February 20, 2022
Pastor John Hering
Luke 6:27-38
Luke 6:27-38
Love for Enemies
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Judging Others
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
I’m not so sure you want to listen to this sermon. As you listen today it is important for you to remember this is Jesus’ sermon. Last week he said we are blessed (happy) living in God’s kingdom that is up-side-down when compared to the kingdoms of this world. Today Jesus preaches to us on how to react to those who hate or have hurt us. Are you sure you want to hear this sermon? Ok, then I’ll continue. Jesus tells us to
Share God’s Love – Even To Your Enemies
Because Your Life Is Filled God’s Mercy (27-34)
Remember Jesus is preaching these words to his disciples. What Jesus says is difficult to listen to because we live in a world broken by sin. But, I’m talking to God’s people who will gladly hear and learn it. “27 But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you.” What is the love Jesus is talking about? This love is not a warm and fuzzy feeling, but Jesus gives us clear examples of this love: Do good to those who hate you … and pray for those who mistreat you. Jesus wants us to “do good … and pray for” our enemies. This may not seem to be so difficult to do when those enemies are “out there” or just generic bad people. Jesus said, “YOUR enemies.” Maybe your enemy is the brother-in-law who cheated on your sister. Or maybe when you had to interact with the teenage girl who bullied your daughter. Or maybe it’s the guy you run into on the street who sued you. Or maybe its even the church member that you avoid talking to because of a disagreement you had or you just don’t like the way they act. Jesus wants us to stop and think about what’s going on in our hearts. The “cancel culture” we live in says get rid of them, avoid them, Ghost them. Jesus tells us to “do good” and “pray” for them.
I know I’m preaching to people who may be thinking, “Wait. I’m pretty good at loving others.” Jesus addresses that as well: “29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer the other too. If someone takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes away your things, do not demand them back.” When people come after us, it is our natural reaction to get defensive and protective. Jesus knocks the self-righteous attitude right out of our hearts. How can we claim to be good lovers when we’re being selfish? How can any of us claim to love others, let alone our enemies when the classic dangers of unfiltered anger and thoughts of revenge are roaming around in our hearts? Jesus is uncovering the natural reactions we have to our enemies and wants us to realize the danger that is lurking in our hearts.
To those of us who still think, “Wait, I love other people really well,” Jesus speaks to this as well: 31 “Treat others just as you would want them to treat you. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? To be sure, even the sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even the sinners do the same thing. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to be repaid, what credit is that to you? Even the sinners lend to sinners in order to be paid back in full.“ Of course you love others who love you. I love my mom and dad! I love my wife! I love my kids! I must be a pretty good guy! Jesus says, “No, you’re not!” Even sinners love those who love them! Jesus attacks this bad attitude in our hearts by telling us to Even Love Your Enemies! How is this possible?
It is possible when the difference between the way the world operates and the way God operates is understood. The world operates on a system of merit where people get what they deserve. God’s kingdom operates on the basis of mercy where people don’t get what they deserve. We demonstrate the mercy God has given to us when we show that mercy to others—even to our enemies. Remember who is preaching this sermon! Jesus! Jesus always did good to others and even prayed for those who were nailing him to the cross because he knew and believed in God’s mercy. Jesus reacted to the evil of the world with his mercy. This is the same mercy that fills your life. Then, when we react with mercy to others we demonstrate that we are children of God who does the same for us.
Let me illustrate this for you. How many school or church shooting have we seen in the past 10 years! You have seen the interviews of people who have been so devastated by these evil enemies. Then we are shocked when we hear Christians say, “I will never be able to talk to my daughter again and the evil you did was horrific, but I forgive you.” You know how shocking it was during the trial of Amber Guyger after being sentenced for killing Botham Jean, that his brother asked if he could hug Amber! If you are shocked by people showing such love for their enemies, how much more doesn’t the Lord God love you with his indiscriminate love, grace and mercy! Therefore May You Share God’s Love—Even To Your Enemies Because Your Life Is Filled With God’s Mercy!
Because Your Life Reflects God’s Mercy
You are familiar with the Bible that says, “For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt 5:45). We recognize that the Lord God does not deal with us as we deserve because of the gospel. Jesus preached it like this: “35 Instead, love your enemies, do good and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the unthankful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Do you see, grace is the secret ingredient in God’s kingdom. Grace makes God’s kingdom different from any earthly kingdom that is broken by sin. When you give people around you a taste of the grace and mercy that lives in you by the power of the Holy Spirit, you give them a taste of what our Father in heaven is like.
Oh, the regrets as we reflect on our life and wish we had been quick to share God’s love with others, even our enemies, Because Our Life Is Filled With God’s Mercy and failed. But, here is the key to God’s kingdom! What we failed to do, Jesus did for us perfectly. Jesus said, “35 Instead, love your enemies, do good and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the unthankful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Remember who is preaching this sermon! This is Jesus who is God’s Son! What Jesus says is a summary of how Jesus dealt with you. I know you wouldn’t ever say you hate God. Wait! Really?! Remember, this love is not primarily an emotion, it’s doing good for others. We are guilty of failing to seek the wellbeing of others. Or lending to a sinner without seeking to be repaid in full. We don’t always seek God’s glory. We don’t always advance God’s mission. In doing so we demonstrate hatred towards God and how does Jesus react toward us? Jesus lived the perfect life and died on the cross and expected nothing in return. But, his Father in heaven gave him great rewards—the salvation of all people! Listen! Jesus calls God your Father! Jesus calls you “sons of the Most High!” Why? Because for Jesus’ sake God “is kind to the unthankful and the evil”—that’s you! Think about all the blessings God gives to you and there is no way we could respond with the sanctified life God’s expects. But, when it came to sharing his mercy with all people, God loves and treats us with forgiveness for all our sins and eternal life in heaven. Therefore let us Share God’s Love (do good and pray for)—Even Our Enemies Because Our Life Is Filled With God’s Mercy To Share With Others!
Jesus preaches what this looks like. “37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. In fact, the measure with which you measure will be measured back to you.” You recognize such a person who realizes how blessed by God they are and they are eager and happy to share God’s mercy with others. Joseph was the prime example of sharing God’s mercy with his brothers. St Paul realizes that his enemies were not going to control his destiny, but it was his Father in heaven. Jesus also wants to bless you even when surrounded by enemies. Maybe they slammed you on social media. Maybe it’s someone who you can’t stand being around. Don’t listen to how the world wants you to react to them. Listen to what Jesus is teaching us today. Even though we stink at loving our enemies, Jesus never stopped loving you as an enemy. Jesus saved you and sent his Holy Spirit to put faith in your hearts so that you are filled with God’s mercy. Now Reflect God’s Mercy to others, especially your enemies!
What Jesus preaches today is hard to listen to. You heard the reaction that Jesus uncovered for you. Jesus wants you to love your enemies! So, remember what love is. Through you God defeats evil by doing good and praying for your enemies. By your deeds of love God can lead others from the kingdom of this world into his eternal kingdom. Do good and pray for your enemies because Your Life is Filled With God’s Mercy. Love your enemies because Your Life Is Reflecting God’s mercy. And where you fail, thank God for the mercy he always shows us in Jesus Christ. Amen.
