Text: Matthew 5:38-48

Topic: How to love your enemies

Introduction:

• Few passages are more misunderstood than this one.

• Matthew 5:39

• Jesus isn't telling us to be weak and passive; he's telling us not to be vindictive.

• Matthew 5:42

• It's our responsibility to practice generosity, but it's also our responsibility to practice discernment.

• Matthew 5:48

• Jesus is saying you can be perfect...you can fulfill your purpose in life.

• Big Idea: Jesus calls us to be perfect in love by loving our enemies.

• Matthew 5:39

• Jesus' point is not that we should let people physically abuse us, but that we should refrain from trying to get even when someone insults us.

• Illustration: May retells an episode of TV's Seinfeld, where George's plan to orchestrate retaliation over an insult fails, demonstrating how our plans for revenge often have unintended consequences.

• The longer you hold on to the idea of retaliation, the more the insult hurts.

• Illustration: May cites Tiger Woods' gentle response to racist comments to illustrate a more healing response to insult.

• Matthew 5:40

• Luke 19:8

• Illustration: May tells the story of a man who defaulted on his investors, but paid them back twice over later—illustrating the principle of doing more than is required when you have wronged someone.

Treat mistreaters with kindness.

• Matthew 5:41

• When you treat a mistreater with kindness, it may not change them, but it will change you.

Don't show favorites.

• Matthew 5:42

• Be generous with everyone you can.

• Illustration: May quotes business author Mark McCormick, who contends that the business world is predominately a network of people purchasing from their friends.

• Illustration: May quotes the pastor of a church that is as generous as possible, then takes love a step further by attempting to include and incorporate those who received their generosity.

Conclusion:

• Matthew 5:43-44

• We are never more like our father than when we love those who don't love us.