Embodying Christ's Love: The Power of the Golden Rule
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to share a powerful testimony from our recent jamboree. A lady who had stage four cancer last year came to our tent and shared that her doctors can no longer find any cancer in her body. This miraculous healing is a testament to God's power and grace. Shortly after, another lady with cancer came in, and we all laid hands on her and prayed. It was a powerful moment, showing how God works even in the most unexpected places.
This morning, we are diving into Luke chapter 6, focusing on the Golden Rule. Many people are familiar with the phrase but struggle to live it out. Jesus teaches us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us. This is a challenging command, but it is essential for us to embody the heart of Christ.
I recall a time early in my ministry when I suggested a drastic measure to deal with immorality in the church. My mentor reminded me that we are called to love people into the kingdom, not force them. This lesson transformed my approach to ministry, emphasizing the importance of loving others as Christ loves us.
Jesus exemplified this love on the cross, asking the Father to forgive those who crucified Him. He remained silent, like a lamb led to the slaughter, showing us the ultimate example of loving our enemies. We must strive to have this same heart, even when correcting or rebuking others. We must stand firm in sound doctrine but always do so in love.
In Luke 6, Jesus tells us that our reward will be great if we love our enemies and do good to those who cannot repay us. This is because God is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. We must ask ourselves, how is our heart? Are we willing to love those who are difficult to love? This is a sign that we are becoming like our Father in heaven.
Ezekiel 33 reminds us that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires that they turn from their ways and live. We must have this same heart, treating evil with kindness and seeking peace. In 2 Kings, Elisha demonstrated this by feeding and caring for his enemies, leading to peace between Israel and Aram.
As Christians, we are called to be different. We must love one another and treat others as we would want to be treated. This is the Golden Rule, and it has the power to change lives. Even sinners have the capability to love, and we must show them the love of Christ.
In conclusion, we must remember that God will deal with those who fail to respond to kindness. Our role is to love and bless others, even when it is difficult. This is the heart of Christ, and it has the power to win souls for the kingdom of God.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Testimony and Prayer: Sharing testimonies of God's miraculous works, like the healing of the lady with stage four cancer, strengthens our faith and encourages us to continue praying for others. It reminds us that God is active and powerful, even in the most unexpected places. [48:32]
2. Living the Golden Rule: Jesus' command to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us is challenging but essential. This teaching from Luke 6 calls us to embody the heart of Christ, transforming our natural reactions into acts of love and kindness. [50:27]
3. Loving People into the Kingdom: Early in my ministry, I learned the importance of loving people into the kingdom rather than forcing them. This approach, inspired by my mentor, emphasizes the transformative power of love and grace in leading others to Christ. [01:11:25]
4. God's Kindness to the Ungrateful and Wicked: Our reward will be great if we love our enemies and do good to those who cannot repay us. This reflects God's kindness to the ungrateful and wicked, challenging us to examine our hearts and strive to love as He does. [01:09:18]
5. Treating Evil with Kindness: Treating evil with kindness can lead to peace, as demonstrated by Elisha in 2 Kings. This principle, rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, calls us to respond to hostility with love, reflecting the heart of Christ and potentially transforming our enemies into friends. [55:19]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[48:00] - Testimony of Healing
[49:48] - Introduction to the Golden Rule
[50:27] - Loving Your Enemies
[01:07:20] - Jesus' Example on the Cross
[01:09:18] - God's Kindness to the Ungrateful
[01:11:25] - Loving People into the Kingdom
[01:14:33] - Treating Evil with Kindness
[42:44] - The Bread of Life
[43:45] - The Cup of the New Covenant
[45:52] - Stand with Jesus
[01:02:11] - God Will Deal with the Wicked
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 6:27-36 - "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
2. Ezekiel 33:11 - "Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’"
3. 2 Kings 6:18-23 - "As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, 'Strike this army with blindness.' So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. Elisha told them, 'This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.' And he led them to Samaria. After they entered the city, Elisha said, 'Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.' Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria. When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, 'Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?' 'Do not kill them,' he answered. 'Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.' So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory."
#### Observation Questions
1. What miraculous event was shared at the beginning of the sermon, and how did it impact the congregation? ([48:32])
2. According to Luke 6:27-36, what specific actions does Jesus command us to take towards our enemies?
3. How did Elisha respond to the enemy army in 2 Kings 6:18-23, and what was the outcome of his actions?
4. What does Ezekiel 33:11 reveal about God's heart towards the wicked?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes loving our enemies and doing good to those who hate us in Luke 6:27-36? How does this reflect the heart of Christ? ([50:27])
2. In the sermon, the pastor shared a personal story about learning to love people into the kingdom rather than forcing them. How does this approach align with Jesus' teachings in Luke 6? ([01:11:25])
3. How does Elisha's treatment of the enemy army in 2 Kings 6:18-23 demonstrate the principle of treating evil with kindness? What can we learn from this story about handling conflict? ([55:19])
4. Ezekiel 33:11 shows that God desires the wicked to turn from their ways and live. How does this perspective challenge our natural inclinations towards those who wrong us?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you found it difficult to love someone who mistreated you. How can Jesus' command in Luke 6:27-36 help you approach similar situations in the future? ([50:27])
2. The pastor shared a testimony of miraculous healing at the jamboree. How can sharing testimonies of God's work in your life encourage others and strengthen their faith? ([48:32])
3. In what ways can you practice the Golden Rule in your daily interactions, especially with those who are difficult to love? ([49:48])
4. Elisha's response to the enemy army led to peace between Israel and Aram. How can you apply the principle of treating evil with kindness in your own relationships and conflicts? ([55:19])
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of loving people into the kingdom. Identify one person in your life who is far from God. What specific steps can you take to show them Christ's love this week? ([01:11:25])
6. How does understanding God's heart towards the wicked, as revealed in Ezekiel 33:11, change your perspective on those who have wronged you? What practical steps can you take to align your heart with God's? ([01:10:07])
7. The pastor mentioned that even sinners have the capability to love. How can recognizing this truth help you build bridges with those who do not yet know Christ? ([58:04])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Testimony and Prayer
Sharing testimonies of God's miraculous works, like the healing of the lady with stage four cancer, strengthens our faith and encourages us to continue praying for others. It reminds us that God is active and powerful, even in the most unexpected places. When we hear about God's intervention in someone's life, it not only builds our faith but also inspires us to seek Him more earnestly in our own lives.
Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us directly to God. When we pray for others, we are participating in God's work and showing our love and concern for them. The act of laying hands and praying for someone in need, as described in the testimony, is a profound expression of faith and community. It demonstrates our belief in God's power to heal and transform lives. [48:32]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is in need of prayer. Can you take a moment today to pray for them and perhaps even share a testimony of God's work in your life to encourage them?
Day 2: Living the Golden Rule
Jesus' command to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us is challenging but essential. This teaching from Luke 6 calls us to embody the heart of Christ, transforming our natural reactions into acts of love and kindness. The Golden Rule is not just a moral guideline but a call to live out the radical love of Jesus in our daily interactions.
Loving our enemies and doing good to those who hate us requires a deep transformation of our hearts. It means setting aside our pride, anger, and desire for revenge, and instead choosing to respond with love and kindness. This kind of love is counter-cultural and can only be achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. [50:27]
Romans 12:20-21 (ESV): "To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Reflection: Is there someone in your life who has wronged you or whom you find difficult to love? How can you show them an act of kindness today, embodying the Golden Rule?
Day 3: Loving People into the Kingdom
Early in ministry, the importance of loving people into the kingdom rather than forcing them was emphasized. This approach, inspired by a mentor, highlights the transformative power of love and grace in leading others to Christ. Love is the most powerful tool we have in ministry, and it is through love that we can truly reach people's hearts.
Forcing people into the kingdom through fear or coercion is not effective and does not reflect the heart of Christ. Instead, we are called to love people genuinely, showing them the same grace and compassion that Jesus has shown us. This kind of love can break down barriers and open people's hearts to the message of the Gospel. [01:11:25]
1 Peter 4:8 (ESV): "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."
Reflection: Think about someone you know who is far from God. How can you show them Christ's love in a tangible way this week, without expecting anything in return?
Day 4: God's Kindness to the Ungrateful and Wicked
Our reward will be great if we love our enemies and do good to those who cannot repay us. This reflects God's kindness to the ungrateful and wicked, challenging us to examine our hearts and strive to love as He does. God's love is unconditional and extends even to those who do not deserve it.
As followers of Christ, we are called to mirror this kind of love in our own lives. It means loving those who are difficult to love and doing good to those who may never repay us. This kind of love is a true reflection of God's character and can have a profound impact on those around us. [01:09:18]
Luke 6:35 (ESV): "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil."
Reflection: Reflect on your own heart. Are there people you find difficult to love? How can you show them kindness and love this week, reflecting God's character?
Day 5: Treating Evil with Kindness
Treating evil with kindness can lead to peace, as demonstrated by Elisha in 2 Kings. This principle, rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, calls us to respond to hostility with love, reflecting the heart of Christ and potentially transforming our enemies into friends. Kindness has the power to disarm hostility and create opportunities for reconciliation and peace.
Elisha's example of feeding and caring for his enemies shows us that responding to evil with kindness can have a transformative effect. It can break the cycle of retaliation and open the door for peace and understanding. As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers, responding to hostility with the love and kindness of Christ. [55:19]
Proverbs 25:21-22 (ESV): "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you have faced hostility or conflict. How can you respond with kindness and love, following the example of Elisha and reflecting the heart of Christ?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? What credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful just as your Father is merciful." [51:03]
2. "Treat evil with kindness and it could bring peace. Now, in 2 Kings, we're going to go back and we're going to read a story, okay, about Elisha in 2 Kings 6, beginning in the 18th verse. It says, As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, Strike this army with blindness. So he struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked. Oh, it looks to me like Elisha's got them, doesn't he? Elisha told them, This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me and I will lead you to the man you're looking for. And he led them to Samaria. And after they entered the city, Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see. And then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked and there they were inside Samaria." [55:59]
3. "Even sinners have the capability to love. The worst people in the world can actually love. God's created them that way. They long to be loved. They want to be accepted. They might not have a clue what it means and how to get there, but that's what they long to be. Because he says, even sinners love each other. Even sinners lend to each other, you know, and get back. And he says, now you treat evil with kindness. Love those who bless you, or, you know, who curse you. Love them. Bless them. They have a capability to love. Maybe that's where, you know, honor among thieves came from." [58:04]
4. "God will deal with those that fail to respond to kindness. Because some people just won't respond. They're the people that, you know, when they slap you on the cheek and you turn and they slap you again and then you turn back and they keep slapping. They're the people that, you know, they slap you for your coat and you give them your shirt and before long you don't have a shirt left in the dresser drawer. What do you do? How do you deal with that? And the point is this, God is the one that will deal with them. Because he says, hey, vengeance is mine. I'll take care of this. But can we keep loving? Can we have the heart of Christ who said, Father, forgive them. They don't know what they're doing on the cross." [01:01:33]
5. "Having a kind heart toward wicked, ungrateful people is a sign that you are becoming like God, our Father. Let's go to Ezekiel chapter 33. This is not only in Ezekiel, but I love the way it is stated in this text. Ezekiel chapter 33. And he says, Say to them, As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn. Turn from your evil ways. Why will you die, people of Israel?" [01:09:18]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Listen to the heart of God. How is your heart this morning, church? It's so easy to get a hard heart today. I remember a time in my pastor's office when I first came here. It's the office that's mine now. I know you'll find this hard to believe, but there were some guys just coming to church for the pretty girls. I don't know if you ever realized that could actually happen. And he said, Dave, what are we going to do about this? And I said, well, I have a great idea. I said, next time there's any trace of immorality, I'll bring my shotgun in here and we'll introduce a shotgun wedding. We'll march them up to the altar. We'll marry them. And the problem will cease in this congregation. Boy, I had it figured out back then, didn't I? And I still can see his face. He sat there. If you could hear his thoughts. He said, what am I doing with this guy? head down. He said, Dave, we're supposed to love people into the kingdom. And I went, my future here may be limited. That's what I was thinking. But it changed me from the inside out. I said, Dave, we've got to love people into the kingdom." [01:10:50]
2. "And in my, you know, journey, I've met some of the most awesome men in Christianity. I've met Dr. Gordon Fee. You know, he had such a gracious heart when I talked with him. I remember the heart that is in Henry Blackaby when I met Henry Blackaby. He had just such a kind heart to love people. church, we have to get that heart. That's the heart of Christ. And we have to be willing to lay down our life and to lay down our rights lots of times. We can't give up sound doctrine. We can't give up the Gospel. We hold fast to it. But we have to do that in love. And we have to be like Moses. And I have to know the fate. He knew the fate of those men that came against him. And he fell on his face. And he begged. begged God please God and then he said you guys fill your sensors and you come tomorrow and God's gonna choose between us he didn't take it upon himself he said God will choose." [01:12:29]
3. "So at the Last Supper, Jesus said, This bread is my body, which is broken for You. said, Whenever you do this, remember me. Remember what I did. I am your bread. I am the bread of life I am your bread of life Who came down from heaven. I'm here to nourish you spiritually. I love the story on the road to Emmaus when the two men are walking with Jesus and they didn't recognize Him. Jesus acted like He was going to go walking on and they said, wait a minute, stay, stay. It's getting late. Stay and break bread with us. And it says in there, I just love this part. It says, they broke the bread and recognized Jesus. Lord Jesus, we recognize you today. You are the bread of life who came from heaven. And you said you have to eat this bread if you want any part of me. Isn't it awesome? Jesus doesn't want to be on the outside. He wants to be inside of us. So Lord, as we take this bread today, we recognize you. What you did for us on the cross, that you're the bread of life who came down here. And Lord, we partake of you completely. Let's eat." [42:44]
4. "And after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's territory. He treated evil with kindness and there was peace. Now, where's our heart, church? See, as Christians, we're supposed to be different. We're supposed to have a heart like Christ. And so God says, treat evil with kindness. And as I was reading the text in Luke 6, you know, and it says, even sinners. I love it when it says, even sinners. And I don't know about you, but when I read that, I go, oh, that's those guys out there. And God says, no, look in the mirror. That's you right there. We're all sinners. But he says, even sinners love other sinners." [57:19]
5. "And Jesus says, here's the way you have to be. You've got to love those who curse you. You've got to bless them. You've got to love them. You've got to speak love back to them. Today, I'm asking you, where's your heart, you see? Now, there are times, and this is something we need to be praying for the church all over the world because there's a devil that wants, he wants to lead us astray. He wants to introduce false doctrine. You know, the Apostle Paul dealt with it. He would go into a community and he would talk about salvation through the blood of Jesus and the Judaizers would come back behind him and say, yeah, you might be saved this way, but you're going to have to get circumcised. And Paul was upset with that. But he still loved those people in love. He knew, like Moses knew, the outcome of that false belief. And so, church, even when we have to correct or rebuke, we have to do it in love because Jesus said, you've got to love them. And we still have to stand for what's true and we can't back up." [01:08:02]
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