Gateway Visalia
The Way
Flip the Script. Matthew 5:38-48 Pastor Lance Ainsworth February 27th & March 2nd, 2025
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:00 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
Introduction:
Matthew 5:38-48 NASB
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not 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 your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41 Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not 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 your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41 Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
Lex Talionis – Law of Retaliation
(Exodus 21:23-25)
Exodus 21:23-25 NASB
23 But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty 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.
(Exodus 21:23-25)
Exodus 21:23-25 NASB
23 But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty 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.
Flip the script.
Evil for Good – Demonic
Good for Good, Evil for Evil – Legalistic
Good for Evil – Divine
Evil for Good – Demonic
Good for Good, Evil for Evil – Legalistic
Good for Evil – Divine
Four responses to evil:
When insulted, Turn the other cheek.
When exploited, Give your coat also.
When forced, Go the second mile.
When solicited, Give generously.
When insulted, Turn the other cheek.
When exploited, Give your coat also.
When forced, Go the second mile.
When solicited, Give generously.
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 and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Leviticus 19:18 NASB
18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.
18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.
A child reflects the heart of their father.
Perfect: teleios - conveys a sense of maturity, completeness, or attaining a goal.
The goal is to become like God and to reflect God. (v.48)
The Way
Pastor Lance Ainsworth, Matthew 5:38-48
February 27
Flip the script.
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: Have you ever offended somebody, and they responded in love? How did that change you?
Read Aloud: Matt. 5:38-48
1. Out of the four responses to evil below, which is the most difficult for you and why?
When insulted, Turn the other cheek.
When exploited, Give your coat also.
When forced, Go the second mile.
When solicited, Give generously.
2. v.44-45 “44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Is there anybody you need to pray for? How does loving our enemies mark us as children of God?
3. v. 46-47 “46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” How do these verses coincide with the story of the good Samaritan? (Luke 10:25-37)
4. v. 48 “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Do you see God’s way as perfect, or do you think He is unreasonable? How does God want us to be like Him regarding relationships with evil persons?
Pastor Lance Ainsworth, Matthew 5:38-48
February 27
Flip the script.
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: Have you ever offended somebody, and they responded in love? How did that change you?
Read Aloud: Matt. 5:38-48
1. Out of the four responses to evil below, which is the most difficult for you and why?
When insulted, Turn the other cheek.
When exploited, Give your coat also.
When forced, Go the second mile.
When solicited, Give generously.
2. v.44-45 “44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Is there anybody you need to pray for? How does loving our enemies mark us as children of God?
3. v. 46-47 “46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” How do these verses coincide with the story of the good Samaritan? (Luke 10:25-37)
4. v. 48 “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Do you see God’s way as perfect, or do you think He is unreasonable? How does God want us to be like Him regarding relationships with evil persons?