Some of the best sermons I’ve ever heard have been preached by men who were disqualified to even be in the pulpit. “Years ago, an older pastor warned me that giftedness is not godliness. It stuck with me. It is true but easily ignored when someone’s oratory skill sweeps us away. Learning how to communicate and deliver a powerful sermon is not holiness. Sometimes, it is the effective cover utilized to pursue a life of ungodliness and rebellion.”
A right understanding of the doctrines of justification and sanctification is absolutely essential to a healthy Christian life. “In the end, there is no conflict between Paul and James. It is right to say we are justified by faith alone apart from works of the law, provided we understand, as James reminds us, that the faith that justifies will always work itself out in love.”
Our churches need more parlor preachers. We need church members wielding the sword of the Spirit in casual conversations. “Some of the most shaping words spoken in the Christian assembly come not from the pulpit above but from the pew below. A church taught to make the most of the time together, to come to speak and not just to listen, to fill the building with holy conversation, experiences a foretaste of that country where we shall speak forever of all that God has done.”
As one pastor said, “Sunday morning church is a decision made on Saturday night.” This article will help you prepare for corporate worship in a healthy manner. “The way we schedule our days relates significantly to how we prepare for many different events in life, and such planning can similarly help us to prepare for Lord’s Day worship.”
Time is more valuable than money. If we lose money, we can always earn it back. However, when we lose time, it is gone forever. As followers of Christ, let us strive to make the best use of our time! “Too many Christians go about life without proper self-examination and neglect to seize the opportunities right in front of them. Time is precious and must be treated with the utmost care for holy living. It must be redeemed.”
Our church has been in the process of nominating deacons, which is something we do every year. With that said, I put together some questions for our congregation to consider as they prayerfully think about whom the Lord would have them nominate to serve as deacons.
The Qualifications for Deacons
1 Timothy 3:8-13:“8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”
Helpful Questions As You Prepare to Nominate Men to Serve as Deacons
In Regard to the Church
Does he truly love the church and its mission and vision?
Does he attend corporate worship regularly?
Does he regularly attend the church’s ministries?
Does he show respect for the pastors?
Does he protect and promote unity?
Mark Dever: “You don’t want people serving as deacons who are unhappy with your church. The deacons should never be the ones who complain the loudest or jar the church with their actions or attitudes. Quite the opposite. . . You don’t want to nominate deacons who don’t recognize the importance of the ministry of preaching and teaching, but people who are anxious to protect it. More broadly, you want the most supportive people in the church to serve as the deacons. So when you’re considering who might serve as a deacon, look for the people with gifts of encouragement.”
In Regard to Service
In what ways does he currently serve?
Does he serve on a regular basis?
Does he take the initiative to serve others?
Does he spot and meet tangible needs?
Alexander Strauch: “Deacons also need to be diligent in their work and follow through with their responsibilities. If they discourage the very people they are supposed to help, relationships will be strained. But if they do their work well, they will be an enormous help to the elders and to the health of the local church body.”
Dignified
Is he a person of honor?
Is he deserving of respect?
Alexander Strauch: “In the Lord’s work, a leader’s moral character and public reputation are essential to the task of leading God’s people.”
Not Double Tongued
Does he have a reputation for keeping his word?
Does he communicate consistently with different parties?
Does he talk to people rather than about them?
Is he a people-pleaser?
Is he someone who flatters, gossips, or slanders?
Does he communicate with love, or is he harsh in his words?
Matt Smethurst: “Being double-tongued is not a minor flaw or personality quirk; it is a symptom of hypocritical pride. It’s consciously saying one thing to one group—and then saying or insinuating something else to a different group.”
Not Addicted to Much Wine
Does he drink alcohol?
Does he exercise self-control when it comes to his consumption of alcohol?
Do his close friends and family believe he controls his alcohol consumption?
Robert Yarbough: “All members of the church should lay hold of the grace of the gospel so as to rise above substance abuse; this behavior is all the more imperative for church-sanctioned figures like deacons.”
Not Greedy for Dishonest Gain
What is his attitude toward wealth and material possessions?
Does he give generously toward the ministries of the church, the needs of fellow Christians, and the needs of the poor?
Does he prioritize kingdom giving?
Is he honest in his financial dealings?
Matt Smethurst:“While these virtues mark any mature believer, the specific nature of diaconal work will sometimes put deacons in contact with church money. So Paul warns against installing anyone known for being deceptive, cutting moral corners, or obsessing over money. A worldly, materialistic person will struggle with greed, which will in turn fuel temptation toward dishonest gain. This should be an area, then, where a deacon displays unimpeachable self-control.”
Knowing and Holding to the Faith
Does he give a credible profession of saving faith?
Is he able to articulate the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Have you seen him grow in knowledge and godliness in the past year?
Robert Yarbough: “Paul’s counsel to Timothy assumes that deacons are not just busy activists but also capable and informed in matters pertaining to Christian teaching, experience, and to some extent the Scriptures (OT and any then-recognized NT) themselves.”
Juan Sanchez: “That’s why deacons must not only be equipped to offer physical care, they also need to be able to minister the truth of God’s word. I don’t mean that they need to be able to preach a 30-minute sermon. But they need to be able to pray biblically informed prayers. They need to be able to make biblically informed decisions. To do that, they ‘must hold the mystery of the faith.’”
Alexander Strauch: “A deacon must know the beliefs of the Christian faith, possess the faith, hold firmly to the faith, and live life consistently with ‘the mystery of the faith.’”
Tried and Proven Blameless
Is he blameless before man?
Is there any aspect of his character that would disqualify him?
Is there anything in his theology or doctrine that would disqualify him?
Alexander Strauch: “Being examined and shown to be “blameless” does not imply that the deacon is free of faults! All of us have character flaws, idiosyncrasies, and character traits that annoy others. Being proved “blameless” or “above reproach” relates specifically to the qualifications for office. A deacon who is found “blameless” in this regard is worthy of respect, truthful in speech, self-controlled in the use of wine, sound in doctrine and life, and a faithful husband, good father, and competent household manager.”
The Deacon’s Wife
If married, does he have a godly wife?
Is she a woman worthy of respect?
Is she likely to engage in slander or gossip?
Is she a devoted wife and mother?
Is she a faithful church member?
Does she go to church with him regularly?
Alexander Strauch: “Every aspect of the life of a deacon’s wife is to be marked by faithfulness, dependability, and reliability, so that she is worthy of respect and is a blessing to the whole church.”
The Deacon’s Household
Does he manage his household well?
Does he love his wife and serve her as Christ served the church?
Does he love his children and raise them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord?
Does the home he nurtures look significantly different from the home the world creates?
Alexander Strauch: “An elder or deacon must be above reproach in his marriage relationship as defined by the teachings of the whole of Scripture on sexuality and marriage.”
Alexander Strauch: “A Christian father is to be a teaching father who seizes every opportunity to instruct his children in the gospel and the Christian way of life.”
A Final Exhortation
In a Baptist church, one of the most crucial responsibilities of a church member is to elect godly men who meet the qualifications outlined in Scripture to serve as pastors and deacons. Therefore, strive to serve your local church well when you elect certain men to these positions, as this contributes to the overall health of your local church.
IVF is the Wild Wild West these days, especially in the United States. And the more you read about it, the more you realize the whole process reduces a human being to an expensive commodity. “Christians have good reason to call all IVF into question, not only because of the downstream possibilities of genetic selection and engineering but because the procedure itself undermines the integrity and dignity of human reproduction.”
I really enjoyed reading this article. Local churches would benefit if more Christians arrived at church a bit earlier and stayed a bit later. “Christianity is not a spectator sport. So, let’s get in the game — and stay there, side by side, Sunday after Sunday — until Jesus our King brings us safely home.”
Pastors experience the highs and lows of church life. We see people come to know Christ, and we see people apostatize. We observe individuals serving one another, and we see fellow Christians sin against each other. We see people join the church, and we see people leave the church. We receive words of encouragement, but we also encounter slanderous accusations. Amid all this, there is a temptation to focus on the negative aspects of church life. Tim Counts argues that we must resist this temptation.
Around this time last year, Conrad Mbewe lost his son. You’ll find this article heart-wrenching and edifying. “Thursday, November 16, 2023 — one year ago today — will be etched in my memory as the night that started the journey of my worst fears: losing a family member to the cold hand of death.”
I found this article to be very helpful. “In the past, many churches required people to make a pledge of total abstinence in order to join the church, or else expected total abstinence for church officers. In my childhood, my family attended a Baptist church where the “Church Covenant” was pasted inside the back cover of the church hymnal, and it included a promise to abstain from the “sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage” (if I remember the wording correctly). Anyone who wanted to become a member of the church had to agree to abide by that promise. But I would not favor or support such a requirement. It is requiring a standard of conduct stricter than the Bible itself. Neither Jesus (John 2:6–11) nor Paul (1 Tim. 5:23) could have joined such a church.” For those of you wondering, I agree with Wayne Grudem on this issue.
Evangelical Christians often focus heavily on the tribulation and the millennium. While these subjects are important, it would benefit many Christians to reflect more on the resurrection of the body and the New Earth. “We mustn’t miss this point: God created the world to function as his sanctuary—for heaven and earth to be one location—but this intention never came to pass. It’s like building a dream house and never moving in; God’s desire to dwell fully with humanity and creation never transpired in the way Genesis anticipated. On account of sin and disobedience, a great gulf separated heaven from earth. Yet God promised he would, at the end of history, bridge this gulf (see Isa. 40:1–5; 65:17; 66:22).”
Carl Trueman discusses the tragedy of IVF, an issue that Christians should pay much more attention to. “While I do not deny the humanity of the child born by IVF or surrogacy, the procedures do. The child in the womb is treated not as a person but as a thing, not as a subject but as an object, not as intrinsically valuable but as having value only as instrumental to some other end. This is something that many Christians fail to see.”
The Bible frequently uses physical maladies to illustrate spiritual maladies. Mitch Chase delves into how Scripture uses physical blindness to reveal spiritual blindness. “A person’s spiritual perception—or lack thereof—is revealed in how they respond to Jesus. The man who confessed Jesus is the one who truly sees. And these Pharisees, these teachers and leaders in Israel, are blind.”
The Bible is crucial for effective, fruitful, and productive ministry. Andreas Kostenberger provides a brief overview of why this is the case. “The Bible is unlike any other book. It is a library of 66 books. And it is not just an ancient artifact; it is alive! Through the Bible, God still speaks today. At the same time, the Bible contains diverse literary genres and thus requires careful interpretation. Yet the Bible is not a law book but a story about God’s love in Christ. The Bible is sufficient for all of life and espouses the life-giving truth of God.”
I knew there was always a need for more missionaries, but I was unaware that many of those who are sent do not stay in the field for very long. “Although the lack of workers for the harvest has been a persistent problem since the time of Christ, nowadays there is a new and noticeable trend in missions: those who go don’t necessarily stay. The definition of what it means “to stay” will differ from one person to the next. I won’t attempt to argue that point since I don’t have a concrete answer myself. What I’m pondering is the noticeable shift in less missionaries staying for an entire career or even a lifetime, compared to our predecessors throughout history.”
Many people lack understanding about the eternal state, particularly concerning what glorified saints will do for all of eternity on the New Earth. Thankfully, Benjamin Gladd provides us with some clarity. “According to a recent survey, roughly 73 percent of adults in the United States believe in heaven. Drilling down further, about 60 percent believe the afterlife entails a future free of suffering where we’ll have “perfectly healthy bodies.” But I suspect the majority have thought little about what they’ll do in these bodies for all eternity. This article considers what activities the church will perform for eternity as described in Revelation 22.”
Kevin DeYoung goes over 10 theories of the atonement. I was unaware of half of them! “Over the centuries, theologians have articulated several different theories or models of the atonement. Most of the models get something right, though some are much closer to the mark than others. We will look at ten models, concluding with penal substitution, which is at the heart of the atonement and the “theory” that holds all the biblical insights of the other theories together.”
Here’s a behind-the-scenes glance at the books I’ve read since April. (I usually post an On My Shelf blog every three months, but I’ve been slacking.) I’ve added a brief book description from Amazon to give you a taste of each book. Perhaps one of these books will garner your attention and compel you to add it to your cart! But let me mention a few things before you start scrolling:
I don’t agree with everything in every book I read
I’ve found all of these books helpful
I’ve found some of these books more helpful than others
In Pastor, Jesus Is Enough, Jeremy Writebol invites pastors to hear the words of the risen Jesus in the seven letters within Revelation 2–3:
Pastors love Jesus most
Pastors suffer
Pastors teach and tell the truth
Pastors become like Jesus
Pastors abide in Jesus
Pastors find their value in Jesus
Pastors repent
The exhortations in Revelation 2–3 are directed to churches. But they also exhort pastors. In these letters, Jesus draws near to pastors―whether hurting or straying―and reminds them of his sufficiency. In these warnings and promises, Jesus has hard words for pastors. But they are words of life. Most of all, Jesus urges pastors to keep their focus on him. Being enough is exhausting. But pastor, the good news is that you cannot be enough. Because only Jesus is enough.
What does a community that testifies to God’s power look like? God’s people are called to a togetherness and commitment that transcends all natural boundaries―whether ethnic, generational, or economic. But such a community can be enjoyed only when it relies on the power of God in the gospel.
In The Compelling Community, pastors Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop cast a captivating vision for authentic fellowship in the local church that goes beyond small groups. Full of biblical principles and practical advice, this book will help pastors lead their congregations toward the kind of community that glorifies God, edifies his people, and attracts the lost.
America’s Religious History is an up-to-date, narrative-based introduction to the unique role of faith in American history. Moving beyond present-day polemics to understand the challenges and nuances of our religious past, leading historian Thomas S. Kidd interweaves religious history and key events from the larger story of American history, including:
The Great Awakening
The American Revolution
Slavery and the Civil War
Civil rights and church-state controversy
Immigration, religious diversity, and the culture wars
Useful for both classroom and personal study, America’s Religious History provides a balanced, authoritative assessment of how faith has shaped American life and politics.
Imagine . . . an interconnected group of people who entrust themselves to each other. You can speak of your pain, and someone responds with compassion and prayer. You can speak of your joys, and someone rejoices with you. You can ask for help with sinful struggles, and someone prays with you.
The goal of this book is that these meaningful relationships will become a natural part of daily life in your church. With short chapters and discussion questions meant to be read in a group setting, Ed Welch guides small groups through eight lessons that show what it looks like when ordinary, needy people care for other ordinary, needy people in everyday life.
Will Jesus’s return be preceded by a single world government? Will every person have a government-issued ID or mark? Does Christ return once or twice? Will believers go through a Great Tribulation? Will there be a literal battle of Armageddon? Does it even matter what we believe about future events?
Biblical prophecies about the end times have confused, confounded, and even divided God’s people for centuries. But the reason Scripture gives us hints about the future is to provide the encouragement we need to endure the present, confident that God keeps his promises.
In this balanced look at four major views of the end times, bestselling author Bryan Chapell explains the primary ways Christians have interpreted biblical prophecy about the last days, not so that we might pick a hill to die on but so that we can cling to what unites us in Christ. No matter what end times view we find most compelling, in God’s plans we can find strength for today and hope for tomorrow.
How we get reliable guidance is always a hot topic for Christians. Should we wait for a personal ‘word’ from the Lord, perhaps delivered by some mysterious process? Does God have anything to say about the daily matters that concern his people? Can the Bible be involved in our understanding the will of God for our lives, considering that it was written when so much that is familiar to us was not dreamt of? Perhaps most importantly of all, the dangers of personal decision and guidance without considering our relationship with others, particularly the believing community, are raised. Tim Chester addresses the issues and provides clear, thoughtful biblical answers. Reflections on each section and a final decision-making checklist make this a truly practical and readable guide.
What’s the big deal about baptism? Jesus commands his disciples to be baptized, and it’s a glorious picture of a person’s union with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Still, many Christians feel unclear about the topic, having more questions than answers. This short work provides a biblical explanation of baptism. What is it? Who should be baptized? Why is it required for church membership? And how should churches practice baptism?
Thomas Chalmers wrote that Owen’s book on Spiritual-Mindedness holds ‘a distinguished rank among the voluminous writings of this celebrated author’. For him three features made it very special: -The force with which it applies truth to the conscience. -The way Owen plumbs the depths of Christian experience as a skillful physician of the soul. -The uncovering of the secrets of the mind and heart so that the true spiritual state of the reader is discovered. This book began life as a collection of meditations on Romans 8:6, which were written for the author’s own benefit during a time of illness. Alarmed by the subtle power the world exercises over the mind, Owen shows us how to really live by raising our thoughts above all earthly objects and setting them on ‘things above, where Christ is’ (Col. 3:1) A favorite book of William Wilberforce, it contains some passages which are not surpassed in all of Owen’s writings. It comes from the pen of a tender-hearted pastor whose only purpose is to encourage the believer in the ongoing battle against sin. So if you feel overwhelmed by the power of worldliness then this is definitely the book for you!
The world has never been more distracting—joy has never been more possible.
You live with a massive amount of distraction:
desperate headlines
smartphone scrolling
an endless to-do list
Not to mention the nagging questions of your heart:
Am I making the right decision?
Am I with the right person?
Will my past mistakes keep me from my best future?
Through the pithy and inspiring storytelling that has endeared him to millions, New York Times bestselling author Bob Goff invites you to laugh with more gusto, dream with more confidence, and love with more intention in this disarming call to live Undistracted. Bob’s stories are like the rumble strips on the road that make you suddenly alert to how far you have drifted from your lane. From visiting friends in San Quentin to accidentally getting into a stalker’s car at the airport to establishing Uganda’s first space program, Bob shows you the way back to an audaciously attentive life. Your undistracted life is an adventure waiting to happen. What stories will you live with undistracted purpose and unstoppable joy?
Poverty is much more than simply a lack of material resources, and it takes much more than donations and handouts to solve it. When Helping Hurts shows how some alleviation efforts, failing to consider the complexities of poverty, have actually (and unintentionally) done more harm than good.
But it looks ahead. It encourages us to see the dignity in everyone, to empower the materially poor, and to know that we are all uniquely needy—and that God in the gospel is reconciling all things to himself.
Focusing on both North American and Majority World contexts, When Helping Hurts provides proven strategies for effective poverty alleviation, catalyzing the idea that sustainable change comes not from the outside in, but from the inside out.
Chosen by God by Dr. R. C. Sproul is a contemporary classic on predestination, a doctrine that isn’t just for Calvinists. It is a doctrine for all biblical Christians. In this updated and expanded edition of Chosen by God, Sproul shows that the doctrine of predestination doesn’t create a whimsical or spiteful picture of God, but rather paints a portrait of a loving God who provides redemption for radically corrupt humans.
We choose God because he has opened our eyes to see his beauty; we love him because he first loved us. There is mystery in God’s ways, but not contradiction.
Pastor, it’s time to turn down the noise and focus on what matters.
Today’s pastoral world is packed with books, conferences, and seminars teaching you different techniques for being an all-star pastor, growing your church quickly, and changing the world. But the key to true success is much harder and much simpler. Pastors are called to be faithful, to have exemplary character, and to love Jesus. Without faithfulness, their ministry ends up harming others rather than helping them. Churches need pastors with sound doctrine and a sound life.
Character Matters was written to help you slow down, cut through the noise and distractions, and focus on what matters—the fruit of the Spirit. Each chapter is a guided, biblical meditation on one aspect of each piece of the fruit of the Spirit. As you reflect and focus on the simple things that matter, you’ll see your heart change and your ministry follow, slowly, surely, and by the power of the Spirit.
“In this book, Alex DiPrima has produced what many others have failed to deliver: a one-volume biography of Spurgeon that tells the story with power, insight, and due recognition of his historical significance.”
—R. Albert Mohler Jr., president, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Alex DiPrima paints a fresh portrait of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the most well-known gospel minister of the nineteenth century. By providing social, historical, and religious context, DiPrima helps us comprehend the scope of Spurgeon’s ministry in London. Combining academic expertise with popular presentation, this short biography of the famed Prince of Preachers will be the go-to introduction to Spurgeon for years to come.
How to build a culture of truly effective gospel-sharing in your church.
Your church’s sermons often include a call to evangelize. You’ve held evangelism training events. You give out invites to your Christmas and Easter services. So… where are all the new Christians? Is your church actually reaching the lost with the gospel?
For many of us, despite having the best intentions our churches struggle to reach out with the gospel effectively. J.A. Medders and Doug Logan Jr. have decades of experience in leading churches and mentoring pastors, and here they outline six principles for cultivating a genuine evangelistic culture throughout your church.
Includes case studies from a variety of different cultures and contexts to give you practical ideas for implementing these six principles.
How deeply have leftist billionaires infiltrated America’s churches?
In Shepherds for Sale, Megan Basham of the Daily Wire documents how progressive powerbrokers —from George Soros, to the founder of eBay, to former members of the Obama administration— set out to change the American church. Their goal: to co-opt evangelicals for political purposes. She exposes:
The left-wing billionaires, foundations, and think tanks that deliberately target Christian media, universities, megachurches, nonprofits, and even entire denominations
The left-wing billionaires, foundations, and think tanks that deliberately target Christian media, universities, megachurches, nonprofits, and even entire denominations
The celebrity megachurch pastor who secretly encouraged a group of pastors to change their views on sexuality
The revered Presbyterian theologian who backed a congregation rebelling against his own denomination
These are just a glimpse into the compromises and astroturf campaigns Basham uncovers. Many evangelical leaders are pushing their members to “whisper” about sexual sins, reconsider the importance of abortion, lament the effects of climate change, and repent of “perpetuating systemic racism.” And in exchange for toeing a left-wing line, many of those church leaders and institutions have received cash, career jumps, prestige, and praise. Basham brings the receipts, and names names.
A rigorously reported exposé, Shepherds for Sale is a warning of what happens when the church trusts the world’s wisdom instead of Scripture.
Commentaries on the Sermon on the Mount
Back in August, I began a sermon series on Matthew 5-7, The Sermon on the Mount. Here are some of the commentaries I am using:
A spiritual classic, this detailed and comprehensive study by one of the greatest expository preachers of our time explains Christ’s teaching in the Sermon on the Mount and incisively applies it to the Christian life.
With characteristic vigor and emotional vitality Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents a brilliant and detailed exposition of one of the best known but most frequently misunderstood passages of Scripture. Here is a comprehensive and exhaustive study of our Lord’s words as recorded in Matthew chapter five. This beautiful portion of the Sermon on the Mount is carefully analysed, its contents outlined and thoughtfully arranged, and vastly rich and abundant truths are gleaned for the reader’s spiritual nurture.
The author brought a wealth of devoted study as well as a profound spiritual appreciation to the work of interpreting this greatest address of our delightful experience in meditation. It presents depth of thought in simple language and beauty of style and contains a veritable thesaurus of spiritual truths drawn from the entire Bible.
Matthew 5-7, popularly known as the Sermon on the Mount, has been described as “the essence of Christianity” and inspired many commentaries. However, New Testament professor Charles Quarles believes a fair number of those volumes either present Christ’s sermon as containing an impossible spiritual ethic or instead dilute its message so much that hardly any ethical challenge remains. Also concerning, a recent Gallup poll indicated only onethird of American adults recognize Jesus as the source of this teaching that has often inspired people who do not even embrace evangelical Christianity.
Quarles’ new analysis, part of the New American Commentary Studies in Bible & Theology series, aims to fill the gap between these extremes by dealing with the important questions of whether believers can live by the Sermon on the Mount today, and, if so, how. Looking at the Beatitudes, what it means to be salt and light, and the demand for superior righteousness, he writes to restore this crucial section of our Lord’s teaching to its proper place in His church.
The Beatitudes, written by Thomas Watson, is an exposition of Matthew 5:1-12. Thomas Watson was a prominent Nonconformist Puritan and religious author. Watson was born and raised in England and was a popular preacher until the Restoration. He is now best remembered for his many popular Christian books such as A Body of Divinity, The Godly Man’s Picture, and The Doctrine of Repentance.
The three chapters of Matthew known as the Sermon on the Mount contain truths so rich and powerful that even a lifetime of study could not exhaust their depths. For centuries, Jesus’s majestic portrait of the kingdom of heaven and his unparalleled instructions for godliness have captivated Christians and non-Christians alike. In this classic commentary, now revised with a fresh look and ESV Bible references, seasoned pastor R. Kent Hughes guides readers through this glorious portion of the Bible with exegetical precision, expositional clarity, and practical sensitivity. Whether used by preachers, small group leaders, or individual laypersons, this resource will prove invaluable for illuminating the Sermon on the Mount’s enduring power to enliven hearts and transform minds.
The Old Testament looked forward to the final King of kings who would bring everlasting salvation and peace. In his Gospel, Matthew demonstrates that Jesus Christ is that King, perfect in His eternal glory and majesty. As the King’s ambassadors, Christians today will find in Matthew great motivation for heartfelt worship and service.
Join John MacArthur as he explains each verse of Matthew 1–7 in a way that is both doctrinally precise and intensely practical. Taking into account the cultural, theological, and Old Testament contexts of each passage, MacArthur tackles interpretive challenges and fairly evaluates differing views, giving the reader confidence in his conclusions.
The MacArthur New Testament Commentary series comes from the experience, wisdom, and insight of one of the most trusted ministry leaders and Bible scholars of our day. Each volume was written to be as comprehensive and accurate as possible, dealing thoroughly with every key phrase and word in the Scripture without being unnecessarily technical. This commentary will help to give a better, fuller, richer understanding of God’s Word, while challenging the reader to a vibrant personal spiritual walk.
Sermons on the Beatitudes
I began my sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount with a mini-series on the Beatitudes. I have attached links to the audio recordings of each sermon.
I love The Sermon on the Mount. It opens up our eyes to the ethics of the Kingdom of God. It reveals to us what kind of people we ought to be as Spirit filled followers of Christ. And one section that I find particularly helpful is Matthew 5:38-42. This is the small section I want to focus on in this blog. Here is the passage in full:
“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 the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.”
Let’s start with verse 38:
Verse 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’”
As is common throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins with a quotation of the Old Testament Law. He quotes Exodus 21:23-25 where the Law said, “But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” And once again, as poor interpreters of the Bible, the Scribes and the Pharisees missed the Spirit of this particular law and created a simple, basic, and twisted interpretation of this law.
You see, they used this law in everyday life. If somebody does this to you then you are to do that to them. So, if they burn your house down, then you are to burn their house down. If they gouge your eye out, then you are to gouge their eye out. They pretty much used this Old Testament Law to enact personal vengeance on the one who did them wrong. This same misinterpretation is also seen with Donald Trump, for he did say that this was his favorite Bible verse….I digress though!
In interpreting this Old Testament law this way, they missed the Spirit of it. God did not give this law so that we could bring about vengeance on the one who wronged us. Rather, He gave us this law to address and restrain man’s great, evil desire for retaliation.
You see, naturally, when somebody does something against us, we want to defend ourselves to the utmost. We want to retaliate. We want retribution. And we normally do not want to retaliate by inflicting the same harm on them as they did to us. Rather, we want to inflict more harm on them than they did to us.
For example, if somebody says something against you that is very offensive and hurtful, your natural desire is to either say something more hurtful, or possibly even to do something physically harmful, to them. This is that evil desire to retaliate, and it comes from a deep prideful desire to defend ourselves. I mean, how dare somebody wrong us (sarcasm emplied)!
With this in mind, this law seeks to restrain this evil desire that we have. It tells us that we must not carry out our fleshly desire for retaliation. We must not be so eager to defend ourselves that we move beyond legitimate retribution and into unjust actions.
The Scribes and the Pharisees were not thinking this way though. Christ, being a good interpreter of the Law and having the mind of God, is about to give us a proper understanding of the purpose of this particular law. And then, right after this, Christ is going to gives us an incredible teaching on how, when this law is interpreted rightly, it reveals that we should not be so eager to defend ourselves. Let’s look at verse 39.
Verse 39 “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
So Christ says that we are not to “Resist the one who is evil.” Which we can take to mean “do not oppose, or set yourself against an evil person.” Therefore, we are to accept the one who is evil. And then Christ is going to give us four examples of what this kingdom ethic looks like. He is going to show us what this practically looks like in different areas of life. He starts with this,“If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
Now, just to clarify quickly, Jesus is speaking about his disciples personally. He is not speaking about nations, capitol punishment, or wars. Also, he is not talking about defending yourself from a physical attack on your life. Nor he is talking about evading an attack on your life. He is simply teaching us how we ought to live as Christians when evil people wrong us.
With that said, a slap on the right cheek was regarded as one of the most insulting things in ancient Israel. It was a shameful thing to be slapped in the face. And Christ says that his people are not to retaliate, or oppose, those who insult and shame them. Rather, we are to turn our other cheek to them. We are to let them insult and shame us without opposition! Our Lord is the perfect example of this. If you want to apply this your life, then take Jesus as the example.
It says in 1 Peter 2:23, “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” Christ was consistently reviled and mocked, but he never threatened those who reviled and mocked Him. Rather, He entrusted himself to God. Paul imitated Christ well in this regard. He says that he blesses those who revile him (1 Cor. 4:12).
Thus, as disciples, we turn away from the desire to retaliate. We turn away from the evil desire to defend ourselves. Rather, we entrust ourselves to God and bless those that are opposed to us. This is the first example that he gives. Now let’s look at verse 40 to see the second example that Jesus gives.
Verse 40 “And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
This has to do with legal rights. Within ancient Israel, if you wronged somebody then they would sue you in order to take your tunic. This was legal. However, it was illegal for someone to sue you for your cloak (Ex. 22:25-27).
And what Christ is saying here is that we are not to insist upon our legal rights. If you have done something wrong and that person sues you for your tunic, then do not insist on your individual legal rights by merely giving him your tunic. Go beyond what the legal law requires of you. Give him both your tunic and your cloak.
This teaching is beautifully illustrated in the life of Zacchaeus. Once Zacchaeus came to faith in Christ, he wanted to pay back those whom he wronged as a crooked tax collector. However, he didn’t want to simply give them the exact sum that he took from them. Rather, he gave them four times as much as he took from them (Luke 19:5-10)! He went beyond the legal obligation.
This is what we do as disciples of Christ. Those who are overly concerned about themselves will only meet the legal requirement that is placed on them. Those who live empowered by the Spirit will go further than the civil law would ever tell them to because they are followers of Christ. That is the second example that Christ gives. The next example is found in the following verse.
Verse 41 “And if anyone forces you to go with him one mile, go with him two miles.”
Here, Christ is telling us not to insist upon our civil rights. According to Roman law, if the Romans were going through a town, let’s say Capernaum, they could lawfully ask a citizen of Capernaum to carry some type of burden for a mile. When that mile was over, the citizen was free to return. Then the Romans would get another individual to carry it a mile.
So, with this in mind, Christ tells them not to merely do what was required of them as a citizen. Rather, they are to do more. If they ask you to fulfill your obligation by carrying a burden for one mile, carry that burden for two miles. Christ is simply getting at our selfishness, isn’t he? In our flesh we simply want to do what is required of us. Christ is bidding us here to die to the flesh and do more! That is the third example. The fourth and last example Christ gives us is found in verse 42.
Verse 42 “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.”
Here, Christ is speaking about personal possessions. His disciples are not to be a people that are selfish and stingy. We naturally, in our flesh, say, “I worked hard for this so why should I give it to you?” We say, “This is my money, this is my house, and this is my car.” We are so focused on ourselves that it keeps us from being generous and ready to share.
But as disciples, we are to be a generous people. We are not to insist upon our ownership of things. Rather, we are to be a people that freely give. This is what the early church was doing. Luke writes, “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need” (Acts 2:44-45).
Conclusion
Christ is challenging the popular interpretation of, “An eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth.” In doing so, he is revealing that that law was actually established to restrain us from retaliating in harmful and extreme ways. Then he shows us what a good, pure, and righteous ethic is for citizens within His kingdom. He shows us that, as Spirit filled disciples, we are not to be a people that are vehemently committed to self. Rather, we are to be a selfless people. We do not insist on legitimate retribution, legal rights, civil rights, or our own possessions. We relinquish our rights for the sake of living a selfless life to the glory of God.
Doctrine & Devotion 