Love Like Jesus Week 3
Sunday July 19, 2020
How can you know if a person is your ally? What kind of behaviors would give you the impression that someone was “with you” and not against you?
What kind of behaviors would indicate that someone was your enemy?
How would you typically respond (internally or toward that person) if you thought someone was against you?
Read Matthew 5:43-48 aloud.
Throughout all of Matthew 5, Jesus is making the point that His followers must live a “different way”. What is so different about his teaching in vs 43-48? If you were hearing it for the first time, what would strike you as new or maybe even weird?
Do you have enemies? Are there particular people (or groups of people) that naturally draw your disdain, anger, or constant frustration? How could it look to genuinely love them? Be practical - what would change if you loved the people that you struggle with the most?
What about people who have hurt you or hurt the ones you love?
Does the call to love your enemy conflict with your view of justice?
Look a little earlier in Matthew 5 to verses 2-12. Which “beatitudes” relate to loving your enemy? And what is the benefit or reward if we do as Jesus teaches in those beatitudes?
In the sermon, Jason talked about the difference between “common grace” and “special grace”. What were the differences?
As you reflect on God’s grace, how does that impact your view of your enemies? Specifically, how does it impact the way you treat your enemies?
Verse 48 is quite a challenge! What does Jesus mean when He says “you must be perfect”? (listen to the end of Jason’s sermon if you need insight.)
At the end of the sermon, Jason gave 5 practical steps to help you love your enemy:
Pray for them by name
Fight gossip and slander (especially when you’re with like-minded people)
Resist the urge to either retaliate or ignore
Find ways to bless them
Believe that God could someday make your enemy become your friend
Are there 2 or 3 of these that you feel convicted to put into practice right now?