Take Notes Here:
Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.
But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
This weekend we will discover:
• Love as defined by God
• Who I should love
• Why Jesus cares about our enemies
• How to take practical steps toward love
Love
We define love as:
A
An
Agape = (Love)
An
An
To seek the highest
Who Counts?
Matthew 5:43
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy.”
Leviticus 19:11-18
Do not steal. Do not deceive or cheat one another. Do not bring shame on the name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I am the Lord.
Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not make your hired workers wait until the next day to receive their pay.
Do not insult the deaf or cause the blind to stumble. You must fear your God; I am the Lord.
Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.
Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people.
Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.
Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
Matthew 5:44
But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
Matthew 5:46-47
If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.
Matthew 5:45
In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
Romans 5:6-8
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Romans 5:10-11
For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Matthew 5:48
But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
—Martin Luther King Jr.
How do we love our enemy?
• Identify your
• Pray for God to
• One act of