Why is it so hard to love well?
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0.0 kHz 0 Kbps min 2006-02-26-Todd-Stewart.mp3 30 min (3.48 MB)
Luke 6:27-38
“But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks from you, and from one who takes away your things, don’t ask for them back. Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over – will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
What is Jesus asking us to do here?
We are to move toward people regardless of…
*Affinity & history with them
*How they feel about us
*How they treat us
*What they have to offer us
*Whether or not they move toward us
Why should we do this?
*To exhibit the family resemblance
*To draw people towards the kingdom
*To experience true life & joy
Why don’t we (typically) live this way?
Paradigm Problem #1 – We don’t REALLY think Jesus is “smart”!
“Here is a profoundly significant fact: In our culture, among Christians and non-Christians alike, Jesus Christ is automatically disassociated from brilliance or intellectual capacity. Not one in a thousand will spontaneously think of him in conjunction with words such as well-informed, brilliant, or smart…Would you be able to trust your life to such a person?...-Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy
Paradigm Problem #2 – We don’t REALLY believe life is found in giving our lives away!
*Comfort – lack of problems & demands
*Convenience – lack of hard work & effort
*Control – lack of messiness & uncertainty
*Consumerism – lack of needs & wants
“…in every situation we have the larger view. We are not passive, but we act always with clear-eyed and resolute love. We know what is really happening, seeing it from the point of view of eternity. And we know that we will be taken care of, no matter what. We can be vulnerable because we are, in the end, simply invulnerable.”-Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy
How can we really change?
*Allow God to teach us how life really works
*Learn & live together
Venues
- Sunday Gatherings
- LIFE Univerisity & KidsLIFE 9-10am
- Central Gathering 10:15-11:30am
@ Flint Hills Christian School - Youth (FUSION Central)
- Wednesdays 6:30-8:30pm
@ Flint Hills Christian School (GYM)
Office Address
Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: (785) 537-2389
