“The Christian is essentially a unique and special kind of person….There is something unusual, something inexplicable and something elusive about him from the standpoint of the natural man.” (Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, Lloyd-Jones, 276).

1. Love your enemy.

“Is there something about my love that cannot be explained in natural terms? Is there something special and unique about my love to others that is not present in the life of the unbeliever?” (The Sermon on the Mount, Hughes, 143)

2. Pray for those who persecute you.

3. The rain still comes.

Love the unlovely.
Greet People.

Sermon Questions

Who are some examples of enemies? National? Community? Personal?

2. Discuss the possibilities/potentials of gaining an enemy. Can we avoid enemies? If so, how? But how can we deal with them with Jesus' power if we do gain enemies?

3. What verse sticks out to you today and why?

4. What are other Biblical examples of loving enemies? Who are Biblical examples of praying for those who are evil to us?

5. How can we be perfect according to verse 48?

6. Of the six illustrations Jesus gives in Matthew 5, do these build on each other and culminate in vs. 43-48? If so, how does it address the previous verses?