Sermons on Matthew 5:43-47:

Resist Not Evil. The Call To Perfect Love.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 3, 2023

Jesus redirects some misconstrued Scriptures.

I. RESIST NOT EVIL. Matthew 5:38-42. MATTHEW 5:38. Oh - it is hard - but “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” belongs to the law courts (cf. Leviticus 24:20), not to personal vendettas. MATTHEW 5:39a. Jesus rather enjoins, “Resist not evil.” MATTHEW 5:39b. Traditionally, the slap across the cheek ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sheep And Goats Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 16, 2022

God’s kind of love … agape … doesn’t follow, it leads by example. It’s a verb. It acts. It leads our hearts. And it changes lives. It changes the life of the person acting in love and it changes the life of the person receiving the love.

Ever get caught in the “if only” trap? You probably have … probably caught in it even now … and don’t even realize it. The “if only” trap works like this: “If only they would rise off the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher …” “If only they wouldn’t leave their dirty socks lying ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12, Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 25:32, Romans 12:20-21, John 15:12, John 13:34, 1 Thessalonians 1:2, John 3:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Cities Of Refuge: A Kindness, To Keep You From Bloodguilt (Deuteronomy 19:1-13) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 25, 2022

God set them up, to protect you from bloodguilt. He knew you'd want revenge for accidental deaths, so He protected the innocent, from you. We don't take revenge.

This sermon marks the second Sunday we've talked about the cities of refuge. What I'd like to do this morning, because I love you, is start by messing with your heads a little. Normally, people think of the OT as the "half" of the Bible that's full of wrath and justice, ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 19:1-13, Joshua 20:1-9, Matthew 7:21-27, Numbers 35:6-34, Matthew 5:21-26, Matthew 5:38-48, Matthew 6:14-15, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, Leviticus 19:17-18  (view more)  (view less)

Bless Your Enemies

Contributed by Val Black on Mar 30, 2022

We must forgive our enemies so we will be forgiven. (Matthew 6:14) But the hardest part may be to bless them too. (Mattew 5:43-45)

Bless Your Enemies The message was given on Wed., Sept. 22, 2004 (I owe most of this message to Pastor Bill Ligon who has authored several books on Blessings and how to impart them.) I. Matt. 5:43-45, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour. and hate thine enemy. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-45, Galatians 2:20, Numbers 6:24-26, Romans 10:9-10

Denomination: Charismatic

The Depth Of God's Love (Good Friday 2022)

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Apr 13, 2022

Some people use the word 'love' in the same way they use 'like' or understand 'love' to express certain feelings. God's love is more than that! As we celebrate the Good Friday today, let’s meditate on the depth of God’s love.

As we observe the Good Friday today, let’s meditate on the depth of God’s love. Let’s read Romans 5:5-11. The word 'love' has lost its true meaning. Some people use the word 'love' in the same way they use the word 'like.' They say, "I love God," "I love my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:5-11, Matthew 22:37-39, 1 John 4:19, Matthew 5:46-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Get Rid Of Your Enemies

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 14, 2022

The world is torn apart by people reacting to their enemies in ways that just cause further provocation and pain. We all need to know God's way for responding to those who come at us as enemies.

What do you do when people do nasty things to you? What do you do when things happen like someone treating you like an enemy, hating you, cussing you out, abusing you or stealing your coat? That makes it harder to be a Christian, doesn’t it? Everyone here has had an encounter with someone who is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-36, Matthew 5:43-48

Forgiving Difficult People Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

Jesus taught about dealing with difficult people. He stressed how we should not run away from our problems, or fight back against opposition, but that we should persist with people, so we can one day win them to faith in Christ.

There is nothing easy about the world in which we live. This is a world full of people, and if we are going to succeed in life, or be effective at sharing the gospel, we must learn how to deal with people, especially those who are difficult; and we must learn to love them no matter how they treat ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Baptist

The Practice Of Loving Our Enemies (May 22, 2013)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Nov 4, 2021

We as Christians should exhibit Christian behavior, which cannot be done without the help of Christ. Turning the other cheek is easier said than done.

THE PRACTICE OF LOVING OUR ENEMIES Text: Matthew 5:38 - 48 Matthew 5:38-48  "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'  (39)  But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: United Methodist

The Spirit Of Justice And Handling Enemies Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 6, 2021

Let's look at two attitudes towards justice and enemies that come out of the law, and how Jesus taught the spirit and intent behind them.

Let's look at two attitudes towards justice and enemies that come out of the law, and how Jesus taught the spirit and intent behind them. The Spirit of Justice A law of just compensation gave the value for repayment of a lost eye or tooth in an accident or altercation. But Jesus said not to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Baptist

Love Beyond Limits Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Dec 8, 2021

Just as it was in Jesus’ day, many have a perception of love, but it is not love as God commands. Much of what we see today described as love does not fit the biblical model for love.

Love beyond Limits Matthew 5: 43-48 As we close out the fifth chapter of Matthew, we are getting close to the midway point of the great sermon Jesus preached. For the past several weeks we have considered various contrasts Jesus made regarding time honored traditions and the reality of what God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Baptist

Living In The Kingdom Part 12 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Feb 4, 2022

In this message we examine what Jesus said about how we should treat our enemies. This follows what we covered last week where Jesus talked about how we should be willing to turn the other cheek. To be a part of His kingdom, we must learn to love our enemies.

Living in the Kingdom 12 Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48; 7:12; Leviticus 19:18; James 4:17 In my message last week I shared with you what Jesus said about turning the other cheek and going the extra mile without being asked. Jesus said that we are to have a disposition that chooses to not seek ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 7:12, Leviticus 19:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Makes Jesus' Yoke Light? (Matthew 11:1-30) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 7, 2022

Jesus' expectations are high (Matthew 5-7). So how can he say his yoke is a light burden? Jesus' yoke is not optional, and not secondary. You come to Jesus, in part, by taking on his yoke.

What makes Jesus' yoke light? (Matthew 11:1-30) We were doing family devotions the other night, and I was so proud of two of them, and found their insights so helpful, that I thought I'd sidetrack for a week and just make a record of this for myself. And the best way I know to do that, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-30, Matthew 5:17-48, Matthew 6:19-34, Matthew 7:21-29

The 7 Characteristics Of The Perfect Way Of Love

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Feb 13, 2022

Today we consider the most perfect way of life that anyone can live, the way of love. And we’ll be addressing the 7 ways we can best understand and live out the way of love.

“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 and on the good, and sends rain on the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Matthew 5:43-48, 1 John 4:7

Denomination: Salvation Army

"Love Your Enemies”- "So Easy To Say!”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Feb 16, 2022

“The Christian principle, Love your enemies is good. There is nothing to be said against it except that it is too difficult for most of us to practice sincerely.” (Divine Conspiracy) Bertrand Russell Beatitudes not only call us to “love our enemies and do good to them” How Can I?

In Jesus Holy Name February 20, 2022 Luke 6:27 “Love Your Enemies”- “So Easy to Say!” General Robert E. Lee was once asked his opinion of a fellow officer who was widely known as one of Lee’s greatest detractors. The general responded that he thought the man a very fine officer. “But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27, Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Lutheran

They Remembered His Words

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 3, 2021

This a sermon for Easter/Resurrection Sunday 2021

“They Remembered His Words” Luke 24:1-12 A sermon for 4/4/21 – Easter Sunday Pastor John Bright - Harmony & Swansonville UMC Luke 24 “1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12, 1 Corinthians 15:16-20, John 4:13-14, John 3:14-16, John 10:10, Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 5:43-48, John 14:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist