Big Thought: Followers of Jesus live out the beatitudes of being and instead of seeking .
Matthew 5:7, 9 (ESV) – Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy… Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
I. Followers of Jesus willingly lay down their .
a. We don’t practice .
Exodus 21:23-25 (ESV) – But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
Exodus 21:1 (NKJV) – Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them.
b. We don’t evil authorities – at least .
II. Followers of Jesus no matter what.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV) – Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
a. This love demonstrates that God is our .
b. This love results in us for our enemies.
Luke 6:27-28 (ESV) – But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
Romans 12:14 (ESV) – Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
c. This love without acts like .
1. God gives to all.
2. God gives to all.
d. This love sets us for the world to see.
1. To hate those who love you is .
2. To love those who love you is .
3. To love those who hate you is .
e. This love is .
1. The power of the rule.
2. The ease of loving .
3. The difficulty of loving as you love .
Leviticus 19:18b (ESV) – … but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
Matthew 22:39 (ESV) – And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.