Sermon on the Mount: Part 9

Message: Love your enemies
Leaders - read Matthew 5:43-48

• Christianity is the only world religion that calls you to love your enemies. We all have enemies.
• Our enemies are people who have hurt us, betrayed us, wounded us.
• To “love” is a verb, not a feeling. You love your enemies by:
a. Praying for them
b. Blessing them
c. Doing kindnesses to them
d. Forgiving them
• God has always loved us, even when we were enemies. (Romans 5:8)
• The only way to love the unlovable is to be overflowing with God’s love.

Questions
1. Has your understanding of “love your enemies” changed?
2. Who are your enemies?
3. How can you maintain authenticity when blessing or doing acts of kindness for an enemy?
4. Are you so filled with God’s love that it is spilling out to others? Why? Why not?
5. Think of an enemy you have right now and determine the first step you are going to take in loving him/her.