Listen<\/p>\n
Date written: 7\/15\/06
Scripture ref: Matthew 5:43-48<\/p>\n
SUBJECT: Love<\/p>\n
TITLE: Loving Our Enemies<\/p>\n
PROPOSITION: In this lesson we’ll consider what it means to love our enemies by answering several questions: 1) Who are our enemies? 2) Why should we love our enemies? 3) What is loving our enemies? 4) How do we love our enemies?<\/p>\n
Objectives: That each would understand more about loving our enemies so that we can imitate the character of God.<\/p>\n
INTRODUCTION:<\/p>\n
1. Read: Matthew 5:43-48<\/p>\n
2. About the Text:<\/p>\n
1) According to the tradition of the Pharisees, one could hate one’s enemies.<\/p>\n
2) The Mosaic Law nowhere taught such a thing.<\/p>\n
3) The Jews were intent on practicing this tradition too.<\/p>\n
4) They disdained the Samaritans to the north.<\/p>\n
5) They despised the gentiles around them.<\/p>\n
6) It is said that the Romans charged the Jews with the hatred of the human race.<\/p>\n
7) Jesus rejects this doctrine of tradition and teaches a higher standard for the conduct of the Christian.<\/p>\n
8) The test of the true Christian isn’t his attitude toward his friends, but toward his enemies.<\/p>\n
9) Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.<\/p>\n
DISCUSSION:<\/p>\n
I. Who are our enemies?<\/p>\n
1. Before we can begin to love our enemies, we need to know who they are.<\/p>\n
2. We may want to think first about who our enemies are not. They are not…<\/p>\n
1) People who may simply have a different opinion than we have.<\/p>\n
2) People who are of a different race.<\/p>\n
3) People of different countries.<\/p>\n
4) People who are different, quirky, or eccentric in some way.<\/p>\n
5) The Christian ought to never presume anyone to be his enemy.<\/p>\n
3. There are those, who, by their behavior, make themselves our enemies.<\/p>\n
1) Foreign nations we are fighting.<\/p>\n
2) Those who disagree with us in politics.<\/p>\n
3) People who simply don’t like us.<\/p>\n
4) Those who oppose Christianity.<\/p>\n
4. We need to consider the question, ?Who is God’s enemy??<\/p>\n
1) Anyone who is a sinner according to Romans 5:8-10.<\/p>\n
2) Those who are carnal minded according to Romans 8:7.<\/p>\n
3) Those who practice friendship with the world according to James 4:4.<\/p>\n
4) In essence, anyone who behaves contrary to God’s word.<\/p>\n
5. While there may be those who become our enemies by their behavior, it is not that we desire them to be our enemies.<\/p>\n
6. So, when we talk about loving our enemies, we’re talking about loving those who by their behavior make themselves our enemies.<\/p>\n
II. What is loving our enemies?<\/p>\n
1. Again, let us consider what it doesn’t mean.<\/p>\n
1) It doesn’t mean that we have strong emotions of ?love? for them.<\/p>\n
2) It doesn’t mean that we have to agree with them.<\/p>\n
3) It doesn’t mean that we capitulate to whatever they want from us.<\/p>\n
2. It is the imitation of the character of God Himself.<\/p>\n
1) This is what Jesus points out in Matthew 5:45-48.<\/p>\n
2) It is what Paul teaches in Romans 5:8-10.<\/p>\n
3) It was first God’s character that loved His enemies and it is His love that we emulate.<\/p>\n
4) God is love (1 John 4:8, 16), even for His enemies.<\/p>\n
3. It is what defines what it means to be a Christian.<\/p>\n
1) It’s significant that many other world religions seek to destroy, not love, their enemies.<\/p>\n
2) Christians always seek the highest good for their enemy.<\/p>\n
3) This means that we desire them to become Christians and save their souls from hell.<\/p>\n
4) It is that part of man that shall live eternally about which we ought to be concerned.<\/p>\n
5) Matthew 10:28 tells us that the soul is so much more precious than the body.<\/p>\n
6) Matthew 16:26 teaches us that one soul is worth the whole world.<\/p>\n
4. Loving our enemies is the constant effort on our part to make them our not only our friends, but our brethren.<\/p>\n
III. How and when do we love our enemies?<\/p>\n
1. Some may ask, ?How can I love someone who hates me? Who is trying to destroy me??<\/p>\n
1) The Bible gives us several principles to help us.<\/p>\n
2) By blessing, doing good, and praying for them. First, consider Matthew 5:44 ?But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.?<\/p>\n
3) By turning the other cheek and going the extra mile. (Matthew 5:38-42).<\/p>\n
4) By not taking vengeance upon them. (Romans 12:19).<\/p>\n
5) By providing for his needs. (Romans 12:20).<\/p>\n
6) By overcoming evil with good. (Romans 12:21).<\/p>\n
7) By teaching them the gospel.<\/p>\n
2. Some examples to consider.<\/p>\n
1) Consider David’s attitude toward Saul while Saul was trying to kill David.<\/p>\n
2) We have the example of Ananias and Barnabas to Saul of Tarsus.<\/p>\n
3) We have the example of early Christians toward the Roman soldiers.<\/p>\n
4) We have the example of Jesus Himself.<\/p>\n
3. When do we love our enemies?<\/p>\n
1) Any opportunity we have to show love to them.<\/p>\n
2) We love them especially when we don’t want to love them.<\/p>\n
4. We love our enemies by seeking their spiritual welfare.<\/p>\n
IV. Why should we love our enemies?<\/p>\n
1. God loves them. John 3:16, Romans 5:8-10.<\/p>\n
2. They need the gospel. Romans 1:16, John 14:6.<\/p>\n
3. It may encourage them to hear the gospel. Consider the example of Paul and Silas to the Philippian jailer in Acts 16.<\/p>\n
4. So that we can be like God. Matthew 5:45<\/p>\n
5. It may be that no one else truly loves them.<\/p>\n
1) Sometimes those who are our enemies simply don’t know how to be friends.<\/p>\n
2) If we love them, perhaps they will learn from our example.<\/p>\n
6. Each soul is worth loving. God certainly thinks so.<\/p>\n
CONCLUSION:<\/p>\n
1. We’ve looked at several questions and answers regarding loving our enemies.<\/p>\n
1) Who are our enemies?<\/p>\n
2) What does it mean to love our enemies?<\/p>\n
3) How and when do we love our enemies?<\/p>\n
4) Why should we love our enemies?<\/p>\n
2. Invitation<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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