Jesus Vision for Reaching People Rev. Robert J. Smith Pastor Colonial Hills Baptist Church

Matthew 5:43-48 43  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Dale Carnegie

Our Text Today In Matthew, chapter 5, Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus used a series of contrast. He does this through a series of six illustrations. Here we find four principles that I believe encapsulate Jesus Vision for how we might reach people Here in Bedford.

Matthew 5:44 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Love Your Enemies 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (KJV)

Love Your Enemies 20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Romans 12:20 (KJV)

Love Your Enemies 21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: Proverbs 25:21 (KJV)

Love Your Enemies 7When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7 (KJV)

Matthew 5:44 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Bless them that Curse You 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 1 Peter 2:23 (KJV)

Bless them that Curse You 9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9 (KJV)

Bless them that Curse You 28 Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice. Psalm 109:28 (KJV)

Matthew 5:44 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Do Good to them that Hate You 51And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. Luke 22:51 (KJV)

Do Good to them that Hate You 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (KJV)

Do Good to them that Hate You 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Psalm 34:14 (KJV)

Matthew 5:44 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Pray for them…who persecute you 34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Luke 23:34 (KJV)

Pray for them…who persecute you 59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:59-60 (KJV)

Pray for them…who persecute you 4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. Psalm 109:4 (KJV)

Conclusion 2For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

Conclusion 3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (KJV)