Pulpit Speech II                                                KL Paulson
Preacher Silcox                                                  3-23-1999

Having the Proper Attitude Towards Your Enemies

INTRODUCTION:

   -- The Lord Jesus Christ has ENEMIES. 

     [Those who are MERELY NEGATIVE toward Christ but who are not otherwise 
      pursuing an active hate campaign against Him.
      (e.g. agnostics, a few so-called atheists) 

      At the other extreme are SATAN himself and his force of FALLEN ANGELS 
      who wage a CONTINUOUS ACTIVE campaign to DISCREDIT the Lord and to bring 
      down His local churches.
      (e.g. ACLU)] 

  -- REMEMBER, each Christian was at one time an enemy of Christ.  

     [Romans 5:6-11 --> We were reconciled to God while we were still 
                        "enemies" of Christ. 
      THE UNGODLY; SINNERS] 

  -- EVERY born-again Christian has enemies. 

     [These range from those who MERELY DO NOT LIKE US to those who ACTIVELY 
      TRY TO HARM US.] 

  -- EVERY Christian is "in Christ" and is a member of the family of God. 
     Therefore, ENMITY toward a child of God is ENMITY toward God Himself. 

  -- God wants EVERY human being to become a REPENTANT BELIEVER in Christ and 
     join His family.  (II Peter 3:9; Romans 2:4; I Timothy 2:4)

  -- It is the DUTY of Christians to manifest the PROPER ATTITUDE toward their 
     personal enemies, in order to make their Repentance and Reconciliation 
     w/ God the Father as simple as possible.  (II Corinthians 5:17-21) 

  -- We need some SCRIPTURAL GUIDELINES to the PROPER ATTITUDE we are to 
     maintain toward our enemies.

   -- Let's look at some representative Bible statements and references.

I. The Bible Commands Believers to LOVE ALL PEOPLE.

   A. (Proverbs 17:9; Galatians 6:1; I Peter 1:22; 4:8; 

      Leviticus 19:34 -- View strangers, newcomers & foreigners as 
                         opportunities to demonstrate God's love; 

      John 15:12-13 -- Listening, Helping, Encouraging, Giving)

   B. LACK of Love for others is SINFUL.

II. Bible Examples of SINFUL Vindictiveness.

   A. Luke 9:54-56 -- JAMES & JOHN

   B. John 18:10-11 -- PETER towards MALCHUS

III. Christians are Forbidden to Judge Others Hypocritically. 

  A. Matthew 7:1-5 -- If you are ready to criticize someone, check to see if 
                      you deserve the same criticism.
                      Judge yourself FIRST.

  B. Romans 2:1-3

IV. A Christian has a DUTY to His Enemies. 

  (Exodus 23:4-5 -- being kind to enemies; 

   Luke 10:30-37 -- GOOD SAMARITAN
   [There was deep hatred between the Jews & Samaritans];

   Proverbs 24:17; 

   Proverbs 25:21-22; Romans 12:20; Matthew 5:44)

V. A Christian is Forbidden to Retaliate Against His Enemies. 

  (Leviticus 19:18; Proverbs 20:22; 24:29; 

   Romans 12:17-21 -- Forgiveness may break a cycle of retaliation; 
                      Forgiveness may make the enemy feel ashamed & 
                                               change his ways; 

   I Peter 3:9-12)

VI. Christians are Commanded to be MERCIFUL to Others. 

  (Proverbs 3:3 -- picture this; 
   Proverbs 11:17; Micah 6:8; Luke 6:36)

VII. Bible Examples of Lack of Mercy. 

  (Matthew 6:15 -- a person who won't forgive; 
   Matthew 18:28-35 -- the UNFORGIVING DEBTOR; 

   Romans 1:31 -- "unmerciful"; 
   James 2:13)

VIII. A Christian is Commanded to FORGIVE His Enemies. 

  (Matthew 6:14 -- a forgiving person; 
   Mark 11:25; 
   Luke 11:4 -- forgiving EVERY one; 
   Luke 17:3-5; 

   Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-13)

IX. Bible Examples of a Mature Attitude of Forgiveness.

   A. Genesis 45:15 [& verses preceding] -- JOSEPH towards his 11 BROTHERS

   B. Acts 7:60 -- STEPHEN towards his STONERS

CONCLUSION: 

  -- Vindictiveness, Lack of mercy, Lack of love, 
     Judging hypocritically, Revenge, and Retaliation 
     are condemned in the Word of God because such are NOT compatible with 
     Grace.

   -- A Christian is supposed to be a CONDUIT of Grace to other people.

       See John 7:38; 4:14