Main Scripture Reference - Matthew 5:38-42
Other Scripture References: Matthew 5:43-48; Colossians 1:21-22; Romans 13:11-14

INTRO–‘We like Revenge’Read Matthew 5:38-42

Who doesn’t love a good revenge story or a story where justice is finally served? You probably are like most people and understand payback to be a natural part of living especially when you are unjustly hurt or feel you have received undeserved pain or indignity. However, Jesus clearly has another reaction in mind when he says don’t retaliate and go the extra mile in those circumstances. It seems like Jesus has it all wrong to suggest this but maybe Jesus has it right and you have it wrong, taking a broken and confused world and flipping it right side up.

• What is your favorite revenge or payback movie or story? Why do you like it so much?


• Why do you think we respond so easily in revenge to perceived injustice or pain?

REVENGE–‘The Way Out’

The problem with revenge is that it doesn’t make the score even or right as promised, but usually creates a cycle of escalating payback from one person to the other. Revenge operates according to the law of compounding interest; whatever you do to me I’m going to do back to you with interest. What starts as a small or trivial issue often erupts into a huge rift between you and that person, whether family, friend or co-worker. What Jesus offers is a way out of this cycle and slavery to revenge. When you turn the other cheek or go the extra mile you are freeing yourself from the power and control of revenge as well as the other person and taking steps to live in the control and freedom of Christ.

• Have you ever experienced an escalating cycle of revenge with another person? What happened?


• Has someone ever forgiven you and even loved you, when you didn’t deserve it? How did that make you feel?


• Have you ever experienced the freedom that comes from going the extra mile? What did you do?

JESUS–‘The Way Up’Read Matthew 5:43-48 & Colossians 1:21-22

Not only does Jesus offer a way out of the cycle of revenge, but a way up, pointing you to the higher calling of living in the power of God. When you love your enemies you are actually living out of your “true self” that God created. Being made in the image of God, you were born for relationships and being in healthy relationships is the vital part to being a human being. Revenge and retaliation destroys that aspect of life. Real power is not found in hatred or revenge but found in self-giving love that has no enemies and literally can change the world.

• Self-giving is a powerful force in this world. How can you begin to live out this kingdom principle today?


• Has God ever shown up in your ‘going the extra mile’ to forgive or love someone in the face of pain or hate? What happened?

THE KINGDOM –‘Your Responsibility’Read Romans 13:11-14

This Christ like ability to love your enemies not only can change the world but is in essence the very Kingdom of Heaven that has already broken into this world with the love and sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. If you want to live in the Kingdom you have a responsibility as a kingdom-subject to seek reconciliation instead of revenge, love instead of hate, and peace instead of ongoing hostility. This is the way of Jesus.

• Have you ever had a healthy close relationship totally destroyed by the cyclical nature of revenge? Can you begin to heal that relationship today?


• How can you make this world more like the Kingdom of Heaven by going the extra mile, even when you don’t feel like it?