Loving Like Father
Matthew 5:43-48
[43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? [47] And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? [48] You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. Which of the six examples/illustrations that Jesus gives in vv. 21-48 have most impacted you? In what ways is this final passage (vv. 43-48) climactic?
2. How did the misinterpretations of the scribes and Pharisees give them a license to hate? Read Romans 1:28-32 and 3:9-20 and discuss the propensity of fallen humanity to hate.
3. Are there instances in your life where you’ve found it particularly challenging to “love your enemies” (v. 44)? Consider praying for current “enemies” during group prayer time.
4. Why does praying for our enemies grow our love for them?
5. What is the purpose that Jesus gives for loving our enemies? In what ways do we see God loving his enemies?
6. What is the contrast that Jesus makes between the earthly and the heavenly as it pertains to love?
7. What does it practically look like to pursue perfection (v. 48), and how does this pursuit protect us from both sloth and pride?
