1. Extraordinary Living Matthew 5:43-48
The Politics of Jesus
Extraordinary Living
Matthew 5:43-48

2. Matthew 5:43-48
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 sons 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 brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

3. In Jesus’ politics, the path to freedom is to die to self-interest & awake to the joy of laying down our lives for others. We are never more like God than when we love our enemies…

4. Jesus’ teaching…
Corrects a false interpretation of Scripture that is driven by self-righteous living. (vs. 43)
Reveals God’s politic (way of relating) & exposes the failure of self-justification. (vs )
Drives us to give up on our self-justification, & surrender to the mercy & grace of God.

5. Loving our enemies means…
Our treatment of others does not depend on who they are or what they do to us.
Our lives are not governed by our moods or our likes and dislikes.
Our goal is not just to be nice, but to seek their best.
Our love is active & intentional, not passive & haphazard.
Our lives are marked by the life of our Father.

6. In Jesus’ politics, the path to freedom is to die to self-interest & awake to the joy of laying down our lives for others. We are never more like God than when we love our enemies…