WEBVTT

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 Tonight we're thinking about loving our enemies, loving like the Father.

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 So we'll read from Matthew 5 and from verse 43.

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 This is God's Word.

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 Ryan.

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 Well, you may have noticed that we actually are jumping backwards from where we were last week.

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 There was a little miscommunication with the worship night.

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 And so we had Thomas Davis preaching chapter 6 verses 1 through 4.

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 And so we've jumped back to chapter 5.

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 We will jump forward again next Sunday night.

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 But we are in the Sermon on the Mount.

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 And we're in those passages where Jesus, there's six of them, where Jesus has said,

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 You have heard that it was said, but I say to you.

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 And tonight we're again in one of the most familiar of all of the teachings of Jesus

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 when we're talking about loving your enemy.

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 Now, one of the things that if you know me very well, you probably know,

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 I have a big problem where I Google way too many things.

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 Something will come up and Kelly will just say,

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 Ryan, you don't have to Google that.

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 Okay.

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 Well, there has been a little bit of a cure to that problem as Christian.

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 And then Spencer introduced me to chat GPT.

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 So now it gets all of my questions.

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 And as I was trying to play with Microsoft's AI version called Copilot,

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 I just put in the question, what makes Jesus unique?

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 I just wanted to see what it would say.

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 What makes Jesus unique?

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 And this is what Copilot said.

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 While many philosophers emphasized ethical living, self-improvement, or societal structures,

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 Jesus introduced an unwavering focus on selfless love,

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 not only for friends or the deserving, but even for enemies,

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 an idea profoundly countercultural at the time.

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 So even AI, when you just put in something like what makes Jesus unique,

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 talks about our passage here tonight, which is about loving our enemies.

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 It is so foundational to the Christian life.

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 And in fact, it's probably so familiar to us if you've grown up in church,

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 that there's a little bit of a temptation to kind of just stop focusing and saying,

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 yeah, I've been there, done that.

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 What am I going to hear tonight that I've not heard before?

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 And the answer to that is probably nothing, but that is not the Christian life.

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 The Christian life is not just learning new things,

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 but many times learning how to apply in a fresh way what the Word of God says to us.

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 In fact, as I was preparing for this for a couple of weeks,

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 I was kind of diving into some of the minutiae

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 and some of the different things that the commentaries were saying,

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 and it just hit me like I'm getting lost in all of these details

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 when just such the basic teaching of Christianity is you must love even your enemies.

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 And so that's where we are tonight.

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 We're trying to ask this question,

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 how can we love our enemies?

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 There's something so simple about it, yet so profound in this passage,

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 and we must not gloss over it.

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 So we'll start in chapter 5, verse 43,

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 where Jesus says,

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 you've heard that it was said,

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 you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

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 Now, the Old Testament law did tell us to love our neighbor.

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 And the question that came to my mind was,

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 did the scribes and Pharisees really teach,

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 love your neighbor, but hate your enemies?

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 Well, apparently so.

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 But if you think about it,

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 there are passages in the Old Testament

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 where you can kind of see where they get it from.

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 For instance, Psalm 97.10 says,

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 Oh, you who love the Lord, hate evil.

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 Or if you look at some of the Psalms,

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 they're calling curses down on the enemies of God's people.

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 If you're living in oppression like they are at this time,

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 you can see how it would be easy to say,

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 well, these people are evil,

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 therefore we must love our neighbor.

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 But it's okay to hate these people

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 because they are evil.

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 They are my enemies.

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 These are evil people who are against God and His people.

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 And so, also, they are not my neighbor.

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 The Pharisees taught that your neighbor were Israelites.

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 If you were not an Israelite, you were not my neighbor.

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 So I didn't have to love you.

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 And Jesus says, that's not what God teaches us.

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 Love your neighbor applies not just to Israelites,

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 but to even your enemies.

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 We do know that the Qumran community

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 that gave us the Dead Sea Scrolls,

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 we know that they did actively teach

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 that you are to love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

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 So it was a prevalent teaching at that time.

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 But before we just cast judgment on them,

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 we can convince ourselves of many things.

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 If we want it to be true,

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 we can even convince ourselves of that in Scripture.

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 I won't give any examples of that,

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 but you know what I'm talking about.

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 If we want it to be true,

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 a lot of times we will even find Scriptures

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 to try to prove our point.

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 And that's what the Pharisees and scribes would do.

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 You have heard it was said,

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 you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

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 But I say to you,

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 love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

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 Jesus said, love your enemies.

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 And the word their enemy means someone

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 that is opposed to you,

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 someone that is hostile toward you.

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 It's someone that you hate.

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 Now, some of you may read this or hear this and think,

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 well, when I think of enemies,

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 I don't really have any enemies.

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 And if you have no one,

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 on one side,

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 if you have no one that you can see

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 is like that person or those people oppose me,

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 you might not be standing on real convictions.

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 If no one is opposed to you,

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 you might be a people pleaser

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 and not living according to convictions.

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 On the other side,

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 if you're thinking,

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 okay, I can think of a lot of enemies,

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 then you might just be a jerk.

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 Neither one of those are good, okay?

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 But we can all think about people in our lives

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 that would be opposed to us.

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 Maybe it's not saying,

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 calling someone an enemy,

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 but we might say,

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 I have a really hard time loving this person.

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 Or those who oppose us that we're like,

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 I can't even stand to be around them.

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 Who are the people that push our buttons,

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 that set us off?

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 I mean, just to even pull out a little bit further,

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 think about the political leaders

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 that you're just eager to talk bad about.

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 Think about the very least,

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 those in the media,

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 when we're seeing like social media or something,

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 that just makes our blood boil.

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 Those would be our enemies.

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 Maybe it hits a little closer to home

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 and it's someone that has made fun of you

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 or mistreated you.

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 Maybe someone that bullied us.

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 Someone who actively mistreats others.

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 Maybe not us, but someone we love.

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 Who are those that we are most likely to avoid?

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 And this would even apply,

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 maybe you wouldn't call this person an enemy,

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 but that person that just annoys us.

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 Who are those people that come to your mind?

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 And Jesus says,

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 love your enemies.

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 Jesus doesn't just say,

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 don't retaliate.

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 He doesn't just tell us to avoid,

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 don't be mean or anything like that.

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 He tells us to actively love our enemies.

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 Now, love is obviously linked to showing kindness

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 in Luke 6,

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 in the same kind of passage.

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 We call Luke 6 the Sermon on the Plains.

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 It says he came down from a mountain.

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 Sermon on the Plains,

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 Sermon on the Mount

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 has some of the same things.

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 And in that passage,

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 he tells us to actively do good to our enemies.

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 But this,

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 when he says,

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 love your neighbor as yourself,

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 that would apply to this.

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 We are to love them.

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 And when Jesus says,

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 love your neighbor as yourself,

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 I mean,

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 we can think about it to the same extent

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 that I would try to feed myself

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 when I'm hungry.

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 that's the extent to which

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 I should love my enemies

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 to make sure they have food as well.

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 To make sure my needs are met,

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 that's the same extent

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 to which I should love my enemies

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 and make sure their needs are met.

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 This sounds kind of crazy.

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 Could we really actually live like this?

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 Paul says that love bears all things,

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 believes all things,

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 and hopes all things.

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 Can I really bear all things

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 for the sake of love

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 in regard to my enemy?

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 Can I really think the best of them

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 and hope that good things happen to my enemy?

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 Because that's what love does.

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 Love your enemies.

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 Can I really extend this kind of love,

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 the love that Jesus calls us to,

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 to my enemies.

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 And look what he says.

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 He says,

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 love your enemies

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 and pray for those who persecute you.

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 Pray for them.

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 Why does he say pray for them?

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 Dallas Willard,

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 who wrote a book called Divine Conspiracy,

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 which addresses the Sermon on the Mount,

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 he says that prayer

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 is the highest form of loving someone.

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 When you pray for someone,

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 you really are wishing for their good.

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 You want their good to happen.

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 So when he says pray for those who persecute you,

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 that is one of the highest forms

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 that we can have of loving someone.

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 Praying is also connected,

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 when we think about prayer,

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 we think about provision,

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 we think about prosperity for thriving.

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 Do we really pray for the thriving

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 of those who are actively against us?

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 This word persecute here,

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 it literally means active pursuit.

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 that someone who is chasing after you

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 in order to overtake and harm you.

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 Pray for those people.

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 The people who actively want bad things for you,

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 we are to pray for them,

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 to want their good,

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 and to even ask God to give them good things.

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 Like the change of heart?

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 Those who actively seek our harm.

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 Pray for those that persecute you.

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 And Jesus says,

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 do this so that you may be sons

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 of your Father who is in heaven.

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 This doesn't mean in order to become

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 sons of your Father who is in heaven.

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 It means because you are His sons.

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 Because you are God's children,

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 children,

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 love your enemies,

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 and pray for those who persecute you.

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 Demonstrate that you are a child

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 of your Father in heaven

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 by loving your enemies

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 and praying for those who persecute you.

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 How in the world

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 could we possibly do this?

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 This is exactly how the Father treated us.

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 Romans chapter 5,

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 verses 8 through 10,

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 says that God demonstrated His love for us

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 and while we were yet sinners,

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 Christ died for us.

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 It goes down to verse 10 and says,

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 for if while we were enemies,

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 we were reconciled to God

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 by the death of His Son,

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 much more now that we are reconciled,

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 shall we be saved by His life.

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 We were enemies

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 when God pursued us.

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 That same word for enemy

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 is used in Colossians 1.21

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 that says we were hostile toward God.

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 Those who are without Christ

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 are actively opposed against God

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 just like we were.

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 This is how God treated us.

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 That while we were enemies,

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 He pursued us.

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 In order to overtake us

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 with His grace

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 and His mercy.

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 This is one of the clearest truths

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 of the Gospel.

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 That is,

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 it is love for His enemies

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 that brought Christ to earth

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 to die on the cross

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 for your sins.

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 And if you get nothing else

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 out of the sermon tonight,

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 let your heart just be full

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 of love and worship

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 for the Father,

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 that He would pursue you

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 while you were His active enemy.

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 And if you just get that,

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 if you just meditate on that

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 and get that at the deep down heart level,

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 all of a sudden,

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 God's love will then overflow

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 out of you

00:13:49.660 --> 00:13:51.920
 even to your enemies.

00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:53.540
 That's how we love

00:13:53.540 --> 00:13:55.080
 like the Father.

00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:55.160
 Father.

00:13:55.940 --> 00:13:56.980
 As we understand

00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:58.720
 that this is how He loved us.

00:13:58.780 --> 00:14:00.100
 That while we were His enemies,

00:14:00.520 --> 00:14:01.920
 He pursued us.

00:14:02.300 --> 00:14:03.500
 He loved us.

00:14:04.680 --> 00:14:04.940
 Now,

00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:06.300
 this teaching,

00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:06.860
 as

00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:08.580
 ChatGPT and Co-Pilot

00:14:08.580 --> 00:14:09.139
 would tell us,

00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:10.440
 this teaching

00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:11.360
 was unique

00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:12.080
 during the time.

00:14:12.160 --> 00:14:12.259
 Now,

00:14:12.300 --> 00:14:13.340
 there were some other teachings

00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:14.240
 that would basically

00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:15.400
 say stuff like

00:14:15.400 --> 00:14:16.480
 maybe avoid

00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:17.460
 your enemies,

00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:20.019
 maybe don't

00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:21.620
 try to do things

00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:23.300
 to disrupt things

00:14:23.300 --> 00:14:23.960
 with your enemies,

00:14:24.160 --> 00:14:25.580
 but nothing to go as far

00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:26.100
 as to say

00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:27.820
 love your enemy.

00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:29.840
 Pray for your enemy.

00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:30.680
 This was something

00:14:30.680 --> 00:14:32.780
 that was completely new,

00:14:32.920 --> 00:14:33.840
 completely unique,

00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:35.360
 and it has changed

00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:36.259
 our world.

00:14:37.040 --> 00:14:38.740
 It has changed our world

00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:40.100
 and it is even depicted

00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:41.800
 in our stories now.

00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.519
 You can look up,

00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:45.280
 I mean,

00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:46.620
 just do a Google search

00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.300
 if you want to,

00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:49.600
 shout out to Google still,

00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:53.000
 but just movies

00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:53.879
 that portray

00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:54.940
 loving your enemies,

00:14:55.680 --> 00:14:56.660
 books that portray

00:14:56.660 --> 00:14:57.639
 loving your enemies,

00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:59.320
 and just look at

00:14:59.320 --> 00:15:00.460
 all the list of things

00:15:00.460 --> 00:15:00.980
 that show up.

00:15:01.180 --> 00:15:01.980
 It has changed

00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:02.900
 the way we tell

00:15:02.900 --> 00:15:03.780
 our stories.

00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:04.580
 Now,

00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:05.420
 all of my kids

00:15:05.420 --> 00:15:06.139
 have loved

00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:07.560
 the Marvel movies,

00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:08.620
 the Avengers.

00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.680
 There's one movie

00:15:10.680 --> 00:15:11.580
 in the Avengers

00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:13.080
 that I particularly like

00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:14.019
 called the Black Panther,

00:15:15.300 --> 00:15:17.139
 and spoiler alert,

00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:18.000
 but if you haven't seen it,

00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:18.819
 it's your fault.

00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:20.580
 King T'Challa has been

00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:22.100
 defeated by Killmonger.

00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:24.360
 He is the Black Panther,

00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:26.379
 and he has lost the mantle

00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:27.740
 of the Black Panther.

00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:29.179
 He's left for dead.

00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:31.860
 He's nursed back to health,

00:15:32.179 --> 00:15:34.080
 and he has dreams and plans

00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:35.120
 of coming back

00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:36.559
 and taking back the throne,

00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:37.799
 taking back the mantle

00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:39.199
 of Black Panther.

00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:41.840
 and when he fights Killmonger,

00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:43.240
 he wins,

00:15:44.180 --> 00:15:46.740
 but instead of destroying him,

00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:48.460
 he has mercy on him

00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:50.560
 and even tries to save him

00:15:50.560 --> 00:15:52.460
 and offer him healing.

00:15:53.020 --> 00:15:54.520
 He even honors him

00:15:54.520 --> 00:15:55.540
 by taking him

00:15:55.540 --> 00:15:56.879
 to the top of the mountain

00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:57.840
 where he can look over

00:15:57.840 --> 00:15:58.540
 at the sunset,

00:15:59.180 --> 00:16:00.500
 setting over Wakanda,

00:16:00.640 --> 00:16:02.259
 kind of one of his last dreams.

00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:04.980
 This is a depiction

00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:07.179
 of loving even your enemy.

00:16:07.559 --> 00:16:09.360
 They get that from Jesus.

00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:13.240
 Maybe a little bit closer to home,

00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:15.480
 Joe Rowling happened to put this

00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:17.200
 in the Harry Potter series

00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:19.980
 as the villain,

00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:20.899
 like, you know,

00:16:20.939 --> 00:16:22.120
 well, not the main villain,

00:16:22.220 --> 00:16:23.039
 but one of the guys

00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:24.559
 that just drives you crazy

00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:25.879
 from the very beginning

00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:26.319
 of the book,

00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:27.379
 Draco Malfoy,

00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.919
 all the way through,

00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:30.379
 you can't stand the guy,

00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:32.159
 you really do have this

00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:33.519
 distaste, dislike.

00:16:34.419 --> 00:16:35.379
 He's awful, right?

00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:37.860
 But it's the end of the books.

00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.960
 Again, spoiler alert,

00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:39.919
 but if you haven't seen it,

00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:40.620
 it's your fault

00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.379
 or haven't read it.

00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.340
 It's been available

00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:43.259
 for a long time.

00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:45.899
 At the end,

00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:46.580
 they're in the room

00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:47.299
 of requirement.

00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:48.720
 You know what I'm talking about?

00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:51.620
 And Crab calls the fiend fire

00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:52.799
 or whatever it's called,

00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:55.279
 and it gets out of control.

00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:57.159
 They get brooms.

00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:58.100
 Harry and his friends

00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:58.879
 get brooms,

00:16:58.879 --> 00:17:00.299
 and they're flying out.

00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:02.120
 And they see Draco

00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:03.720
 hanging there.

00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:05.299
 They see him in trouble.

00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:07.380
 And Harry's friends

00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:07.759
 are like,

00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:08.759
 see ya.

00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:09.440
 Harry's like,

00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.940
 no, I gotta go back for him.

00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:13.279
 And all of a sudden,

00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:15.240
 we see this valor,

00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:17.680
 this courageous thing

00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:19.380
 where he risks his life

00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:21.299
 for his specific enemy.

00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:24.140
 And it changed everything.

00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:26.900
 It changed Harry's heart.

00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:28.519
 It changed Draco's heart.

00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:31.579
 And that's one of the things

00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.440
 that we see.

00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:34.559
 That when we love our enemies,

00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:36.259
 it changes things.

00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:37.759
 And at the very least,

00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:39.480
 it changes our own hearts

00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:41.799
 when we allow the love of God

00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:43.619
 to spill out to us,

00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:45.319
 even to our enemies.

00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:47.939
 it will certainly change you.

00:17:47.939 --> 00:17:52.779
 Verse 45 says,

00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:56.200
 for he makes his sun rise on the evil

00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:57.759
 and on the good,

00:17:57.960 --> 00:18:00.879
 and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:04.079
 Now, don't miss the significance of this.

00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:06.839
 In an agrarian society,

00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:09.759
 having sun and rain

00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:11.859
 is completely,

00:18:12.639 --> 00:18:15.000
 it's so important for prosperity,

00:18:15.179 --> 00:18:16.039
 even for life.

00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.559
 Without sun and rain,

00:18:17.699 --> 00:18:19.980
 there is gonna be complete death.

00:18:20.139 --> 00:18:20.539
 Famine.

00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.720
 In an agrarian society,

00:18:22.919 --> 00:18:23.859
 sun and rain

00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:25.599
 are basic necessities

00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:27.139
 that they must have

00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:28.899
 in order to survive.

00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:31.060
 So if you think about the idolatry

00:18:31.060 --> 00:18:32.920
 of Israel

00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:34.160
 that they were tempted with

00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:35.100
 in the Old Testament,

00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.940
 think about some of the names.

00:18:37.360 --> 00:18:37.860
 The Baal,

00:18:38.580 --> 00:18:39.200
 Asherah,

00:18:39.780 --> 00:18:40.160
 Dagon,

00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:41.120
 Chemosh.

00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:42.940
 Baal was the storm god.

00:18:43.540 --> 00:18:45.220
 Asherah was the goddess of fertility.

00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:46.400
 Dagon,

00:18:46.600 --> 00:18:47.840
 grain and agriculture.

00:18:48.360 --> 00:18:48.880
 Chemosh,

00:18:49.080 --> 00:18:49.560
 fertility.

00:18:50.120 --> 00:18:51.800
 So much of it was linked

00:18:51.800 --> 00:18:53.860
 to just crying out to anything

00:18:53.860 --> 00:18:55.200
 that they thought would listen

00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:57.740
 so that they would get sun and rain

00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.779
 for their crops to grow,

00:18:58.880 --> 00:19:00.420
 for the society to flourish.

00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:05.720
 God sends His sun and rain

00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:07.700
 even on the enemies.

00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:10.940
 He knows that by sending sun and rain

00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:12.059
 to the pagans,

00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:14.519
 to those who actively oppose Him,

00:19:14.859 --> 00:19:17.900
 they are not gonna give Him credit for it,

00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:20.079
 but give these false idols,

00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:22.299
 these false gods credit

00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:24.319
 for sending the storms,

00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.460
 for sending the sun,

00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:27.460
 and for sending the rain.

00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:29.799
 If God were petty and spiteful,

00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:32.079
 He would withhold the sun and the rain

00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:34.480
 except for those who recognize Him

00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:36.880
 from exactly where it came from.

00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:40.720
 But He gives His sun and rain

00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:43.420
 even to those who don't recognize Him,

00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:45.339
 to His enemies,

00:19:45.460 --> 00:19:47.319
 those who actively oppose Him.

00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:50.019
 Now in modern times,

00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:52.139
 if you even think about it,

00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:54.720
 the sun rising and setting

00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:56.379
 is one of those things

00:19:56.379 --> 00:19:59.419
 that is foundational for why science works.

00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.799
 Science relies on the assumption

00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:03.899
 that the universe operates

00:20:03.899 --> 00:20:06.019
 according to consistent laws

00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:07.579
 that can be observed,

00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:08.460
 tested,

00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.519
 and predicted.

00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:12.339
 God's gift of sun

00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:15.220
 leads some to trust in science

00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:15.919
 instead of Him.

00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:21.300
 But that is the love of our Father,

00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:24.500
 that He sends His Son and His rain

00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:26.920
 even on His enemies,

00:20:27.060 --> 00:20:29.660
 on the evil and on the good.

00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:32.920
 When we love our enemies,

00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:35.320
 we are acting like children

00:20:35.320 --> 00:20:37.440
 of the Father in heaven.

00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:41.400
 Now, remember in the Sermon on the Mount

00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:43.400
 and these passages we've been talking about

00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:45.360
 that Jesus isn't just giving us

00:20:45.360 --> 00:20:46.580
 some rules to obey.

00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:49.779
 He's telling us how to become kingdom people

00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:53.720
 so that love overflows from our hearts

00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:55.519
 even towards our enemies.

00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:59.660
 Remember, He's getting to the heart of things.

00:20:59.820 --> 00:21:00.920
 You've heard that it was said,

00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:02.580
 you shall not murder,

00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.839
 but I say to you,

00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:06.559
 don't even be angry with your brother.

00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.379
 Anger, murder,

00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:11.799
 adultery, lust.

00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:13.659
 He's getting at the heart.

00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.740
 And with this passage,

00:21:15.879 --> 00:21:17.059
 He's helping us see

00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:19.679
 how love can overflow from our hearts

00:21:19.679 --> 00:21:21.339
 into the way that we live our lives

00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:22.839
 so that it even spills out

00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:24.059
 to our enemies.

00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:26.720
 And then in verse 46,

00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:27.279
 He says,

00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:29.720
 For if you love those who love you,

00:21:30.139 --> 00:21:31.839
 what reward do you have?

00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:34.799
 Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:38.399
 For if you love those that love you,

00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:39.759
 He's starting to list

00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:41.960
 some of the enemies of these people.

00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.220
 Tax collectors.

00:21:43.399 --> 00:21:47.599
 They were like the ultimate betrayers of Israel.

00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:51.559
 One way that we would think about people,

00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:53.500
 the way that we think about terrorists

00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:55.359
 and racists and fascists,

00:21:55.659 --> 00:21:57.599
 awful people in our minds,

00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:59.200
 like that's the way they would think

00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:00.159
 of tax collectors.

00:22:01.419 --> 00:22:02.039
 And He's saying,

00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:04.480
 even those people love those who love them.

00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:07.159
 How different are you

00:22:07.159 --> 00:22:09.879
 if you only love people that love you?

00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:13.599
 Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:15.419
 And if you greet only your brothers,

00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:17.740
 what more are you doing than others?

00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:21.059
 Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:23.519
 Now this idea of greeting someone,

00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:25.419
 it means to embrace

00:22:25.419 --> 00:22:26.899
 or to welcome,

00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:27.919
 to receive them.

00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:29.460
 It was often done in that culture

00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:31.740
 with a kiss on the cheek.

00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:34.259
 But it has this idea

00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:36.019
 of showing honor and respect.

00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:38.679
 So we're to greet people.

00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.299
 In other words,

00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:40.879
 we're to welcome, receive,

00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.399
 show honor to people

00:22:42.399 --> 00:22:45.099
 who are not just people

00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:46.500
 that we know and love,

00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:47.480
 but all people.

00:22:48.379 --> 00:22:49.240
 And one of the things

00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:50.440
 that we need to understand

00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:51.240
 from this passage

00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:53.380
 is that our treatment of people

00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:56.380
 must never depend on who they are,

00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:59.420
 but it depends on who we are.

00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:02.759
 We're children of our Father

00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:03.960
 who is in heaven.

00:23:04.140 --> 00:23:05.620
 And this Father in heaven

00:23:05.620 --> 00:23:07.920
 loves even His enemies.

00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:11.220
 This should transform our lives.

00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:11.940
 And then it says,

00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:12.519
 you know,

00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:13.759
 what reward have you?

00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:15.240
 He brings up the idea of reward.

00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:17.279
 He'll do it again in chapter 6.

00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.960
 This idea of reward,

00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:20.359
 to be kingdom people,

00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:22.299
 to be able to love our enemies,

00:23:22.620 --> 00:23:23.700
 we have to understand

00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:25.940
 that life is not just about

00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:26.759
 the here and now.

00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:28.579
 There's also a life

00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.920
 that is yet to come

00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:31.279
 that we are to live for,

00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:33.140
 living in light of eternity,

00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:35.779
 knowing that our time here

00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:37.339
 is a short time

00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:39.059
 before Jesus comes back

00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:40.579
 and will make all things new.

00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:43.720
 We are to live in light of that,

00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:45.100
 in light of eternity.

00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:46.420
 There is reward.

00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:48.160
 And when we think about that life,

00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.380
 when we think about

00:23:49.380 --> 00:23:51.079
 that this life on earth

00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:52.819
 is just a blip on the radar,

00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:55.440
 it allows us to understand

00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:55.920
 that, okay,

00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:57.420
 we can live differently

00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:59.480
 because there is a time

00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.220
 that is to come

00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:01.180
 where Jesus will make

00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.039
 all things new.

00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.920
 And I want even my enemies

00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.980
 to be there with me.

00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:07.000
 I want them to know

00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:08.160
 the love of the Father.

00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:11.460
 And if that's not our heart,

00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.579
 where we want our enemies

00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:13.240
 to come to know

00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:14.179
 the love of the Father,

00:24:14.899 --> 00:24:16.240
 we need to question

00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:17.599
 the love that is in us.

00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:20.579
 Because that's how

00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:21.740
 He taught us to love.

00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:24.579
 To want the world to know.

00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:25.859
 Even our enemies

00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:28.399
 to know the love of the Father.

00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.839
 Loving your enemy

00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:31.119
 is foundational

00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:32.819
 to the Christian life.

00:24:32.939 --> 00:24:34.159
 It is the most basic

00:24:34.159 --> 00:24:35.960
 teaching of Jesus.

00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:38.279
 But it's tough.

00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:41.480
 It's not easy

00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:43.299
 to love those

00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.339
 who annoy us.

00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.119
 It's not easy

00:24:46.119 --> 00:24:46.740
 to love those

00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:48.099
 who push our buttons.

00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:50.200
 Who set us off.

00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:52.379
 And even enjoy doing so.

00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:55.039
 How do we love those

00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:56.000
 who bully others

00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:57.160
 and mistreat others?

00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:58.559
 How do we love them?

00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:00.440
 Those people that have

00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.359
 come to our mind

00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:02.180
 tonight

00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:03.180
 while we've been

00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:03.940
 in this passage.

00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:06.339
 How do we love them?

00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:09.179
 We must meditate

00:25:09.179 --> 00:25:10.539
 on the love

00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:11.439
 of our Father

00:25:11.439 --> 00:25:13.500
 and what He did for us.

00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:15.159
 He loved us so much

00:25:15.159 --> 00:25:16.259
 that He sent Jesus

00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:17.980
 to die.

00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:19.899
 He sent Jesus

00:25:19.899 --> 00:25:20.599
 to fulfill

00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:21.579
 all righteousness

00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:23.099
 that we could not do.

00:25:23.199 --> 00:25:24.199
 To live the life

00:25:24.199 --> 00:25:25.959
 that we couldn't live.

00:25:26.399 --> 00:25:27.740
 And then He died

00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.199
 the death

00:25:28.199 --> 00:25:29.779
 that we deserved

00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.480
 to die.

00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:31.240
 His enemies.

00:25:33.159 --> 00:25:34.559
 And in doing so

00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.519
 He brought us

00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.460
 into the family

00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:36.940
 of God.

00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:37.619
 So now we have

00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:38.159
 a Father

00:25:38.159 --> 00:25:39.339
 who loves His enemies

00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:40.559
 and He's teaching us

00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:41.659
 and empowering us

00:25:41.659 --> 00:25:42.379
 by His Spirit

00:25:42.379 --> 00:25:43.940
 to do the same.

00:25:44.659 --> 00:25:45.539
 Love your enemies

00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.960
 and pray for those

00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:48.460
 who persecute you.

00:25:49.639 --> 00:25:51.240
 One final word.

00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:54.839
 This verse 48 here.

00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:58.399
 In my Bible

00:25:58.399 --> 00:25:59.039
 it's put with this

00:25:59.039 --> 00:25:59.740
 same paragraph.

00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:00.359
 You therefore

00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:01.319
 must be perfect

00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:02.319
 as your Heavenly Father

00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:02.839
 is perfect.

00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:05.099
 There are many

00:26:05.099 --> 00:26:05.819
 that will say

00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:07.220
 that this verse

00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.319
 is actually a summary

00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:09.299
 of everything

00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:10.679
 going back to verse 17.

00:26:11.159 --> 00:26:12.039
 All the passages

00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.399
 that are

00:26:12.399 --> 00:26:13.519
 you've heard

00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.220
 that it was said

00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.139
 but I say to you

00:26:15.139 --> 00:26:16.139
 all of those passages

00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:19.039
 that this verse

00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.980
 you therefore

00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.859
 must be perfect

00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:21.819
 as your Heavenly Father

00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:22.339
 is perfect

00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:23.879
 that it applies

00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:24.779
 to all of that.

00:26:24.879 --> 00:26:25.500
 It's a summary

00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.679
 of those kind of things.

00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:29.939
 In all of those things

00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:32.480
 Jesus is not just telling us

00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.940
 we have a new law

00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:34.460
 to obey.

00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.320
 He's not giving us

00:26:35.320 --> 00:26:35.799
 a new law.

00:26:36.080 --> 00:26:36.960
 He's helping us

00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:37.980
 get to the intent

00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:40.120
 the matters of the heart.

00:26:41.340 --> 00:26:42.360
 And in verse 20

00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:43.460
 He even says

00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.500
 that our righteousness

00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.320
 must surpass

00:26:45.320 --> 00:26:46.759
 that of the scribes

00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.620
 and the Pharisees.

00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:49.259
 He's basically saying

00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.299
 that the scribes

00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:50.920
 and the Pharisees

00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:51.840
 are all about

00:26:51.840 --> 00:26:52.840
 outward obedience.

00:26:53.400 --> 00:26:54.480
 I'm telling you

00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.940
 it goes to the heart.

00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:59.420
 So we get to verse 48.

00:26:59.420 --> 00:26:59.980
 You therefore

00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:01.019
 must be perfect

00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:02.460
 as your Heavenly Father

00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:03.120
 is perfect.

00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:05.140
 That word

00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:06.019
 therefore perfect

00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:07.640
 that might not be

00:27:07.640 --> 00:27:08.680
 the best English

00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:09.800
 translation of it.

00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.759
 There's one commentator

00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:14.220
 that makes a great case

00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.820
 and he's not alone

00:27:14.820 --> 00:27:15.060
 in this

00:27:15.060 --> 00:27:16.380
 but makes a great case

00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:17.320
 that this word

00:27:17.320 --> 00:27:18.820
 is often translated

00:27:18.820 --> 00:27:19.880
 as complete

00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:21.220
 or whole.

00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:24.080
 You must be whole

00:27:24.080 --> 00:27:25.400
 as your Heavenly Father

00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:26.400
 is whole.

00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.519
 This word

00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:29.319
 you may know

00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:29.920
 the Old Testament

00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:30.559
 was translated

00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.400
 into Greek

00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:31.819
 it's called

00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.660
 the Septuagint

00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.940
 and this word

00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:34.759
 that's used here

00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.420
 teleos

00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:37.319
 in the Old Testament

00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:38.039
 is sometimes

00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.720
 translated

00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:39.539
 shalom

00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:41.599
 it's replacing

00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:42.279
 the Hebrew word

00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:42.740
 shalom

00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.799
 completeness

00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.519
 wholeness

00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.019
 okay

00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:46.639
 you must be whole

00:27:46.639 --> 00:27:47.900
 as your Heavenly Father

00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:48.539
 is whole

00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:50.000
 and basically

00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:51.440
 what that would mean

00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:51.879
 is

00:27:51.879 --> 00:27:53.359
 it's this idea

00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:55.139
 that to be whole

00:27:55.139 --> 00:27:57.220
 your inside heart

00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:57.839
 attitudes

00:27:57.839 --> 00:27:58.639
 and motivations

00:27:58.639 --> 00:28:00.659
 must line up

00:28:00.659 --> 00:28:01.680
 with your outward

00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.379
 actions

00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:03.220
 and behaviors

00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:05.220
 to be whole

00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:06.319
 as God is whole

00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:06.700
 means

00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:07.920
 that your heart

00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:09.259
 and your actions

00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.299
 are aligned

00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:11.359
 to that

00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:12.940
 of the Heavenly Father

00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:15.420
 you must be perfect

00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:16.139
 or whole

00:28:16.139 --> 00:28:17.680
 as your Heavenly Father

00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.200
 is whole

00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:19.720
 Jesus cares

00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:20.860
 about our hearts

00:28:20.860 --> 00:28:21.120
 here

00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:22.140
 not just

00:28:22.140 --> 00:28:22.940
 an outward

00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:23.799
 obedience

00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.960
 he is going

00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:26.620
 for the heart

00:28:26.620 --> 00:28:28.960
 as we follow

00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.380
 Jesus

00:28:29.380 --> 00:28:30.180
 we're not

00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:31.480
 following a teaching

00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.160
 we're following

00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:32.940
 a person

00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:34.700
 and as we do

00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.279
 we become

00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.259
 more and more

00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:36.920
 like him

00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:38.299
 conforming our lives

00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.539
 to his word

00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:41.019
 it's about

00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:41.440
 becoming

00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:42.279
 kingdom people

00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.660
 and when we

00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:44.440
 love

00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.779
 like the Father

00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:48.599
 we learn

00:28:48.599 --> 00:28:49.639
 how to love

00:28:49.639 --> 00:28:50.319
 even

00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:51.099
 our enemies

00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:52.920
 and he empowers

00:28:52.920 --> 00:28:53.399
 us

00:28:53.399 --> 00:28:54.500
 to do so

00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:55.940
 we're called

00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.920
 to love

00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:57.480
 our neighbor

00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:58.119
 as ourself

00:28:58.119 --> 00:28:58.960
 that extends

00:28:58.960 --> 00:28:59.899
 to everyone

00:28:59.899 --> 00:29:01.359
 including

00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:02.680
 our enemies

00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:04.539
 so what

00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:05.279
 my challenge

00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.000
 for us

00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:07.160
 myself included

00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:08.200
 is tonight

00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:09.319
 is to

00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:10.180
 as we think

00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:10.759
 about who

00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.399
 those people

00:29:11.399 --> 00:29:11.660
 are

00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:12.460
 that we feel

00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:13.160
 like actively

00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:13.980
 oppose us

00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.620
 are those

00:29:14.620 --> 00:29:15.039
 people

00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:16.319
 that are

00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.319
 against us

00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:18.640
 who push

00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:19.220
 our buttons

00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:20.500
 who annoy us

00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.120
 who we try

00:29:21.120 --> 00:29:21.799
 to avoid

00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.980
 who we just

00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:23.980
 don't like

00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.700
 we can't even

00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.620
 stand to be

00:29:25.620 --> 00:29:26.120
 around them

00:29:26.120 --> 00:29:27.220
 whoever those

00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:27.980
 people are

00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:29.880
 we must learn

00:29:29.880 --> 00:29:30.660
 to meditate

00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:31.680
 on God's

00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.640
 love for us

00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:34.059
 and what he

00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:34.480
 has done

00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.059
 for us

00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:36.120
 as his enemies

00:29:36.120 --> 00:29:36.880
 what he did

00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:37.259
 for us

00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:37.840
 in Jesus

00:29:37.840 --> 00:29:38.420
 Christ

00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:39.700
 making us

00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.720
 enemies now

00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:42.120
 into his

00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:42.660
 family

00:29:42.660 --> 00:29:43.559
 his children

00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:45.000
 meditate on

00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.940
 that until

00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:46.920
 it gets us

00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:47.740
 deep down

00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:48.460
 so that we

00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:49.000
 can then

00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:49.620
 love

00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:50.860
 like our

00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:51.259
 heavenly

00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:51.900
 father

00:29:51.900 --> 00:29:53.360
 let us

00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:53.620
 pray

00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:58.180
 God we

00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:58.740
 thank you

00:29:58.740 --> 00:30:00.539
 that even

00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:00.980
 though we

00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:01.819
 were opposed

00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.299
 to you

00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:03.160
 we were not

00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:03.620
 giving you

00:30:03.620 --> 00:30:04.039
 the credit

00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.600
 you deserve

00:30:04.600 --> 00:30:05.120
 for everything

00:30:05.120 --> 00:30:05.640
 in our life

00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:06.180
 we were not

00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:06.860
 recognizing

00:30:06.860 --> 00:30:07.279
 that you

00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:07.600
 were the

00:30:07.600 --> 00:30:07.900
 giver

00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:08.940
 of all

00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:09.880
 good things

00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:11.520
 in fact

00:30:11.520 --> 00:30:12.020
 we didn't

00:30:12.020 --> 00:30:12.380
 even want

00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:12.640
 to give

00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:13.300
 up control

00:30:13.300 --> 00:30:13.660
 of our

00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.120
 lives

00:30:14.120 --> 00:30:14.820
 but yet

00:30:14.820 --> 00:30:15.480
 you

00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:17.680
 a loving

00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.240
 father

00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:19.720
 pursued us

00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.160
 that while

00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:20.480
 we were

00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:20.920
 enemies

00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:22.200
 you made

00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:22.800
 us your

00:30:22.800 --> 00:30:23.220
 children

00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:23.860
 through the

00:30:23.860 --> 00:30:24.260
 blood

00:30:24.260 --> 00:30:24.780
 of Jesus

00:30:24.780 --> 00:30:25.340
 Christ

00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:27.420
 thank you

00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:27.880
 for doing

00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:28.120
 that

00:30:28.120 --> 00:30:29.180
 may we

00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:29.700
 worship

00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.080
 you

00:30:30.080 --> 00:30:30.980
 may our

00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.560
 hearts

00:30:31.560 --> 00:30:32.820
 be turned

00:30:32.820 --> 00:30:33.520
 toward you

00:30:33.520 --> 00:30:34.740
 in complete

00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.820
 allegiance

00:30:35.820 --> 00:30:37.060
 in complete

00:30:37.060 --> 00:30:38.060
 loyalty

00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:39.299
 love

00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:40.359
 in a

00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:40.960
 fire

00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:41.279
 in a

00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:41.799
 passion

00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.200
 that we

00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:42.740
 would want

00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.559
 to love

00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.319
 as you

00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:44.720
 love

00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.419
 and may

00:30:45.419 --> 00:30:46.179
 that spill

00:30:46.179 --> 00:30:46.919
 over into

00:30:46.919 --> 00:30:47.700
 all of our

00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.119
 neighbors

00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:49.220
 including

00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:50.200
 our enemies

00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:51.480
 help us

00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.879
 to love

00:30:52.879 --> 00:30:53.839
 this world

00:30:53.839 --> 00:30:54.579
 to love

00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.259
 the people

00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.299
 around us

00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:57.159
 as you

00:30:57.159 --> 00:30:57.899
 love them

00:30:57.899 --> 00:30:59.980
 thank you

00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:00.579
 for giving us

00:31:00.579 --> 00:31:01.319
 your spirit

00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:02.679
 who applies

00:31:02.679 --> 00:31:03.440
 your word

00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:04.220
 to our lives

00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:04.799
 so that we

00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.740
 are empowered

00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.339
 as your

00:31:06.339 --> 00:31:06.759
 children

00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.839
 because we

00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:08.180
 have your

00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:08.740
 spirit

00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:10.079
 to love

00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:11.620
 like you

00:31:11.620 --> 00:31:12.099
 love

00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:14.660
 please help us

00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:15.339
 to do this

00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:16.079
 in Jesus

00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:16.559
 name

00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:17.660
 amen