GIVING UP: ENEMIES

Message by Josh Mutter – March 19, 2023

Big Idea: Jesus invites us to replace our enemy hatred with enemy love

Counselling Resources – From time to time people ask us for directions about where to turn for counselling support. Here are the resources that we make available:

Matthew 5:43-48 NIV  Jesus: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

1. Jesus invites us to reflect on the accepted way of relating to our “enemies”

Luke 19:41-44 NIV  As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

Consider: We only know the things that we know, and we don’t know the things that we don’t

2. Jesus gives us an alternative vision of relating to our “enemies”

Application: Prayer is a way that we learn to love our enemies.

You can find the sermon on YouTube here.

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