"Untangling Self-less Giving" ("Tangled" #8)

Tangled #8 | Untangling Selfless Giving | 05/26/24
Dr. Larry Baucom delivers the final sermon in the paradigm-shifting series, Tangled. This teaching emphasizes the changing nature of culture and the timeless nature of principles inspired in Matthew 5, 6, and 7. His sermon unfolds in three powerful points.
Point 1: Jesus suggests we discover resolution more than revolution.
Jesus suggests we live a life of peacefulness in verses 38-39 saying, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 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.”
The “eye for eye and tooth for tooth” is called the “Lex Talionis.” This ancient term has been used to justify retaliation. In ancient times, if a person threw a rock at another tribe’s member and knocked out an eye, the entire tribe would pledge vengeance against another tribe. Wars would ensue and lives would be lost. In reality, the “Lex Talionis” was a legal code that attempted to bring justice to an unjust system. If a slave knocked out the tooth of his master…the punishment maximum was the slave's tooth could be knocked out where previously the slave might be executed. Retaliation is as old as mankind. People desire revenge, but Christ calls us to a life that is based upon a different perspective. Christ calls us to a life of forgiveness and peace.
Point 2: The message of Jesus then and now is selfless giving.
Jesus calls us to a life of love when in verses 43-44 he says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you“
Love is not just to those who will reciprocate with love. Love is not a ploy to manipulate others. Love is not reserved for those who are like us. Love is a gift from God and given to all; even the undeserving. The call of God is to self-less giving. Not an easy calling to fulfill! Love my enemies? Love those who are trying to undermine me? Love those who are trying to take my feet out from under me? Love those who would love to see me fall? Jesus suggests our perspective should be filtered through a grace-filled heart. We do well to filter our perspective through a broken heart that's been repaired and our understanding of a God who loves us all regardless. The message from the Sermon on the Mount is this: We are to change our perspective because the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart!
Point 3: Jesus' challenge is to embrace a lifestyle that reflects the nature of God.
Jesus states in verse 48, “Be perfect therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
The word translated to “perfect” is τέλειος (teleios) and more accurately means to be whole or complete. Jesus does not suggest perfectionism but that we love holistically with resolution in mind. Pastor urges us to remember that we can choose to be more because we are God’s children and called to bear his likeness to everyone and that God can live in and through us!
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