Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• The message this morning is a searching message - the passage is one of the most searching passages there is
• Love for your enemies
• Be kind to those who can never repay you
• Expect nothing in return
• v27-36
• Further challenges in v37-42:
• Not in human nature to be able to do so
• Not to judge our fellow men
• Be freely giving like Jesus
• The plank in our own eye
• This morning - self examination
• This evening - encouraging: victory in the place of defeat
• Text: "But why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and not do the things which I say?" (v46)
• Many followed Him around but did not do the things He said
• If He was really Master, they would follow His teaching, not just lip service but reality
• 1 Cor 12:3 - The revelation of Jesus as Lord comes by the Holy Spirit
• Rom 10:9 - If we believe in Jesus with all our heart, we will be saved
• Matt 7:21 - It is not enough to make a statement of faith, He must be Lord of our lives
• You cannot just make a decision and live how you please
• Luke 14:33 - To follow Jesus you must deny self and take up your cross daily
• Jesus is concerned: He gives a parable - can be now or a future judgement
• Some claim Jesus but collapse at the crucial point
• The person who stands is the person who does His will (v47)
• The house built on the rock is the true follower of Jesus Christ
• This does not mean that Christians are perfectly obedient
• 1 John 1:9 - Christians do sin but there is forgiveness
• We do seek first His kingdom
• In the day of storm God enables us to stand
• What does it mean to do what He says?
• The context: v27-42
• Some Resolutions for 2017

The Context

Selfless love for our enemies: v27-36

• It is normal to be kind to people who are kind to us
• What difference is there in your life compared to others?
• 'You say you follow me, but are you different from other people?'
• Is there selfless love?
• Jesus was utterly selfless
  • Examples
• The Cross
• "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back." (v27-30)
• Jesus is not against the rule of law
• When someone is being persecuted for their faith there ought not to be reviling but love
• Example of George Whitfield
• Vengeance belongs to God
• We are to do good to those who persecute us
• Consider Stephen
• If we really understand the extent of God's love to us, we will forgive our fellow man whatever they have done
• If you feel things are unfair or unjust, commit it to God
• Example of Corrie ten Boom
• Sometimes we need to ask God to deal with us that we might be merciful and loving

A non-judgmental love for others: v37-42

• The Christian is called to judge with righteous judgement, to identify error, to be clear about truth and sin, not to compromise with the world
• Christ was not afraid to judge people
• Christ was different to us
• This is very different to a fault finding spirit, when we put others down, when we jump to conclusions, when we have a critical spirit, when we stigmatise people
• In church life it can be easy to put labels on people
• Examples
• 'Judge not, lest you be judged'
• The positive:
• If you do not have a critical spirit: people will treat you graciously, God will treat you graciously
• If you are like God, it is because you trust in His Son
• The most joyous Christians are those who are most king, most giving
• God has blessed them abundantly
• v41:
• We are often hypocritical
• If you really want to be a help to others, restore those who are struggling - you must be restored first
• James 4:11
• Rom 14:10-13
• Rom 15:7

Resolutions

• Has anybody made a new years resolution?
• Resolution 1: Read the Bible every single day without fail
• If you want to know the will of God, the will of God is found in the whole Bible
• Start with the Gospels
• Download Reading plans
• Resolution 2: Pray about what you are reading
• Resolution 3: Pray Lord help me to trust you
• Resolve to follow the teachings of the Lord Jesus
• Think on what Christ has done for us and do for others
• Lord, help me not to judge

Closing Remarks