Millcreek Community Church

What God Says About Loving Our Enemies

January 30, 2011 | Todd Cyphers

Luke 6:27-36

What God Says About Loving Our Enemies

Luke 6:27-36

“The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you." John E. Southard

I. We are commanded to love our enemies and do good to them because we represent the Lord. (27-28)

II. When someone insults us, how we respond shows what we believe about the importance of the Gospel. (29a)

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. Matthew 5:38-39

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. Romans 12:17

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23

III. When someone does us wrong and we offer him grace, we are showing him what grace has done in our life. (29b)

IV. When a truly needy person requests some of what God has blessed us with (even if it is our enemies), giving generously acknowledges that we trust God with our life & blessings. (30)

…If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Romans 12:20

V. When we treat others the way we would like to be treated, even though others are not treating us right, we are revealing we are children of God. (31-35)

VI. When we are merciful to our enemies, we show them we have a merciful Father who showed great mercy to us. (36)

Questions for this week

I. For Starters:

Did you have an enemy in grade school and if so why and what has happened to that person?
Why is revenge often “sweet” and then bitter?
How does loving our enemies reveal what is really inside us?

II. Overview of Scripture

Read Luke 6:27-36. What stands out to you?
In what Christ-like ways are we to respond to our enemies? (27-31)
In what various ways did Jesus say people could mistreat us? (27-30)
How would you put verse 31 in your own words when it comes to how we treat enemies?
What is the main difference between God’s people and those the Scripturecalls sinners? (32-34)
What is the main reason we are to treat our enemies differently that the
What are we exhibiting when we treat our enemies better than they deserveand who do we look like when we treat our enemies better than theydeserve? (36)

III. Growing deeper

1. Review Sunday’s message with someone.

2. What would you tell a spouse who views his or her spouse as his enemy?

3. What might it look like in everyday living to bless those who curse you?

4. Who can live out these impossible commands? (see Ephesians 5:18)

5. Pray as the Lord leads you.

Series Information

Other sermons in the series

Nov 01, 2009