Peace with Enemies
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
303 occurences From Hebrew in ESV
32 occurences in Greek in ESV
30 of 32 occurences of enemy is “echthros”
1x hostile
1x foe
ἐχθρός is one who has been
φίλος, but is alienated;
πολέμιος one who is at war;
δυσμενής one who has long been alienated and refuses to be reconciled.
Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S., & McKenzie, R. (1996). A Greek-English lexicon (p. 748). Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Name the number of ways you can have enemies.
We have lost the idea of being Rivals and can only see each other as Enemies.
Rivals improve each other through competition.
Enemies destroy each other through warfare.
God’s Love for His Enemies
God’s Love for His Enemies
Is 53:6; Jn 3:16; 2 Pe 3:9
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Read the following verses and explain what loving action toward your enemies would be the hardest and why.
See also Ge 18:32; La 3:33; Eze 18:23; Mt 5:45; Ro 5:8; Ro 8:32; 2 Co 5:19; 1 Jn 4:9–10
The example of Jesus Christ Peace with Enemies
The example of Jesus Christ Peace with Enemies
Mt 23:37; 1 Pe 3:18
37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
Consider the following verses and explain what you could do to bring about peace with your enemies as Jesus did to bring peace.
See also Is 53:5; Mt 20:28; Lk 23:34; Ro 5:6; 2 Co 5:14; 2 Co 8:9; Heb 13:12; 1 Pe 2:21; 1 Pe 2:24; 1 Jn 2:2
God’s People must Love their Enemies
God’s People must Love their Enemies
Le 19:18; Lk 6:35–36
18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Looking at the previous verses and considering the following additional verses, where do you need to begin to have peace with your enemies?
See also Ex 23:4; Pr 24:17; Pr 25:21; Mt 5:44; Lk 6:27; Col 3:13; 1 Th 5:15; 2 Ti 2:25; 1 Pe 3:9
Examples of Love for Enemies
Examples of Love for Enemies
Ge 50:20–21 Joseph; Nu 12:13; 1 Sa 24:17; 1 Sa 26:21; 2 Sa 19:23; 2 Ki 6:22 the king of Israel; Ac 7:60 Stephen; Ac 9:17 Ananias; 1 Co 4:12