Love Your Enemies

Sun. 07-06-2008

Matthew 5:38-48

Key verse: 5:44

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…

Read verses 38-42.  What did Jesus say about taking revenge?  How should we treat an evil person, or someone who hurts us?  Why is it sometimes hard to give to others?  Why is it even harder to give to a person that only takes from us?  

Read verses 43-47.  Why is it much easier to love our neighbors, than our enemies?  What should we do for those who persecute us?  Why do we need to be nice to everyone, even our enemies (44b)?

What reward will we get if we love our enemies (45a)?  Why is this something worthy of being rewarded?  How does loving our enemies make us different than unbelievers?

4.  Read verse 48.  Since nobodies perfect, how can we be perfect (48b)