The Second Mile

March 11, 2015 Save Article

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Matthew 5:38-48 (Program: 2096, Air date: 1.18.2015)

1. INTRODUCTION
   1. The key to living with a smile is a Christ-centered life.
   2. The Christ-filled life is the self-emptied life.
   3. The second mile is the smile mile.

2. THE SECOND MILE IS THE MASTERY MILE. (Matthew 5:41)
   1. In Jesus’ day, the Romans implemented what was called, “The Roman Mile.”
      1. A Roman soldier could demand that a Jew carry a burden for one mile.
      2. This was done to subjugate the land as well as humiliate its inhabitants.
   2. We need to do more than the legalists.
      1. Matthew 5:20
      2. Matthew 5:46-47
   3. Life is lived on three levels:
      1. The hellish level
         1. Returns evil for good.
      2. The human level
         1. Returns evil for evil and good for good.
      3. The heavenly level
         1. Returns good for evil.
   4. We have no control over the first mile. The first mile is master over us.
   5. We have control over the second mile.

3. THE SECOND MILE IS THE CHARITY MILE. (Matthew 5:38-44)
   1. The first mile is legalism.
   2. The second mile is love.
   3. When do we need to go the second mile?
      1. We go the second mile when our dignity is degraded.
         1. Matthew 5:38
         2. Romans 12:17-20
      2. We go the second mile when our adversary is victorious.
         1. Matthew 5:40
         2. Luke 19:8
      3. We go the second mile when we have a brother or sister in need.
         1. Matthew 5:42
         2. Psalm 112:5
      4. We go the second mile when we are misused or abused.
         1. Matthew 5:43-44

4. THE SECOND MILE IS THE VICTORY MILE.
   1. Successful people are second milers.
   2. We should strive to be a second miler in all aspects of our lives.
      1. Work
      2. School
      3. Marriage
      4. Devotional life
      5. Witnessing life

5. CONCLUSION
   1. Jesus went the second mile for us.
   2. The first mile was God giving us a chance, and we failed. God would’ve been perfectly just to have cast us into Hell.
   3. Jesus died for us and made a way for us to be saved. That’s the second mile.
      1. Romans 5:8

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