The Unreasonable Way of Jesus
Matthew 5:38-42
Summary
Preaching Matthew 5:38-42 in the "Jesus Said What?" series, Pastor Kent Keller calls Christchurch into "the company of the second mile" on the first Sunday of a new year. Jesus overturns the world's eye-for-an-eye instinct and calls his people to go against what the world says to do, above what it says to give, and farther than it says to go. The model is Jesus himself, who left heaven and went the second mile for us, and the call lands in something as simple and concrete as unreasonable hospitality toward the next stranger who walks through the door.
Sermon Outline
- 1
People you can count on: the second milers ▶ 9:46
Keller introduces friends who under-promise and over-deliver, like caterer Bill Hanson, as a picture of going the second mile.
- 2
Reading Matthew 5:38-42 and Jesus turning the status quo upside down ▶ 12:24
Jesus says "you have heard... but I say to you," challenging conventional wisdom and giving the series its name.
- 3
Go against what the world tells you to do ▶ 17:18
Turn the other cheek instead of striking back; eye-for-an-eye was a limit on vengeance, not a license for it.
- 4
Models of grace: Mandela, Lincoln, and supremely Jesus ▶ 21:38
Keller holds up forgiving leaders, then the dying Christ praying "Father, forgive them," as the ultimate second mile.
- 5
Go above what the world says to give ▶ 25:25
Two outlooks on life are contrasted: minimal effort that leaves no trace versus stewardship that gives generously and finds meaning.
- 6
I can't out-give God: the gift of giving ▶ 28:21
Mr. Gilbert's testimony and the spiritual gift of giving illustrate open-handed generosity in the body of Christ.
- 7
Go farther than the world says to go: unreasonable hospitality ▶ 31:03
Will Guidara's restaurant stories and Nita Nolan's first welcome challenge the church to take strangers by the hand.
Key Points
- Jesus calls his followers to go the second mile, above and beyond what the world expects.
- We go against the world by refusing retaliation and turning the other cheek, which takes the grace of God.
- Eye-for-an-eye was given to limit vengeance and make the punishment fit the crime, not to command revenge.
- Generosity flows from seeing everything we have as a stewardship from God rather than something to hoard.
- Jesus is the supreme second miler, leaving heaven and giving his life so that we might be saved.
- Unreasonable hospitality is concrete: notice the person sitting alone and personally welcome them in.
Quotable Moments
“Christianity has not been tried and found wanting. Rather, it has been found difficult and left untried.” ▶ 18:28
“But Jesus says, not so with my people. My people go above and beyond. My people go way above and beyond what this world expects.” ▶ 16:44
“He looked down from the cross and uttered the ten most unbelievable words ever uttered in the history of humanity. Father, forgive them. For they don't know what they're doing.” ▶ 25:08
“He went way beyond what was required. He became one of us. Took us by the hand. And leads us into the presence of God.” ▶ 36:46
Discussion Questions
- 1
Who in your life is a true "second miler," someone whose yes you can completely count on? What makes them that way?
- 2
When someone wrongs you, what is your first instinct, and how does turning the other cheek confront it?
- 3
Keller describes two outlooks on life: minimal effort versus joyful stewardship. Which is more natural for you right now, and why?
- 4
How does seeing Jesus go the second mile for us change the way we think about giving and serving?
- 5
Who is one person, a newcomer or someone on the edge, you could personally welcome with "unreasonable hospitality" this week?
Take It With You
- This week, choose not to retaliate in one situation where you would normally strike back, and ask God for the grace to turn the other cheek.
- Examine your giving and take one concrete step toward open-handed, sacrificial generosity rather than minimal effort.
- On Sunday, look for someone alone or new and personally walk them in, introduce yourself, or sit with them.
The study guide above (summary, outline, key points, quotes, questions) was generated from the sermon transcript with AI and reviewed by our team. Spot something off? Let us know.
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