Keeping Ourselves unspotted from the world (Lesson 62)
Introduction:
1. According to James 1:27, "keeping ourselves unspotted from the world" is an important part of "pure and undefiled religion before God." 2. In His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Jesus presented a number of instructions that will help us remain free from the world's spots. 3. In Matthew 5:21-48 Jesus addressed 5 important subjects by first mentioning what the Jews had heard and then revealing His will. 4. In vs.43-48 Jesus dealt with how we are to treat our enemies. Discussion: I. (vs.43) JESUS REVEALED WHAT THE JEWS HAD HEARD ABOUT HOW THEY WERE TO TREAT THEIR ENEMIES
A. They had heard, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy." B. The command to "love thy neighbor" is found in Leviticus 19:18. 1. Many instructions in the law related to this one commandment (Leviticus 19:9-11, 13-17). 2. Jesus identified it as the second great commandment (Matthew 22:39). 3. The Jews were clearly taught to love their neighbors; however, . . . C. The Law of Moses did not teach the Jews to hate their enemies. 1. It is true that the law taught the Jews: a. not to associate with heathen people, but the Jews were not instructed to hate them b. to punish evil doers, but the Jews were not instructed to hate them. 2. Hating their enemies did not originate with God -- it originated with the Jews. D. After talking about what the Jews had heard, . . . II. (vs.44) JESUS REVEALED HIS WILL ABOUT HOW HIS FOLLOWERS ARE TO TREAT ENEMIES
A. Rather than hate our enemies as the Jews had been taught, Jesus said, "Love your enemies." 1. This is not the affectionate love that Christians have for one another (Hebrews 13:1). 2. This is the kind of love that seeks what is best for the other person (Romans 12:20-21). B. There are 3 ways our enemies may treat us -- they may curse us, they may hate us, and they may spitefully use us and persecute us. C. In loving our enemies, the Lord wants us to bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us. D. It may be difficult to understand what the Lord requires, so perhaps it will help us to see it being practiced by Jesus (Luke 23:34), the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33-35), and Stephen (Acts 7:57-60). E. After teaching us how He wants us to treat our enemies, . . . III. (vs.45-47) JESUS GAVE 2 REASONS WHY WE MUST LOVE OUR ENEMIES
A. (vs.45) First, we must love our enemies so we may be children of God. 1. God blesses both the righteous and the unrighteous. 2. We must do the same if we want to be God's children. B. (vs.46-47) Second, we must love our enemies so we will not be like people in the world. 1. The Jews considered the publicans to be some of the worst people. 2. However, even the publicans loved those who loved them and saluted fellow publicans. 3. The Lord wants us to do more than just love those who love us. IV. (vs.48) FINALLY, JESUS TELLS US TO BE PERFECT LIKE THE FATHER
A. If we do not consider this statement in its context, we can easily misunderstand it. B. (vs.45) Remember that God blesses the righteous and the unrighteous. C. In loving our enemies, we must practice the same principle. D. When we love our enemies as the Lord teaches us, we are perfect, even as the Father is perfect, and we will keep ourselves free from one of the world's spots.
