Sermons on Matthew 5:43-45:

Schoolyard Violence (Opening The Circle)

Contributed by David Swinney on May 11, 2001

The only Biblical, Christian response to the violence of our society is to let the love of Jesus be the rule for the way that we treat others.

Schoolyard Violence (Opening the Circle) Matthew 5: 21-26; 38-48 Sunday Morning, March 11, 2001 Introduction: The Bus Ride Home The boy was already a little worried when he walked up the stairs to of the school bus. He was running late that afternoon, and the front seats, the ones near the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-22, Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When The Rain Comes Series

Contributed by Mark Hensley on May 17, 2001

Chad a 34-year-old software developer married with two children from Florida would rather sleep in on Sundays...find out why.

West Greeley Baptist Church May 20 2001 “When the rain comes” Matthew 5: 44-45 Pastor Mark Hensley 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[1] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that 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 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:44-45

Denomination: Baptist

Turning The Other Cheek, Are You Sure?

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2004

A look at the historical context of Jesus commands to turn the other cheek, give away your cloak and go the extra mile to see what they really mean.

Introduction The passage we read is at least on the surface one of the most difficult passages in the Bible, if we are to live by it. Every time you here the passage preached or talked about there is always a but, or a bit that says it doesn’t mean this. Or sometimes but it can’t mean this, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Holiness

Mr Weaver Fish

Contributed by Ken Durham on Aug 12, 2005

Even Jesus was not free from conflict and opposition in His ministry and unfortunately nor are we, yet He calls us to love our enemies.

MR WEAVER FISH 1. Introduction: On a mission trip to Kosova this summer I had a very nasty encounter with a weaver fish. This innocent looking fish lurks in the sand craftily leaving just its dark dorsal fins showing and anyone unlucky enough to step on one can be in serious ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Taking Revenge... Or Not! Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 27, 2005

How are we to understand this teaching of Jesus? 1. It is about trusting God. 2. It is about not doing it our way. 3. It is about being like God.

In Judith Viorst’s book for children entitled I’ll Fix Anthony, Anthony’s younger brother complains about the way his older brother treats him. The little brother says: “My brother Anthony can read books now, but he won’t read any books to me. He plays checkers with Bruce from his school. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Methodist

Turning The Other Cheek - By Michael Prabaharan Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Mar 14, 2005

The Sermon on the Mount is an invitation – to taste and see this God, to join his club and deepen his kind of life skills.

Turning the Other Cheek I’ve been trying to figure out a realistic application for turning the other cheek ever since as a young person a mentor of mine once pointed out to that to teach his son this attitude was a license to getting him bullied at school. No way am I going to encourage my son ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-48

Denomination: Anglican

Why Isn't Life Fair

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 25, 2005

People are troubled by the fact that life doesn’t seem to be fair. Peace and encouragement don’t come from rationalizing life, but from focusing on the love, presence and power of God in our lives.

THE SEVEN SERVICE JUNE 30, 2002 Matthew 5:45 “Why Isn’t Life Fair?” INTRODUCTION Growing up with brothers and sisters, a big issue for us was fairness. We always counted the number of presents, at Christmas time, in order to make sure that they were equal and thus fair. The value of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:45

Denomination: Lutheran

There's A Difference In Hear Say And Truth Series

Contributed by Tiger Gullett on Jan 26, 2004

The third message in a series from "The Sermon On The Mount" dealing with the effects of our attitudes.

INTRODUCTION: Have you ever heard something that you thought to be truth, and possibly even told someone else what you had heard, only later to find out that it wasn’t true? It was just hear say ! I remember eating pop rocks when I was a little boy. You know those little hard candies that began to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-48

Denomination: Baptist

And Who Is My Enemy?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Aug 7, 2004

How do I love my enemy?

In a recent column in Leadership Weekly, Gordon MacDonald, a retired pastor and editor at large for Leadership, a journal for pastors, reflected on a comment from Louis Berkhof who said, "God does not want us as objects but as covenant partners, partners who can converse. He desires our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-47

Denomination: Church Of God

Games People Play: Battleship Series

Contributed by David Ward on Jan 20, 2006

Jesus instructs his followers how to deal with anger, desire for revenge, and mistreatment from enemies. From a Sermon on the Mount series.

Games People Play: “Battleship” Matthew 5:21-26, 38-48 INTRODUCTION: Do you remember the game "Battleship"? The object of the game is to insert pegs blindly on a game board until you "sink" your opponent’s "fleet." Battleship is a game of hiding and attacking. So many of our relationships ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-48

Denomination: Baptist

Laying Down The Law

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Jan 24, 2006

What do we do with the OT law

Laying down the Law Matthew 5:17-48 5/25/97 Intro: Did you ever hear about the chicken who crossed the road? She laid it on the line! Jesus lays it on the line too in the Sermon on the Mount. Look with me at Matthew 5: 17-48. We just finished looking at the beatitudes, Jesus’ call for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Selfless Love

Contributed by Greg Tabor on Oct 21, 2005

Loving your enemies?? What??? Yep. That’s truly showing genuine love.

Selfless Love Read Text: Matthew 5:43-48 "You have heard that it was said, ’Love your neighbor…”(Matt 5:43). Heard from whom? Their teachers. Where did their teachers get it from? Leviticus 19:18 NIV says, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Am I Really A Christ-Follower?" Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Apr 10, 2005

Our Lord, our Leader, our Savior, our Forgiver...do we really follow in His steps?

“Am I Really a Christ-Follower?” Matthew 5:43-48 Has anyone done something to you recently that was just wrong? Something that hurt you, harmed you? Made you angry? How about something a long time ago? A deep and lasting hurt that penetrated deep into your heart and soul? Anything come to mind? It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love Your Enemies Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Apr 10, 2005

Christ-followers seek to model His character when others choose to harm or humiliate us.

(adapted from Southeast Christian Church’s series: Living a Life of Integrity"0 SERIES: “WORDS OF WISDOM FOR KINGDOM LIVING” TEXT: MATTHEW 5:38-48 TITLE: “LOVE YOUR ENEMIES” INTRODUCTION: A. A truck driver is sitting in a crowded roadside diner ready to eat his lunch. It’s not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Get Even, Get...love

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Apr 26, 2005

Message on loving enemies and such.

Don’t Get Even, Get...Love Matthew 5:38-48 April 24, 2005 Introduction If I were to ask you what kind of movie most of you ladies like, I’m guessing you would say, "romantic comedies." You know, the funny movies where the couple falls in love after all, and everything’s just fine. If I were to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Wesleyan