Empowered to Bless: Embracing Our Enemies in Christ
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the profound and challenging call to "Bless Your Enemies," as outlined in Romans 12:14. This message is not just a theoretical concept but a practical guide to living out our faith in a world where opposition and persecution are real. We began by reflecting on the life of Richard Wurmbrand, a man who endured unimaginable torture yet chose to love and pray for his persecutors. His story exemplifies the power of blessing those who oppose us, leading even his tormentor to salvation.
The essence of blessing our enemies lies in understanding our identity as sons and daughters of God. When we accept Jesus, we enter a spiritual war that requires new weapons—blessing instead of cursing. This is not about ignoring the wrongs done to us but about aligning ourselves with God's will for others, recognizing their identity in Christ, and allowing God to work through us to bring about reconciliation and transformation.
Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount provide a roadmap for this kingdom lifestyle. He reinterprets the law with grace, calling us to a higher standard of love and forgiveness. This is not about performance but about living out our identity in Christ, which empowers us to see others not just for who they are now but for who they can become through God's grace.
Practically, this means taking inventory of our hearts, ensuring we are not harboring bitterness or becoming the enemy ourselves. It involves seeing others with "double vision," acknowledging their faults while also seeing their potential in Christ. Finally, we are called to be ministers of reconciliation, understanding that the blood of Christ speaks a better word over every situation and person.
As we close, we are reminded that our mission is not about earthly gains but about sowing eternal seeds. Unity in the Spirit is our power source, and through the Holy Spirit, we are equipped to stand together against the true enemy, not each other. Let us behold God, the reconciler of our faith, and allow His presence to transform us and those around us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Identity in Christ: Embracing our identity as sons and daughters of God transforms how we engage with our enemies. Our spiritual warfare requires new weapons—blessing instead of cursing—aligning with God's will for others and recognizing their identity in Christ. [11:32]
2. Double Vision: Seeing others with "double vision" means acknowledging their faults while also recognizing their potential in Christ. This perspective allows us to love and affirm others, calling forth the goodness and beauty that God sees in them. [27:49]
3. Ministers of Reconciliation: We are called to be ministers of reconciliation, understanding that the blood of Christ speaks a better word over every situation. Our enemies are not permanently positioned; they are temporary, and through God's grace, they can be transformed. [32:47]
4. Training in Adversity: Adversity is an opportunity for spiritual training. We must train on our good days so that when challenges arise, we are prepared to respond with grace and love, reflecting our identity in Christ. [25:18]
5. Unity in the Spirit: Unity in the Spirit is our power source. Despite differences, if Jesus is the center, we are united against a common enemy. This unity empowers us to bring the kingdom of God into the earth, advancing His mission. [35:18]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:20] - Beholding God
- [03:07] - Introduction to Romans 12
- [04:34] - Story of Richard Wurmbrand
- [05:57] - Loving Your Enemies
- [07:15] - Defining Our Enemies
- [08:48] - Understanding Persecution
- [10:08] - Bless and Do Not Curse
- [11:32] - New Weapons of Warfare
- [13:05] - Kingdom Citizenship
- [14:24] - Reinterpreting the Law
- [15:40] - The Power of Blessing
- [16:57] - Aligning with God's Will
- [18:32] - Sons and Daughters of the King
- [19:55] - Creating Space for Heaven
- [21:12] - Freedom Through Blessing
- [22:23] - Deliverance and Reconciliation
- [24:02] - Practical Application
- [25:18] - Training in Adversity
- [27:12] - Taking Inventory
- [27:49] - Double Vision
- [32:47] - Ministers of Reconciliation
- [35:18] - Unity in the Spirit
- [36:01] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Bless Your Enemies
Bible Reading:
- Romans 12:14: "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."
- Matthew 5:43-45: "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."
Observation Questions:
1. What does Romans 12:14 instruct us to do regarding those who persecute us? How does this align with the story of Richard Wurmbrand shared in the sermon? [05:57]
2. In Matthew 5:43-45, how does Jesus redefine the traditional understanding of how to treat enemies?
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of seeing others with "double vision"? [27:49]
4. How does the concept of being "ministers of reconciliation" relate to the idea of blessing our enemies? [32:47]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does embracing our identity as sons and daughters of God change our perspective on dealing with enemies? [11:32]
2. What might it mean to "align ourselves with God's will" when it comes to those who oppose us? How does this affect our actions and attitudes? [16:57]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that adversity can be an opportunity for spiritual growth and training? [25:18]
4. How does the unity in the Spirit empower us to bless our enemies and advance God's kingdom? [35:18]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt persecuted or opposed. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently now in light of Romans 12:14? [03:07]
2. Identify someone in your life who you consider an "enemy" or who has opposed you. What practical steps can you take to bless them this week? [08:48]
3. How can you practice "double vision" in your relationships, seeing both the faults and the potential in others? [27:49]
4. What are some ways you can train yourself spiritually during times of peace so that you are prepared to respond with grace during adversity? [25:18]
5. Consider the idea of being a minister of reconciliation. How can you actively work towards reconciliation in a strained relationship in your life? [32:47]
6. How can you foster unity in your community or church, especially when faced with differences or conflicts? [35:18]
7. Think of a specific situation where you can choose to speak life instead of death. What words or actions will you use to align with God's will for that person? [19:55]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Divine Identity
Understanding our identity as sons and daughters of God transforms our approach to adversaries. When we accept Jesus, we enter a spiritual battle that requires us to wield new weapons—blessing instead of cursing. This shift is not about ignoring the wrongs done to us but about aligning ourselves with God's will for others. It involves recognizing their identity in Christ and allowing God to work through us to bring about reconciliation and transformation. By embracing this identity, we are empowered to see others not just for who they are now but for who they can become through God's grace. [11:32]
"For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness." (1 Thessalonians 5:5, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life do you struggle to see as a child of God? How can you begin to bless them today, aligning with God's will for their life?
Day 2: Seeing with Double Vision
Seeing others with "double vision" means acknowledging their faults while also recognizing their potential in Christ. This perspective allows us to love and affirm others, calling forth the goodness and beauty that God sees in them. It requires us to take inventory of our hearts, ensuring we are not harboring bitterness or becoming the enemy ourselves. By doing so, we can engage with others in a way that reflects the transformative power of God's love, seeing them not just as they are but as they can be through His grace. [27:49]
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone you find difficult to love. What potential do you see in them that aligns with God's vision for their life?
Day 3: Called to Reconciliation
As ministers of reconciliation, we are called to understand that the blood of Christ speaks a better word over every situation. Our enemies are not permanently positioned; they are temporary, and through God's grace, they can be transformed. This calling involves actively participating in God's work of reconciliation, allowing His presence to transform us and those around us. By embracing this role, we can help bring about healing and restoration in our relationships and communities. [32:47]
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs reconciliation? How can you take a step towards healing that relationship today?
Day 4: Training in Adversity
Adversity is an opportunity for spiritual training. We must train on our good days so that when challenges arise, we are prepared to respond with grace and love, reflecting our identity in Christ. This training involves cultivating habits of prayer, reflection, and community that strengthen our faith and equip us to face difficulties with resilience. By doing so, we can navigate adversity with a spirit of hope and perseverance, trusting in God's presence and guidance. [25:18]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: What spiritual practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to prepare for future challenges?
Day 5: Unity in the Spirit
Unity in the Spirit is our power source. Despite differences, if Jesus is the center, we are united against a common enemy. This unity empowers us to bring the kingdom of God into the earth, advancing His mission. By focusing on our shared identity in Christ, we can overcome divisions and work together to fulfill God's purposes. This unity is not just about agreement but about standing together in love and purpose, reflecting the heart of God to the world. [35:18]
"So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding." (Romans 14:19, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to unity within your community or church? What steps can you take to build bridges and foster peace?
Quotes
1) "So what about our enemies? What are we speaking to today? Well, maybe you're in this room, and you're like me and you've had a parent that would abuse or neglect you. Maybe you had a good friend that willfully betrayed you. Maybe you've been under authorities, spiritual authorities even, that have accused you or reproached your reputation. Maybe you've been physically, sexually, financially, relationally abused in some way. Whatever the form of persecution that we are facing or have faced, rest assured, as the Apostle Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 3, all who wish to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." [08:48] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "If you have said yes to Jesus, you have entered a new war. Your war is now spiritual. It is not carnal. If you have said yes to Jesus, you are in a new war. Therefore, you need new weapons of warfare. Old weapons of warfare don't work in new wars. So Romans chapter 12 is actually a reference to a portion of the Sermon on the Mount. So if you have your Bibles, flip to Matthew chapter 5 with me. Are we putting scriptures on the screens? If you don't have it, there we go. All right. Now we're in business." [11:32] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "So your new weapon now is to defeat the enemy of your soul through blessing. And that means to align yourself with the will of God for that person's life. It means to speak of them with favor, both publicly and privately. Or if you can't say something nice, don't say, okay, so we all know that. Our grandmas have taught us well. It means to release favor, or here's the best part, to honor the identity of the person. So now we're understanding identity. We are made in the likeness of God. We are sons and daughters of God." [16:57] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "When you bless your enemies, you're creating opportunity for freedom for them and for yourself. When you're blessing them, you're saying, God, I align my, I don't approve their behavior. Maybe you even have to create boundaries around things, but I am aligning myself with your will for their life to be saved and reconciled unto you. I'm going to honor their identity that they were created in your likeness, God, and I'm going to let you deal with it because he's a great defender." [21:12] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "So when somebody is opposing you and rejecting you and abusing you, accusing you, maligning you, gossiping, backbiting, whatever it is, instead of going to resentment and bitterness and anger and hatred and all these things, when you align yourself with the will of God for their life, and honor their identity, you're letting them, you're creating space for them, for God to deal with them and give them a chance to repent and be set free from the enemy's grips. This is how powerful it is to be a son or a daughter of the king." [22:23] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Knowledge is not power. Knowledge applied is very powerful. And so that's why James tells us to be doers of the Word. We have to train. This is called training. This is called kingdom training. You have new weapons, a new identity, you're in a new war, and you got to train now. And the only way to train is on a battlefield. It's through adversity. Letting adversity prove to you what is in you. The proverb says that if you fall to a pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much to you in it in the first place." [24:02] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "Take inventory of your own heart. Ask the Lord, search me, oh God. Find any way within me that is not right. Create in me a clean heart. You have to ask yourself when you're dealing with people, are they my enemy or am I their enemy? Remember, biblically speaking, an enemy is one who opposes you, who speaks ill will about you, who rejects you, who refuses to pray for you, who refuses the will of God in your life. But sometimes we get so bound up with hate and bitterness and resentment and anger and revenge that we now become the enemy." [25:57] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Resolve to be a minister of reconciliation. Paul told the Corinthians in his second letter, he said, God has reconciled us, so we need to become ministers of reconciliation. That is our mission. And we do that by understanding that the blood still speaks. Somebody say the blood still speaks. Yes, it does. In Hebrews, it says the blood speaks a better word. And so if the blood still speaks, then our enemies are not permanently positioned. They are temporary, always temporary." [32:10] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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