What do you do more than others? Matthew 5:43-48 Jesus’ question reveals His expectations Christians are to be vastly different from others Christians should be ones who do more Christians, nonetheless, should not use others as par Christians’ standard should be God Himself What difference has the Lord made in your life? What is there about you, as a Christian, that is special? If nothing, then our Christianity is futile and a disappointment to our Lord.

What do you do more than others? There must be a marked difference between one who follows Christ and one who does not! There is also a marked kinship between one Christian and another – real Christians are more alike than any other group in the world, for they are endeavoring to emulate the same pattern. The way that Christians treat others should be distinctly unique from all other relationships on this earth, for we should be striving to: “Be sons of [our] Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:45). “Be perfect, just as [our] Father in heaven…” (5:48).

What do you do more than others? “LOVE your enemies” It is easy to “love those who love you,” but Christians must do more! Christians specialize in genuine love for one another. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35 A warm, loving atmosphere makes a profound impression. Christians specialize in love for strangers & outsiders. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matt. 22:39 Parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us to love strangers Genuine love shows eager interest in every human soul.

What do you do more than others? “LOVE your enemies” Christians specialize in love for enemies. The world does not do this & does not even desire to do so. When we do it, the world thinks us strange. This is not instructing to have fondness or delight in them. We are to exercise toward them an active & sacrificial good will. The next three points will help us see HOW.

What do you do more than others? “BLESS those who curse you” Man will “say all kinds of evil against you falsely for [Christ’s] sake.” – Matt. 5:11 You will be reproached, insulted, reviled for the name of Christ (Luke 6:22; 1 Peter 4:14). What will be your/our response? “Bless” means to speak good TO or speak good OF a man. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” – Luke 23:34 “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” – Acts 7:60 “When He was reviled, did not revile in return” – 1 Pet. 2:23

What do you do more than others? “DO GOOD to those who hate you” Jesus told His disciples, “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.” – Matt. 10:22; cf. Luke 21:17 “Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.” – 1 John 3:13 “The world has hated [us] because [we] are not of the world.” – John 17:14

What do you do more than others? “DO GOOD to those who hate you” What will be your/our response? Give your enemy every proof that you love him. “Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. “ – 1 John 3:18 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Gal. 6:10 “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Rom. 12:17-21

What do you do more than others? “PRAY for those who spitefully use you & persecute you” Not just pray ABOUT them but pray FOR them While we cannot change a wicked heart, GOD CAN! God desires ALL men to be saved, even our enemies! Our prayer should be for their salvation, which will in turn bring about peace in their lives and ours. “I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for ALL MEN…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires ALL MEN to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for ALL…” – 1 Tim. 2:1-6 Prayer can change our enemies! Prayer can change us!

What do you do more than others? “But I (JESUS) say to you, LOVE your enemies, BLESS those who curse you, DO GOOD to those who hate you, and PRAY for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors [sinners] do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors [sinners] do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” – Matt. 5:44-48 May God help us to be more like Him and do more than others do or even expect us to do!