Category Study

Do you love your enemies?

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you LOVE your ENEMY?

“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”    (Luke 6:27-36).

All this month we’ve been talking about LOVE. Here’s a recap.

Love the LORD week 1;

First, GOD IS LOVE. (1John 4:8)

Second, GOD LOVES. (1John 4:9)

Third, HE LOVED US FIRST. (1John 4:19)

Last, GOD DIED FOR US. (1John 3:16)

Love OTHERS week 2:

Love The Brethren. (John 13:34)

Love Others. (1Thess 3:12)

Love to Visit the needy. (Jas 1:27)

Love our Enemies. (Luke 6:27)

Love His Appearing week 3:

We Look for His return. (Luke 12:37)

We Obey Him. (Luke 6:46)

We add Virtue, etc. (2Pet 1:5-11)

We Endure this life. (Matt 10:24)

This week we’ll look at the Lord’s command to Love our Enemy.

It’s unambiguous that we are to love our enemies. Who our enemies are varies. As much as it lies within us, we try to live at peace with all men (Rom 12:18), but there are some that just don’t like us, are rude, mean, or antagonistic to the church. It matters not why; Jesus taught us to LOVE our ENEMIES.

How are we to LOVE an ENEMY?

First, with EMPATHY. We need to have empathy for we were once enemies to the Lord.

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10).

“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1Cor 6:9-11).

No matter what a person may say to provoke us, we must remain NICE. The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God (Jas 1:20)

“And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same” (Luke 6:33).

This teaching doesn’t mean we put ourselves in harm’s way. Paul avoided many attacks on his life by the Jews, but he still desired they be saved.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Rom 10:1).

This next one is difficult, but we need to have a heart to EVANGELIZE.

Some will, some wont, but you’ll never know until you try. We seldom think about, nor even desire to teach an enemy the truth of the gospel.

I ask myself this question whenever interacting with an “enemy;” Could I invite them to worship despite our conflict? Look at this example:

Jesus sent Ananias to Saul of Tarsus to teach him the gospel. “Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem” (Acts 9:10-16).

Within the command to love our enemy is to be Merciful.

“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36).

Merciful means… compassionate, experiencing deep pity (lamentation) as God has for people who look to Him for help in their difficult situations. Consider the example of the stolen servant girl who told Naaman of a cure for leprosy. (2Kings 5:1-3). “Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.”

Finally, and very importantly, YOUR forgiveness depends on it. Let’s read from our passage in Luke:

“For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil” (Luke 6:32-35). To love only those that love us is no better than the enemies themselves. Look at what Jesus taught:

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”

(Matt 6:14-15; Mt 18:35; Mr 11:25-26; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13).

People mistake these concepts as having to take abuse, pain, etc. That’s a mistake. We have authority to avoid our enemies attacks, if we do it without sin, and without denying the Lord.

Think about the Apostle Paul in Acts 23:12-31. Some of the very people he was trying to reach with the Gospel had sworn to lie in wait for him so they would have occasion to ambush and kill him. He loved those in Judaism who were persecuting him (Rom 10:1-3), but that didn’t mean he had to be killed if it could be avoided (see, Acts 9:25; 2Cor 11:33).

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore 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. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good”

(Rom 12:19-21).

–Spencer

2Peter chp2 DESTRUCTIVE nature of False Teachers

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DOCTRINE of FALSE TEACHERS 1-4.

2Pe 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

False Teachers w/ FEIGNED words.

DOOM of False Teachers 4-11

2Pe 2:5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;
6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly;

DEPRAVITY of False Teachers 12-16

2Pe 2:12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption,

DESTINY of False Teachers 17-22

2Pe 2:22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

Hebrews ch10 He TAKES away the first

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HEBREWS 10 He TAKES away the 1st.

TAKES away. 1-18

  1. Impossible for blood of bulls to TAKE away sins. 1-4
    1. Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
  2. He takes AWAY the first to establish the second. 5-10
    1. Heb 10:9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second.
  3. He sat down on His throne as KING.… 11-14.
    1. 1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.,
  4. He will EDUCATE them. 15-18
  5. The Holy SPIRIT witnesses. 15-18
    1. Heb 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us:
    1. See Heb 9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

HEBREWS 10:19-39 LET US…

DRAW NEAR. 22

HOLD FAST THE CONFESSION. 23

CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER TO STIR. 24

ASSEMBLE TOGETHER. 25

DRAW BACK. 26-39

  1. A fearful EXPECTATION of judgment. 26-31
    1. Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
    1. Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
    1. How shall we ESCAPE, Heb 2:3
  2. SHALL… 32-39
    1. Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
    1. Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
    1. Heb 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Overview of Hebrews.

Hebrews ch9 – Christ ENTERED Heaven for us

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Hebrews 9 chapter overview.

The Earthly TABERNACLE. 9:1-10

Heb 9:2 For there was a TABERNACLE made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

Christ ENTERED heaven, the real tent, with his own blood. 11-14

Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he ENTERED in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

The NEW covenant established by the blood. 15-22

Heb 9:5 And for this cause he is the mediator of the NEW testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

He entered the TRUE things, to God himself for us. 23-28

Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the TRUE; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Loving the LORD pt4 DELIVERANCE

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4 Things about Loving the LORD

4/4

The LORD DELIVERS those that Love Him.

Psalm 145:20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

Psalm 31:23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

Psalm 18:1 <<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said,>> I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

2Cor 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

2Tim 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

Recap of January 2023

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The Theme for January focused on Bible study, reading, and warnings.

WEEK ONE:

4 Examples of those that READ the bible.

Josiah Read to RESTORE worship.

EZRA Read to the people.

Examples of Readers in ACTS.

DANIEL Read the scriptures.

WEEK TWO:

5 Tips for Effective Bible STUDY.

WEEK THREE:

the Relevant BIBLE.

WEEK FOUR:

5 ways we ALTER the word to keep our beliefs.

The focus of our assemblies is to Know Jesus through His word. You’re welcome to join us at one of our assemblies.

2Peter chp 2 FALSE TEACHERS

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Warning of FALE TEACHERS.

FALSE.

•Feigned Words. 2:3

•Are Not Afraid To Speak Evil. 2:10  

•Like Animals. 2:12

•Serve Corruption. 2:19

•Eyes Full of Adultery. 2:14

TEACHERS.

•Truth Forsaken 2:15

•Exercising Covetousness. 2:14

•Allure w/ Lusts 2:18

•Count It Pleasure to Riot. 2:13

•Heretics, 2:1

•Entangled Again. 2:20

•Receive Reward. 2:13

•Speak Swelling Words. 2:18

2Peter chp2 FEIGNED Preaching

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2Pet 2:3 …with feigned words.

Diff FRUIT. 1:8 v 2:17 no water

Diff ENTICEMENT. 1:19 v 2:18 Allure with lusts

Diff INTEGRITY. 1:5-7 v 2:10,14 Arrogant

Diff GOD (source). 1:3, 16,21 v 2:3 see Phil 3:19

Diff NEWS. 1:3 v 2:1; see Gal 1:6-9

Diff ETERNITY. 1:4 v 2:19 Bondage

Diff DESTINY. 1:11 v 2:1, 3, 22 Destruction.

the Relevant Bible pt2

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People often reject the Bible because they claim that it has no relevance today. Is that true? Many believers have the same lament.

In the last article I gave 3 of the 5 reasons I believe the Bible is still relevant.

  • It teaches us through the Biographies of both the good and the bad.
  • It teaches us through Inspired wisdom.
  • It teaches us about human Behaviors.

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

(1Cor 10:11-12)

Here are the last 2 of 5 reasons the BIBLE is still relevant to us today.

the BIBLE is relevant today because… It teaches about the origination of LOVE, and it teaches us how to LOVE. (more on this next month)

John 3:16.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1John 3:16.

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

1 John 4:7-11.

[7] Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

[8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

[9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

[11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

1John 5:3.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

John 14:15.

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

We Read the BIBLE to learn about true LOVE

the BIBLE is relevant today because…It teaches through the EXPERIENCES of others whether good or bad.

We can learn from Cain & Abel (Gen 4), Moses’ mistake at Meribah (Num 20), Solomon’s mistakes in the many women he had (1Kings 11:3). We can learn from Esther’s example of bravery, and her uncle’s example of doing what is right.

“… I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” (Est 4:16b).

It’s good to learn from our own experience, but it’s so much better to learn from other’s EXPERIENCE, especially their mistakes.

You don’t really want to make tragic mistakes yourselves that can leave permanent scars or worse, cost your life. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Heb 11:4).

We Read the BIBLE to learn through the EXPERIENCES of others.

The Bible is Relevant for us today as stated in this beautiful summary statement made so many years ago.

“This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.

Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand object, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened in the Judgment, and be remembered forever.

It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.”

This anonymous selection is a great tribute to the scriptures and also to the one who had the insight to write it.

Spencer

Hebrews chpt 8

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Hebrews chapter 8.

Heb 8:1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

Jesus is Seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. 1.

Jesus is A Minister, A Mediator, of a A Better covenant… 2,6.

“I Will…” Jeremiah 31:31-34; 8-12.

“A New Covenant.” 8:8, 13; Jer 31:31.

How is Jesus BETTER?

The Old Covenant is obsolete, growing old, and ready to vanish away. (now has vanished after the destruction of Jerusalem).

OLD TESTAMENT

Old Heb 8:13

For Transg. Gal 3:16

Limited. Heb 8:7, 10:4

Abolished. Eph 2:15

Was a Shadow. Heb 10:1

NEW TESTAMENT

Now in force Heb 10:9

Today Obey. Heb 3:7

Last one. Heb 10:26

Appeared to all. Titus 2:11

Water Required. Mark 16:16