Harrisonburg First Church of The Nazarene
Often, the words of Jesus surprise us. Surely, He'll agree on my perspective when it comes to my enemies, right? Let's see... Thank you so much for joining us.
True transformation begins not by ACTING differently but by THINKING differently.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16 NIV
Matthew 5:43-48 NIV
Verses 43-44
Jesus speaks of AGAPE, meaning “unconquerable love”
AGAPE love is not a feeling of the heart, but a determination of the mind.
We need the mind of Christ to love in this way.
Verses 44-45
We love our enemies, not so we will be blessed, but instead because this is what it means to be children of God.
Verses 45-47
Jesus does not call us to a love that is REACTIVE but rather a love that is PROACTIVE.
Verse 48
Jesus call us to TELEIOS, meaning “growth” or “completeness”
If we want to live out this radical call to love, then we have to allow the Spirit of God to make us like Him.
Jesus is not interested in making us moral people.
Jesus wants to make us like Him.
How do we respond?
Admit
“This is beyond me”
“On my own I can’t do this”
Surrender
“God, I need your Spirit”
“I need your power”
ENGAGE
I engage the world around me with the power of His Spirit.
The powerful truth:
“As the Spirit transforms us, each person who encounters us encounters the living God."
Christ’s Mind Versus the Human Mind as it Relates to Our Enemies
The Mind of Christ / The "Merely Human" Mind
Defaulting to love (Phil 2:4) / Defaulting to defense or fear
Building bridges (Luke 10:35) / Building barriers
Challenging feelings of animosity (Matt 5:43-44) / Feeling justified by hate
Making personal sacrifice (Luke 10:33-34) / Being inherently self-concerned
Looking for opportunities to approach / Looking for opportunities to avoid (Luke 10:32)