January 28, 2024 | Dave McGinley
Passage: Matthew 5:43-48
MESSAGE NOTES: “Loving Your Enemy” Matthew 5:43-48 ESV
"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:43-44
With your enemies: remember whose you are.
"… so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:45a
"For he (God) makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?”- Matthew 5:45b-47
As a part of God’s family, we love differently because God loves us differently.
"And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide his garments." Luke 23:34
"For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life." Romans 5:10
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him." 1 John 4:7-9
Miroslav Volf: We are “more than enough people”:
Christ who became poor that we can become rich, we will be rich. No matter how little we have, we will be “more than enough people”. (Free of Charge)
The Kingdom is not in trouble; I am not in trouble.
With our enemies: Live with the end in mind.
"You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. “ Matthew 5:48
“Perfect” in the GREEK “telios”…..full of age or mature
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