When People Suck

This sermon is very dear to my heart. You will see why when I tell you what we are preaching on.

Series that is very practical.

When people suck- what do we do when we find ourselves inevitable surrounded by people who harm us, intentionally or unintentionally.

Modern Psychology has a way of teaching us- Courtney Kardashian and her sisters.

If you can’t support me, you can’t be a part of my life…

Is this the Bible or the world

If you make me upset or bummed or don’t add a ton of value to my life, you can’t be in my life.

Is this biblical?

Create boundaries and make sure people know your limits.

Is this biblical?

What does scripture say?!

Jesus is talking to a crowd during his most famous sermon, the sermon on the mount.

This is a highly religious people, who have been taught many principles through sayings. “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”

Meaning, if someone harms you, the punishment shall be revenge equal in harm and loss.

Jesus is bringing the light to these people…

3 truths:

He isn’t mad at them in their ignorance!

This is in context to good news- the best news is the beatitudes- “Blessed are” The title of the sermon could be “How to be blessed”

The last verse- How to be perfect like God! This is about holiness and being like our hero, Jesus. Jesus lived this out and we can too.

You have heard it said, but I say- This figure of speech, shows us the truths instead of the lies.

Lets explore the lies here-

vs. 38- revenge is good. This is a twisting of a truth- The truth is Justice is good.

Revenge by man is not. Why? It isn’t good for our hearts.

vs 40-41 Direct disobedience is the proper way to affect change…

Soldiers could force people to carry equipment up to 1 mile. The Roman rule was all the rage- how do we overthrow them?

God cared more about our example and being a light, than our circumstances

vs 42- The lie: Only associate with people who can give you as much or more than you give...

Don’t turn those away. Be a giver, not a taker.

vs. 43- Love those who are kind and good, hate those who harm you.

How is that any different than anyone else?

So what the heck do we do when people suck?

Overheard at a coffee shop: “Yea I just need to make him aware of my boundaries, and if he can’t adhere, I’m going to cut him out of my life.

From what I could gather, it was about her father.

I don’t know the story. But I have to ask was God in that?

I am not advocating for people remaining in abuse, etc. Hear me right. We have gone too far.

Lovers of self- We are more aware of our needs and wants than those around us.

This isn’t how God wants us to live. We are to love others and consider others first.

People do suck! How we react is based on our world-view

It comes down to “is this life and our happiness the most important thing? “

If we live, enjoy life and then die, there is no more, then some things make sense. “If it feels good, do it.” “Ain’t nobody got time for difficult people”

In light of eternity however…

If it’s not right by God, don’t do it.

You will be held accountable.

Of course they are toxic, they don’t know Jesus. How will they know if we avoid them???

With a proper world-view we see we must not cut them out, but interact, love on them and be the light to them.

This begs the question: Should we set limits?

Absolutely!

Do not be unequally yoked.

We don’t make covenant oaths with unbelievers.

Marriage

Business agreements

Etc.

Don’t enable their brokenness-

We don’t buy them drugs.

We don’t sin in order to have audience with them.

We disobey them instead of God.

What is the purpose and point of your relationships?

To be the light isbest.