Love Beyond Limits

[Announce text] Greetings, everyone. I am glad you are here. Today marks the seventh week of our sermon series, Unveiling the Kingdom. In this series, Jesus unveils his identity, mission, and the values of God’s kingdom, inviting us to follow him. Every week, we turn to another portion of Scripture in the Gospels when Jesus reveals God’s kingdom to those who desire to see it.

[Scripture introduction] If you brought a bible, please open it to the gospel of Luke. We will be reading from Luke 6:27-38 jump to the middle of Christ’s sermon on the Plain.

[Reannounce and read text] As we go to this passage together, you and I will hear from the voice of Jesus. Let’s go ahead and read Luke 6:27-38 and listen to the teaching of life within the kingdom.

[Prayer for illumination] Father God, your Son’s words are indeed challenging to receive and obey, but all things are possible with you. We pray for the Spirit to work on us so we receive your true and right words. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

[Introduction] Not too long ago, I was driving my Honda Civic south on M-19. Everything was dandy, but there was only slight issue, my entire windshield and hood was covered with snow. Believing I knew how the universe operated, I thought I could drive fast enough to blow the snow away! That sounds like a great idea, with the best intentions. What could possibly go wrong? Well, I came to find out that it wasn’t the fluffy stuff. It was the wet snow. So, as I sped up, more snow flung onto the windshield, and it refused to leave.

Eventually, I had to pull over, swallow my pride, and wipe off the excess snow from my windshield so I could see again.

There’s a valuable lesson. “You can't see the world through a blocked window—you must clear the way for a brighter view!”

Similarly, Jesus' teaching on the Plain unveils something unique and life-giving about God’s kingdom. It’s a real-life reality where enemy love must be seen and experienced by all Christians.

Moreover, Jesus desires to show you God’s reign through himself, but he wants you and me to become the incarnate windows through which everyone can witness God’s reign on earth through our words and deeds.

[FCF] So often, we and others expect God's kingdom to be revealed through power, miracles, or visible signs, yet we fail to see it in the simple yet profound acts of mercy and forgiveness.

[Scripture bond] As we read in Luke’s gospel, you and I will see the ethics and lifestyles of those who commit themselves wholeheartedly to God’s ways.

What are his ways? It involves pulling back the curtains and letting the light of Christ shine. And you and I reveal the window into God’s world by doing as Jesus taught in the sermon on the Plain.

What is that, again? It’s this! [Proposition] Every act of mercy and forgiveness reveals the kingdom of God. Every interaction, spoken word, and nonverbal gesture communicates something.

As Christians, if we care about Jesus, then we will care about revealing the kingdom of God to our family, friends, neighbors, and even enemies.

But how should you and I go about this? As I said before, we let people see into the kingdom of God through acts of mercy and forgiveness.

Jesus was teaching his followers about ethics in the kingdom of God. He began by saying to not treat people as they treat you but to go above and beyond in love.

But before I go any further, I want to define two key terms: mercy and forgiveness. Mercy is showing leniency and compassion toward something or someone. Forgiveness is a formal release from an obligation or debt, especially the debt of sin.

To create a window of God’s kingdom for others to see. These two actions must be evident. But how should this be done? It starts when the occasion arises when mercy and forgiveness must be expressed. Such as...

[Main point 1] When others mock, abuse, and mistreat you, be quick to show mercy like God your Father.

[Explanation] These passages are one of the most challenging teachings of Christianity. What does God want us to do to our enemies? Love, do good, pray, offer your goods, never demand payment, etc. Listen to Jesus’s words that he commands his followers [Read Luke 6:27-31].

When it comes to deciding whether to extend mercy or wrath, you must remember what God in Christ did for you. Jesus quickly provided mercy while you and I were his enemies (Romans 5:10).

Likewise, when someone strikes you, be quick to turn the check. When someone takes your clothing, be swift to offer another piece of fabric. When someone begs, be ready to give and don’t expect it back.

[Illustration] We extend mercy quickly to our enemies or those who mock, abuse and mistreat us because we want to show them our heavenly Father.

When we claim to be his children and are to be an example of him, certain people I know are spitting images of their dads. Charles Wallace gets his friendliness from his father, Norman. Travis Tenbusch gets his mechanical brain from his father, Floyd. Zecheriah Wilson gets his goofiness from his father, Zachery. Each son represents his father, and if we, his children, show people the kingdom of God. We must be quick to mercy.

[Application] The next time someone is not treating you as you would do to them. Rather than focusing on our mistreatment, let’s refocus on the picture of Jesus hanging on the cross. Let that be the image that comes to your mind when others mock, abuse, and mistreat you. Imagine Christ’s suffering and him being quick to show you mercy. This will be how you can swiftly extend God’s kindness even to the worst sinners.

Practicing this in our heads will then have a real-world impact because people will notice something unique about you and know you are extending mercy. It will be seared into their memory.

This leads us to the second point.

[Main Point 2] If the Kingdom of God is alive in you, His mercy and forgiveness will be remembered.

[Explanation] Your enemies will remember your interaction, spoken word, and nonverbal gesture with them, leaving an indelible mark on their souls.

If you ever notice our Ubly Christian Church slogan, it says, “Placing the fingerprint of Jesus on the Thumb of Michigan.” We can do this by going above and beyond in love. Look to what Jesus says in his sermon [Read Luke 6:32-36].

Whenever we do these great deeds, God will reward you and me. People will remember our actions for life. The Kingdom of God birthed in you and me allows us to imitate our Father, who shows kindness to all.

In the same way, your love must increase greater than that of the average sinner because you’re a saint. You are a reflection of your Father. You are holding up the window that allows the world to see into the kingdom of God’s domain.

[Illustration] I can only imagine the time when Jesus heals the paralytic man in Mark 2. His friends carry him on a mat and lower him through a roof so the disabled man can see Jesus face to face. Only when Jesus tells him that his sins are forgiven and he can walk, does the healed man walk out the door. Do you think he ever forgot Jesus’ mercy and forgiveness? No!

It changed his life. When the kingdom of God is inside you, and you give mercy and forgive, people will remember.

[Application] So use your opportunities to be remembered as a follower of Jesus who lives like the Father who is in heaven. Let your love be magnified by the love of God, and everyone who interacts with you will know you are full of kindness and compassion.

This takes me to the final thought.

[Main Point 3] Every act of mercy you show today will come back to you, just as God promised.

[Explanation] In the last section of the reading. Jesus preaches how everything will return to us according to the measure of that we use it. [Read Luke 6:37-38]

[Illustration] A man was hiking in the mountains with his young son. As they climbed, the boy slipped on a rock and scraped his knee. In frustration, he shouted, "I hate this!" To his surprise, the words echoed back to him from the mountains: "I hate this!"

Startled, he looked at his father and asked, "Who said that?"

His father smiled and said, "Watch this." Then he called out, "I forgive you!" and the mountains echoed back, "I forgive you!"

The father knelt beside his son and said, "Life works the same way. Whatever you send out—anger, kindness, or mercy—will always come back to you. That’s how God designed it."

[Application] If we desire God’s mercy and forgiveness, we must give it freely. Is there anyone who you have been judging lately? Do not judge them anymore. Is there anyone you have condemned in your heart? Release them from your verdict. Is there anyone you have not forgiven? Confess to the Lord your sins, and tell God that you have released them in Jesus' name. Is there someone you have been holding out on? Give because God loves a cheerful giver.

In our world, we will experience more mercy and forgiveness when we show it. God promises us this. So prepare yourself to be like your Father this week.

Be quick to mercy. Know that it will be remembered. And God will give you according to the measure you provide it.

[Conclusion] In the end, every act of mercy and forgiveness reveals the kingdom of God.

As you go about your business, be the biggest, clearest widow possible so everyone can see God’s reign through you. Jesus invites you to follow him in enemy love so that the world can be turned upside down.

Also, I want to invite you to receive mercy and forgiveness today by following Jesus wholeheartedly. After service, meet us near the cross if you want to talk to an elder or myself. We’ll be there to pray and encourage you to draw near to God’s amazing grace. Let’s pray together.