“What Do You More Than Others?”

Love your enemiesMatthew 5:43-48

What did they say?

• Matthew 5:43 - You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR & hate your enemy.'

– ??? Matt 15:26; John 4:9; Acts 10:28; Eph 2:14;

– ??? Josh 6:21; Num 35; Psa 69:23-25

– Judicial Justice – NOT – Personal Vengeance

What did Jesus say?

• Matthew 5:44 - But I say to you, love your enemies,

– Examples: John 3:16; Rom 5:8-9; Luke 10

– Die to self!

What did Jesus say?

• Matthew 5:44 - But I say to you, bless those who curse you,

– Examples: Rom 12:17; 1 Pet 3:9; Prov 25:21-22

What did Jesus say?

• Matthew 5:44 - But I say to you, do good to those who hate you,

– Examples: Gen 45

What did Jesus say?

• Matthew 5:44 - But I say to you, pray for those who spitefully use you & persecute you,

– Examples: Num 12; Acts 7; Luke 23

Goal

1. Display the character & love of God.

• 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil & on the good, & sends rain on the just & on the unjust.

Goal

2. Live up to God’s expectations.

• 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

Goal

3. Be like our Father.

• 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. [Family resemblance]