Everybody Always: Love Even Your Enemies
Pastor Bill West
September 19, 2021
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:43–48
Who is your enemy?
How are you to love them?
What happens when you love like this?
You Reflect Your Father When You Love Even Your Enemies
Small group questions can be found in the “Everybody Always” study guide under session one.
You can also find the small group “Everybody Always” videos in our app under “Engage.”
September 19, 2021
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:43–48
Who is your enemy?
Those Who Persecute You.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
Matthew 5:44
Those Who Make Life Harder for You.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:45
Those Who Don’t Love You.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:46
How are you to love them?
Pray for them.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
Matthew 5:44
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:59–60
Meet Physical Needs.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:45
If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.
Romans 12:20
Greet People.
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
Matthew 5:47
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
What happens when you love like this?
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:44–45
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?
Romans 2:4Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:48
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1–2
You Reflect Your Father When You Love Even Your Enemies
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
1 John 13:34–35
Small group questions can be found in the “Everybody Always” study guide under session one.
You can also find the small group “Everybody Always” videos in our app under “Engage.”