WEBVTT

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 Matthew 5, verses 43-48.

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 Jesus is going to say to us,

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 let me clarify this hate your enemy thing.

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 An enemy is someone who is a constant threat.

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 An enemy is someone who is constantly looking

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 to make life hard for you.

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 Now, we know our enemies, spiritually speaking,

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 the devil is our enemy, sin in us is our enemy.

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 But Jesus has been talking about really

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 kind of personal relationships

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 all throughout this section in the Sermon on the Mount.

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 This morning we're talking about other people

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 who've got it in for you.

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 Who hate you.

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 Who see you as their enemy.

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 Maybe you hurt somebody years ago

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 and they've had it in for you ever since.

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 Or maybe you're just looking to follow Jesus.

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 You're just looking to be faithful to your Savior and King

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 and you've taken a stand for Jesus in some areas

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 and you know what?

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 Now you suffer for it.

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 People actually hate you for it.

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 This morning, right now,

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 the beginning of this message,

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 I want to ask you,

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 is there someone in your mind right now?

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 Is there someone in your mind right now

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 that you know has it in for you?

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 Another person.

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 They hate you.

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 They want to make life hard for you.

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 Well, if you have an enemy who hates you,

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 the temptation is to hate them right back

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 and to be justified in that.

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 But Jesus tells us this morning,

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 not my followers.

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 In Matthew 5, 43-48,

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 Jesus commands us Christians,

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 His followers,

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 citizens of His kingdom,

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 to love your enemy.

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 Let's look at what Jesus actually says.

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 Matthew 5, 43-48,

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 you've heard that it was said,

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 you shall love your neighbor

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 and hate your enemy.

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 But I say to you,

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 love your enemies

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 and pray for those who persecute you

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 so that you may be sons of your Father

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 who is in heaven.

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 For He makes His sun rise

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 on the evil and on the good

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 and sends rain on the just

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 and on the unjust.

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 For if you love those who love you,

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 what reward do you have?

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 Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

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 And if you greet only your brothers,

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 what more are you doing than others?

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 Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

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 You, therefore, must be perfect

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 as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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 I can summarize what Jesus is saying

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 to Christians in five words.

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 You must love your enemy.

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 It's a command.

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 Jesus is commanding you.

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 You must love your enemy.

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 And this morning, I want you to see

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 five reasons why you must love your enemy.

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 So here's reason number one.

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 You must love your enemy

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 because according to Jesus,

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 your enemy is actually your neighbor.

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 In verse 43, Jesus quotes

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 what the Pharisees,

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 the religious leaders and teachers

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 of the day were teaching the people.

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 They were saying,

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 look at verse 43,

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 you shall love your neighbor

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 and hate your enemy.

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 That's what they were teaching.

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 It's a reference back to Leviticus 19,

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 verses 17-18.

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 Love your neighbor as yourself

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 is what verse 18 closes with.

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 And what appears to be happening is this,

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 that the Jewish leaders of the time

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 understood that word neighbor

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 to mean just their fellow Jews.

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 And everybody else fell into

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 some kind of non-neighbor category.

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 Do you remember the parable

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 of the Good Samaritan?

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 It's one of my favorite parables of Jesus.

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 It's in Luke 10.

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 In this parable,

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 Jesus totally reorients this word neighbor.

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 There is a lawyer who puts Jesus to the test.

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 There seems to be a lot of lawyers

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 putting Jesus to the test

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 throughout the Gospels.

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 And he asks Jesus,

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 what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

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 And Jesus responds by saying,

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 well, what's written in the law?

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 The lawyer responds by saying,

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 in a session,

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 this is my summary.

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 Love God with everything you got

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 and love your neighbor as yourself.

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 And Jesus replies,

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 well, that sounds right.

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 You do that and live.

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 And then in verse 29,

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 we see a little kind of the truth

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 of where this lawyer's heart is.

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 And he asks,

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 and who is my neighbor?

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 In other words,

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 who am I obligated to love?

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 And that little verse 29

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 gives you a glimpse into the mindset

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 of the Pharisees of Jesus' day.

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 What they were doing is

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 they were drawing lines

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 along all the people around them.

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 Who is my neighbor?

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 And if this person is my neighbor,

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 I'm obligated to love them.

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 Anybody not,

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 I'm not obligated to love.

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 And it's to that question,

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 who is my neighbor,

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 that Jesus speaks the parable

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 of the Good Samaritan.

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 And ironically,

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 He makes the hero

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 in the Good Samaritan

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 to be a Samaritan,

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 a Gentile,

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 whom the Jews hated.

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 And that Good Samaritan

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 showed mercy on a beat up Jew

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 outside of a road in Jerusalem

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 on the road to Jericho.

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 That Samaritan,

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 in that parable,

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 he did not discriminate.

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 He did not discriminate

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 along the lines of race,

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 ethnicity,

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 appearance,

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 gender,

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 political position,

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 background.

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 Background.

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 The Samaritan saw a beat up Jew

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 on the side of the road,

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 saw him as his neighbor.

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 And then he showed that Jew mercy.

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 Jesus' point of the parable

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 of the Good Samaritan

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 is not just speaking to Jews

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 and saying,

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 yes, your Jews are your neighbors.

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 Jesus is saying,

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 everybody's your neighbor.

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 Everyone is your neighbor now.

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 Nowhere in the Old Testament

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 is God's people explicitly commanded

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 to hate their enemies.

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 Nowhere.

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 And so what the Pharisees have done

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 is they limited love your neighbor

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 to their own people

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 who look like they do

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 and eat what they eat,

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 and then they added to it

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 and hate your enemy.

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 There are Scriptures

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 that can be wrongly used

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 to justify hating your enemies.

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 But nowhere is there a command

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 to hate your enemies.

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 And so the Pharisees

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 had added to God's Word.

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 And were just seeing their fellow Jews

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 as their neighbors.

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 They conveniently dropped, too,

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 if you didn't notice this,

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 the as yourself.

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 Love your neighbors

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 and hate your enemies.

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 There's no real reference

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 of how they're to love their neighbors.

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 So what we see Jesus doing here

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 in verse 44 is this.

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 But I say to you,

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 love your enemies

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 and pray for those who persecute you.

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 Jesus is correcting

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 this wrong teaching of the day.

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 What were the Pharisees teaching?

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 Love your neighbor,

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 hate your enemy.

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 And Jesus is saying,

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 no, love your enemy.

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 And in so saying that,

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 He's saying,

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 because your enemy

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 is your neighbor.

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 Jesus doesn't give us

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 this non-neighbor category.

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 Everyone is our neighbor now.

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 So, a little while ago,

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 I asked you to think of a person

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 that is hostile towards you.

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 That you would consider an enemy.

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 Jesus is wanting to help you

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 this morning.

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 And help you see this person

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 who's hostile to you.

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 Not to ignore the hostility.

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 But to see them as a neighbor.

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 A fellow image bearer of God.

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 And when you begin to see an enemy

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 as a neighbor,

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 it starts to change your heart

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 towards them.

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 Don't do what the Pharisees have done.

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 They make a convenient,

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 compartmentalized approach

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 to people.

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 My neighbor and my enemy.

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 What Jesus does is He says,

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 no, no, no.

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 Your enemy is your neighbor.

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 That's the first reason

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 why we're to love our enemies.

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 They're our neighbors.

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 And we're going to treat them

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 a certain way.

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 The second reason

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 why we are to love our enemies

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 is what we see

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 in the latter part of verse 45.

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 It's because our Heavenly Father

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 loves His enemies.

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 We read,

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 so that you may be sons

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 of your Father who is in heaven.

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 For He, your Father in heaven,

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 makes His Son

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 rise on the evil

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 and on the good.

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 And sends rain on the just

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 and on the unjust.

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 Our Heavenly Father

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 doesn't discriminate

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 when it comes to

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 causing the sun to rise

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 and the rain to fall

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 on all people.

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 This is a common grace

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 of God to all.

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 God is lovingly causing

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 the sun to rise

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 and the rain to fall

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 both on the evil and the good.

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 On the unjust and the just.

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 Out of mercy,

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 God in His love

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 treats all people

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 with kindness

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 regardless if they fear Him or not.

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 We've got an amazing God.

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 He literally causes

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 the sun to rise

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 and the rain to fall

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 on all people

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 so that they can eat

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 and live.

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 He also gets at the scope

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 and scale of His sovereignty.

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 He's in control of all things.

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 This is called common grace.

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 Out of mercy,

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 God shows kindness

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 to even those who oppose Him

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 so that they can live.

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 And we learn from Romans 2

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 and Acts 17

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 that this common grace,

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 this common love for all

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 is intended to lead people

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 to God.

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 And the point that Jesus

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 is making here

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 is that this common grace

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 is an outworking

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 of His indiscriminate love

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 for all mankind.

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 He's kind.

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 He's kind to all.

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 So here's what Jesus

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 is getting at.

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 If God loves His enemies

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 this way,

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 so should we.

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 We should look out

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 for the general welfare

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 of our neighbors

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 which includes our enemies.

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 And so we read something

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 like this

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 in Romans chapter 12

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 the Apostle Paul says

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 don't take vengeance.

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 Vengeance is mine

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 says the Lord.

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 And then he goes on to say

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 if you have an enemy

00:12:51.640 --> 00:12:52.180
 who's hungry,

00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:52.740
 feed them.

00:12:52.860 --> 00:12:53.620
 If there's an enemy

00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:54.240
 who's thirsty,

00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:55.100
 you give them something

00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:55.660
 to drink.

00:12:56.140 --> 00:12:58.160
 He's quoting Proverbs 25

00:12:58.160 --> 00:12:59.000
 and he says

00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:01.020
 you'll put kind of coals

00:13:01.020 --> 00:13:02.360
 on their lap.

00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:04.240
 But it's also

00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:06.120
 showing them kindness.

00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:10.360
 And so vengeance

00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:11.780
 is in God's hands

00:13:11.780 --> 00:13:13.820
 so we overcome evil

00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:14.560
 with good.

00:13:14.559 --> 00:13:14.599
 good.

00:13:17.199 --> 00:13:18.579
 But I just got to

00:13:18.579 --> 00:13:19.439
 remind you

00:13:19.439 --> 00:13:20.179
 of the guy

00:13:20.179 --> 00:13:20.719
 who's speaking

00:13:20.719 --> 00:13:21.299
 these words.

00:13:22.479 --> 00:13:23.479
 So not only

00:13:23.479 --> 00:13:25.419
 does God

00:13:25.419 --> 00:13:26.539
 show His love

00:13:26.539 --> 00:13:27.839
 for all people

00:13:27.839 --> 00:13:29.459
 with common grace,

00:13:29.719 --> 00:13:30.419
 sun and rain,

00:13:31.099 --> 00:13:31.979
 God has shown

00:13:31.979 --> 00:13:32.500
 His love

00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:33.579
 for all people

00:13:33.579 --> 00:13:34.139
 including

00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:35.299
 His enemies

00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:38.159
 with a saving grace.

00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:40.620
 Jesus and the cross.

00:13:42.079 --> 00:13:43.100
 And it's the one

00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:43.639
 who's speaking.

00:13:45.699 --> 00:13:46.519
 In just a couple

00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:46.939
 of years,

00:13:47.199 --> 00:13:47.579
 Jesus,

00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:48.740
 who is saying

00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:49.259
 these words,

00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:50.399
 love your enemies

00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:51.240
 and pray for those

00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:53.500
 who persecute you.

00:13:56.439 --> 00:13:57.340
 In just a couple

00:13:57.340 --> 00:13:57.639
 of years

00:13:57.639 --> 00:13:58.459
 from Him saying this,

00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:58.899
 He's going to be

00:13:58.899 --> 00:13:59.579
 on a cross.

00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:01.039
 And do you remember

00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:01.980
 what He prays

00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:03.000
 on the cross?

00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:04.980
 Father,

00:14:05.079 --> 00:14:05.480
 forgive them

00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:06.000
 for they do not

00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:06.639
 know what they do.

00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:07.159
 Do you know

00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:07.600
 what He's doing

00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:07.939
 right there?

00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:08.959
 He is praying

00:14:08.959 --> 00:14:10.019
 for His enemies

00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:12.000
 while dying

00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:12.860
 for His enemies.

00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:17.039
 That's Luke 23,

00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:17.539
 34.

00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:23.120
 What we see happening

00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:25.519
 at the cross

00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:27.740
 is the single

00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:30.199
 greatest demonstration

00:14:30.199 --> 00:14:31.919
 of God's love

00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:32.559
 the world

00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:34.259
 has ever seen.

00:14:36.099 --> 00:14:36.599
 There,

00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:37.799
 our holy,

00:14:38.079 --> 00:14:38.919
 loving God

00:14:38.919 --> 00:14:39.980
 dies

00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:41.259
 for a sinful,

00:14:41.839 --> 00:14:43.259
 rebellious people.

00:14:43.779 --> 00:14:45.219
 God's love

00:14:45.219 --> 00:14:46.679
 is at the

00:14:46.679 --> 00:14:48.239
 is the genesis,

00:14:48.439 --> 00:14:49.279
 the drive

00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:51.059
 of His saving grace.

00:14:51.699 --> 00:14:51.979
 Do you remember

00:14:51.979 --> 00:14:52.839
 John 3, 16?

00:14:52.939 --> 00:14:53.719
 For God so loved

00:14:53.719 --> 00:14:54.239
 the world

00:14:54.239 --> 00:14:55.739
 that He gave

00:14:55.739 --> 00:14:56.859
 His one and only Son

00:14:56.859 --> 00:14:57.919
 that whoever believes

00:14:57.919 --> 00:14:58.279
 in Him

00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:59.179
 shall not perish

00:14:59.179 --> 00:15:00.299
 but have eternal life.

00:15:00.859 --> 00:15:02.299
 Why would the world

00:15:02.299 --> 00:15:03.079
 be in danger

00:15:03.079 --> 00:15:03.759
 of perishing

00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.739
 if the world

00:15:04.739 --> 00:15:05.599
 was not

00:15:05.599 --> 00:15:07.039
 a composition

00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:07.659
 of sinners

00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:08.159
 and rebels?

00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.199
 God's love

00:15:12.199 --> 00:15:13.000
 demonstrated

00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:13.799
 by sending

00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:14.259
 His Son

00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:15.339
 to die on the cross.

00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:18.459
 A.J. quoted

00:15:18.459 --> 00:15:19.759
 from Romans 5, 8

00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.219
 earlier

00:15:20.219 --> 00:15:20.819
 when he was

00:15:20.819 --> 00:15:21.799
 talking about

00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:22.579
 life groups.

00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:24.279
 But God demonstrates

00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:24.879
 His own love

00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.679
 towards us

00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:26.659
 in that while

00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:27.639
 we were yet

00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.799
 sinners,

00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:30.419
 Christ,

00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:32.239
 the Messiah,

00:15:32.959 --> 00:15:33.439
 King,

00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:35.599
 died for us.

00:15:36.979 --> 00:15:37.979
 And in 5, 10,

00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:39.099
 if there's any question,

00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:41.719
 Paul talks about

00:15:41.719 --> 00:15:42.659
 these same sinners

00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:43.219
 as enemies.

00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:49.540
 God's demonstrated

00:15:49.540 --> 00:15:51.360
 His common grace,

00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:52.320
 His common love

00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:53.800
 to all mankind

00:15:53.800 --> 00:15:55.480
 in sending

00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:57.560
 the sun and the rain

00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:58.460
 so that people

00:15:58.460 --> 00:15:59.040
 can live.

00:16:00.040 --> 00:16:01.320
 But He's demonstrated

00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:02.879
 His saving grace,

00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:04.320
 His saving love

00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:06.120
 very clearly

00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:07.160
 at the cross

00:16:07.160 --> 00:16:08.180
 of Jesus Christ

00:16:08.180 --> 00:16:09.060
 where He gives

00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:10.120
 spiritual life.

00:16:10.180 --> 00:16:10.940
 He offers that

00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:12.139
 to all mankind

00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:14.080
 His enemies.

00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:17.600
 Now,

00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:19.179
 if you have

00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:20.159
 any question,

00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:24.059
 you were

00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:26.159
 God's enemy.

00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:29.120
 You were

00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:29.960
 rebelling

00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:30.620
 against Him.

00:16:32.699 --> 00:16:34.019
 I was

00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:34.919
 an enemy

00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:35.539
 of God.

00:16:36.319 --> 00:16:37.240
 And despite

00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:38.919
 my rebellion,

00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:40.860
 God loved me

00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:42.200
 and Jesus

00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:43.440
 died for me

00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:44.060
 and He died

00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:44.480
 for you

00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.180
 and He offers

00:16:45.180 --> 00:16:45.759
 salvation

00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:47.940
 to all.

00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:50.960
 This is the kind

00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:51.500
 of love

00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:53.060
 our God

00:16:53.060 --> 00:16:53.980
 loves with.

00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:55.060
 This is the

00:16:55.060 --> 00:16:56.159
 wonderful agape

00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:57.139
 love that we

00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:57.639
 read about

00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:58.200
 throughout the

00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:58.539
 Scriptures.

00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:00.379
 The agape

00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:00.779
 love,

00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:01.300
 that's a Greek

00:17:01.300 --> 00:17:01.500
 word,

00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:01.919
 agape.

00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:03.060
 It's a love

00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:03.940
 for the

00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:05.039
 unlovely.

00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:07.099
 Loving those

00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:08.000
 who don't deserve

00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:08.660
 to be loved.

00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.779
 And furthermore,

00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:10.480
 it's loving

00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:12.100
 people with

00:17:12.100 --> 00:17:12.759
 the realization

00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.400
 they're not

00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:13.900
 going to love

00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:14.340
 you back

00:17:14.340 --> 00:17:14.840
 in and of

00:17:14.840 --> 00:17:15.320
 themselves.

00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:16.880
 That's the

00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:17.440
 kind of love

00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:17.980
 with which God

00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:18.820
 loves His

00:17:18.820 --> 00:17:19.100
 enemies.

00:17:22.600 --> 00:17:23.320
 And so,

00:17:23.600 --> 00:17:24.500
 we see here

00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.519
 in verse 45,

00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:27.740
 God loving

00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.960
 His enemies,

00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:30.360
 both the evil

00:17:30.360 --> 00:17:31.040
 and the good,

00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:31.640
 the just

00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:32.740
 and the unjust,

00:17:33.300 --> 00:17:34.080
 with a common

00:17:34.080 --> 00:17:34.540
 grace,

00:17:35.140 --> 00:17:35.660
 and what I've

00:17:35.660 --> 00:17:36.279
 sought to show you

00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:36.720
 this morning

00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:37.660
 and a saving

00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:38.160
 grace.

00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:40.779
 It's the guy

00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:41.220
 speaking.

00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:43.500
 We're at least

00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.079
 to love our

00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:45.079
 enemies with a

00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:46.019
 common kindness.

00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:49.980
 Jesus points

00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:50.460
 to something

00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:51.339
 very specific.

00:17:54.859 --> 00:17:55.519
 He says,

00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:56.160
 pray for those

00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:56.980
 who persecute you.

00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:01.579
 You know that

00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:02.539
 person I ask

00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:02.920
 you to be

00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.399
 thinking of

00:18:03.399 --> 00:18:03.859
 at the beginning

00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.440
 of the sermon?

00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.240
 This person

00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:06.120
 who is a threat

00:18:06.120 --> 00:18:06.599
 to you?

00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:07.839
 Who's hostile

00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:08.380
 to you?

00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.539
 Do you pray

00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:10.960
 for them?

00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.460
 Do you show

00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.099
 love for them

00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:14.519
 and praying

00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:14.880
 for them?

00:18:17.339 --> 00:18:18.000
 There was a

00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.839
 time years ago

00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:20.299
 where there

00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:20.940
 was someone

00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:26.000
 who was

00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:26.559
 hurting someone

00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.039
 I loved.

00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:31.140
 And that

00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:32.500
 person I saw

00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.039
 as an enemy.

00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:33.160
 I saw

00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:33.180
 as an enemy.

00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:36.279
 I hated

00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:36.940
 this person

00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.759
 for what

00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.039
 he was

00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.299
 doing.

00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:39.880
 I did.

00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:42.460
 And I began

00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:42.980
 to pray for

00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.460
 them because

00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:43.859
 of this

00:18:43.859 --> 00:18:44.299
 command.

00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.420
 And I

00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:47.900
 began by

00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:48.299
 praying

00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:49.079
 what's

00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:49.240
 called

00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:49.380
 the

00:18:49.380 --> 00:18:49.980
 precatory

00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:51.240
 psalms.

00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.240
 Calling

00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:53.519
 down God's

00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.120
 wrath on

00:18:54.120 --> 00:18:54.839
 this person.

00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:57.779
 But what

00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.339
 this person

00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:58.740
 was doing

00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.380
 was wrong.

00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.539
 Hurtful.

00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:06.079
 And over

00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:06.579
 the course

00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:07.299
 of months

00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:09.319
 I started

00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:09.899
 to hear

00:19:09.899 --> 00:19:10.399
 my own

00:19:10.399 --> 00:19:10.940
 prayers.

00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:14.839
 And I

00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:15.339
 started to

00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:15.740
 realize

00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:17.899
 God I

00:19:17.899 --> 00:19:18.460
 don't want

00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:19.440
 this person

00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:19.960
 damned.

00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:20.639
 I don't

00:19:20.639 --> 00:19:21.240
 want them

00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:21.819
 to be

00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.940
 apart from

00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:23.339
 you for

00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:23.819
 eternity.

00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:24.299
 I don't

00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:25.099
 want that.

00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.240
 And it was

00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:29.019
 actually through

00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.740
 my praying

00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.559
 that God

00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:31.319
 transformed

00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:32.000
 my heart

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.420
 from seeing

00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.059
 this person

00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:34.500
 as an

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.120
 enemy to

00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:36.480
 finding myself

00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:37.259
 praying for

00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.000
 mercy for

00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:38.660
 this person.

00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:40.880
 That God

00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:42.000
 would rescue

00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:43.559
 this person.

00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:44.579
 That God

00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.160
 would deliver

00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:46.420
 this person.

00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.660
 This person

00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:51.319
 never became

00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:51.859
 my friend.

00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:55.640
 But I

00:19:55.640 --> 00:19:56.079
 began to

00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:56.519
 love this

00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:56.859
 person.

00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:01.259
 are you

00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:01.700
 praying for

00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.160
 your enemies?

00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:04.680
 God

00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.099
 is good

00:20:05.099 --> 00:20:05.640
 for you

00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:07.640
 as you

00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:08.019
 pray

00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:09.980
 for your

00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.440
 enemies.

00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:11.579
 Pray for

00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:11.960
 the one

00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.359
 who's your

00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:12.799
 threat.

00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:18.460
 And if

00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:18.740
 they're not

00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.059
 a threat

00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:19.500
 to you

00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:19.940
 and a

00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:20.319
 threat to

00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:20.680
 somebody

00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.180
 else but

00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:21.799
 you still

00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:24.059
 feel anger

00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:24.839
 towards them,

00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:26.019
 pray for

00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.579
 them nonetheless.

00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:26.859
 us.

00:20:28.639 --> 00:20:29.480
 The second

00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.259
 reason why

00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:31.559
 we must

00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:32.740
 love our

00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.359
 enemies is

00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:33.759
 because our

00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:34.679
 heavenly father

00:20:34.679 --> 00:20:35.919
 loves his

00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:37.240
 enemies and

00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:37.839
 we were one

00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:38.099
 of his

00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:38.419
 enemies.

00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:40.059
 Reason

00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:41.000
 number three.

00:20:42.659 --> 00:20:43.439
 We must

00:20:43.439 --> 00:20:43.879
 love our

00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:45.500
 enemies because

00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.519
 we are now

00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:49.460
 children of

00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:49.839
 God.

00:20:51.179 --> 00:20:52.019
 We love our

00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:52.699
 enemies because

00:20:52.699 --> 00:20:53.259
 it's who we

00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:53.720
 are now.

00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:53.839
 now.

00:20:57.360 --> 00:20:57.960
 Look at

00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.680
 verse 45,

00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.140
 the beginning

00:20:59.140 --> 00:21:00.079
 of verse 45.

00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.220
 But I say to

00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:02.799
 you, love your

00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.400
 enemies and

00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:04.059
 pray for those

00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.740
 who persecute

00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:06.400
 you so that

00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:07.400
 you may be

00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:08.039
 sons of your

00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:08.880
 father who is

00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:09.259
 in heaven.

00:21:10.360 --> 00:21:11.160
 If Romans 5,

00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:11.900
 8, and 10

00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:12.640
 are true, we

00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:13.440
 were sinners,

00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:14.900
 enemies of

00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:15.339
 God.

00:21:16.120 --> 00:21:16.819
 We were

00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:18.539
 once enemies

00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:19.339
 of God.

00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:19.779
 We were

00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:21.440
 hostile to

00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:21.839
 God.

00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.360
 We were

00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:23.659
 rebellious.

00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.459
 We were

00:21:24.459 --> 00:21:25.119
 worshipping

00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:26.199
 anything but

00:21:26.199 --> 00:21:26.659
 God.

00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:30.279
 But God

00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:30.679
 loved us

00:21:30.679 --> 00:21:31.039
 anyway.

00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.339
 We were

00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:35.319
 unlovable and

00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:35.959
 he loved us.

00:21:37.379 --> 00:21:38.599
 We had no

00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.579
 interest in

00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:40.039
 loving him

00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:40.759
 back and he

00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.599
 loved us.

00:21:42.659 --> 00:21:43.439
 He sent his

00:21:43.439 --> 00:21:44.259
 son for us.

00:21:45.879 --> 00:21:46.500
 And when we

00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.819
 received Christ,

00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.799
 having believed,

00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.219
 God gave us the

00:21:51.219 --> 00:21:51.819
 right to become

00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.399
 his sons and

00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:52.740
 daughters.

00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:55.119
 On the basis

00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:56.179
 of what Jesus

00:21:56.179 --> 00:21:56.899
 did on the

00:21:56.899 --> 00:21:58.240
 cross, he

00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:58.819
 gave us the

00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.500
 right to become

00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:02.119
 the children of

00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:02.639
 his father.

00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:05.779
 We were once

00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.240
 enemies,

00:22:06.399 --> 00:22:07.379
 opposed, but

00:22:07.379 --> 00:22:08.639
 now by God's

00:22:08.639 --> 00:22:09.619
 grace, we are

00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:10.559
 children who are

00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.839
 fully accepted

00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:12.740
 into God's

00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.559
 family, fully,

00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:14.220
 fully loved.

00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:17.439
 That's who we

00:22:17.439 --> 00:22:17.899
 are now.

00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:17.980
 love.

00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:20.780
 We've been

00:22:20.780 --> 00:22:22.100
 given all the

00:22:22.100 --> 00:22:22.540
 rights and

00:22:22.540 --> 00:22:23.140
 privileges of

00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:23.900
 children of God.

00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:25.019
 We have been

00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:25.960
 brought into a

00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:26.680
 new family.

00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:27.540
 We've been given

00:22:27.540 --> 00:22:28.300
 a new status.

00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.360
 We've been given

00:22:29.360 --> 00:22:30.440
 a new nature.

00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:32.600
 The Spirit of

00:22:32.600 --> 00:22:33.480
 God comes and

00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.240
 indwells us.

00:22:34.320 --> 00:22:34.700
 We have new

00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.240
 hearts.

00:22:35.900 --> 00:22:36.460
 We are now

00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.900
 capable of what

00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:38.660
 we were never

00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:39.740
 capable before.

00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:43.040
 To love like our

00:22:43.040 --> 00:22:43.740
 Father loves.

00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:46.839
 So when Jesus

00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:48.019
 says, love your

00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.680
 enemies and pray

00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:49.240
 for those who

00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:50.500
 persecute you so

00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.400
 that you may be

00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:51.920
 sons of your

00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:52.539
 Father in heaven,

00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:53.559
 don't think that

00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.720
 he's saying, love

00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:55.740
 your enemies in

00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.400
 order to become

00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:57.220
 sons and daughters.

00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:59.059
 We cannot earn

00:22:59.059 --> 00:22:59.660
 the right to

00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:00.420
 become children of

00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:00.620
 God.

00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:01.599
 We receive that as

00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:02.299
 a gift of God's

00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:02.599
 grace.

00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:04.819
 What he's saying

00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:05.960
 is that our love

00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:07.519
 for our enemy and

00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.400
 praying for those

00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:09.940
 who persecute us is

00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:11.720
 evidence that we

00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:13.700
 are children of

00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.000
 God.

00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:15.019
 Sons and

00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.559
 daughters of

00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:17.420
 God most high.

00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:18.360
 It's because we're

00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:19.200
 children of God that

00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:20.360
 we are able to love

00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:22.120
 our enemies with the

00:23:22.120 --> 00:23:23.100
 kind of love our

00:23:23.100 --> 00:23:24.420
 Father has loved us.

00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.920
 And it's a distinct

00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.720
 family trait.

00:23:33.600 --> 00:23:35.440
 It sets us apart.

00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:38.759
 We love as our

00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:40.039
 Heavenly Father

00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:41.600
 loves us.

00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:44.759
 You must love your

00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:47.840
 enemy because you're

00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:50.059
 a child of the

00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:50.920
 Heavenly Father.

00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.580
 Reason number four.

00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.940
 We love our enemies

00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:07.220
 because this kind of

00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:08.220
 love sets us apart.

00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:15.539
 love makes us distinct.

00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:19.279
 This makes us salt and

00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:21.360
 light in a decaying and

00:24:21.360 --> 00:24:22.120
 dark world.

00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:26.039
 This kind of love is a

00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:28.600
 witnessing kind of love.

00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:30.640
 It speaks a word.

00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:38.200
 God uses our enemies

00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:40.960
 hatred for us as an

00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:42.440
 opportunity to advance

00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:44.700
 His kingdom in the way

00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.500
 we love them.

00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:49.900
 Look at verses 46 and 47.

00:24:50.020 --> 00:24:50.720
 It's really kind of

00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.080
 interesting.

00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:52.540
 He's making a point.

00:24:53.040 --> 00:24:54.340
 He has four rhetorical

00:24:54.340 --> 00:24:55.880
 questions here and there's

00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:56.720
 a point to it all.

00:24:57.320 --> 00:24:57.780
 Read with me.

00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:59.759
 For if you love those

00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:01.940
 who love you, what reward

00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.920
 do you have?

00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.379
 Do not even the tax

00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:05.359
 collectors do the same?

00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:07.000
 And if you greet only

00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:08.440
 your brothers, what more

00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:09.639
 are you doing than others?

00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:11.059
 Do not even the Gentiles

00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:11.700
 do the same?

00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.879
 What is Jesus getting at

00:25:12.879 --> 00:25:13.019
 here?

00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:14.180
 What are all these

00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:15.099
 rhetorical questions

00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:15.619
 getting at?

00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:17.440
 Well, He's kind of

00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:17.920
 saying this.

00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:19.160
 If you just love those

00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:20.279
 who love you, what's the

00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.279
 big deal in that?

00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:23.200
 Everybody else does

00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:23.460
 that.

00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:26.880
 The Heavenly Father

00:25:26.880 --> 00:25:28.860
 doesn't reward that kind

00:25:28.860 --> 00:25:30.360
 of everyday, common

00:25:30.360 --> 00:25:32.039
 loving of one another

00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:34.100
 because you're being

00:25:34.100 --> 00:25:34.819
 loved back.

00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.960
 That's an easy and

00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:39.240
 convenient kind of love.

00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.840
 Jesus' point is it's

00:25:41.840 --> 00:25:43.259
 relatively easy to love

00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.240
 someone who loves you

00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:44.579
 back.

00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:46.960
 When someone hates you,

00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:50.299
 that is the challenge

00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:52.000
 to love them.

00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:56.859
 Jesus is saying, hey,

00:25:57.079 --> 00:25:59.079
 if you love those who

00:25:59.079 --> 00:26:00.039
 love you, it's nothing

00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:01.119
 to write home about.

00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:03.259
 Even the tax collectors

00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:04.140
 do that.

00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:06.079
 Who are these tax

00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:06.500
 collectors?

00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.519
 Well, Jesus is talking

00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.579
 about Jewish tax

00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:09.000
 collectors.

00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:13.599
 And in Jesus' days, Jews

00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:16.920
 did not like Jewish

00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:18.039
 tax collectors.

00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:19.119
 And here's why.

00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:23.459
 They were seen as a kind

00:26:23.459 --> 00:26:24.019
 of traitor.

00:26:25.459 --> 00:26:26.619
 A Jewish tax collector

00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:27.839
 was a representative of

00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:28.699
 the Roman government.

00:26:29.699 --> 00:26:31.279
 They were collecting

00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:33.119
 money for the invaders.

00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:37.119
 They were fraternizing

00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:38.659
 with the enemy.

00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:42.119
 They were not looked well

00:26:42.639 --> 00:26:43.619
 upon because of that.

00:26:44.699 --> 00:26:45.579
 And then there's the whole

00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:47.119
 tax collecting system.

00:26:47.119 --> 00:26:49.199
 tax collectors were seen

00:26:49.199 --> 00:26:50.879
 as thieves because the way

00:26:50.879 --> 00:26:51.919
 that these taxes were

00:26:51.919 --> 00:26:53.359
 collected was you charge

00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.199
 a little bit for your

00:26:54.199 --> 00:26:55.599
 service to collect the tax.

00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.479
 So you put a little

00:26:56.479 --> 00:26:57.439
 surcharge on it.

00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:59.359
 But the system was such

00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:01.479
 that extortion was just

00:27:01.479 --> 00:27:02.519
 shot through it.

00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:04.019
 And everybody knew it.

00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.859
 So they were seen as

00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:06.839
 traitors and thieves.

00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.659
 And they were also seen

00:27:07.659 --> 00:27:09.419
 as unclean because a lot

00:27:09.419 --> 00:27:10.279
 of their tax collecting

00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.119
 had to do with Gentiles.

00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:14.119
 They were interacting and

00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:15.739
 becoming unclean because of

00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:15.960
 that.

00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:18.779
 So Jews were kind of put

00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:20.539
 out because tax collectors

00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:21.720
 were traitors, thieves,

00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:22.400
 and unclean.

00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.359
 And so Jesus is saying,

00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:26.079
 hey, these people you

00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:27.900
 despise, they love each

00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.279
 other.

00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.660
 What's the big deal?

00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.740
 There's nothing to be

00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:35.200
 impressed about if you love

00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:36.079
 each other like that.

00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:39.339
 In verse 47, he goes in

00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.039
 another direction.

00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:42.599
 If you greet only your

00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:44.099
 brothers, what more are you

00:27:44.099 --> 00:27:45.539
 doing than others?

00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.559
 Do not even the Gentiles do

00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:47.939
 that?

00:27:49.339 --> 00:27:50.359
 Hey, if you greet your

00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.939
 brothers, hey, isn't

00:27:51.939 --> 00:27:52.959
 everybody else greeting

00:27:52.959 --> 00:27:55.079
 those who look like them

00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.919
 and they like?

00:27:58.939 --> 00:28:00.219
 Gentiles greet each other

00:28:00.219 --> 00:28:00.719
 on the street.

00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:02.639
 What's the big deal?

00:28:03.899 --> 00:28:05.779
 If you just greet your

00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:07.319
 brothers, you're just like

00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:08.099
 the Gentiles.

00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:10.339
 What's so distinct

00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:12.539
 about that?

00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:15.000
 By the way, Gentiles were

00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:16.539
 seen by Jews as being

00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:18.879
 perpetually unclean.

00:28:20.639 --> 00:28:21.500
 Eating things they

00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.019
 shouldn't eat.

00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:22.699
 Doing things they

00:28:22.699 --> 00:28:23.359
 shouldn't do.

00:28:25.659 --> 00:28:26.459
 Touching things they

00:28:26.459 --> 00:28:27.039
 shouldn't touch.

00:28:27.139 --> 00:28:27.720
 They're gross.

00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:29.519
 And so do you remember

00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:32.919
 in Acts 10, the story of

00:28:32.919 --> 00:28:34.579
 Cornelius who was a

00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.019
 Gentile?

00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:37.859
 God calls Peter to share

00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:39.659
 the gospel with Cornelius

00:28:39.659 --> 00:28:40.519
 in Acts 10.

00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:43.359
 We see Peter walking

00:28:43.359 --> 00:28:44.899
 into the home of

00:28:44.899 --> 00:28:45.479
 Cornelius.

00:28:46.479 --> 00:28:47.779
 Do you realize what was

00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.579
 happening right there?

00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:50.899
 That would have been the

00:28:50.899 --> 00:28:53.039
 first time Peter, as a Jew,

00:28:53.479 --> 00:28:54.819
 would have entered a

00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.959
 Gentile's house.

00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:59.500
 Look at verse 28 of

00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.019
 chapter 10.

00:29:03.719 --> 00:29:05.299
 Gentiles were seen as

00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:06.180
 unclean.

00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:08.379
 And so Jesus is saying,

00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:11.000
 hey, if you're just going

00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.619
 to greet one another,

00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.960
 hey, the Gentiles who you

00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:14.339
 despise, they do that

00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:14.519
 too.

00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:15.180
 What's the big deal?

00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:15.960
 There's nothing distinct

00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:16.500
 about that.

00:29:19.899 --> 00:29:21.339
 The argument here is that

00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:23.019
 that kind of love, that

00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:24.299
 kind of greeting, that's

00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:24.940
 common.

00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:26.659
 That's normal.

00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:28.259
 That's usual.

00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:29.940
 Loving those who love

00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:31.039
 you, greeting those who

00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:33.480
 you like, you're peeps.

00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.960
 There's nothing unusual

00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:35.759
 about that.

00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:42.460
 Here's what's unusual.

00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:46.360
 I think Jesus is being

00:29:46.360 --> 00:29:47.039
 very subtle.

00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:51.180
 But if you, as a child of

00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:54.259
 God, love those tax

00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:55.779
 collectors who extort you

00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:58.420
 and greet those Gentiles who

00:29:58.420 --> 00:30:01.279
 make you unclean because

00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:04.500
 they are your neighbors,

00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:09.000
 that's distinctly a

00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:10.079
 God-like love.

00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:12.019
 That's something to be

00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.440
 rewarded.

00:30:13.399 --> 00:30:14.299
 That's something to be

00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:14.799
 commended.

00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:16.259
 That's something to write

00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:16.839
 home about.

00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:19.700
 When you love your enemy

00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:23.299
 as your neighbor, that is

00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:24.399
 the fulfillment of the law.

00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:29.860
 We are to love our

00:30:29.860 --> 00:30:31.860
 neighbors because it's

00:30:31.860 --> 00:30:33.740
 distinctly God-like.

00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:35.700
 You overcome the evil of

00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:37.620
 those who hate you with

00:30:37.620 --> 00:30:38.180
 good.

00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:41.300
 That's Jesus-like.

00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:44.480
 When someone insults you

00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:46.320
 with a hurtful word, you

00:30:46.320 --> 00:30:47.540
 respond with a word of

00:30:47.540 --> 00:30:48.019
 kindness.

00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:53.500
 You pray for those who are

00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:54.420
 hostile to you.

00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:56.720
 You greet someone who hates

00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.599
 you on the street.

00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:59.420
 That, this is all being

00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:01.140
 salt and light in a

00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:03.099
 decaying and dark world.

00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:06.640
 People take notice of this

00:31:06.640 --> 00:31:08.779
 kind of love because it's

00:31:08.779 --> 00:31:09.339
 uncommon.

00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.599
 It's abnormal.

00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:13.319
 It is unusual.

00:31:14.319 --> 00:31:16.920
 God even uses our enemies'

00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:20.380
 insults and attacks to

00:31:20.380 --> 00:31:22.059
 further His kingdom and the

00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:23.140
 way we respond to them.

00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:25.880
 That's the upside-down way

00:31:25.880 --> 00:31:26.299
 of Jesus.

00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:32.559
 So Jesus is saying, you

00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:35.220
 must love your enemy because

00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:36.339
 it's an opportunity to be

00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:37.079
 salt and light.

00:31:37.319 --> 00:31:38.339
 It sets you apart.

00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:39.440
 It is distinct.

00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:42.940
 You're a child so that God

00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:43.559
 would get the glory.

00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.319
 Reason number five.

00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:49.000
 You must love your enemy

00:31:49.000 --> 00:31:51.140
 because you are commanded by

00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:53.880
 Jesus to be perfect.

00:31:55.140 --> 00:31:56.500
 It's Matthew 5.48.

00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.940
 Be perfect as your heavenly

00:31:57.940 --> 00:31:58.940
 Father is perfect.

00:32:00.140 --> 00:32:01.440
 That word perfect means

00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.519
 complete.

00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:04.480
 Fully mature.

00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.299
 And if you were to read

00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.960
 Leviticus 19.2, it's that

00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:10.579
 what God says, be holy for I

00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:11.019
 am holy.

00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:14.039
 When you read Matthew 5.48,

00:32:14.139 --> 00:32:15.879
 there's a similar cadence.

00:32:17.339 --> 00:32:18.559
 Be perfect as your heavenly

00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:19.400
 Father is perfect.

00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:22.160
 Be holy for I am holy.

00:32:22.660 --> 00:32:24.779
 There is this holiness

00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:26.980
 component to this perfection.

00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:29.500
 Moral rightness.

00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:31.960
 A righteousness that exceeds

00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:34.059
 even the Pharisees.

00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:38.519
 What I want to help you see

00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:41.740
 is that verse 48 is the

00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:43.339
 concluding verse of this

00:32:43.339 --> 00:32:45.019
 entire section that began

00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:45.859
 in verse 17.

00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:46.859
 Look at verse 17.

00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:48.399
 Do not think that I have

00:32:48.399 --> 00:32:49.779
 come to abolish the law or

00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:50.240
 the prophets.

00:32:50.359 --> 00:32:51.399
 I have not come to abolish

00:32:51.399 --> 00:32:52.980
 them, but to fulfill them.

00:32:53.079 --> 00:32:54.339
 And then Jesus gives six

00:32:54.339 --> 00:32:55.919
 examples of how the law is

00:32:55.919 --> 00:32:58.079
 fulfilled when it comes to

00:32:58.079 --> 00:33:01.039
 anger, lust, divorce, oaths,

00:33:01.099 --> 00:33:02.740
 retaliation, and now love for

00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:03.240
 your enemies.

00:33:04.059 --> 00:33:07.179
 Jesus is showing us through

00:33:07.179 --> 00:33:09.359
 this teaching what the

00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:11.740
 perfect fulfillment of the

00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:13.579
 law looks like.

00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:16.299
 To be perfect as your

00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:17.879
 heavenly Father is perfect.

00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:23.359
 To be perfect in how you

00:33:23.359 --> 00:33:26.379
 perfectly fulfill the law.

00:33:31.740 --> 00:33:33.179
 It's time to be honest.

00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:39.319
 Does anybody in the room love

00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:41.039
 their enemy with a perfect

00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:42.039
 God-like love?

00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:44.700
 No.

00:33:45.519 --> 00:33:46.179
 We don't.

00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:47.359
 And we all know it, don't we?

00:33:50.399 --> 00:33:53.339
 None of us can perfectly obey

00:33:53.339 --> 00:33:55.839
 this perfect fulfillment of the

00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:57.460
 law and prophets that Jesus has

00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:58.579
 just laid out for us.

00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.419
 None of us can.

00:33:59.420 --> 00:34:02.740
 What are we to do?

00:34:05.080 --> 00:34:07.620
 This command to be perfect is a

00:34:07.620 --> 00:34:08.860
 command to the impossible.

00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:12.240
 This is out of our reach.

00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:13.960
 We can't do it.

00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:18.880
 How can we do the impossible?

00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:23.420
 What's impossible for man is possible for God.

00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:27.500
 What we're unable to do, God has done.

00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:28.500
 We're unable to do it.

00:34:28.500 --> 00:34:28.800
 We're unable to do it.

00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:29.500
 We're unable to do it.

00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:29.840
 We're unable to do it.

00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:33.340
 So what are we to do when we are tempted to hate our enemy

00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:35.239
 instead of love our enemy?

00:34:36.139 --> 00:34:38.139
 We're to preach the gospel to yourself.

00:34:39.619 --> 00:34:42.480
 We're to call to your mind your perfect Savior

00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:46.300
 who is perfecting your faith.

00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:50.880
 Jesus, God incarnate, is the only human being

00:34:50.880 --> 00:34:53.860
 that has perfectly lived out this perfect fulfillment

00:34:53.860 --> 00:34:54.800
 of the law and prophets.

00:34:55.220 --> 00:34:56.380
 He's the only one.

00:34:57.460 --> 00:34:58.840
 So Jesus never murdered,

00:34:59.600 --> 00:35:01.320
 and He was never sinfully angry.

00:35:02.620 --> 00:35:05.160
 Jesus never committed physical adultery,

00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:07.280
 and He never committed adultery in His heart.

00:35:07.340 --> 00:35:07.980
 He never lusted.

00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:11.100
 Jesus never divorced,

00:35:11.100 --> 00:35:11.900
 and you may be saying,

00:35:12.019 --> 00:35:13.000
 well, He was never married.

00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:16.480
 Actually, He is married.

00:35:18.159 --> 00:35:19.960
 To the bride of Christ, the church.

00:35:22.739 --> 00:35:25.199
 And He will be faithful to us all the way through.

00:35:25.340 --> 00:35:27.019
 He will never leave us or forsake us.

00:35:29.179 --> 00:35:30.480
 When it comes to oaths,

00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:33.480
 He never spoke a word He didn't keep.

00:35:34.679 --> 00:35:36.199
 His yes is always yes.

00:35:36.280 --> 00:35:37.360
 His no is always no.

00:35:37.360 --> 00:35:39.519
 He perfectly keeps His word.

00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:42.000
 He lived out perfectly

00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:43.239
 that what He said,

00:35:43.300 --> 00:35:44.699
 do not resist the evil one,

00:35:44.780 --> 00:35:45.619
 the one who is evil.

00:35:46.039 --> 00:35:46.860
 When He was reviled,

00:35:46.940 --> 00:35:47.639
 this is 1 Peter,

00:35:47.780 --> 00:35:48.760
 when He was reviled,

00:35:48.840 --> 00:35:50.179
 He did not revile in return.

00:35:50.599 --> 00:35:51.340
 When He suffered,

00:35:51.460 --> 00:35:52.340
 He didn't threaten,

00:35:52.719 --> 00:35:54.619
 but continued entrusting Himself

00:35:54.619 --> 00:35:57.559
 to the one who judges justly.

00:35:59.119 --> 00:35:59.940
 It's perfect.

00:36:01.840 --> 00:36:03.599
 And with what we saw this morning,

00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:05.519
 He perfectly fulfilled,

00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:07.260
 love your enemy

00:36:07.260 --> 00:36:09.400
 and pray for those who persecute you.

00:36:09.400 --> 00:36:12.400
 He lovingly died for us

00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:14.280
 who was His enemies.

00:36:15.180 --> 00:36:16.980
 He's praying for them on the cross.

00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:24.780
 He did what none of us could do

00:36:24.780 --> 00:36:29.880
 in order to accomplish the impossible.

00:36:30.940 --> 00:36:34.160
 To make imperfect sinners perfect

00:36:34.159 --> 00:36:35.980
 in God's sight.

00:36:37.779 --> 00:36:38.779
 In Christ,

00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:39.899
 remember,

00:36:42.619 --> 00:36:44.759
 He is the perfect Savior

00:36:44.759 --> 00:36:46.819
 and He's the perfecter of our faith.

00:36:48.099 --> 00:36:50.119
 I want to encourage you just quickly

00:36:50.119 --> 00:36:51.179
 with a couple things here.

00:36:53.940 --> 00:36:55.019
 Do not forget

00:36:55.019 --> 00:36:59.379
 that Jesus has made perfect

00:36:59.380 --> 00:37:00.440
 your record.

00:37:01.640 --> 00:37:02.780
 He's made it perfect.

00:37:04.140 --> 00:37:05.440
 He died for your sins,

00:37:06.760 --> 00:37:08.039
 erasing all sin,

00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:10.340
 and He imputed to you

00:37:10.340 --> 00:37:11.300
 His righteousness.

00:37:12.820 --> 00:37:14.200
 He justified you.

00:37:15.619 --> 00:37:17.280
 And He is in the process

00:37:17.280 --> 00:37:19.380
 of making us perfect.

00:37:19.380 --> 00:37:22.039
 For one sacrifice,

00:37:22.280 --> 00:37:23.920
 He made perfect for all time

00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:26.579
 those who are being sanctified.

00:37:26.579 --> 00:37:29.239
 in the process

00:37:29.239 --> 00:37:31.299
 of being made perfect.

00:37:33.299 --> 00:37:34.679
 And there's coming a day

00:37:34.679 --> 00:37:38.279
 when He will complete His work in us.

00:37:38.360 --> 00:37:39.739
 He will perfect it.

00:37:40.099 --> 00:37:42.679
 We will be completely released

00:37:42.679 --> 00:37:46.119
 of all sinful inclinations.

00:37:46.579 --> 00:37:47.779
 Unhindered by sin.

00:37:48.239 --> 00:37:49.380
 That's when we're glorified.

00:37:49.380 --> 00:37:52.660
 His perfect work of salvation

00:37:52.660 --> 00:37:53.920
 is past, present, and future.

00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:57.320
 He's the perfecter of our faith.

00:37:58.400 --> 00:37:59.559
 And when we are tempted,

00:38:00.840 --> 00:38:01.860
 when we are confronted

00:38:01.860 --> 00:38:03.340
 with this call to perfection

00:38:03.340 --> 00:38:05.140
 and we look to ourselves,

00:38:05.960 --> 00:38:07.119
 don't go there first.

00:38:08.059 --> 00:38:09.180
 Go to your perfect Savior.

00:38:10.400 --> 00:38:12.059
 He is your confidence

00:38:12.059 --> 00:38:13.880
 when we are faced

00:38:13.880 --> 00:38:15.420
 with our imperfections.

00:38:15.920 --> 00:38:17.059
 You have a perfect record.

00:38:17.200 --> 00:38:18.180
 He's making you perfect.

00:38:18.179 --> 00:38:18.940
 And there's a day

00:38:18.940 --> 00:38:20.099
 when you will be perfect.

00:38:22.419 --> 00:38:23.579
 What ends up happening

00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:25.579
 is this call to be perfect

00:38:25.579 --> 00:38:27.500
 as your Heavenly Father is perfect.

00:38:28.859 --> 00:38:30.159
 It's a call to trust

00:38:30.159 --> 00:38:31.179
 your perfect Savior.

00:38:33.859 --> 00:38:35.219
 We've looked at five reasons

00:38:35.219 --> 00:38:35.759
 this morning

00:38:35.759 --> 00:38:37.219
 as to why you love your enemy.

00:38:39.039 --> 00:38:39.819
 Love your enemy

00:38:39.819 --> 00:38:40.500
 because your enemy

00:38:40.500 --> 00:38:41.179
 is your neighbor.

00:38:41.379 --> 00:38:42.699
 That person you thought of,

00:38:43.219 --> 00:38:44.579
 that person's your neighbor.

00:38:44.579 --> 00:38:46.599
 and your Heavenly Father

00:38:46.599 --> 00:38:49.119
 loves His enemies

00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:50.440
 and you were one of them.

00:38:50.799 --> 00:38:51.739
 That's the second reason.

00:38:51.819 --> 00:38:52.599
 The third reason is

00:38:52.599 --> 00:38:54.319
 you're now a child of God.

00:38:54.779 --> 00:38:56.739
 You're able to love your enemy.

00:38:57.440 --> 00:38:58.480
 The fourth reason was

00:38:58.480 --> 00:39:02.219
 you can distinctly love your enemy

00:39:02.219 --> 00:39:03.880
 with the Father's love.

00:39:04.219 --> 00:39:05.679
 It's an opportunity

00:39:05.679 --> 00:39:06.759
 to advance the kingdom.

00:39:06.759 --> 00:39:09.259
 And the fifth,

00:39:10.759 --> 00:39:11.699
 you're to love your enemy

00:39:11.699 --> 00:39:13.159
 because you've been called

00:39:13.159 --> 00:39:13.899
 to be perfect.

00:39:16.539 --> 00:39:17.799
 And we obey that

00:39:17.799 --> 00:39:18.599
 by first looking

00:39:18.599 --> 00:39:19.519
 to our perfect Savior.

00:39:21.500 --> 00:39:22.559
 So this morning,

00:39:22.839 --> 00:39:23.799
 the question you may have

00:39:23.799 --> 00:39:24.719
 is where do I start?

00:39:26.099 --> 00:39:27.099
 I've got an enemy.

00:39:27.759 --> 00:39:28.460
 I'm going to walk

00:39:28.460 --> 00:39:29.359
 into an office tomorrow

00:39:29.359 --> 00:39:30.480
 into hostility.

00:39:30.619 --> 00:39:31.219
 What do I do?

00:39:31.219 --> 00:39:33.980
 On your way in,

00:39:34.919 --> 00:39:36.319
 pray for your enemy.

00:39:37.199 --> 00:39:38.139
 That's where to start.

00:39:39.079 --> 00:39:39.959
 Let's pray now.

00:39:40.819 --> 00:39:41.480
 God in Heaven,

00:39:42.000 --> 00:39:43.359
 thank You for loving us.

00:39:44.339 --> 00:39:45.279
 We were Your enemies

00:39:45.279 --> 00:39:47.919
 and that did not stop You.

00:39:48.659 --> 00:39:49.739
 We were unlovable

00:39:49.739 --> 00:39:51.559
 and yet You loved us.

00:39:52.500 --> 00:39:53.699
 You knew we didn't have it

00:39:53.699 --> 00:39:55.179
 in ourselves to love back,

00:39:55.319 --> 00:39:56.579
 but You loved us still.

00:39:57.959 --> 00:40:00.239
 God, would You perfect us?

00:40:00.239 --> 00:40:02.059
 Would You make us a people

00:40:02.059 --> 00:40:04.199
 that when we encounter

00:40:04.199 --> 00:40:04.879
 hostility,

00:40:05.039 --> 00:40:07.279
 we respond in a way

00:40:07.279 --> 00:40:08.679
 that pleases You.

00:40:09.459 --> 00:40:10.359
 In Jesus' name,

00:40:10.979 --> 00:40:11.219
 Amen.