Scripture References: Matthew 5:43-48 (Main) Leviticus 19:17-18, 33; Ephesians 5:1; Acts 7
Intro: Welcome to today's sermon on one of Jesus' most radical teachings from Matthew 5: Love your enemies and be perfect as your Father is perfect. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us a whole new way to be human, like learning to drive on the opposite side of the road. It feels unnatural, requires effort, and will likely cause 'collisions' with the world's way of operating.
Key Points:
- The Old Saying vs. Jesus' Command: Jesus addresses the common saying, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." While loving neighbors was commanded (Leviticus 19), hating enemies was an addition used to justify non-love. Jesus corrects this, extending the call to love beyond neighbors and strangers to include enemies.
- Understanding Enemy Love (Agape): This command isn't about forcing warm feelings or tolerating/accepting wrongdoing. Jesus calls for agape love – a deliberate, determined act of the will. It's a rugged commitment to be with someone and actively seek their good unto God's transformative purposes.
- God's Own Example: Our motivation comes from imitating God. He sends sun and rain on both the good and the evil, the just and the unjust. His love and common grace aren't conditional. Loving only those who love us is merely human; returning good for evil is divine.
- Practical Action: Pray for Them: Jesus gives a starting point: "Pray for those who persecute you." Prayer itself is an act of love. It's impossible to consistently pray for someone without your heart softening towards them. We don't wait to feel love to pray; we pray to cultivate love, asking God for help.
- Being "Perfect" (Teleios): Jesus concludes, "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." "Perfect" (teleios) here means complete, mature, whole. It's a call to grow up, moving beyond retaliation or conditional love. It means living out our true, God-created identity, loving generously as He does.
- Sonship and Intimacy: Loving enemies isn't primarily about changing them or advancing a mission; the motive is intimacy with God. Doing this makes us most like our Father ("sons of your Father"), experiencing a unique connection available through this path.
Conclusion: Jesus issues a radical call to reflect God's own heart by loving even our enemies. This isn't natural; it's a supernatural act requiring a deliberate commitment (agape) and dependence on God's grace. It's the path to maturity ("perfection") and deep intimacy with our Father, showing the world what true kingdom living looks like.
Call to Action: Identify who represents an "enemy" in your life. Take the step Jesus commanded:
- Pray: Begin praying for them, asking God to help you love them and seek their good.
- Respond: Engage your will. Come to the communion table remembering Jesus' meal with His betrayers. Seek prayer from others for strength to forgive and love.
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The Gospel of Matthew: Love Your Neighbor (Matthew 5:43-48)
with Travis Aicklen
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