Matthew 5:46
Chuck Smith explores the meaning of being perfect like God, emphasizing the importance of going beyond natural man and living according to the dynamic ethic of the Father.
Chuck Smith explores the profound implications of Matthew 5:46, emphasizing that Christians are called to exceed the moral standards of non-Christians. He highlights that true perfection, as defined by Jesus, is not merely about adhering to laws but about embodying a higher righteousness that reflects God's character. Smith encourages believers to pursue goals that align with the spirit of the law, focusing on inner attitudes and a deep hunger for righteousness. He asserts that this perfection is attainable through a relationship with God as our Father, which transforms our ethical framework and empowers us to live beyond mere compliance.
Text
"WHAT DO YE MORE THAT OTHERS?"
Intro: Most searching and challenging scriptures. Impossible to just put injunction, "Be ye
perfect into practice."
I. FIRST INTIMATION, A CHRISTIAN DOES MORE THAN A PERSON WHO IS NOT A CHRISTIAN.
A. Systems of religious thought outside of Christianity have led man to moral beauties
and excellent character.
B. A Christian does what others cannot do.
1. He goes beyond natural man at his best and highest.
2. "Except your righteousness exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees."
II. DECLARATION - "BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT EVEN AS YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT."
A. Beware of exposition that would take these high words of Jesus and try to
accommodate them to the low living of experience.
B. Examine Greek word (perfect).
1. To set out for a given point, traveling toward a goal (root idea..
2. From this word another derived - to arrive, a result, a termination.
3. From this word came the word translated perfect. Word means realization,
arrival at goal.
4. Classical Greek word used for adults over against children.
5. Ambiguity of the word.
a. Babe in mother's arms, is it perfect?
b. Youth not in teens, is he perfect?
c. A few more years, is he perfect?
6. Perfection is reaching a given limit.
III. WHAT ARE SOME OF CHRISTIAN GOALS?
A. Thinking Christian goes beyond natural man in his thinking.
1. Natural man may obey law but never go beyond it.
the second mile.
2. Christian concerned with spirit of law.
B. Morality - Christian hungers and thirsts for righteousness.
C. Sin - what about my heart - attitude inside.
IV. HOW CAN THIS PERFECTION BE ATTAINED?
A. "That ye may be children of your Father."
1. God has become Father to the Christian.
2. To others He is God, nothing else.
B. Word Father suggests dynamic as ethic.
Sermon Outline
- A Christian Does More Than a Non-Christian points: - Moral beauties and excellent character - Going beyond natural man at his best and highest
- Declaration - Be Ye Therefore Perfect points: - Beware of accommodation to low living - Examine the Greek word 'perfect'
- Christian Goals points: - Thinking beyond natural man - Morality and hunger for righteousness - Sin and attitude of the heart
- Attaining Perfection points: - Being children of God - Dynamic ethic of the Father
Key Quotes
“WHAT DO YE MORE THAT OTHERS?” — Chuck Smith
“Except your righteousness exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees.” — Chuck Smith
“To set out for a given point, traveling toward a goal (root idea..)” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- As a Christian, I am called to go beyond natural man and live according to the spirit of the law.
- I must hunger and thirst for righteousness and strive to be perfect like God.
- My attitude and heart are just as important as my actions, and I must seek to be perfect in both.