Sermon from Luke 6:27-36. If you are a disciple of Jesus, if you are a Christian, you know that loving your enemies is impossible. That is why you and I must stay close to the cross of Jesus. It is at the cross of Jesus where we see the power of God’s love that enabled Jesus to love his enemies. And it is at the cross of Jesus where we find the power of God’s love to enable us to love our enemies. This is the power of the gospel. Our words need to be backed up by our actions! The gospel is not just theory. The gospel is manifest in us in difficult situations and circumstances, when you have experienced unloving behaviour from someone else, and you forgive and love them in return.

The gospel determines our values, our values mould our decisions, our decisions build our character and our Christ like character directs our lives. Loving our enemies is the opportunity to show the character of Christ. Loving our enemies gives us the opportunity to show Christ’s love and the Gospel and its effect in our lives.

Discussion Questions:

1. How have you seen an act of mercy lead to more mercy? Give an example.

2. Read Matthew 18:21-35. What was Peter apparently looking for when he asked his question (v21)?

3. What effect would Jesus’ answer have had on Peter? (v22)

4. How did the servant’s behaviour reveal his true attitude toward the master’s forgiveness (v28-34)?

5. The Essene’s said, "Love all that God has chosen and hate all He has rejected." The Pharisees said; "If a Jew sees a Gentile fallen into the sea, let him by no means lift him out of there”. Do these sayings support or contradict Luke 6:27, 28. Discuss your answer.

6. What is more important; being vindicated before our enemies or becoming more like Christ? Discuss this in light of loving our enemies. (v35).