"LOVE YOUR ENEMIES"

(NO RESTROOMS/PDA/AIRPODS)

(YOUVERSION NOTES)

>>>Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is also known as the “upside down kingdom”-what is the opposite of what is typically done or what the culture teaches.

>>>Jesus has addressed anger and lust-specific issues- through further interpretation of the Law. But in this passage He is going to give an “upside down” lesson.

>>>The title is “Love Your Enemies”.

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Matthew 5:43–48 ““You have heard that it was said, ‘you Shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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>>>This passage is better understood looking at the previous one, when Jesus was talking about revenge and “getting even”.

Matthew 5:38–42 ““You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”

>>>Jesus wants His followers to pursue peace; not pacifism but seeking to take a higher path with people who wrong them.

Matthew 5:43 ““You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’”

>>>Jesus starts this out once again looking at OT and how the people of Israel were living it out. The Law says in Leviticus to “love your neighbor”.

>>>While the OT talks about driving out corruption (enemies), nowhere does it say to “hate” enemies. This was something taught throughout the generations-loving neighbors must equal hating enemies.

Matthew 5:44–45 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

>>>(v.44) Jesus dismisses what had been taught by the rabbis, pharisees, and culture. He says for His followers to love their enemies and pray for their persecutors.

*“love” (agape) is “care”/ “loyalty” for someone. Jesus says to love/pray for enemies and those who cause suffering.

>>>(v.45) Loving one’s enemies is what shows someone is God’s child. They are on the earth like everyone else, and therefore treat them with love.

Matthew 5:9 ““Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”

>>>This goes back to first message. Peacemakers-children of God-seek godly restoration even with enemies.

Exodus 23:4–5 ““If you encounter your enemy’s ox or his donkey wandering away, you must return it to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying helpless under its load, you shall not leave it helpless for its owner; you must arrange the load with him.”

>>>Even before Jesus, God was telling His people to love their enemies. While there was time for war, God still wanted a better way. It is interesting that this was ignored by religious teachings in Jesus’ time.

HATING OUR ENEMIES IS NOWHERE IN THE BIBLE.

>>>All of us have enemies-friend, bullies, teachers, those who annoy us, etc.

>>>Our natural reaction is vengeance/hate/dislike, but this is no where stated in the Bible. All throughout the Bible is loving our enemies.

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Matthew 5:46–47 “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same?”

>>>Jesus then gives a blunt comparison. He said that someone loving those who love them back/greeting their own family friends have no gain. It is no different.

>>>The comparison Jesus gives is that it is no different than tax collectors or Gentiles. These were “unclean” people in Jewish eyes especially tax collectors.

*People who only love those who love them are on the same level as tax collectors.

*Jesus wants His people to be above how the sinful world lives.

>>>The command to “love your neighbor” extends to anyone around us.

>>>(Illust.) Lawyer asks Jesus “Who is my neighbor?”

>>>The man who was robbed/dying on street saved by “enemy”-good Samaritan.

>>>Jesus was all His followers to live like this-treating enemies as neighbors.

OUR ENEMIES ARE OUR NEIGHBORS.

>>>Our enemies-whoever they are-are still people in our lives we are to love. They are our neighbors.

>>>To just love those who love us back is the same as what everyone else does. But stepping out into the area of loving our enemies, despite their reaction, shows that we are following Christ.

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Matthew 5:48 “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

>>>Everyone is in the process of holiness, and Jesus says there will be a day where His kingdom citizens are holy.

>>>Loving our enemies pushes us toward holiness.

LOVING OUR ENEMIES IS PART OF HOLINESS.

>>>Each time we choose to love our enemies, we stake another step toward becoming more like Jesus.

>>>It’s not just Bible reading, praying, serving, but living the life of a Kingdom Citizen in every way. We grow spiritually through loving our enemies.

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LOVING OUR ENEMIES IS DOING WHAT GOD DID TO US.

Romans 5:10 “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

>>>We were all enemies of God. We didn’t love God, rejected God, persecuted God. But God still sent Jesus to die and bring us back to Him.

>>>Who are we to not extend that same love/mercy to those we consider our enemies?

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SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

1.) Coming out of the message, what are some things that stood out to you?

2.) Main Point: LOVING OUR ENEMIES IS DOING WHAT GOD DID TO US.

*Who are “enemies” in your life?

*How do we pray for our enemies?

*What does it mean for unsaved people to be enemies of God? How does this apply to you?

Small Group Accountability: How has spiritual growth been this week?/(Small Group Challenges)

*Have a student close in prayer.