Raising the Bar: Loving Beyond Boundaries

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often encounter the challenge of raising the bar in our spiritual lives, much like athletes do in their training. This evening, we explored the concept of raising the bar in our relationships, particularly in how we love others. We began by examining the Old Testament law in Leviticus 19:18, which commands us to love our neighbors and not hold grudges. This was a foundational expectation for the Jewish people, who lived in close-knit communities where running away from conflicts was not an option. They had to learn to reconcile and maintain healthy relationships within their tribes.

Jesus, however, takes this command a step further in Matthew 5:43-44, where He challenges us to love not only our neighbors but also our enemies. This is a radical call to action that goes against our natural inclinations and societal norms. Jesus raises the bar by asking us to extend love and kindness to those who may have wronged us or whom we find difficult to love. This is not just about avoiding revenge or grudges but actively seeking the well-being of those we consider adversaries.

To achieve this, Jesus provides us with two practical steps: practice loving our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Practicing love involves intentional acts of kindness towards those we find challenging, while prayer helps transform our hearts and perspectives. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's nature, who loves unconditionally and without partiality.

The story of Dalen McLee, who saved a police officer's life despite having been wronged by law enforcement, serves as a powerful example of loving one's enemy. It reminds us that we can rise above our grievances and extend grace, even in the most difficult circumstances. As we strive to raise the bar in our spiritual growth, we must remember that loving our enemies is a journey that requires patience, practice, and prayer.

Key Takeaways:

- Raising the Bar in Relationships: Just as athletes strive to improve, we are called to raise the bar in our relationships by loving not only our neighbors but also our enemies. This requires us to move beyond grudges and revenge, seeking reconciliation and peace. [06:36]

- Jesus' Radical Call to Love: Jesus challenges us to love our enemies, a command that defies our natural instincts and societal norms. This elevated expectation calls us to reflect God's unconditional love in our interactions with others. [10:29]

- Practicing Love and Kindness: To love our enemies, we must practice intentional acts of kindness towards those we find difficult to love. This practice helps us develop the spiritual muscles needed to extend grace and compassion. [15:59]

- The Power of Prayer: Praying for our enemies is a transformative act that changes our hearts and perspectives. It aligns us with God's will and helps us see others through His eyes, fostering forgiveness and understanding. [20:42]

- Overcoming Biological and Cultural Barriers: Loving our enemies goes against our biological inclinations and cultural conditioning. By embracing Jesus' call, we break down these barriers and grow spiritually, reflecting God's love in a divided world. [23:08]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:29] - Pole Vaulting and Raising the Bar
- [03:49] - Personal Growth and Expectations
- [06:36] - Old Testament Law on Love
- [10:29] - Jesus Raises the Bar
- [11:06] - Misinterpretations of the Law
- [12:24] - Cultural Misunderstandings
- [14:55] - Practicing Love for Enemies
- [15:59] - Intentional Acts of Kindness
- [17:49] - Dalen McLee's Story
- [18:59] - Overcoming Grudges
- [20:42] - The Role of Prayer
- [21:36] - Science and Love
- [23:08] - Biological and Cultural Barriers
- [23:48] - Spiritual Growth and Challenges
- [24:54] - Closing Prayer and Small Group Directions

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Leviticus 19:18
- Matthew 5:43-44

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Leviticus 19:18 command regarding our relationships with fellow Israelites, and how does this relate to the concept of holding grudges? [06:36]

2. In Matthew 5:43-44, how does Jesus expand on the Old Testament command to love your neighbor? What new challenge does He present? [10:29]

3. How does the story of Dalen McLee illustrate the concept of loving one's enemy as discussed in the sermon? [17:49]

4. What are the two practical steps Jesus provides for loving our enemies, as mentioned in the sermon? [15:59]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might Jesus' command to love our enemies be considered a radical departure from societal norms and natural inclinations? [10:29]

2. How does the expectation of reconciliation within the same community, as described in Leviticus, differ from modern approaches to conflict resolution? [06:36]

3. What role does prayer play in transforming our hearts towards those we consider enemies, according to the sermon? [20:42]

4. How does the sermon suggest that cultural and biological barriers can be overcome by embracing Jesus' call to love our enemies? [23:08]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you held a grudge against someone. How did it affect your relationship with them and your own well-being? What steps can you take to reconcile with them now? [06:36]

2. Jesus calls us to love our enemies. Identify someone you find difficult to love. What is one intentional act of kindness you can practice towards them this week? [15:59]

3. Consider the role of prayer in your life. How can you incorporate praying for those who have wronged you into your daily routine? What changes do you hope to see in your heart as a result? [20:42]

4. The sermon mentioned that loving our enemies goes against our biological inclinations. What are some practical ways you can challenge these inclinations in your daily interactions? [23:08]

5. Think about a situation where you felt wronged by someone in your community or church. How can you apply the principles from Leviticus 19:18 to seek reconciliation and peace? [06:36]

6. The story of Dalen McLee is a powerful example of grace. How can his actions inspire you to rise above grievances in your own life? [17:49]

7. Reflect on your spiritual growth over the past year. In what ways have you raised the bar in your relationships, and where do you see room for further growth? [23:48]

Devotional

Day 1: Raising the Bar in Love
In our spiritual journey, we are called to elevate our relationships by loving not only our neighbors but also our enemies. This concept challenges us to move beyond grudges and revenge, seeking reconciliation and peace. The Old Testament law in Leviticus 19:18 laid the groundwork for loving our neighbors, emphasizing the importance of maintaining healthy relationships within close-knit communities. However, Jesus raises the bar in Matthew 5:43-44, urging us to extend love and kindness even to those who have wronged us. This radical call to action requires us to actively seek the well-being of our adversaries, transforming our natural inclinations into opportunities for spiritual growth. [06:36]

"Do not say, 'I will repay evil'; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you." (Proverbs 20:22, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life where you have held onto a grudge. What steps can you take today to seek reconciliation and peace with that person?

Day 2: Jesus' Radical Call to Love
Jesus challenges us to love our enemies, a command that defies our natural instincts and societal norms. This elevated expectation calls us to reflect God's unconditional love in our interactions with others. By loving our enemies, we break down barriers of hatred and division, aligning ourselves with God's nature. This radical love is not passive but requires intentional action and a heart willing to forgive and embrace those who may have wronged us. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:43-44 is a call to rise above our human tendencies and embody a love that transcends cultural and personal boundaries. [10:29]

"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." (Luke 6:27-28, ESV)

Reflection: Identify someone you consider an enemy or find difficult to love. How can you demonstrate God's love to them in a tangible way this week?

Day 3: Practicing Love and Kindness
To love our enemies, we must practice intentional acts of kindness towards those we find difficult to love. This practice helps us develop the spiritual muscles needed to extend grace and compassion. By engaging in deliberate acts of kindness, we not only impact the lives of others but also transform our own hearts. This process requires patience and perseverance, as we learn to see others through God's eyes and respond with love rather than hostility. Practicing love is a journey that involves small, consistent steps towards embodying the character of Christ in our daily interactions. [15:59]

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, ESV)

Reflection: What is one intentional act of kindness you can perform for someone you find challenging to love today?

Day 4: The Power of Prayer
Praying for our enemies is a transformative act that changes our hearts and perspectives. It aligns us with God's will and helps us see others through His eyes, fostering forgiveness and understanding. Through prayer, we invite God to work in our hearts, softening our attitudes and opening us to the possibility of reconciliation. This spiritual discipline not only benefits those we pray for but also brings us closer to God's heart, enabling us to love more deeply and authentically. Prayer is a powerful tool that can break down walls of animosity and build bridges of compassion and empathy. [20:42]

"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." (James 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Spend time in prayer today for someone who has hurt you. Ask God to change your heart and give you His perspective on that person.

Day 5: Overcoming Biological and Cultural Barriers
Loving our enemies goes against our biological inclinations and cultural conditioning. By embracing Jesus' call, we break down these barriers and grow spiritually, reflecting God's love in a divided world. This journey requires us to confront our biases and prejudices, choosing to act in love despite our natural tendencies. As we strive to love beyond our comfort zones, we become agents of change, demonstrating the transformative power of God's love. This process is not easy, but it is essential for spiritual growth and the healing of our communities. [23:08]

"For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?" (Matthew 5:46-47, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a cultural or personal bias you hold. How can you challenge this bias and choose to act in love towards someone different from you today?

Quotes

1) "But in pole vaulting, like when Kenzie runs, she's going to hit that pole in the ground. She's going to fly over the bar. And if she makes it over the bar, what happens? What do they do? You know? They move. They move the bar, right? They raise it up. She does it again. She clears it. They raise it up again. They go higher and higher and higher, raising that bar. Almost anything you do, like athletics -wise, like in high school, there's this idea of raising the bar, right? You go freshman team, then JV, then varsity. And it's a... It's different, higher level." [02:12] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "So this evening, we're going to look at a passage of scripture because Jesus has a great conversation. And we're going to look at that conversation. It's a couple of verses. I'm trying to find where it's at for myself. Where he challenges people, hey, you're going to have to raise the bar. But before we get to where he challenges people, if you've got your Bible, I'll put the verses up on the screen. If you've got your Bible, though, I want you to go to the Old Testament book of Leviticus. It's a book that nobody reads because it is so hard to read." [04:20] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "So what this says here is, hey, if someone at church hurts your feelings, you are not to seek revenge. if someone at church does something and wrongs you and maybe it's a big deal you've got to figure out how you are not going to hold a grudge like that's the expectation of the law they they understood that hey I can't hold a grudge because here's what happens today and some of you guys I mean you might experience this I have in my life like somebody at church hurts your feelings so what do we do we just go to another church all right I don't like that person anymore so I'm just gonna go to church over here it's just it's an easy exit strategy." [06:36] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "The bar was love your neighbor. No grudges, no revenge, figure it out. And then Jesus comes in and he raises the bar. Not just love your neighbor. I expect you to love your enemies as well. But what we see here in this passage, we see a couple of things. We see one reason why it's really important. It's really important that you're here. It's really important that you read your Bible on your own. It's really important that you find a church on a Sunday morning, that you find a service, that you find a small group, that you find people around you to speak truth into your life." [11:06] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Practice loving your enemy. Practice loving the person that you don't love. Practice loving the person that you don't like. Because one day you're going to be challenged because you're going to be in a church somewhere. You're going to be in a relationship with somebody, and they're going to hurt you. And you're going to have to figure it out. So start practicing now. The person, maybe it's not an enemy. Maybe it's just somebody at school that irritates you. Maybe it's the person that walks into the room, walks up to your group at lunch, and you're like, oh, my goodness. I just. wish they weren't here." [15:59] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Pray for your enemy. That's what Jesus says. He says, I say, love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. Like maybe that's where you need. And here's what I'm saying. Don't just walk out of here going, okay, yeah, I'll pray for them. There's some people that you don't like. You're just in relational conflict. I'm going to challenge you to go home tonight and somewhere by your Bible, someplace where you put your phone in, write their name down. If it's somebody that lives in your home, write a code word. And leave that. I'm going to start praying for them. Pray that your heart changes." [20:42] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "If a year from now I'm lifting the same weights, not a good sign. If a year from now you hate the person you hate just as much as you hate them now, that's not a good sign because you haven't grown spiritually. Jesus comes in and raises the bar. So I'm going to pray for us. And then we're going to go break into our small groups. Amanda will come up and kind of give you some directions. We're going to talk about this. So you're talking about loving your enemy. This isn't a place to name names, obviously, because that just creates gossip a lot of times. But we're going to talk about how to love your enemy." [23:48] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?