’s plan for Israel was to be in captivity for a total of 70 YEARS! When confronted in both his heart and mind with this truth, he immediately resorted to FASTING for his nation. Would we?

4. Jonah 3:5 A purging of personal, and thus national, sin

“So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.”

Jonah had preached the Word of God to the wicked people of Nineveh [not long after Jonah’s side trip in the belly of the great fish]. Jonah knew the Word of God would be effective, yet it bothered him that the enemies of Israel would be given the grace of God. In response to the Word of God, the people of Nineveh called for a personal season of fasting. And as a result, a personal fasting brought a purging of national sin.

What would happen in the nation where you readers live IF you spent a personal season of fasting? What would happen to you? Your family? Your community? Your nation? Nineveh repented. They knew, they just KNEW, that the God of Israel IS the true God. He ALONE is worthy to be worshipped! Do we understand that for OUR nation?

5. Luke 18:9-14 True fasting

“9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Do you remember our important 2 definitions of fasting? It is the temporary refraining from food for religious purposes AND it is evidenced by being empty. In Jesus’ wonderful and most familiar parable, He illustrated fasting in a most tangible way. Fasting is NOT to be an outward religious observance (as shown by the Pharisee). Rather it IS a dying to self, [as wonderfully displayed by the tax collector].

There are many other uses of “FAST” or “FASTING” in the Scriptures. I would encourage you to check out:

Matthew 17:14-21: a seeking of God’s power, thus blessing the prayer life

1 Cor. 7:1-5: a seeking of God’s holiness, thus blessing the home

NOT ME! As we close, let’s ask ourselves: what is the underlying theme in God’s purposes for fasting?

A GRIEF FOR SIN !

Do you believe this?

Then set aside time a time of fasting for God alone:

– for the nation

– for the need (and the needy)

– for the family

– for the individual heart

For what? THAT GOD WILL HAVE FIRST PLACE!

From the Series, “THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT – AND BEYOND !!!”

Jeremy Stopford, Semi-Retired Pastor, July 6, 2021

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

9 In this manner, therefore, pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

—Matthew 6:5-15

If you grew up in the US from 1984-1999, you knew – you just KNEW – that THE man to watch in the National Basketball Association was none other than Michael Jordan. In fact, the footwear (and other stuff!) maker used him as an advertising icon with the catch phrase, “Be Like Mike!”.

Well, I just want to tell you, I know just how he feels. All 5 foot one inch of me! In my first pastorate in Beaver Meadow (NY), on Fridays during the winter our youth group joined a group from a church in nearby Georgetown in their elementary school gym – to do what? Why, play basketball, of course!

One night I got a brainy idea! I had the kids stack all the gym mats one on top of another. Then they hoisted me to the top of the stack. There, I found myself at eye level with the gym’s basketball rim! I had the youths “feed me” one ball after another. Then I shot them toward the eye level hoop. And guess where EACH ONE all went? You bet! Swish – nothing but net! Mikey would have been so proud. Why be like Mike when you could be like ME! (I better give up while I can).

It shouldn’t be too surprising when Jesus’ disciples approached him and observed, “John the Baptist teaches his disciples how to pray. Would you teach us?” (Stopford paraphrase of Luke 11:1). AND, it is from a major scene of Season 2, Episode 7 of “The Chosen”. Have you watched “The Chosen” yet? Check out for yourself “www.thechosentv.com”! Dr. Becker – end of commercial. Thank you!)

Like the first disciples, we, too, need to have a teachable spirit. And we also need to be wise! A long-term missionary once quoted in his missionary letter, “nothing of eternal value is ever accomplished without prayer.” [does anyone know the original source of that amazing saying? Let Pastor Becker know!] We can have all the right programs, but without prayer, they amount to NOTHING. Prayer is HARD WORK. Even Martin Luther, father of the Reformation, once said, “I have an extremely busy day ahead. So I better spend at least 4 hours in prayer!”

Into this introduction, our Savior wonderfully gives us His “model prayer”. Of course, He NEVER prayed this prayer! He NEVER suggested to His disciples that this prayer, word for word, should be prayed at every church service, or even as a means of penance in any denomination. And, of course, there have been MANY great books and treatises written on this prayer. May this simply be a guide as well as an impetus to pray as Jesus taught His disciples.

Rather, the Lord Jesus’ “model prayer” can be easily divided into 4 sections. First is “INVOCATION”. In verses 4, 6, and 8 the Savior talked with the disciples in general terms about “your Father”. But the model prayer is addressed to “Our Father Who is in heaven,” or simply, “our heavenly Father.” The disciple is entering into the tenderness which Jesus has with His Father. With that brief statement, Jesus is inviting His disciples to BE STILL (Psalm 46:10). To DRAW AWAY (1 Sam. 14:36; James 4:8) from the hullabaloo of the day. In fact, He desires to be sought FIRST (Matthew 6:33). We are to come to God as a child (John 1:12). As such, we are to enjoy God as in a Father/child relationship.

I had a GREAT Dad! And we had a GREAT father/son relationship. So when I enter into my Heavenly Father/child of God relationship, I envision the tenderness and closeness which I enjoyed with my dad for almost 45 years before he passed away. But many don’t have that! For some, their dad might have been a drunk or an abuser of some other kind. What happens when that son or daughter comes to the cross, trusts Jesus as Savior, and is invited to come to “our Father”? It is a new experience, and in the big picture a cautious yet ultimately most amazing experience! Perhaps for the first time in their lives, that child has a Father Who loves them unreservedly. Can you sense that breath of fresh air in worshiping the LIVING God?

Secondly, the model prayer exhibits ADORATION! Don’t jump into petition. Remember, we are to visualize an intimate stillness. Such adoration includes “hallowed be Your Name”. “Hallowed” means “holy, excellent, sin apart.” And “Name” immediately would bring into the Jewish disciple of Jesus’ day the instruction that he would have been taught about the work of the scribe, the one who would make copies of the original scriptures. When the scribe would come to the Name of God, he would STOP! He would SAY PRAYERS. And he would CHANGE PENS. He would use the new pen to write God’s Name. He would throw that pen away. And then he would reverse the order: CHANGE PENS again; SAY PRAYERS again; and then START OVER his copy. In such a way God’s Name was revered. The disciple of the Lord should have that same reverence in prayer.

This is not a lesson on the extent of what God’s Name is. But the good Jew and the subsequent disciple of Jesus would learn His Father’s Name: “JEHOVAH” or “JHWH” (the self-existent One). “I AM THAT I AM” (the eternally self-existent One). “JEHOVAH-JIREH” (the Lord will provide). “JEHOVAH-RAPHA” (the Lord that heals). “JEHOVAH-NISSI” (the Lord our banner). “JEHOVAH-SHALOM” (the Lord our peace). “JEHOVAH-REAH” (the Lord our Shepherd). “JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU” (the Lord our righteousness). “JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH” (the Lord is present). You can understand just how powerful an impression was made when the disciple was taught “hallowed be Your Name.”

Adoration also includes “Thy Kingdom come”. “Thy Kingdom” reminds us that there is an earthly kingdom which is in opposition to His. This also marks the hope of a future settling of all world events into His good plan, HIS KINGDOM.

And adoration involves “Thy will be done – on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus’ heavenly pattern is…perfect! Do we remember when Moses was to build the tabernacle. It was an earthly building based upon a plan, a pattern. A pattern of what? Of the HEAVENLY TEMPLE! Thus God’s will IS done in heaven. The adoration here means that the disciple hungers for God’s will to be done on earth as well.

Thirdly, the model prayer is now PETITION. After the invocation and the adoration THEN comes the petition. A simple definition of “godly petition” would be “perfect all around care.” Under that heading, that umbrella come the desire for “daily bread” (physical), “forgiveness” (mental), and “lead us” (spiritual).

Fourth and final, the model prayer is BENEDICTION. Benediction links with Invocation. “Yours is the glory” links easily with “Our Father Who is in Heaven.” And in between – Adoration and Petition – are the meat of the model prayer. Amazingly simple. Yet amazingly profound!

Let’s close with some reminders:

* D. L. Moody said that the blessings of praying the heart of this prayer were more than his physical frame could bear. Often he would say, “STOP, LORD!”. Oh to have that kind of intimacy!

* The very abrupt prayer – “Lord, HELP!” – includes all 4 above points of the model prayer. It is not length of words that is needed!

* Above all remember: “nothing of eternal value is ever accomplished apart from prayer”.

Are you teachable?

Would you pray, “Lord, teach ME to pray!”?

FROM THE SERIES: “SERMON ON THE MOUNT – AND BEYOND !!!”

Jeremy Stopford, Semi-Retired Pastor

 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.“

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:1-8).

As our Savior is delivering His “Sermon on the Mount”, He has arrived at the point in His message that involves what true religion should look like. The world of Jesus’ day had the Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees along with other religious leaders. For all intents and purposes, they were the example to the rest of the world of Israel what a “true Biblical lifestyle” was thought to look like.

Lord willing, next week we will dive into what the world calls “The Lord’s Prayer.” Today we are looking at some of our Savior’s thoughts leading up to that teaching.

As we enter the REAL world of Biblical Christianity, we need to define two words. One is not in the Bible, the other is. The first word, NOT in the Scriptures, is “OSTENTATION”. According to the dictionary, an “ostentation” is “the act of displaying vainly or pretentiously, as in order to excite admiration. It is an excessive or un-called for exhibition.” To show this word in action, the Savior uses the term “alms” or “almsgiving” – with which both of these the casual Bible reader of 2021 may not be familiar. Again, the dictionary: an “alms” or “almsgiving” has what might be called a good intent. It means “to help people; giving a helping hand in case of need; giving money, time, anything you like which is going to help people.” And the dictionary’s final description: “it tends to be a PUBLIC DISPLAY”. In the Old Testament, in its place, the Lord uses the term “righteousnesses”.

How is the fundamental, Bible believing, Gospel preaching, Spirit led Christian supposed to live? How is he to live in a culture which is filled with public displays of so-called love, what Jesus called “alms” or “almsgiving”, but which have no Biblical content?

FIRST, he is TO LIVE IN GOD’S PRESENCE (see verses 4, 6, 18). The key line here is “the Father Who sees in secret”.

When I first got the “love bug” for the young girl who would one day become my bride, I couldn’t get her out of my sight! Why, I had the bug so bad (HOW BAD WAS IT?). It was so bad that one of our classmates asked my love, “Hey – WHO is your new little “puppy dog”?”. I had – and hopefully still do! – a closeness with this young lady with whom I knew, I just KNEW, the Lord Himself was inviting me to have a long-term relationship with her as my wife.

Now doesn’t that describe how our relationship with the Lord is to be? We are to live in His Presence! We can’t get Him out of our sight – for in reality, we aren’t out of HIS sight!. We are to have the “love bug” for Him so bad (sorry about the English, Professor Becker) that angels could ask the Lord Himself, “who is Your new little ‘puppy dog’?”. Perhaps the analogy is a poor one, but the love is real. We are to live in His Presence!

The New Testament Scriptural term for living in His Presence is the phrase “at hand”. It has a two-fold meaning. First, it can mean “soon”. For example, “the Lord’s return is ‘at hand’” means “He’s coming SOON.”. But it also means “close”. To illustrate, let’s look at a number of Biblical examples:

“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:1-2

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.” 2 Timothy 4:6

“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” Phil. 4:5

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Rev. 1:3, KJV

Please allow me to give an extended quotation, from the book “Studies in the Sermon on the Mount” by Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones:

“When we wake up in the morning we should immediately remind ourselves and recollect that we are in the PRESENCE OF GOD. It is not a bad thing to say to ourselves before we go any further: ‘Throughout the whole of this day, everything I do, and say, and attempt, and think, and imagine, is going to be done under the eye of God. He is going to be with me; He sees everything; He knows everything. There is nothing I can do or attempt but God is fully aware of it all. “Thou God seest me.”’ It would revolutionize our lives if we always did that!” [my emphasis]

SECOND, the God pleasing born again believer is TO LIVE FOR GOD’S GLORY (see verses 1,2,5). The contrast is displayed in the phrases “to be seen of them” and “to sound a trumpet.”

We all WANT to be seen, don’t we? “Aw come on,” you say. “I don’t have that kind of attitude, that kind of character!” OK, let’s try a little experiment. Get a pen and a notepad, one which is small enough to fit in a pocket so it cannot be seen by those with whom you walk and talk. You are going to create a living ledger! And what are you going to write in your “little note pad living ledger”? You are to make a note of EVERY TIME you say, “How did I do?”, or “How do I look?”.

Simple enough. But what’s the point? The point is this: WE ALL WANT TO BE SEEN! And the Lord Jesus is saying, that His Father HUNGERS for His children to live for HIS glory and not for OURS.

So we should be doing things for His glory. We are to be doing things as moved by God’s Spirit. And then? And then FORGET THEM! We really don’t keep ledgers – let God keep them!

And remind yourself of Paul’s amazing words in 1 Corinthians 15:31: “I die daily.”

THIRD, we are TO LIVE TO SEE GOD’S REWARD (see verses 4 and 6).

Did you catch the phrase, “the Father will reward you”? A good study for us would be to see the times in the New Testament when the Spirit of God has included in the holy writ the REWARDS which will be given when we stand before our Father one day. Here is a reasonably full list, perhaps there are others. A good study for us:

#1. For Faithful Pastors: “the crown of glory” (1 Pet. 5:4)

#2. For souls won: “the crown of rejoicing” (1 Thess. 2:19)

#3. For those who love God through trials: “the crown of life” (Jas. 1:12; Rev. 2:10)

#4. For those who love Christ’s appearing: the crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8)

#5. For those who seek mastery of Christ over the cares of each day:

“the incorruptible crown” (1 Cor. 9:25).

How do we do that NOW? We do that by living BY FAITH. Once again, let’s look at some Biblical examples:

Abraham was looking for a city whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:9, 10)

Moses considered the reproaches of Christ greater reward than the riches of Egypt (Heb. 11:24-26)

All those throughout this side of eternity who choose to live by faith and not by sight, “of whom the world was not worthy” (Heb. 11:36-38)

So you ask, how do we begin to live such a powerful, overcoming life? Well, haven’t we learned already? We begin by LIVING IN GOD’S PRESENCE!!!

With no ostentations!

“YOUR FATHER WHO SEES IN SECRET”

SERIES: “SERMON ON THE MOUNT – AND BEYOND !!!”

Jeremy Stopford, Semi-Retired Pastor

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

For over 27 years, while also serving as a pastor, I was bi-vocational with a secular job as a “special officer” with the City of Norwich Police Department. One of that job’s duties was the oversight of the city and state laws governing dog control. And, of course, one of THOSE duties was to see that every dog in our municipality four months of age or older possessed a valid dog license. Why? Many would ask me, “why do I have to get a dog license IF the dog stays indoors all the time – except to go out to do “his business”?”. Well, the dog license identifies the owner. It could even save the dog’s life – if the dog were hurt, the licensed owner could be quickly found and medical attention could be sought. And it does make the dog owner responsible. He must be a good steward for his dog’s rabies shot, the license, the finances for the dog. Owning a dog is more than just a status symbol. AND the dog license is with the dog for life.

The Father is looking for His children to remember that we represent Him. In reality, HE is our identification tag! “That you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (verse 45) separates those that love Him from those who don’t.

In verse 43, the Savior wisely describes the problem. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’”. Did God say that? NO! It was one of the 613 laws of the Pharisees. They held to the Old Testament Scriptures, but their added “laws” took on more importance than those which were written by the Lord Himself. Did God show anger at any time, righteous anger which could be interpreted by some as “hate”? Of course! We don’t have to go far to see His righteous indignation on display, as at Sodom and Gomorrah, as with His instruction to destroy all the Canaanites. Or how about the lake of fire? In Matthew 23, the Savior gives a scathing rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees, as epitomized by His statement in verse 13, “ “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in,” and in verse 15, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” “Hell” in this verse is the Greek word “Gehenna”. A good Jew would know that it was the word used for the town “dump” outside the city, which was ALWAYS on fire! With that symbolism, the Savior was quite descriptive not only of the issue with the Pharisees but also the ultimate eternal consequences of their false theology.

And does not the world TODAY add many laws to the simplicity of the gospel? “You must be born again.” AND you must be baptized in order to be saved. AND you must go through classes in order to be saved. AND you must go to church in order to be saved. AND you must give to the church in order to be saved. AND you must be sure the GOOD LOOKING pastor is well taken care of in order to be saved. (I added that one, could you guess?). So the problem of Jesus’ day has not gone away, has it?

So how about the solution? Did you notice verse 45, “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven…”?

God’s view is JUDICIAL. He looks at His children through the eyes of eternity, AND He looks at the world through the eyes of eternity. Do I remember that when I look at people? Do I see them through God’s eyes?

God’s view is GRACIOUS. He looks at all peoples NOW. Do sinners enter into eternity the minute they commit a sin? NO! THAT is grace.

God’s view is PRACTICAL, When was the last time you quoted John 3:16? I mean, not rattling it off like one of your Sunday school students! Slowly now: “For. God. So. Loved. The. World, That, He. Gave. His. Only. Begotten. Son. That. Whosoever. Believes. In. Him. Should. Not. Perish. But. Have. Everlasting, Life.” Now that’s more like it! Really SLOW…! His view is practical. He analyzes the world. He is not dependent upon their nature nor on their response. Wow!

So with both the problem and the solution in mind, what action does He do? Look at verse 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,” Contrary to the negativity of verses 38-42, God gives a positive response!

First, there is the BLESSING: “bless those who curse you…”. Proverbs 15:23 says, “A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” “In due season” has the idea of “in its proper time.” The tongue is POWERFUL! It is possible in the power of the Lord that the tongue can be an instrument of…BLESSING! Is yours? Um…is mine?

Isaiah 50:4 prophesies of the Messiah, “The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned.”

AND WHAT DID JESUS SAY ON THE CROSS? “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do!”.

Next, there is the ACTION. “Do good.” The Christian who is id’d as a child of the King will do benevolent acts. One version says “heap coals upon their heads”. Give them what they DON’T deserve!

Third, there is WORSHIP. Pray for them! This involves LOOKING AT YOURSELF! And ask yourself, “am I responding to them as they are responding to me? OR am I looking at them the way God looks at them? This further involves seeing their position as sinners with need. And last it involves praying for their ETERNAL needs.

WHAT’S THE GOAL OF ALL THIS? In verse 48, our Savior closes this section with a most confusing verse by today’s standards: “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” I took a course in philosophy at my one year in a liberal arts college. The philosophers had interesting goals! Plato: “universal goodness” (sound familiar?). Aristotle: “ethical goodness – making the right choices”. Stoics: “being virtuous”. And Philo: “academic vision” (knowledge).

But what is the Lord Jesus’ goal? He said, “be perfect”. Various translations define this as: “reach an end”; “go toward an ideal – don’t be satisfied with anything short of it”; and “single-minded, undivided, obedient, complete, mature.”.

The Pharisees took upon themselves the judicial view of God, as if they were instruments of His eternal oversight on humanity. They did NOT see people through the gracious view of God, His present love.

Verses 38-42 talk about the negative: do not strike back. Verses 43-48 talk about the positive: love!

God responds with common grace (the rain even on the unjust as well as on the just!). But He also responds with LOVE, a love which depends on Him and not on the world’s response,

And when this is in full gear in the child of God who is dependent upon his Savior, what will the end be? He will be TOTAL. COMPLETE. MATURE.

Does that describe ME? YOU?

…Be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

– with apologies to D. James Kennedy”

“THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT – AND BEYOND !!!”

By Jeremy Stopford, Semi-Retired Pastor

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” (Matthew 5:38-42)

Wow! Well over 50 years ago, while living in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, my parents and I visited the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. No, not the big building on Federal Highway which seats almost 10 thousand – per service. Rather, the store-front building on Commercial Boulevard from which Dr. D. James Kennedy was hoping to establish a fundamental Bible believing ministry. God used Dr. Kennedy’s ministry and stick-to-it-iveness for the creation of this ministry directly from the grassroots.

All that to say this: years later he had a televised study on the “Sermon on the Mount”. I was so overcome by his insights to our text that I bought a paper copy and devoured it (spiritually speaking, of course!). Portions of this study today are from his astute observations.

The world has a way of compromising truth! Verse 38 is a prime example, where our Savior introduces the issue by saying, “You have heard that it was said…”. Well, WHO said it? In His day and age, that would be the Pharisees. The Savior wisely was teaching His disciples that there is a BOLD difference between the LETTER of the law and the SPIRIT of the law. The Pharisees were the police officers, as it were, of the LETTER of the law! If anyone crossed that line, they were guilty, violators, and the Pharisees had the authority to issue punishment. Of course, they added to the law! 613 more laws were written by their teachers to aid in the individual Jew being a “good Jew”.

Kind of like becoming a “good Christian” without following Jesus, eh?

In contrast, our Savior shows the SPIRIT or INTENT or even better yet, HIS PURPOSE of the law! He introduces that by saying, “but I tell you…”. In the presence of the Pharisees and the religious leaders of His day was the very AUTHOR of the law! He should know what the purposes were of each written law. He should know their INTENT, their SPIRIT, His PURPOSE!!!

The Pharisees had appointed themselves – the very epitome of the “self-appointed judges” of the law’s LETTER. They failed to realize that the SPIRIT/INTENT/PURPOSE of the law had at least 3 aims:

That injuries didn’t result in unjust revenge (e.g., death for an eye out);

That vengeance would not be taking lightly but seriously, so as to avoid it; and

That any system for just retribution, as described by the law, was to be decided by the JUDGES and not by individuals. The Pharisees had lost sight of that.

Note the Savior’s command in verse 39: “do NOT resist an evil person”. Dr. Kennedy notes that the injured Christian (AND he notes that he hopes he was injured “for the Word’s sake and not for his own sake) has 4 choices of response:

(1) He could return EVIL FOR GOOD. This is the devil’s response, which response has NO compassion.

(2) He could return EVIL FOR EVIL. This reminds me of at least two bumper stickers I’ve seen. “You step on me, I step on you.” And my FAVORITE OF ALL TIME: “You toucha my truck, I smasha your face.” Hmmm….

(3) He could return GOOD FOR GOOD. This is the human response.

(4) He could return GOOD FOR EVIL! This can only be done by the enablement of the Spirit of God!

Put in but 3 words, Jesus’ response is “RESIST NOT EVIL”!

“Resist” means “to set yourself in opposition to”. How is this seen in Scripture?

Acts 7:51: to those same religious authorities, while in the hearing of the Old Testament Scriptures concerning the coming of the Messiah, Stephen said, “You always RESIST THE HOLY SPIRIT as your fathers did, so do you.”

Romans 9:19: to those of Israel who have denied Jesus as the Messiah, Paul writes “You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has RESISTED HIS WILL?”

2 Timothy 3:8: to those in battle with the Scriptures, Paul writes, “Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also RESIST THE TRUTH: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith…”

Hebrews 12:4: to those striving for the faith, the author of Hebrews reminds them that they haven’t died yet, “You have not yet RESISTED UNTO BLOODSHED, striving against sin.”

“Evil” is often discussed in Scripture, and is especially described in the book of Proverbs:

Proverbs 1:33 – the Christian alarm system: “But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, WITHOUT FEAR OF EVIL.”

Proverbs 15:3 – the Christian awareness: “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch ON THE EVIL and on the good.”

Proverbs 15:15 – the Christian appetite: “All the days of the afflicted are EVIL,

But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.”

Proverbs 17:11, 13 – the Christian action: “AN EVIL MAN seeks only rebellion;

Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him…Whoever REWARDS EVIL FOR GOOD, EVIL WILL NOT DEPART from his house.”

In verses 39-42, there are several identities of the Word of God in combat. There is “injury to the body” (verse 39).

There is “injury to property” (verse 40). By the way, a “tunic” or “coat” in Jesus’ day was an undergarment. And a “cloak” is “the costly upper robe or mantle.” A poor man might have several underclothes for changing. However, he might have only one upper garment, which would have a double use. It would be for clothing by day and bed clothes by night.

There is “injury to freedom” (verse 41). Contrary to modern day times, any Jew of Jesus’ day knew immediately what the Savior was talking about!

When Cyrus the King of Persia was in power, he would press into service anyone needed to usher his decrees. This was his version of our present day postal system. And the farthest they would go would be…ONE MILE.

When Rome under Caesar took over the nation of Israel, he continued the same policy, but with a few changes. Not only would the Jew carry his “mail” [or “orders”]. He would also have the Jew carry “burdens” (or “packages”). It was an indignity for the Jew to be tapped by a Roman spear and be told, “carry my burden now, Jew.” He then would have to go one mile, only then to return from where he came.

The hearer with Jesus’ insight would fully understand: Jesus was saying, “Go TWO MILES! And when you’ve done THAT, return. And do it as if APPOINTED – “SPEARED” – BY GOD! And finally in verse 42, there was the identity of being “injured to pride.”

It is said in BUSINESS that there are 3 types of employees:

(1). Those that goof off;

(2). Those that do just what is required of them, fulfill duties, get paycheck, and don’t advance far; and

(3). Those that go beyond, are creative, and don’t see their job as a routine but enjoy their job.

It is said in MARRIAGE that there are 3 types of marriages!:

(1). Some don’t even do elemental duties of marriage life (they co-exist!);

(2). Some just do whaat is expected. They see marriage as having no excitement, just routine; and

(3). Some go into marriage doing more than expected or required, resulting in vitality and enthusiasm.

The THIRD points are those who have gone THE SECOND MILE in BUSINESS and in MARRIAGE.

Don’t simply resist the evil. Find the JOY OF THE SECOND MILE.

“You will never know when a Roman soldier puts his spear on your shoulder

to do a task which is contrary to your desires, to your direction…

When you are going to be “injured” for righteousness sake…

THEN you will find out what spiritual stuff you are made of.”

—-Dr. D. James Kennedy

HAVE YOU BEEN SPEARED BY JESUS LATELY?