Bailey Methodist Church
2/23/2025
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  • Luke 6:27–38 ESV
    27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
    Summary: In this passage, Jesus teaches His followers about loving their enemies, doing good to those who hate them, and the radical generosity that characterizes the Kingdom of God. It challenges believers to transcend conventional reactions and respond with love and mercy instead.
    Application: This message empowers Christians to confront their struggles with unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness. By embracing the teachings of Jesus, believers can learn to cultivate a heart of compassion and extend grace to even the hardest people in their lives, reflecting God's love in practical ways.
    Teaching: The sermon will teach that true Christian love is not a feeling but an active choice to do good, even towards those who may not treat us well. It emphasizes the transformative power of obedience to Christ’s commands in everyday interactions.
    How this passage could point to Christ: Jesus embodies the perfect fulfillment of this teaching, having loved us when we were His enemies (Romans 5:10). He demonstrated radical love and mercy through His life, death, and resurrection, enabling us to do the same through His Spirit.
    Big Idea: The heart of the Christian life is loving others, even in hard circumstances, as a reflection of Christ's love for us.
    Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon, consider exploring the cultural context of Jesus' audience in Luke 6, particularly how His radical teachings would have challenged social norms of the time. Use your Logos library to delve into commentaries on Luke that discuss the meaning of terms like 'enemy' and 'love' within this passage. Investigate theological discussions about grace and mercy, which can deepen your understanding of how these concepts relate to daily Christian living.
    Introduction: Life as a follower of Christ is not always easy. Jesus calls us to do things that go against our natural instincts—things that are difficult, even painful. In Luke 6:27-38, Jesus gives a radical teaching about love, mercy, and generosity. He challenges us to love our enemies, to be merciful as God is merciful, and to give without expecting anything in return. These are the hard things, but they are the marks of true discipleship.

    1. Love your enemies. (Luke 6:27-31)

    Matthew 5:43–44 ESV
    43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
    "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)
    Loving those who love us is easy. But Jesus commands us to love even our enemies. This is not just a feeling; it is an action—doing good, blessing, and praying for those who mistreat us.
    You could explore how Jesus calls His followers to actively love those who are hostile towards them. This teaching challenges conventional wisdom and practices, urging believers to be countercultural in their relations. Jesus Himself set the ultimate example of loving enemies, offering practical steps like blessing those who curse and praying for those who mistreat you. This sermon point could encourage believers to choose love actively, reflecting on the example Christ set through His sacrificial love for humanity, even when we were still sinners and His enemies.
    Why is this hard? Because our natural reaction is to retaliate, not to love.
    How do we do it? By relying on the power of the Holy Spirit and remembering how Christ loved us when we were His enemies (Romans 5:8).
    The result? This kind of love breaks cycles of hatred and reflects God’s heart to the world.

    2. Be merciful as God has been merciful to us. (Luke 6:32-36)

    Romans 5:8 ESV
    8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
    "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36)
    Jesus calls us to a higher standard—not just to be fair, but to be merciful. Mercy means showing kindness even when it’s undeserved.
    Perhaps Jesus' command to do to others as you would have them do to you can be emphasized here. This golden rule serves as a straightforward guide to interacting with others in love and mercy, embodying the essence of Christ-like behavior. Listeners might reflect on how they can apply this principle in everyday encounters, even with those they might find difficult. By illustrating Jesus' mercy and grace in action, believers are inspired to embody the same qualities in their own conduct, aligning with His radical teachings and transforming their approach to relationships.
    Why is this hard? Because we want justice for others but mercy for ourselves.
    How do we do it? By remembering the mercy God has shown us in Christ.
    The result? We become living testimonies of God’s grace, drawing others to Him.

    3. We must forgive and give to those who hate us. (Luke 6:37-38)

    Genesis 50:20 ESV
    20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
    "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap." (Luke 6:38)
    Jesus challenges us to live generously—not just with money but with forgiveness, kindness, and grace.
    Maybe examine how Jesus' instructions on judgment and forgiveness can function as a practical outworking of love and mercy in the life of a believer. This passage reveals a fundamental Kingdom principle: as we release judgment and embrace forgiveness, we open ourselves to God’s abundant grace and blessings. By following Jesus' example of forgiveness, believers can overcome personal grievances and conflicts, fostering a community rooted in God's love. Highlighting the promise of divine generosity and transformation that accompanies obedience to these teachings might inspire deeper commitment.
    Why is this hard? Because we fear lack and want to hold on to what we have.
    How do we do it? By trusting that God is our provider and that His blessings overflow when we give freely.
    The result? A life marked by abundance—not just materially, but spiritually.
    Jesus calls us to do the hard things:
    Love beyond comfort – Loving enemies instead of retaliating.
    Show mercy over judgment – Extending grace as God has done for us.
    Give without limits – Living generously, trusting God to provide.
    These are not just ethical teachings; they are commands from Christ that reflect His kingdom. When we obey, we don’t just change our own hearts—we transform the world around us.
    Challenge: This week, ask yourself: What "hard thing" is Jesus calling me to do? And then, through His strength, do it.
    Closing Prayer: Lord, help us to love, to show mercy, and to give as You have called us to. Give us the strength to do the hard things, knowing that in doing so, we reflect Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Bailey Methodist Church
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