Does The Love Of Jesus Define You?

Introduction

Welcome and prayer Start obs

I pray one thing you have noticed so far in this series is this---Jesus is completely and totally opposite of the world. Jesus had zero care for worldly things...clothing...money...possessions...worldly wisdom or opinion. If you are to be a true believer who hears...Well done my good and faithful servant you must be completely and totally opposite of the world as well.

This morning's message, really from here on out in this series Jesus attacks worldly beliefs and thinking. These are not suggestions but expectations

I pray you come open, ready for conviction..ready to take a true hard look through the eyes of Jesus at your heart. We will find out why in Matthew 7 some of the scariest verses in the bible and something that many quote unquote Christians will hear from Jesus....Away from me I never knew you....This is eternal stuff. I pray you take it that serious!!!!!

Matthew 5:38-42

38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. Teaching about Love for Enemies

Jesus has a lot to say in these 5 verses

Eye for an Eye, Turn the Other Cheek

Exodus 21:23-25

“But if there is further injury, the punishment must match the injury: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise.”

Sounds familiar doesn't it and old testament law that Jesus is taking to another level much like adultery and making divorce a sin.

There had never been anyone like Jesus. God gave His word to the prophets but they had never had a living, breathing example such as Jesus

Since Jesus came to the earth and with his sacrifice paying the sin debt and his gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at salvation we can now live as Jesus lived and that changes things!!!

If Jesus and the Holy Spirit live inside of us as Christians we are not to be violent, quarrelling people. We are to die to ourselves and that includes keeping score that is really what revenge is all about isn't it

Someone does something to harm you or attack you either physically or emotionally or attack your character and reputation our flesh says fight back.....you have the right to retaliate but Jesus says turn the other cheek don't resist them Pray for them Love them

This is not a physical issue but a heart issue. Look at verse 40....if you are sued and lose give more than required to give. How many times has that happened????? What a testament that would be

Remember that during this time Rome had conquered and occupied the area. Part of that occupation was the fact that if a Roman soldier asked you to do something you had to do it. Think about how that would make your blood boil. These people come and take your freedom, tax you, beat anyone who gets out of line, and now the soldier just asked you to carry his gear. The law said you were obligated to carry it one mile. Jesus says don't stop at a mile carry it two miles. Again this has nothing to do with physical but heart. Love them enough to serve them. If you are carrying their gear for two miles you have two miles to witness to them and tell them about Jesus!!!!!!

What would happen at work or school or home if you decided to live this way? What if when you were attacked you didn't look to retaliate you just loved. What if when that mean co-worker asks you to do something they were supposed to do and you did twice what they asked you to do. What if when you spouse is tired and frustrated and begins to yell and scream you stay calm and just tell them I love you. What would your world look like?

Here is the heart issue....Jesus could care less about worldly things so giving those things up didn't hurt him at all. Bruises and broken bones heal, your character doesn't change just because someone attacks you. There is no need to keep score....God has it.

That is really what revenge and getting even or getting back boils down to is the heart. God is God and God not only keeps score but will handle things perfectly and justly TRUST Him. Leave it for Him to deal with.

Matthew 5:43-48

43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Love Your Enemies

Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

Romans 13:9

“For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.””

Galatians 5:14

“For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.””

Eros: romantic, passionate love

Philia: intimate, authentic friendship

Ludus: playful, flirtatious love

Storge: unconditional, familial love

Philautia: self-love

Pragma: committed, companionate love

Agápe: empathetic, universal love, God's Love

The love we are talking about here in these passages is Agape love.Make no mistake about it God's love cost him something.....Jesus....Jesus left heaven to be born to a virgin in a barn placed in a food trough rejected by his people, beaten, falsely accused, and then crucified and all he did was love and heal and teach.

Love Requires Action

Pray for your enemies. Your prayer is not to be God strike them dead for what they did.....or God bring punishment into their lives because of their actions or sin. No our prayer needs to be God awaken them to their need for Jesus or God bring them back to a right relationship with you. Want the best for your enemies. It goes beyond prayer however

Proverbs 25:21

“If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.”

You are to physically care for your enemies.....remember the extra mile....Roman soldiers were the enemies. Provide for your enemy, you are to have agape love for your enemy.You might be sitting there thinking Pastor Josh I can't do that. I would say you are 100% correct. That love, Agape love only comes through Jesus!!!!!!!

Proverbs 3:5-7

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”

Trusting and believing in Jesus is the only way to truly love with God's love.

The Love Of Jesus Should Define You

John 13:35

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.””

Agape love is very costly and it will always cost you something but it is also was separates God's children, true Christians from the world.The world loves it's own. Athiest love their families and take care of those they are friends with.You are called to be different. You are called to love in such a crazy way, such a sacrificial way, such an insane way that there is no doubt that love comes from Jesus

Conclusion and Exhortation

If you have never accepted Jesus today is the day. Come and I will walk you through the process.For the rest, if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior I want to challenge you to truly examine your life. Is it marked by agape love? By true sacrificial love. Do people look at how you love and see Jesus? If the answer to that is no then I challenge you to come. Leave it here at the feet of Jesus and leave here loving others, even your enemies, as Jesus loves you.Closing prayer