Sermon on the Mount – pt 4
Matthew 5:38-41 (text v. 41—And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.)
Jesus states three Kingdom attitudes in these verses:
•Attitude toward personal INJURY (v. 39).
•Attitude toward personal INJUSTICE (v. 40).
•Attitude toward personal INCONVENIENCE (v. 41).
BACKGROUND: Roman law stated a Roman soldier could compel a Jew to carry an object for one Roman “mile” (Gk. millon)—1000 paces (about 1,520 yards). An example is when Simon of Cyrene was compelled to bear the cross of Jesus.
The Jews hated this law. It was always imposed an inconvenience. He had to stop what he was doing… go the mile… then make the return trip. After the first mile, he fulfilled his duty. He would drop what he was carrying and say, “Sir, I’ve done toted your burden as far as I’m going tote it. Now tote your own load!”
Jesus expressed a different attitude: He said if anyone compels you to go one mile, go a second mile.
It is on the second mile where positive things begin to happen. On the first mile you fulfill an responsibility—On the second mile you form a relationship, and maybe a friendship.
Some have called out text, “the secret of success in a single sentence.” The principle is DO MORE THAN IS EXPECTED—Go BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY. Do “double duty.” Do twice as much as you are asked to do.
The first mile is where compliance is shown.
The second mile is where character is built.
Four responses to a task or job:
1) “Get somebody else to do it!” (Moses when God called him).
2) Only do the absolute bare minimum, while complaining to let every- one know you hate every minute of it.
3) Quietly fulfill your duty, without doing one iota more.
4) Do your job with a good attitude, and then some. Exceed expectations.
Luke 17:7-10 teaches the same principle— “…when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable ser- vants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”
You will never be a success if you only do enough to “get by.” But, if you practice “going the second mile,” you will be a success in any area of life—Your education… on your job… in sports… in relationships, etc.
I. In strengthening MARRIAGE.
Satan is working overtime in wrecking havoc in marriages.
2nd mile in CHARM /appearance.“If a couple would do after they get married to stay married, what they did before marriage to get married, they’d stay married a whole lot longer than the average couple stays married today.”
2nd mile in COMMUNICATION.
- The only way to really get to know your spouse.
- Communication is to marriage what blood is to the human body.
2nd mile in COMMITMENT. Too many couples throw in the towel too quickly.
2nd mile in CHARITY. “Charity seeketh not her own…” DEFERENCE! Quit trying to always get your own way and demanding your rights!
1. Husbands—Help with the dishes; iron your shirts.
2. Wives—Go the 2nd mile in saving money.
Partial Sermon: CLICK HERE for full PDF of sermon
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