Counter-Cultural Love

Love illustration:

Girl: “Do you love me?”

Boy: “Yes, Dear.”

Girl: “Would you die for me?”

Boy: “No. Mine is an undying love.”

1. Love that refuses to retaliate.

Matthew 5:38–42 ESV

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Specifically an insulting slap, insults in general.

We cannot get into insult battles railing against the insulter.

We do have a right to defend ourselves.

we can avoid those that would harm us.

It serves to free us from their attacks, and lovingly helps the attacker from continuing the evil against us.

Give to those in need.

We have a responsibility as believers to meet the needs of others who have genuine needs.

When we give, we need to do so without causing harm to them.

Example of a person who is on drugs asking for cash to fuel their disease.

2. Love that extends to enemies.

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.

a. Love others unconditionally.

In order to love, we must know the one who loves us.

Establish Jesus as the prime example.

While we were still sinners.

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

b. Pray for others continually.

who are you praying for?

we should pray our friends.

we should pray for our enemies

c. Greet everyone always.

Having an inner group of friends that you trust is good.

Being able to hangout and talk with anyone is a blessing.

Gospel reasons, can’t win people to Jesus if we aren’t with people who aren’t lost.

Closing

"The Sermon on the Mount is not an ideal, it is a statement of what will happen in me when Jesus Christ has altered my disposition and put in a disposition like His own. Jesus Christ is the only One Who can fulfill the Sermon on the Mount."

Oswald Chambers