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THE ETHICS OF JESUS

Lecture Objectives:

The ethical system of Christianity centers in the moral example of the Lord Jesus Christ. We will learn about the moral/ethical system of Christianity.

References:

1. A family discovers that their son has been buying clothing because he has been getting money from items he has been stealing from work.

2. A father paces the floor nervously. He is ringing his hands. He has just been informed that his 15 year old daughter is pregnant and she is not married. What went wrong?

3. A single parent is distraught because her son is using vulgar language. Upon what basis can she ask him to stop? Where can she draw the line?

Questions for Focus:

1. A couple discover she is pregnant. They don't have much money. They consider an abortion. On what ground of right and wrong should they not consider abortion?

2. A couple want a divorce on the ground there is no more love in the relationship. On what basis would you counsel them to stay together and work things out?

3. Upon what basis is a thing determined as moral or immoral--ethical or unethical? Who determines what is right and what is wrong?

1. WHAT MOTIVATES HUMAN BEHAVIOR?
   1. There are two things which motivate human behavior:
      1. Concern for the negative consequences.
         1. Will I be punished? Will I suffer as a consequence? Lose my job?
         2. Our motivation or reason for behavior is determined by FEAR.
         3. Illustration: Saudi Arabia
      2. Concern for positive consequences.
         1. A child who obeys expecting a reward.
         2. An employee who does not steal because he wants a better position.
   2. There is another motivation for moral choice.
      1. A solid belief system - based on moral convictions or moral values. There is right and wrong.
      2. Illustration: Andrew Morton of Scotland did not believe in bearing arms and fighting against other people. The police came to take him away. As they carried him to the waiting police van, his wife yelled from the bedroom window, "Dare to be a Daniel, Andrew. Dare to be a Daniel."
   3. Secular ethics and Christian ethics.
      1. In what way do we walk? Secular Ethics Christian Ethics (Situation Ethics) (Example of Christ) Man says: God says: This way This way
2. THE CHRISTIAN PARADIGM
   1. Definition of Paradigm: Greek - To show by example or model; an accepted or authorized standard.
   2. What makes the difference between the two paradigms on overlay?
      1. Answer: The moral character of the Lord Jesus Christ.
         1. He is the Christian's model in morals/ethics.
      2. Not His commands or teachings alone.
         1. Separated from Him they lose all meaning.
         2. They are rooted in His person. See: Matthew 5.11; 10.22; 10.34-35.
         3. He stands before the Christian as a moral standard.
         4. If He is Lord, then His words are authoritative. But, His words were never meant to displace Him and become an external moral code.
         5. Apart from Him His words control us...Speaking to us in His person--they transform us.
   3. Only God is a reliable and unchanging standard.
      1. Holy (I Peter 1.16); Light (I John 1.5-7); Love (I John 4.8); Inherent in nature.
      2. He is ultimate authority (Romans 13.1).
      3. He is unchanging (Malachi 3; 6; II Timothy 2.13).
   4. Christ is perfect example (John 8.29; 14.9; Hebrews 4.15; 13.8).
   5. Christ has all authority (Matthew 28.19-20).
   6. What is the basic difference between most world religions and Christianity?
      1. Overlay says, "Christ is not concerned with controlling the one converted to Him. He is concerned with transforming a person's moral character."
      2. Transformation is the result of conversion - the transformation of moral character.
      3. It is not simply a new outlook on life. It is a new birth! John 3.3-5
      4. It is as radical as death! Romans 6.3-4. "Into Christ"
      5. So, the Christian's moral paradigm is a person!
      6. A true Christian in his ethics/morals is one who displays the moral behavior of Jesus Christ.
3. DO I HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF MAKING HIS MORAL CHOICES?
   1. Yes: You were made in the image of God.
      1. Matthew 22.15ff; Romans 13.1ff; Romans 1.20, 2.1 without excuses
   2. Yes: Paul said we did - 2 Corinthians 4.7f; Romans 1.18 - Romans 3
   3. Question: "What motivated Felix?" (Acts 24.24-27)
4. CAN YOU TELL ME SOME MORAL CHOICES GOD WANTS ME TO MAKE? Matthew 5-7
   1. Becoming like God - 5.3-8
   2. Behaving like God - 5.9-12
   3. Living the way God does
   4. Murder - 5.21,22
   5. Adultery 5.27-29
   6. Revenge - 5.38-42
   7. Hating enemies - 5.43-47
   8. Doing good things - 6.1ff
   9. Giving - 6.2
   10. Praying - 6.5
   11. Fasting - 6.16
5. CLOSURE
   1. How do "code" ethics differ from "character" ethics?
   2. How will a society function without a moral ethic?
   3. Who or what should determine what is wrong in the practice of a society?
   4. What two things motivate human behavior? or controlled behavior?
   5. What makes the difference between secular and Christian ethics?
   6. If Christ is not concerned with controlling the one converted to Him, what is He interested in?
   7. Mention 3 of the 7 things we listed as examples of moral choices God wants us to make.

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Last modified: December 07, 2005