Matthew 7:12
The Golden Rule, as taught by Jesus, is a summary of the law and the prophets, and it is meant to be practiced in our daily lives.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of the Golden Rule as articulated in Matthew 7:12, urging believers to treat others as they wish to be treated. He highlights the importance of context, particularly in relation to grace and mercy, and contrasts the negative formulations of this principle found in other philosophies with Jesus' positive command. Smith encourages self-reflection on how we desire to be treated in various situations, asserting that this rule encapsulates the essence of the law and the prophets. Ultimately, he calls for the practical application of this principle in our daily lives, rather than merely acknowledging its wisdom.
Text
"THE GOLDEN RULE"
I. "THEREFORE."
A. It forces us to immediately consider the context.
1. Our prayer for grace.
a. Realizing our shortcomings, "Ask."
b. I desire people to understand my failures.
c. I want them to be patiently with my weakness.
2. "Judge not lest ye be judged."
a. I want people to be merciful toward me.
II. "WHATSOEVER YE WOULD THAT MEN SHOULD DO TO YOU, DO YE EVEN SO TO THEM."
A. This idea had been expressed many times in the negative.
1. Confucius, "What you do not want done to yourself do not do to others."
2. Stoics basic maxim. "What you do not wish to be done to you, do not to
anyone."
B. Jesus was the first to put it in a positive form.
1. It makes such a great difference.
a. You may spend your life not doing any mean things to others.
2. So many justify their actions of cheating.
a. They forgot: "You have to live some way; you're going to die
someday."
C. How do you want others to treat you?
1. When you have made a mistake?
2. When you are discouraged?
3. When you are in need?
D. What kind of things do you want people to say about you?
1. Kind.
2. Good things.
3. I want people to be friendly, loving, understanding.
Ill. "FOR THIS IS THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS."
A. The law deals with our relationship with God and man.
1. God first, man second.
2. You cannot have a right relationship with God and a wrong relationship with
man.
B. The law is set out in l0 commandments.
1. Eight neg. prohibitions.
2. Two positive demands.
a. Remember the Sabbath.
b. Hone thy father and mother.
C. Jesus summarizes in one positive phrase.
1. This statement by Jesus has been widely acclaimed, "The Golden Rule," "The
ideal rule of life."
2. It was not meant to be praised but practiced.
3. He means for you to put it into practice.
Sermon Outline
- The Context of the Golden Rule points: - Considering the Context - Our Prayer for Grace - Realizing our shortcomings, 'Ask.' - I desire people to understand my failures. - I want them to be patiently with my weakness.
- The Golden Rule points: - The Idea of the Golden Rule - Expressed in the Negative - Confucius, 'What you do not want done to yourself do not do to others.' - Stoics basic maxim. 'What you do not wish to be done to you, do not to anyone.'
- It makes such a great difference. points: - Jesus' Positive Form - 'They forgot: ''You have to live some way; you''re going to die someday.''' - So many justify their actions of cheating.
- When you have made a mistake? points: - How We Want to be Treated - When you are discouraged? - When you are in need?
- Kind. points: - What Kind of Things We Want People to Say - Good things. - I want people to be friendly, loving, understanding.
- The Law and the Prophets points: - The Law Deals with Our Relationship - God first, man second. - You cannot have a right relationship with God and a wrong relationship with man.
- Eight neg. prohibitions. points: - The Law is Set Out in 10 Commandments - Two positive demands. - Remember the Sabbath. - Hone thy father and mother.
- This statement by Jesus has been widely acclaimed, 'The Golden Rule,' 'The ideal rule of life.' points: - Jesus Summarizes in One Positive Phrase - It was not meant to be praised but practiced. - He means for you to put it into practice.
Key Quotes
“You may spend your life not doing any mean things to others.” — Chuck Smith
“They forgot: ''You have to live some way; you''re going to die someday.''” — Chuck Smith
“He means for you to put it into practice.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Treat others the way you want to be treated.
- Practice the Golden Rule in your daily life.
- Remember that the Golden Rule is a summary of the law and the prophets.