Combating Our Enemies

INTRO:

Batman slapping - How we all feel in November

Can’t do that to our enemies

Madea Quote - “When you getting got, somebody got you, then you go get them.”

Our mentality is to retaliate when we have been offended, hurt, or done wrong

offended takes the precedence

Why is retaliation not our response? Is there a time to retaliate?

Bless Don’t Curse

Read

Do we go around just saying bless you to everyone?

No

Romans 12:10 ESV

10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

seek good for those who have harmed you

Romans 12:4

Matthew 5:43–48 ESV

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:43-

View others as they are - sinners in need of a Savior

1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV

11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Do What is Honorable

Read

KEEP YOURSELF IN CHECK

Discipline

Restraint

Self-control

James 1:19–20 ESV

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

A

Can’t say “I’m not wired that way”

The power of the Gospel is it changes people, you have died

Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 5:

Under your own power you cannot live this out

Definition of insanity - doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result

The Gospel changes

The Gospel gives power

Jesus is the life in you

Heaping Burning Coals

Read

Don’t seek to get even or take matters into your own hands

God deals with everything, in His timing, for His glory

So what do I do?

Vs. 20

if they are hungry - feed them

if they are thirsty - give a drink

be gracious and giving to them - why?

Romans 12:20 ESV

20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

It’s confusing for someone in anger or hatred to comprehend why someone is good to them

STOP

How does the Gospel change us in our response and view to those who are against us?

Why is it important for us to respond with grace, compassion, and forgiveness with those who harm us?

How is the Gospel proclaimed when we conduct ourselves in this manner?