Sermons on Loving Your Enemies:

Destroying Your Enemy

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 8, 2012

Obeying Jesus’ command to love our enemies doesn’t come naturally, however. Often our first response is to retaliate. The best way - the Christ-like way - to destroy an enemy is to make him your friend! To melt an enemy, try the warmth of love.

Opening illustration: There is a story told of two shopkeepers. Their stores were across the street from each other, and the two had a bitter rivalry. One day an angel came to one of the shopkeepers and said, “The Lord has sent me to tell you that you may have one wish. Whatever you ask for, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Uncomfortable Joy Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Jul 16, 2015

Our Enemies, Difficult Ministries, Loving Our Enemies

THE CHURCH HAS LEFT THE BUILDING – Uncomfortable Joy Acts 8:1-8(pg. 764) July 19, 2015 Introduction: Are lost people your enemy? If someone disagrees with you do you go on the attack? When you walk through the airport and you see the guy in Middle Eastern garb do you ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Can Put Your Eye Out! (Hix)

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Mar 20, 2014

These laws were given so that it would limit vengeance, it was also given to give a judge a guide to go by when he was ruling on a case.

Matthew 5:38-42-“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

Mr. Humble

Contributed by Martin Ellgar on Jan 1, 2015

A drama for children: Mr. Humble.

Mr. Humble. (This children’s talk is based on Matthew 5: 21-37, as part of the Sermon on the Mount.) Theme: Jesus is Mr. Humble. Objective: 1. To teach the meaning of being humble. 2. To teach the good news that Jesus is Mr. Humble. Key Words/Phrase: 1. to be humble 2. Jesus is Mr. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Lutheran

What About Imprecatory Psalms? Lesson 2 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 13, 2019

Principles for imprecatory prayers.

A. Introduction: 1. Imprecatory means judgment, i.e., asking God to punish, kill, and throw into hell (Psalm 2, 37, 69, 70, 109, 143). 2. David throws them into hell. “Let Satan the accuser stand at his right hand . . . let his days be few . . . let his children be fatherless, and let his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12, Luke 6:27-28

Denomination: Baptist

How To Deal With People Who Don't Like You

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Aug 24, 2017

No where in the bible does it tell us to treat people the way we want to or to get even with those who don't like us. The bible does teach us not to stoop to their level.

How to Deal with People Who Don’t Like You “Woe to you when all people speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets. But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:26-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call To Perfect Love

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 19, 2014

Jesus calls us to love even our enemies. Thus we imitate the perfect love of the Father, and the perfect example of the Son.

THE CALL TO PERFECT LOVE. Matthew 5:43-48. The last of the six famous parentheses (Matthew 5:21-48) between “Ye have heard that it hath been said” (Matthew 5:43), and “But I say unto you” (Matthew 5:44) - addresses the most blatantly misconstrued of these man-made interpretations of Scripture. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Loving Your Bullies” Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 18, 2021

How can we love those who are hostile to us? Jesus shows us how in looking at 1) The Misinterpretation: (Matthew 5:43), 2) The Mandate (Matthew 5:44), and 3) The Motive: (Matthew 5:45-48).

Matthew 5:43-48. [43]"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45]so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Other

"What's Love Got To Do With It?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 23, 2014

Everything. Period.

"What's Love Got to Do with It?" Matthew 22:34-40 We live in a very "religious" world, and I suppose that we always have. Most people, even if they don't admit it, believe in God. One snowy day in Syracuse, New York...many, many moons ago...I was driving "a bit" too fast down an icy, curvy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: United Methodist

Hate Is Weak, Stop It Series

Contributed by James Dorman on May 3, 2014

Examination of 2 common phrases, "Hate's weak, stop it", and "Hate the sin, love the sinner" The main idea is to hate what God hates and love those God loves.

Hate's Weak, stop it! This morning I bring you my second installment of the wisdom found in twitter. Donnie Wahlberg said, “Hate’s weak, STOP IT”. Looking for Scripture related to this turns up interesting results. I found many verses where we aren't told to stop hating. In ...read more

Scripture: John 8:2-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord Pardons According To Our Word

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Dec 13, 2015

To show that JESUS CHRIST in His relationship to and with us, values our opinions regarding whom to forgive and pardons.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you have enemies? Yes. I have a lot. II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers/unbelievers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that JESUS CHRIST in His relationship to and with us, values our opinions regarding whom to forgive and pardons. IV. TEXT: Numbers 14:20 (Amplified Bible) And the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Love Your Enemies - Matthew 5:44-48 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 24, 2024

Jesus made a comment that shook the world and has captivated the attention of mankind for 2000 years. “Love your enemies.” If they are enemies, how can I love them? And if I love them, how can they be enemies?

Matthew 5:43 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 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:44-48

A Love For Enemies

Contributed by Michael Monica on May 17, 2020

God's call to love others.

INTRODUCTION Loving your enemies may be on the most challenging commands give to us by Christ. (Matthew 5:43-44, Luke 6:27-28). Yet, when applied, loving our enemies can 1. Bless and transform our lives. 2. Make this world a better place to live in. WHO IS YOUR ENEMY? 1. Anyone who curses ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Something God Doesn't Do And Neither Should We

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jan 13, 2014

When we love with the love of God our love is absolutely free of partiality.

Title: Something God Doesn’t Do and Neither Should We Text: Acts 10:34-44 Thesis: When we love with the love God our love is absolutely free of partiality. Introduction “Is there anything God cannot do?” is an age-old question. When I was a boy the biggie was, “Can God ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Should We Pray For God To Punish Our Enemies? Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 21, 2024

May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous. (Ps. 69:28)

In Psalm 35:1-6, David asks God to contend with those who contend with him. However, we notice a shift in Psalm 35:7-10, where David seeks vindication, not vengeance. He entrusts his cause to the Lord, trusting in His justice. In Matthew 5:43-48, He commands us to love and pray for our enemies, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:1-6, 2 Corinthians 6:14, Matthew 5:44, John 2:13-17