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BIG PICTURE: What do you do when you’re insulted? You courageously choose the kingdom’s course of action and redefine the situation. Living in the kingdom opens the door to new possibilities to live wholly empowered by love.

TEXT: Matthew 5:38-48

KEY VERSE: *“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” - Matthew 5:44

TURN YOUR CHEEK!

Lex talionis – law of

When others have the power…you resist humiliation by displaying

and courage.

  1. Slapping of the face (direct insult)
  2. Sued for your shirt (litigation)
  3. The 2nd mile (forced service)

“Evil will become powerless when it finds no opposing object, no resistance, but , instead, is willingly borne and suffered. Evil meets an opponent for which it is not a match.” —Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship

When the tables are turned…you put into

the kingdom of God growing in your heart.

  1. Let generosity be your guide (generosity)
  2. (Loans) Do not refuse

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES!

Nothing shows the

what God is like more than when we love.

Nothing changes

more than loving your enemies.

We need to get busy

our enemies into neighbors.

Perfection is

empowered by love.

“Be perfect, that is, love both your fellow Jewish neighbors and the Roman enemies in your midst…as your Father makes the sun to rise and the rain to fall on all humans - Jews and Romans - so you are to be perfect in love as your Father is perfect in love.” —Scot McNight, The Story of God Commentary

NEXT STEPS: Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can turn things around by displaying the courage to live by kingdom principles. Who is the enemy in your life that needs to be converted into a neighbor?