Sermon Notes: Love our Enemies

Who is our Enemy?

New Testament word for Enemy: http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/echthros.html

Definition of enemy in the New Testament
1. hated, odious, hateful
2. hostile, hating, and opposing another
1. used of men as at enmity with God by their sin
1. opposing (God) in the mind
2. a man that is hostile
3. a certain enemy
4. the hostile one
5. the devil who is the most bitter enemy of the divine government

Why Love our enemy?
Romans 12:17-20
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord.

How to Love our Enemies

20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The Wisdom of Loving our Enemies
Proverbs 25:21-22
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.

The Purpose of Loving our Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)