The golden rule – treat others the way you want to be treated. Summarizing the sermon on the mount – this powerful principle covers much.
The Golden Rule
Overview
Matt 7:12; Luke 6:31
- Introduction
- With God’s commandments
- Worldwide harmony
- As Sermon Summary
Discussion
Objectives
To understand how the golden rule summarizes
- The law
- The sermon on the mount
To apply it to our personal lives
Bible Passage
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matt 7:12
The Golden Rule is a summation of Christ’s sermon on the mount in the preceding verses and chapters.
Cross references
Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. Romans 13:8
Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law. Romans 13:10
The entire Law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself. “Galatians 5:14
If you really keep the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. James 2:8
First four commandments- Honour God
Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image..
7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,
8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exodus 20
Last six commandments - Honour others
12 “Honor your father and your mother…
13 “You shall not murder.
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
17 “You shall not covet …Exodus 20
Derivations of the Golden Rule
Give God his due place
Treat others as you want them to treat you
As you want God to treat you.
Harmony
The heavenly bodies are in alignment.
The Trinity is in Alignment
When we are in harmony with God…
We are in harmony with each other
Why Is Creation groaning?
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:22
It’s all about perfection, not patchwork.
It’s all about giving, not receiving.
A perfection – only possible through Christ.
God is our rewarder
God gives as we give(6:4)
God forgives as we forgive (6:12)
God rewards as we love (5:47)
God judges as we judge (7:1)
Love as God has loved (5:44,45)
God blesses as we bless (5:7-11)
Be perfect as God is perfect (5:48)
And many more…..
Sermon Summary
Beattitudes – Attitude to God and others, result
Salt and Light – Sharing God effectively
Christ fulfilling the law in the Spirit of the law with obedience and harmony
Spirit of the Law regarding:
Lust – in thought
Oaths – respect and fear God before promising
Retaliation – even in word or thought is harmful
Love your enemies – deep from your heart
Sermon Summary(cont’d..)
Giving – give as you want to be given
Prayer- relationship, forgive as you want to be forgiven
Fasting – relationship with God
Treasures in heaven – heavenly investments yield heavenly rewards
Anxiety – Fill yourself with God, God will fulfill your needs
Judging – Judge as you want to be judged
Ask, seek, knock – Live God’s way, lead God’s way
Discussion
1.How does the golden rule cover and sum up all rules?
2.How does the golden rule (which appears to be interpersonal) affect our relationship, reward with God?
3.How can we wrong others in thoughts, words and deeds ie. not treated them as we want to be treated?
4.What are some gaps in our lives with respect to the Golden rule. How can we fill them?