Week 4: Loving Your Enemy
July 28, 2024
Pastor Jimmy Santangelo
Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, … New King James Version
Who are my enemies?
Enemies are anyone who hurts, disappoints, or offends you, intentionally or not.
FORGIVENESS IS REALLY, REALLY HARD:
(But it’s so worth it)
· It seems unfair if we forgive them.
· They don’t deserve forgiveness after what they did.
· HOWEVER, FORGIVENESS IS NEVER DESERVED (Matthew 18:21-22)
· PRIDE (Colossians 3:13)
Loving your enemy is so freaking hard, Jesus tells us how to do it.
Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, … New King James Version
Loving your enemy is so freaking hard, Jesus tells us how to do it.
· Bless those who curse you.
· Do good to those who hate you.
· Pray for those who use you and persecute you.
P.Praise God for who they are.
R.Repent of how you are offended and feel towards them.
A.Ask God to prosper them - to meet a specific need in their life.
Y.Yield to anything else God may ask of you to do or repent of.
Matthew 5:45 … that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; … New King James Version
Matthew 5:45 He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. New International Version
Everyone is tied for first place for God’s Love
Matthew 5:46 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? New King James Version
Matthew 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. New International Version
JESUS’ LOVE IS LIKE A SECOND LANGUAGE; IT TAKES PRACTICE
To be a disciple of Jesus means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you. - C.S. Lewis