Should a Christian Join the Military? Thy Kingdom Come – p.6 Luke 6:27-36

Luke 6: (ESV) "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 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.

Luke 6: (ESV) Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Luke 6: (ESV) "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you?

Luke 6: (ESV) For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.

Luke 6: (ESV) But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

What Jesus said: Love your enemies (v.27)Love your enemies (v.27) You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. - Leviticus 19:18 (ESV)You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. - Leviticus 19:18 (ESV)

What Jesus said: Jesus defined your neighbor as anyone who crosses your path and has a need.Jesus defined your neighbor as anyone who crosses your path and has a need.

What love for our enemies looks like Love (agape): having a genuine concern for someone irrespective of his or her attractiveness or of the likelihood of any reciprocation in kindLove (agape): having a genuine concern for someone irrespective of his or her attractiveness or of the likelihood of any reciprocation in kind

What love for our enemies looks like What does love look like when someone has a bad attitude toward us?What does love look like when someone has a bad attitude toward us? do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

What love for our enemies looks like Love shows mercy…Love shows mercy… do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

What love for our enemies looks like We pronounce blessings over their life –not curses.We pronounce blessings over their life –not curses. We pray for them.We pray for them.

What love for our enemies looks like What does love look like when someone takes our honor or possessions?What does love look like when someone takes our honor or possessions? 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.

What love for our enemies looks like Love demonstrates security and an eternal value system.Love demonstrates security and an eternal value system. takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either,

What love for our enemies looks like How does love respond to people who think they should have what we have?How does love respond to people who think they should have what we have? Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. Love demonstrates a commitment to otherness.Love demonstrates a commitment to otherness.

Why we should “love our enemies” We live to a higher standard (vv.31-34)We live to a higher standard (vv.31-34) And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Why we should “love our enemies” We live to a higher standard (vv.31-34)We live to a higher standard (vv.31-34) "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you?

Why we should “love our enemies” We live to a higher standard (vv.31-34)We live to a higher standard (vv.31-34) For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.

Why we should “love our enemies” Jesus is really saying that if we are not motivated to live for others out of love for them, we should be ashamed.Jesus is really saying that if we are not motivated to live for others out of love for them, we should be ashamed.

Why we should “love our enemies” We show who our Father is (v.35)We show who our Father is (v.35) and you will be sons of the Most High

Why we should “love our enemies” We offer what we received (v.36)We offer what we received (v.36) Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Bottom Line: Jesus taught us to depend on God rather than human weapons.Jesus taught us to depend on God rather than human weapons.

Accept pacifists.Accept pacifists. Consider what you value.Consider what you value. Abandon personal retribution.Abandon personal retribution.

Serve others so they see a better way in you.Serve others so they see a better way in you.