Loving Even Your Enemies TEXT: Luke 6:27-36
INTRODUCTION:
-- Even while the Lord was being crucified, He prayed for their FORGIVENESS (Luke 23:34).
-- Christ is our Pattern.
-- Christ should be our TEACHER.
-- Let's LISTEN to Him today.
I. "Love your enemies" (27a) & (32)
A. Jews despised the Romans because they oppressed God's people. B. We must learn to love as God does. Romans 5:8; I John 4:10-11 II. "do good to them which hate you" (27b) & (33) John 3:16 -- Jesus loved the whole WORLD, even though the world was in rebellion against God. A. It might not be real easy for you. B. Who ever said the Christian life [lived right] would be easy? -- ALL them that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. III. "Bless them that curse you" (28a) A. A soft answer turns away wrath. <-- Proverbs 15:1 B. Kind words can melt hard hearts. Luke 23:34-43 IV. "pray for them which despitefully use you" (28b) A. We should pray for our enemies: their salvation especially if relevant. B. Ever feel like someone is just 'USING' you? C. Have you been treated UNFAIRLY? (e.g. at WORK, SCHOOL) D. Stephen's Stoning & his Forgiveness -- Acts 7:54-60 V. "unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other" (29a) A. John 18:19-23 B. You don't have to stoop to their 'level' & 'get even' C. Let God fight your battles for you. (e.g. We live in a 'sue happy' land -- too many lawyers) VI. "him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also" (29b) A. Give more HELP than people ask for. B. Don't be stingy with what material blessings the Lord has given you. C. Be a person who can SHARE. VII. "Give to every man that asketh of thee" (30a) -- Deuteronomy 15:7-8 -- Proverbs 3:27-28 -- Luke 6:38 Sowing & Reaping GOOD Cast your bread upon the waters <-- Ecclesiastes 11:1 VIII. "him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again" (30b) -- Why not surprise someone by letting them keep what they borrowed if they really needed it in the first place? GOLDEN RULE: (31) See Leviticus 19:18b; Matthew 7:12; 21:39-40 LOVE YOUR ENEMIES; DO GOOD; LEND (32-35) -- Luke 6:23 mentions Heavenly Rewards. -- Lend money without worrying about being paid back. -- God is KIND unto the UNTHANKFUL (people) & to the EVIL (people) BE MERCIFUL LIKE YOUR FATHER IS (36) -- Be forgiving [7x70 principle] CONCLUSION: -- Be WILLING to GIVE of YOURSELF. -- Overcome evil with GOOD. <-- Romans 12:21 I Peter 2:21-25 Our Great & Loving Example (v. 21)