Sermon Tone Analysis

Kidnapped

20 years ago a 10 year old boy, Chris Carrier, was kidnapped.

He was found alive 75 hours later.

He had been burned with cigarette burns and was stabbed by an ice pick numerous times.

But is worst injury was being shot in the head.

The bullet wend into his right temple and came out his left eye socket.

Thankfully there was no brain damage, but he was lift blind in his left eye.

Fast forward 20 years.

David McAllister, 77, lies in a nursing home.

No friends, no family.

He’s blind in both eyes and scared.

David was always a prime suspect in the kidnapping after being fired by Chris’s uncle but with no physical evidence he was never arrested.

However, he confesses to the crime.

In addition to that, because the statute of limitation has passed, he will not be charged.

But Chris has the opportunity to confront the man who was his kidnapper and torturer.

Nobody would have blames Chris for walking into the room and spitting on David - or worse.

Instead, Chris transcends expectations.

When David apologizes, Chris forgives.

Not only that but he begins to visit David every day… sometimes bringing his daughter to talk with him and read Bible passages.

Lose Your Enemies

About 2000 years ago Christ was arrested for crimes he did not commit.

In fact when given the opportunity to not pay unjust taxes to unjust tax collectors he supported the government that was persecuting His people and recommended for others to do the same ().

He was beaten, mocked, tortured, and finally killed on the cross.

On top of that, it happened to a great extent because the people He came to rescue, along with His closest friends, rejected Him.

Incredibly after all that, while they are driving the nails through his flesh so that he can be lifted up on a cross where he needs to pull his beaten body up just to take a breath, he cries out, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

()

To His greatest enemies he offered forgiveness before it was even asked for.

He extended hope and love towards a people that were His enemies.

To his friends that fled when trouble came.

To the one who betrayed him for some silver and kissed him to point him out.

To the one who rejected him and denied he even knew Him....

He did not count them as His enemies at all.

Jesus Weeps Over the Condition of His Enemies.

Luke 4:38-

LETS NOTICE SOME THINGS IN OUR TEXT

There was great rejoicing but their rejoicing was based in selfishness

“This is the King who will restore our nation.”

The Pharisees - the teachers wanted Christ to rebuke - not because they were getting it wrong, but because He was receiving glory.

Jesus Weeps.. Jesus Weeps .. Jesus Weeps

out of a great sorrow that they just didn’t get it.

because a people who don’t follow Him truly, calamity comes

Jesus loves his enemies.... in fact, to Jesus there aren’t enemies… there are simply lost sheep

Today we talk about Losing Our Enemies.

We will talk about who Christs enemies are.

We will talk about how Christ treated his enemies.

We will spend a little time dealing with our own enemies before Christ.

Who are Christ’s Enemies?

2 Kinds

Direct Enemies

Those who deliberately attempt to do harm to Christ and His Cause.

Pharisees

Judas Iscariot

The Jewish nation.

There are people that are around today that intentionally look at the message of Christ and His purposes and oppose them deliberately.

We’ve seen this over and over again.

Student and employees being suspended or fired for holding on to their beliefs while other religions or sinful lifestyles are promoted.

Indirect Enemies.

Those who by default cause harm to Christ and His purpose.

Everyone.

ro 3:23

YOU’RE THE REASON CHRIST TOOK THE NAILS.

HE SAW YOUR LIES, YOUR HATRED, YOUR LUSTFUL THOUGHTS, YOUR JEALOUSIES, AND SAID… “THEY CAN’T TAKE THE PUNISHMENT… I WILL”

Now this message is fairly unpopular today because every one wants to hear how great they are.

but the fact of the matter is that we arent.

The only thing that makes us worthy of anything good is that fact that Christ came to rescue us… But don’t be deceived into thinking that it’s because you deserved it.

All of us are enemies....

How Christ Treated His Enemies

The thief

HE FORGIVE AND RESTORES IN AN INSTANT.

Those Deliberate Enemies.

The Death for Those who are enemies by default.

Conc.

Now this sermons is supposed to be about how important it is to lose our enemies.

We do this by looking at Christ’s example.

We need to forgive and reconcile in such a fashion that we don’t have enemies.

At worst, we have people in our lives that desperately need Christ

BUT>>>>>

The only way to do that is to recognize that we are enemies....

He loves us so much that he weeps at the thought that we just don’t get it.

The way of peace is provided right now.

So while I say love our enemies the way Christ loves us I want to take a moment to restore our friendship with Christ....