Do to others (2)

Love Beyond Limits: The Transformative Power of God's Grace

Bible Passage: Lk 6:27–36

Summary: In this passage, Jesus teaches His followers about loving their enemies, doing good to those who hate them, and showing mercy as a reflection of God's character. This radical call to love challenges societal norms and emphasizes unconditional love and forgiveness.

Application: This sermon encourages Christians to embrace a lifestyle of love and mercy, even towards those who wrong them. By applying Jesus' teachings, believers can find freedom from bitterness and promote reconciliation in their lives.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that true love, as exemplified by Jesus, extends beyond natural boundaries and societal expectations. We are called to live out the principles of grace, reflecting God's nature in our interactions with others, particularly those who may be unkind or antagonistic towards us.

How this passage could point to Christ: Jesus embodies the ultimate expression of love and mercy, as He willingly sacrificed Himself for His enemies. This passage reveals that His life and teachings set the standard for how we are to demonstrate love, revealing God's character and His heart for humanity.

Big Idea: We are called to love unconditionally, mirroring the grace of God in our relationships, thereby demonstrating the transformative power of God's love in a broken world.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider exploring the cultural context of enemy love in Jesus' time through Logos. Examine commentaries that discuss the implications of loving one's enemy and the challenges it presented to Jesus' followers. Additionally, looking into the Greek terms used for 'love' in this passage can help clarify Jesus' intended message.

1. Love Radically, Reject Retaliation

Lk 6:27-30

You could explore how Jesus’ instructions to love your enemies and do good to those who hate you represents a radical reversal of societal expectations. Highlight that this call to action challenges believers to live beyond their natural instincts, reflecting the transformative grace that we have experienced in Christ. Perhaps focus on practical ways to bless those who persecute you, emphasizing the freedom found in forsaking bitterness and choosing love.

2. Reciprocal Love Revolutionizes Relationships

Lk 6:31-33

Perhaps delve into the Golden Rule, where Jesus instructs us to 'Do to others as you would have them do to you,' underlining this as a foundational ethical principle. This section can help believers understand how practicing this rule in the most challenging relationships is a profound testimony of living in grace. Suggest opportunities for applying this in daily interactions, emphasizing how reciprocal kindness can transform hostile environments.

3. Mercy Mirrors the Master’s Heart

Lk 6:34-36

Maybe discuss how Jesus points to God’s mercy as our example by stating that we should 'be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.' This serves as a reminder that our love should be generous and unconditional, mirroring God's love toward us. Teach that living with such divine mercy opens doors to reconciliation and brings healing in our world. Highlight how Christ’s sacrifice exemplifies this mercy and inspires us to extend grace even when it is undeserved.

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 4: Matthew–Acts Luke 6:27–38

To love one’s enemies requires the grace of God in one’s heart. This is not natural; it is supernatural. Christ demands more, but “He giveth more grace.”

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 4: Matthew–Acts Luke 6:27–38

His law is nothing less than absolute perfection in love.”

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 4: Matthew–Acts Luke 6:27–38

Plummer has a very penetrating observation at this point: “Love knows no limits but those which love itself imposes. When love resists or refuses, it is because compliance would be a violation of love, not because it would involve loss or suffering

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 4: Matthew–Acts Luke 6:27–38

Verse 31 gives Luke’s form of the Golden Rule (cf. Matthew 7:12). It is generally agreed by scholars that Jesus was the first one ever to state this in positive form. Creed calls attention to numerous examples of earlier negative statements. For instance, the great Rabbi Hillel said: “That which thou hatest, do not to thy fellow; this is the whole Law and all the rest is commentary.” The Stoics, Confucius, and Buddhism all give it in negative form. Tsze-kung said: “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 4: Matthew–Acts Luke 6:27–38

King James Version rendering, “hoping for nothing again.” This is the view of Bruce, Godet, and Geldenhuys.

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 4: Matthew–Acts Luke 6:27–38

The warning against judging others (v. 37) is a parallel to Matthew 7:1, 2. Release means “forgive.” Verse 38, found only in Luke, is a beautiful promise of abundant reward for a generous spirit. T. W. Manson says that they (shall give) is “probably—as in the Rabbinic literature—a way of referring to God.” On the meaning of bosom Barnes says: “The word bosom here has reference to a custom among Oriental nations of making the bosom or front part of their garments large, so that articles could be carried in them, answering the purpose of our pockets.”

Sermon: Love Your Enemies

Luke 6:27-38

Introduction: A Hard Teaching Good morning, church!

Have you ever read a passage in the Bible and thought, "Well, Jesus, that sounds nice, but I don’t know if I can actually do that."

I once heard a preacher read a beautiful passage from Psalms and I remember thinking, 'Wow, that sounds so nice, but can I really live up to that?' It’s like reading a recipe for the perfect soufflé. Sure, it sounds great, but when I try, it usually flops. The key is to realize that it's okay not to have everything perfect; God loves us as we grow and learn. Just like in cooking, practice makes better!

Today, we have one of those passages. In Luke 6:27-38, Jesus tells us to love our enemies. Not just tolerate them. Not just ignore them. Love them.

There’s a funny saying: 'I enjoy yoga — it’s all the poses I can’t do that keep me coming back.' That’s how I feel about reading certain passages of Scripture. They inspire me, yet some days, I struggle to embody the love and peace they describe. But that’s the beauty of faith; it’s our imperfect attempts at practicing grace that keep us coming back to God!

Now, let's be honest—this is tough. It’s one thing to love your family (even when they get on your nerves), your friends, and the people who are kind to you. But Jesus is asking us to love those who hurt us, those who oppose us, those who make life difficult.

And if we’re really being honest, sometimes we don’t even do a great job loving the people we actually like!

So what does Jesus mean? And more importantly, how do we live this out?

1. The Call to Radical Love

Jesus begins by saying:

"But I say to you who listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27-28)

That’s a big ask, isn’t it? When someone cuts us off in traffic, love them. When a coworker talks behind our back, do good to them. When someone spreads lies about us, pray for them.

That’s not how the world works, right? The world says:

If someone wrongs you, get even.

If someone insults you, insult them back—maybe louder.

If someone ignores you, cut them out of your life.

But Jesus is calling us to a different way. Not the way of revenge, but the way of grace.

A little boy once gave his sister a cupcake from a box that was meant for a party, causing her to cry. Instead of getting mad, the mother asked him how he could make it right. The boy went into the kitchen, whipped up some frosting, and decorated new cupcakes just for her. That's Jesus' way of grace—taking our mistakes and repurposing them into something beautiful instead of seeking vengeance.

And let’s be real—it’s not about being a doormat. Jesus isn’t telling us to ignore injustice or pretend that evil doesn’t exist. He’s calling us to respond differently—to break the cycle of hate with love.

2. Love That Goes Beyond What’s Expected

Jesus continues with examples that make us uncomfortable:

"If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt." (Luke 6:29)

Wait a minute. If someone takes from me, I should just give them more? If someone mistreats me, I should just take it?

Again, this isn’t about being weak—it’s about being strong enough to not let hate control you.

Jesus isn’t saying, “Let people abuse you.” He’s saying, “Don’t let their actions dictate your response.” Because when we meet hate with more hate, we become the very thing we oppose.

In the Bible, Jesus tells the story of a Samaritan man who helps a wounded traveler, despite the fact that they were supposed to be enemies. This parable illustrates a love that goes beyond what’s expected—he not only bandages the man’s wounds but ensures he gets the care he needs. This love breaks social norms and expectations, teaching us to love selflessly and generously.

Think about Jesus himself. When they mocked him, he didn’t fight back. When they crucified him, he didn’t curse them—he prayed, “Father, forgive them.” That’s the kind of love Jesus is calling us to.

3. The Golden Rule—For Everyone

Jesus gives us a simple way to measure this love:

"Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Luke 6:31)

We love quoting this verse, but did you notice Jesus doesn’t say, “Do to others as they have done to you”?

He doesn’t say, “Treat people the way they deserve.”

No—He says, "Do to others as you would have them do to you."

In other words, don’t wait for people to treat you right before you treat them right. Be the one who starts the kindness. Be the one who loves first.

At a bakery, a man noticed the person ahead of him had a few extra dollars and decided to secretly pay for their croissant. The recipient was so surprised they made it a point to pass along the kindness. The following week, the man returned to find his own coffee paid for! When we live out the Golden Rule, we create a ripple effect of kindness that reaches beyond that moment and inspires others too!

4. The Credit of Love

Jesus then says something that really hits home:

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them." (Luke 6:32)

Ouch. It’s easy to love people who love us back. It’s easy to be kind when it’s convenient. But Jesus is calling us to something higher.

True love shows up when it’s hard. When it’s undeserved. When the other person doesn’t reciprocate. That’s God’s love—the love He shows us every single day.

In a children’s book, a young penguin asks his dad how he will know when he's in love. The dad replies, 'When the ice cracks beneath your feet, and you don’t run away!' It humorously captures the essence that true love shows up in difficult moments. Similarly, God doesn’t leave us when we face challenges—He leans in closer, loving us through all storms, just as we should love one another in hard times.

5. The Godly Standard

Jesus wraps it up with a powerful statement:

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36)

You know why we love others—even our enemies? Because that’s what God does for us.

The Bible says, "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) He loved us when we didn’t deserve it. He forgave us before we even asked. And now, He asks us to do the same.

Conclusion: Living It Out

So what do we do with all of this? How do we actually love our enemies?

Start with prayer.

It’s hard to hate someone when you’re praying for them. Ask God to change their heart—and yours.

Choose kindness over retaliation.

You don’t have to win every argument. You don’t have to get even. Show grace instead.

Love beyond comfort.

Go out of your way to be generous, not just to friends, but to those who challenge you.

Remember how much you’ve been loved.

You and I have received grace upon grace from God. Let’s share that same grace with others.

Final Thought: A Different Kind of Love

Friends, if we live this out, people will notice. The world is full of bitterness, grudges, and division. But love? That’s rare.

And when people see us loving those who don’t deserve it, forgiving those who hurt us, and showing kindness when it’s hard, they’ll start to wonder, “What’s different about them?”

And in that moment, we can point them to Jesus—the One who loved us when we were His enemies.

So let’s go out this week and love like Jesus. Even when it’s hard. Even when it’s undeserved. Because that’s how the world will see Him in us.

Amen.