Living Out Jesus' Command: Love and Kindness
Summary
The sermon focuses on the teachings of Jesus, particularly the command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecive us. The pastor emphasizes that Jesus not only taught this ethic but also lived it perfectly, even loving his own enemies. He references Romans 5:10, which states that while we were enemies, Jesus reconciled us to God through his death. The pastor encourages the congregation to strive for a life that reflects these values and principles, believing that this will not only lead to personal growth and fulfillment, but also benefit the world and the communities they are a part of.
The pastor also discusses the concept of living at peace with everyone, acknowledging that while it may not always be possible, believers are called to be peacemakers as much as possible. He highlights the challenges of this commandment and emphasizes that it is impossible to fulfill without God's help. The pastor encourages the congregation to look to the Cross as a reminder of Jesus' sacrificial love and the example he set for believers.
The pastor shares an example of someone who comments on people's appearance in a kind and humorous way, bringing a smile to their faces and honoring them. He suggests that we can lift someone's spirit by acknowledging and appreciating the effective job done by people in the service industry. He emphasizes the need to outdo one another in showing honor and encourages engaging in Christian practices such as hospitality, generosity, and prayer.
The pastor emphasizes the need for the Holy Spirit in our lives. He prays for the congregation to be filled with the Spirit and to have their hearts, minds, and vision filled with a big picture of God. The pastor acknowledges that we may fall short in certain areas and asks for reinforcement from the Holy Spirit to love God and others more. The pastor also takes a moment to pray for those who have experienced loss, specifically mentioning the families of Emily's friends who died in a plane crash.
The pastor discusses the challenge of treating others well, even when they treat us poorly. He refers to a sermon by Tim Keller that explores how to deal with people who wish us harm or treat us as enemies. The pastor emphasizes the importance of not perpetuating a cycle of evil by responding with evil. Instead, he suggests that the cycle can be disrupted by responding with kindness and treating others well, even when they mistreat us.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus' command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us is not just a teaching but a lifestyle that Jesus himself lived. This commandment is impossible to fulfill without God's help, and believers are encouraged to look to the Cross as a reminder of Jesus' sacrificial love and the example he set. ([12:45])
- The pastor emphasizes the importance of honoring and encouraging others. By acknowledging and appreciating the effective job done by people in the service industry, we can lift someone's spirit. Christian practices such as hospitality, generosity, and prayer are encouraged. ([22:30])
- The need for the Holy Spirit in our lives is emphasized. The pastor prays for the congregation to be filled with the Spirit and to have their hearts, minds, and vision filled with a big picture of God. The pastor acknowledges that we may fall short in certain areas and asks for reinforcement from the Holy Spirit to love God and others more. ([34:15])
- The pastor discusses the challenge of treating others well, even when they treat us poorly. He emphasizes the importance of not perpetuating a cycle of evil by responding with evil. Instead, he suggests that the cycle can be disrupted by responding with kindness and treating others well, even when they mistreat us. ([45:50])
- The pastor shares a powerful testimony about a young girl named Emily who experienced a devastating event. Despite the challenges, the pastor shares that Emily is doing amazingly well, although she still has medical issues to overcome. The pastor encourages the congregation to support the family in any way possible and mentions that the church has already provided meals for them. ([58:30])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 John 4:7-9: "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him."
2. Romans 12:9-21: "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' 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."
3. Revelation (no specific verse mentioned, but possibly referring to Revelation 5:8 or 8:3-4): These verses describe the prayers of the saints as incense in a golden bowl before the throne of God.
Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 John 4:7-9 reveal about the nature of God and His love?
2. In Romans 12:9-21, what specific actions are believers encouraged to take in their interactions with others?
3. How are the prayers of the saints depicted in the book of Revelation?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the command to love one another in 1 John 4:7-9 reflect the character of God?
2. What does Romans 12:9-21 suggest about the relationship between love and actions? How does this relate to the concept of overcoming evil with good?
3. What might the imagery of prayers as incense in Revelation signify about the value and impact of prayer?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent interaction where you found it challenging to love. How can you apply the command in 1 John 4:7-9 to love one another in a similar situation in the future?
2. Identify one action from Romans 12:9-21 that you can intentionally practice this week. How will you go about it?
3. Think of a person who has been treating you poorly. How can you respond with kindness and love, as suggested in Romans 12:9-21, the next time you interact with them?
4. Considering the imagery of prayers as incense in Revelation, who is one person you can commit to pray for consistently over the next week? What specific needs will you pray for?
5. Reflect on a service industry worker you interact with regularly. How can you show them appreciation and honor in a tangible way this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Embodying Jesus' Love for Enemies
Jesus' command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us is not just a teaching but a lifestyle that Jesus himself lived. This commandment is impossible to fulfill without God's help, and believers are encouraged to look to the Cross as a reminder of Jesus' sacrificial love and the example he set ([12:45]). This is a call to reflect Jesus' love in our daily lives, even when faced with adversity or hostility.
Luke 6:27-28 - "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."
Reflection: How can you show love to someone who has wronged you this week?
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Day 2: Honoring Others Through Encouragement
The importance of honoring and encouraging others is emphasized. By acknowledging and appreciating the effective job done by people in the service industry, we can lift someone's spirit. Christian practices such as hospitality, generosity, and prayer are encouraged ([22:30]). This is a call to actively seek opportunities to honor and encourage those around us.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Reflection: Who in your life could use some encouragement today and how can you provide it?
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Day 3: The Holy Spirit's Role in Our Lives
The need for the Holy Spirit in our lives is emphasized. Believers are encouraged to be filled with the Spirit and to have their hearts, minds, and vision filled with a big picture of God ([34:15]). This is a call to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength in our spiritual journey.
Ephesians 5:18 - "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit into your daily routine?
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Day 4: Breaking the Cycle of Evil with Kindness
The challenge of treating others well, even when they treat us poorly, is discussed. The importance of not perpetuating a cycle of evil by responding with evil is emphasized. Instead, believers are encouraged to disrupt the cycle by responding with kindness and treating others well, even when they mistreat us ([45:50]). This is a call to respond to negativity with kindness and love.
Romans 12:21 - "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Reflection: How can you respond with kindness when faced with negativity this week?
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Day 5: Supporting Others in Times of Crisis
A powerful testimony about a young girl named Emily who experienced a devastating event is shared. Despite the challenges, Emily is doing amazingly well, although she still has medical issues to overcome. The congregation is encouraged to support the family in any way possible and it is mentioned that the church has already provided meals for them ([58:30]). This is a call to support and care for others in times of crisis.
Galatians 6:2 - "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: How can you support someone in your community who is going through a difficult time?
Quotes
1. "What if someone in the service industry did a particularly effective job in helping you with your purchase and just making a comment about that and honoring them in some way? Hey, you're doing an amazing job. Thank you so much for helping. I appreciate how you went out of your way to help me out. People are under encouraged."
2. "Jesus Not only was he the one who said love your enemies but we were his enemies before he brought us into his family." This quote reminds us that Jesus not only taught us to love our enemies, but he also demonstrated it by loving us when we were his enemies. It emphasizes the transformative power of love and reconciliation.
3. "If possible, live at peace with everyone, so far as it depends on you." This quote reminds us that as followers of Jesus, we are called to be peacemakers and strive for peace in our relationships. It acknowledges that there may be times when it's not possible, but emphasizes the importance of doing our part to live at peace with others.
4. "I want to encourage you to look to the Cross... Jesus Christ... the one who calls us to follow his example and to live our lives in a way that matches or models what he's lived." This quote reminds us of the ultimate example of love and forgiveness found in Jesus. It encourages us to look to him and his sacrificial love on the cross as a source of inspiration and strength to live out the teachings of Jesus in our own lives.
5. "Outdo one another in showing honor. I find that concept fascinating. Honoring people and showing respect and love for them can lift their spirits above the low-level despair that many people experience. People are often under-encouraged in our world, and we have the power to make a difference."
6. "Paul says to treat our enemies with kindness if there's a need they have help meet the need, he says bless them which seems to be this idea of praying for them...it's really hard to hate someone that you're praying for right."
7. "This requires us to love, this requires this kind of love that God has shown towards us but it also requires trust in God's character and in his Justice...we don't need to take Vengeance, we don't need to even the score, that's actually God's responsibility."
8. "If we do evil for evil, someone treats you badly, you treat them badly, it just keeps a cycle going... The only thing that disrupts the cycle is you treating someone good for evil. That's how the cycle is disrupted, that's how you are not overcome with evil, but you overcome evil with good."
9. "When you engage in a situation where you're genuinely treated in an evil way, you have three options: one is to withdraw from evil, which allows it to continue; one is to return the evil, which feels good in the moment but keeps that cycle going; the Third Way... is to engage with it in some way that stops it, in a way that breaks that cycle."
10. "In order to treat those who persecute you with kindness, we have to have a real strong sense of who we are in God and how God sees us... even though this person may be assaulting all of that about us, we don't need to engage and continue that."
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