Gathering Music – Marty Merryman

Welcoming Guests and Announcements – Pastor Ross

Prelude – Blest Are Th ey – David Hass

Meditation:

If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Apostle Paul, Romans 12:20‐21

Call to Worship – Pastor Linda

Opening Hymn – For the Healing of the Nations – Hymnal #428

New Members

Prayer Concerns – Pastor Linda

Prayer Song – As the Deer ‐ Martin J. Nystrom

Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer, Lord’s Prayer

Anthem – Words of Love – Tom Fettke

Scripture Reading – Luke 6:27‐38 – Janet Riddiough

Preparation Hymn – Blessed Are Th ey – TFWS #2155

Message – Tough Sayings of Jesus 3. Love Your Enemies

Off ering – Pastor Ross

Closing Hymn – Blessed Are Th ey – TFWS #2155

Benediction – Choral Amen – Pastor Dave

Postlude – For the Healing of the Nations – Hughes, Arr. Manz

Luke 6:27-38 – New Revised Standard Version

Love for Enemies

²⁷ “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

²⁹ If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.

³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.

³¹ Do to others as you would have them do to you.

³² “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

³³ If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

³⁴ If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

³⁵ But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

³⁷ “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven;

³⁸ give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

A hard and distinctive teaching of Jesus it to pray for and love our enemies. How counter this teaching is in a world where revenge, anger, retribution are encouraged and seem far more common. With love we follow the Prince of Peace and Jesus’ approaches to dealing with an enemy. All of us have enemies, even Jesus did. Responding with nonviolence  and love makes it clear we are followers of the Prince of Peace.

Enemies often expect the worst from us, so the Bible says give them what they don’t expect, a response of loving kindness. Sometimes this requires more inner, spiritual work on our part, as we seek God’s help to deal with an enemy.

God know what it likes for us to face enemy or adversary. We can bring that tension, fear & distress with us to worship. God wants to overcome that fear within us as we practice & trust the peace-making, loving ways of God who is with us in tense moments.

We follow way of Jesus who would always take the higher ground. Perhaps we work a bit harder to find a place of common ground where we can meet our adversaries