Troy Mills Christian Church
Sunday, January 2, 2022
Bible Reading: Psalm 119:81-88 “I faint with longing for your salvation; but I have put my hope in your word. My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me? I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, exhausted with waiting. But I cling to your principles and obey them. How long must I wait? When will you punish those who persecute me? These arrogant people who hate your law have dug deep pits for me to fall into. All your commands are trustworthy. Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause. They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments. In your unfailing love, spare my life; then I can continue to obey your decrees.” (NLT)
Text: Matthew 5:38-42
The Law of Retaliation— “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21
The Law of Retaliation was meant to protect the “law breaker” and not to become an opportunity for revenge.
#1—Verse 41–Jesus gave us a way to combat evil—by doing good.
The Romans borrowed from an old Persian Law designed to make sure the “mail” was delivered on time.
Impressment—Luke 23:26; Mark 15:21
#2—Extra Milers—
- Never happy with “just getting by”
- Always looking out for what they can do to help others
- Willing to go above and beyond expectations
#3—Going the Extra Mile shows to those trying to “control” that they don’t always have the final say so and they can’t always control us.
Extra Milers can choose to live “under the circumstances” or they can choose to go above and beyond the circumstances.
What are some “extra mile” situations that you think you might have in the coming year?
Recommended Resource for Extra Milers: Mile 2: 31 Extra Mile Secrets for an Extraordinary Life by Steve Warner (Available from Amazon)
In Pursuit! 