Love Your Enemies
ST ANDREW’S CHURCH
FEBRUARY 23 2025
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Take delight in the Lord;
All: For God will give us the desires of our hearts.
One: Trust in the Lord;
All: For God will give us security and strength.
One: Come, let us commit our ways to the Lord.
All: Let us worship the One who is our refuge in any time of trouble.
HYMN 374 Oh for a thousand tongues to sing
- Oh for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of God’s grace.
2. Jesus, the name that charms our fears,
and bids our sorrows cease:
’tis music in the sinner’s ears;
’tis life and health and peace.
3. He speaks, and listening to his voice
new life the dead receive;
the mournful, broken hearts rejoice;
the humble poor believe.
4.Hear him, you deaf; you voiceless ones,
your tongues again employ;
you blind, behold your Saviour comes,
and leap, you lame, for joy.
5. My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
and spread through all the earth abroad
the honours of thy name.
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PRAYER OF ADORATION
Faithful God, you have gathered your people in faithfulness throughout many generations. You have offered your blessing to us through their examples, and led the Church through many changes and challenges by your Spirit. Draw near to us this day to guide us in these uncertain times. Root our faithfulness in the compassion and courage we meet in Jesus. Renew us through your steadfast love so that we may dare to trust our future to you. All praise and honour are yours, O God: Source, Saviour and Spirit of Life. You are with us, even in our failings. Hear us as we confess our sins so that we might be able to begin again with you.
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God, you test the mind and search the heart,
so you know the thoughts and intentions we keep hidden.
Trusting in your wisdom and mercy,
we confess the ways we have failed to love one another,
the times we looked the other way when someone needed help,
and the ways our actions betrayed your goodness.
Forgive us for missing opportunities to share your love,
and carrying grudges that keep us from offering the
forgiveness we hope for. Renew us with your mercy
to become more merciful to others we meet,
in the example of Christ our Lord. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Hear and believe the good news: anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life is gone, and new life has begun. Trust that you are forgiven by God’s generous love, and have the courage to forgive one another for Christ’s sake.
THE PEACE
HYMN 350 To God be the glory
To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life our redemption to win,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice;
Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory; great things He hath done.
2
Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
3
Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see.
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 37:1–11, page 874
Luke 6:27–38 page 1601
SERMON
I suspect many folks feel they have an enemy at some point in their life. Many years ago mine was 13 years old – a schoolmate of my son who lured my son into a life of crime and living on the street. It took four years of fear and worry before the situation was resolved. Eventually I was able to forgive this then young almost adult
Jesus opens his “Sermon on the Plain” with a description of the blessings that belong to those who have entered the kingdom of God, and he warns those who have not yet entered the kingdom of God. Then Jesus describes how his disciples are to live as citizens of the kingdom of God. Unlike many preachers, Jesus did not soft-peddle his message. He did not try to sugar coat what he was about to say. He did not ease into his message with a funny story aimed to set his disciples at ease. No. Jesus immediately gives his disciples what commentator Philip Graham Ryken calls “The Hardest Commandment.”
Luke tells us in chapter 6:27-27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either….. . 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:27-36)
All of us find some people easy to love and others more difficult to love. And, if we probe deep enough, we would discover that there are some people we really don’t like at all. In fact, some of us might even admit to hating them. Today’s message is aimed directly at you and me.
We learn from the gospels that Jesus had his enemies just as we had ours. But there was a difference: he loved his enemies. He prayed for them. Even as the nails were being hammered through his hands and feet, he cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
It is very important to keep in mind the context of Jesus’ sermon. Immediately after Jesus had selected twelve men to become his apostles, he came down from the mountain with them, stood on a level place, and preached the “Sermon on the Plain” to the apostles, disciples and a great multitude of people. Luke says that Jesus begins his sermon by “(lifting) up his eyes on his disciples” (6:20). So the sermon is primarily aimed at disciples, that is, at those who were followers of Jesus.
Jesus tells his disciples that by following him his disciples will have to endure poverty, hunger, sorrow, and persecution for his name’s sake, but they will also have his blessing. Then Jesus pronounces warnings on those who do not follow him and who are living for themselves with no thought for God and the things of God.
Jesus wants his disciples to know that God blesses those who follow him. In fact, in the fourth beatitude Jesus says, “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!” (6:22).
Jesus’ disciples must have been taken aback. What? Love our enemies? How in the world do we love our enemies? This is where s bit of knowledge of Greek is helpful. In English we have one word for love.
Phil Ryken says, “Jesus called his disciples to show a deliberate affection that is not based on what people deserve, but on the grace of God. Leon Morris notes, There are several words for love in Greek. Jesus is speaking of agape, which means love even of the unworthy, love which is not drawn out by merit in the beloved but which proceeds from the fact that the lover chooses to be a loving person.
Agape is different from all other loves. It is not a love based on natural affection, romantic love, or friendship. It is a love based on a deliberate, willful choice toward another and empowered by God. Kent Hughes says, “But agape love supersedes natural inclinations and often exists in spite of them. It is a deliberate love, rooted in the will – a love by choice.”
The Greek word for enemies (echthros) “denotes the inner disposition from which hostility arises, i.e., hatred.” In other words, an enemy could be anyone “that is antagonistic to another.” An enemy could be a demeaning boss, an abusive family member, a divorced spouse, an angry neighbor, or even a friend who has grown distant because of a disagreement.
With that context in mind, Jesus says in Luke 6:27a, “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies.” So, who is your enemy? That is an important question for you as a Christian to answer, because whoever is your enemy, Jesus commands you to love that person. Now, you may be thinking how radically different and difficult it is to love our enemy. And that is exactly the point!
Presumptions about people are many times wrong and destroy the spirit of peace before it has a chance to get started. The problem is that we do everything we can to avoid the person who we believe hates us. We don’t want to have anything to do with that person. But Jesus said, “. . . do good to those who hate you.”
When we tell stories about people in the community who are in trouble with the law and have a history of being difficult people, we are automatically conditioning people to dislike. We build walls and try to get the people we like on our side of the wall. But Jesus says you were created for community and those walls you have been building have got to come down. He says anyone can like people who like them but the real challenge is to like people who don’t like you. Now that’s so contrary to human nature. It’s not natural and it is very difficult.
Has someone abused you? Or, as some translations put it, has someone mistreated you, or spitefully used you? You may be deeply wounded and hurt. Again, you may want to have nothing to do with such a person. But Jesus said, “. . . pray for those who abuse you.” It is almost impossible to pray for someone and hate him or her at the same time. What do you pray for? You may pray that God’s grace will overwhelm that person, and that he or she will see God as utterly holy and himself or herself as sinful and desperately in need of the grace of God
The next thing Jesus says is really practical Jesus gives us three ways to love our enemies. First, we love our enemies by our actions. Jesus says “. . . do good to those who hate you.”
Think of someone who hates you. Then think of something good that you can do for that person. And then do it! The problem is that we do everything we can to avoid the person who hates us. We don’t want to have anything to do with that person. But again, Jesus says, “. . . do good to those who hate you.”
Second, we love our enemies by our words.
Jesus says in Luke 6:28a, “. . . bless those who curse you.” Again, think of the person who curses you. Do not respond in kind. Instead, respond with heartfelt blessing!
And third, we love our enemies by our prayers.
Jesus said in Luke 6:28b, “. . . pray for those who abuse you.”
We love our enemies by enduring insults (6:29a) One of the marks of a follower’s life is that we share the ways that God has given to us and supported us so that we can give to those who need a real blessing in their lives. The reward for Loving Our Enemies reflects our Relationship to God (6:35b-36)
Jesus was hated. He was hated by Judas, by the Pharisees, and by all the people who demanded his crucifixion.. He was cursed by the false witnesses who testified against him, the soldiers who mocked him, and the governor who sentenced him to die a God-forsaken death.
Jesus was abused by the priests who whipped him, the soldiers who hung him to die, and all the people who swore at him while he was dying on the cross.
His enemies struck him on the cheek, and struck him again, insulting his true identity as the Son of God. They took away both his cloak and his tunic, leaving him to die naked. They stripped him of everything he had, down to his dignity.
How did Jesus respond to his enemies? He responded by loving them and giving his life to pay the penalty for their sins. As he was dying on the cross, suffering at the hands of his enemies, Jesus was showing them his love – the very kind of love he called his disciples to demonstrate to their enemies.
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.
When we hate our enemies we give them power over us – power over our sleep, our appetites, our happiness. They would dance with joy if they knew how much they were worrying us. Our hate is not hurting them at all, but it is turning our days & our nights into turmoil. The wisdom of Dale Carnegie
The words of Jesus are so dynamic that they were very different than the Jewish people of his day were used to. They were so counter cultural. Even today these words are hard to handle and even more difficult to live by.
Basically there are 2 key principals that are central to this whole text. Jesus command is that we show extreme generosity. Be generous people give without expectation of what will be returned to you. Mercy is an attribute that is expected in the life of every believer. Forgive as the Lord forgave you .Our goal is to become a people of grace in the most of difficult circumstances.
Who are the enemies that God is calling you to love? Do good to them. Bless them. Pray for them. Show them the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. AMEN
HYMN 774 God forgave my sin
- 1. God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name,
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name,
and in Jesus’ name I come to you
to share his love as he told me to.
He said:
‘Freely, freely you have received; freely, freely give.
Go in my name and because you believe,
others will know that I live.’All power is given in Jesus’ name,
in earth and heaven in Jesus’ name,
and in Jesus’ name I come to you
to share his power as he told me to.
He said: ‘Freely, freely you have received;
freely, freely give.
Go in my name and because you believe,
others will know that I live.’
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OFFERING
God is the source of all goodness. Through our offering, we express our thanks for every good thing we enjoy, and we share good things with those in need. Be generous, as God is generous, so that the world may know that God is good.
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly host.
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost
OFFERTORY PRAYER
God of generous love, we bring our gifts with grateful hearts, for we have received so much through your kindness. Bless our gifts, and use them to touch lives in situations we cannot even imagine with your love. Make us a blessing in our community for the sake of Christ, our Friend and Saviour. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
God of all life and each life: you created us and set us in relationship with each other in families and neighbourhoods, in communities and countries, in cultures and nations. Today we give you thanks for all the gifts of home life and community celebration that bring meaning and encouragement to our lives.
Thank you for the blessings we know through the contributions of those who have gone before us. Help us offer what we can to sustain the wellbeing of our community and country, so that all who make it their home will find security and dignity.
God of our faith and our future, there are so many pressures we face today, so many problems without simple solutions. Draw near to anyone who is struggling in economic difficulty, and all those burdened by challenges to their health and happiness. Ease any conflict in homes and workplaces and inspire solutions that express mutual respect and deeper understanding.
. We pray that our hearts will be enlightened so that we may recognize the hope to which God is calling us. Help us share with others the hope we find in your presence
Our Bible reading today reminded us But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies.” Evidence of this is sometimes not easy to find and so we pray for your love and mercy in teaching us and by your presence for good relationships abound
God of mercy and forgiveness, You call us to live together in peace and unity. We pray for our neighbourhoods and the nations of this world. Where people are divided and bitterness turns into resentment, show us how to work for reconciliation. Where violence and fear turn neighbour against neighbour, or nation against nation. equip leaders to work for justice that will bring peace. Help us build a world where children enjoy a future filled with good health and happiness. God of the whole human family,Hear our prayers for your world.
Healing God we bring before you the concerns of our hearts both spoken and unspoken
Joys Illnesses sorrows travel
God of wisdom, your Word brings life and hope. By the power of your Spirit, open our minds to understanding, teach our hearts to love, and strengthen our wills to follow Jesus, your Living Word.
God, our hope and our help, send your Spirit to equip our congregation with skill and resilience
to weather whatever challenges and opportunities lie before us. Strengthen friendships, new and old, and make us a source of encouragement and connection to each other. Help each one find a place and a purpose in our mission and ministry, for it is as your children that we pray together in the words Jesus taught us:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
HYMN 767 Lord speak to me
- Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
in living echoes of your tone;
as you have sought, so let me seek
your erring children lost and lone.
2. Oh lead me, Lord, that I may lead
the wandering and the wavering feet;
oh feed me, Lord, that I may feed
your hungering ones with manna sweet.
3. Oh teach me, Lord, that I may teach
the precious truths that you impart,
and wing my words, that they may reach
the hidden depths of many a heart.
4. Oh fill me with your fullness, Lord,
until my heart shall overflow
in kindling thought and glowing word,
your love to tell, your praise to show.
5. Oh use me, Lord, use even me
just as you will, and when, and where,
until at last your face I see,
your rest, your joy, your glory share.
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BENEDICTION
May the grace of Christ which daily renews us, and the love of God which enables us to love all , and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit which unites us in one body make us eager to obey the will of God until we meet again through Jesus Christ our Lord AMEN
CLOSING SONG 445
Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus
To reach out and touch him and say that we love him.
Open our ears Lord, and help us to listen;
Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus .
PCC 1976 3 Fold Amen