But God - First Baptist Powell



Loving Your EnemiesLuke 6:27-36March 14, 2021Sermon on the MountAm I really saved? Am I really living for Christ? Christianity doesn’t add something to man’s brilliance; it replaces it. – John MacArthurSalvation and Christianity doesn’t add something to our life, it replaces our life. We no longer do what’s natural, because we have a new nature, and the sermon on the mount is designed to show us that. It’s a measuring stick to see if we’re truly saved and if we’re truly living for Him. It first does that by showing you how you view yourself. Second, it shows you how you view others. Both are key to be called the “sons of the Most High” (vs 35). How you view others. As a follower of Christ, our relationship with people should be characterized by love. Matt 28:19-20 - 19?Go therefore and?make disciples of?all nations,?baptizing them?in?the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,?20?teaching them?to observe all that?I have commanded you. And behold,?I am with you always, to?the end of the age.”Matt 5:16 - 16?In the same way, let your light shine before others, so?that?they may see your good works and?give glory to your Father who is in heaven.Loving your enemies. Why should we love our enemies?Who is my enemy? Those who hate you. (vs 27)Those who curse you. (vs 28)Those who mistreat you. (vs 28)Those who hit you. (vs 29)Those who take something from you.(vs 30)The definition of your enemy is one who does evil and defies the laws of God.5-Practical ways to love your enemies. Love your enemies (vs 27). Luke 6:35b-36 – 35 … for?he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.?36?Be merciful, even as?your Father is merciful.Our challenge – you must work hard to not allow the evil that a person does to overwhelm you, rather overwhelm that evil with goodness.Do good to your enemies (vs 27). Rom 12:20-21 - 20?To the contrary,?“if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”?21?Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.Bless your enemies (vs 28).Pray for your enemies (28). Don’t retaliate (vs 29-30). The power to love your enemies. Resist the urge the isolate yourself and surround yourself with only your friends. To do so makes you no better than any other sinner or the world. We do so because we have no power. There’s no power required to love our friends.Our old nature has a very strong pull on us. We need power beyond us to overcome the evil of others. We must cultivate that power by deepening our study, worship, and prayer. We must live and walk in the Spirit. There is power in living in the Spirit. The Spirit gives sight to eternal things that are far beyond our physical circumstances and earthly relationships. It gives power to spiritual things that overcome earthly fears and desires for retribution. It deepens your relationship with the Lord where all of a sudden you find that Him being more glorified is more important and more satisfying to you, than you getting slammed by some evil person in the world or in the church.The command to love your enemy is a command to set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. The command to love your enemy is a command to find your hope and your satisfaction in God and his great reward—not in the way people treat you. The steadfast love of the Lord is better than life (Psalm 63:3). – John Piper ................
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