Be Praying (Matthew 5:43-48)

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Matthew 5
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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• Big Idea: We need supernatural assistance to bless our neighbors.                                                                                                                               
• A High Calling                                                                                                                           
  • From the beginning God has had a high calling for His people.  Leviticus 19:18; Isaiah 51:4
• An Even Higher Calling                                                                                                   
  • Jesus assumes something monumental has occurred in the souls of those who listen to Him. 1 John 3:14; Romans 5:8                                                                                                                         
  • Jesus died in our place because we're unable to love God and our enemies – and so that we can!  Matthew 28:18-20
• A Gracious Father                                                                                                                 
  • God provides for everyone!  Matthew 7:11
  • The kingdom of heaven comes to those who recognize their need for grace.  Matthew 19:14                                                                                                                         
• A Gracious People                                                                                                                    
  • There's often a temptation to flinch or turn away in the face of difference making sacrifices.   
  • We don't earn our salvation; but we do exercise and express it.  Luke 6:36; Matthew 9:13; 17:14-20  
• Be Gracious                                                                                                                          
  • "Prayer is faith." Martin Luther
    • 1.  Be sincere. Matthew 6:5
    • 2.  Set aside a specific time and place. Matthew 6:6
    • 3.  Be aware.  Matthew 6:7   
  • Let prayer becomes reflexive.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18