Tough Stuff from Jesus (5)

Date
April 16, 2021
Speaker
Mike Root
Topic
Tough Stuff

Watch the sermon online.

Tough Stuff from Jesus (5) 4-18-21

Bottom Line: We can truly be growing in Christ and maturing in love without learning to love our enemies.

Introduction:

A. The two most overused superlatives in the English language are love and hate. They really aren’t superlatives!

1. Love is an overstatement for like, enjoy, & appreciate

2. Hate is for don’t like, care for, or not my choice

B. Where do you go next? “More” or “Super”?

1. If you hate purple but like it better than pink…

2. Hate is an easy superlative, easy threat, easy weapon!

C. Why do we hate? Especially people?

1. We hate to maintain the flames of revenge.

2. We hate because it gives passion and energy to life.

*A cause gives meaning & passion gives it longevity!

3. We hate because we don’t know how to cope w/ our feelings. We hate those who hurt us, hate us, and now, disagree with us. Often, just someone who is different!

D. Let’s make a list of those we hate or dislike?

1. Enemies of our country, terrorists, criminals, etc.

2. Those who hurt us – past and present

3. Those who scare us, cause us fear, we don’t understand

4. Those who don’t see things the way I do! Politics!

5. Those at work, school, home, neighborhood, & church who don’t like me, include me, or been mean to me.

E. Who is on your list? What would Jesus think about it?

1. Matthew 5:43-48 Tough Stuff from Jesus

2. Radical attack on human nature & cultural thinking!

F. Today’s Hate Culture is ungodly!

1. Can’t hate Politics, race, Transgender, Gay, race, etc.

2. Can’t hate those who disagree with you! Declaring someone an enemy doesn’t give you permission to hate.

G. Tough principles from Jesus:

1. Loving neighbors and hating enemies sounds like normal and logical thinking, but it isn’t God’s thinking!

A. We have had life-long teaching from family, friends, and the world. Love & hate clearly defined & acceptable!

B. Old as Jewish history – Lev.19:17-18 logical practice

C. Jesus redefined who our neighbor was. Luke 10 – we call it the Good Samaritan, but Jesus would call it the Good Neighbor. The world’s exception is God’s norm!

2. Love your enemies and pray for persecutors means not just theory but practice!

A. Theory is our doctrinal agreement! “Yes, Lord!” Mt.7:21

B. Prayer is action: not partners! Souls not just enemies!

MSG “Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst!”

C. Jesus showed us how on the cross. “Forgive them”

*Remember Romans 5? We were “enemies” then too!

3. “That you may be sons of your Father” is about us wanting to please Him more than seek revenge!

A. How tough was if for God to love us, in spite of us?

B. The Devil’s lie about hate & revenge: Payback is fulfilling!

C. God can’t live in the same heart as hate! 1 Jn.4

4. Jesus calls us to a higher standard! Vs.46-48

A. vs46, Reward? Nature rules! Reactive love! No growing!