How to Love Difficult People: How to Love Your Enemies

Introduction:

Who Are My Enemies?

1. My enemies are people With bad intentions .
2. My enemies are Who I say they are .

Jesus's Example (Romans 5:8-11)

Romans 5:8,10-11 - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us... For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Titus 3:3-5 - For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy...

To Love My Enemies:

1. I must prepare To be humiliated . (Luke 6:27b-30)
2. I must see that Reciprocity is not love . (Luke 6:32-34)
3. I must Intentionally love them the way God does . (Luke 6:31,35-36)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Luke 6:27-36

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What are obstacles we face in loving our enemies?
   

3. Think of a time you were humiliated by someone – how were you wounded (physically, mentally, emotionally, or in your concept of self)? How is it different if we are humiliated for Christ (i.e., is there a greater purpose for our suffering)?
   

4. What are some ways you live reciprocally with others? What changes will you need to make to move beyond reciprocal living?
   

5. What can we do to love our enemies?
   

6. BONUS QUESTION: What is the reward for loving our enemies? Is that reward valuable to you?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

How to Love Difficult People: How to Love People I Disagree With

Introduction:

How Do I Love Christians That I Disagree With? (Romans 14:1-12):

1. I must continually Humble Myself . (Romans 14:1-4)

   1. By embracing those who are Different Than Me . (Romans 14:1a)
   2. By avoiding arguments about Non-Essentials . (Romans 14:1b)

      2 Timothy 2:14 - Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

   3. By refusing to give myself over to Hatred . (Romans 14:2-3)
   4. By remembering that I am not the Master of Anyone . (Romans 14:4)
2. I must not hold them to My Personal Convictions . (Romans 14:5-9)

   Colossians 2:16 - Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.

3. I must entrust them to God and Focus on My Own Walk . (Romans 14:10-12)

   John 21:22 - Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Romans 14:1-12

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What are some issues of opinion/preference that you see Christians arguing about and dividing over?
   

3. Why is it so hard to love people that we disagree with?
   

4. What does it look like to welcome one another at Harvest Bible Chapel? Is there a time and a place for debating issues or discussing disagreements?
   

5. Why is it wrong to hold other Christians to your own personal convictions that are not clearly laid out in Scripture?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

How to Love Difficult People: How to Love Your Neighbor

Introduction:

Questions to Answer To Love Your Neighbor (Luke 10:25-37):

1. Why Should We love our neighbor? (Luke 10:25-28)

   1. When we love others, we Show Our Love For God . (1 John 4:20-21)
   2. When we love others, we Are Most Like God . (1 John 4:7-8)
   3. When we love others, we Live . (Luke 10:28)
2. Who is our neighbor? (Luke 10:29-37)
3. WHat Do We Need To love our neighbor? (Luke 10:33-37)

   1. Awareness – See the need. (Luke 10:33a)
   2. Ccompassion – Feel the need. (Luke 10:33b)
   3. Tactile Action – Meet the need. (Luke 10:34-37)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Luke 10:25-37

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What motivation is most compelling for you to do a better job of loving your neighbor?
   

3. Which of your neighbors do you need to show love to?
   

4. Which of the ACT steps are you missing? Awareness? Compassion? Tactile action? Make a plan to do something different.

Breakout
Pray for one another.

The Lost Art of Discernment. How Can I Help You?

Introduction:

1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

Discerning Needs in the Church:

1. The idle need Admonished . (1 Thess 5:14a)
2. The fainthearted need Encouraged . (1 Thess 5:14b)
3. The weak need Help . (1 Thess 5:14c)

   Galatians 6:1 - Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.

4. You need Discernment . (1 Thess 5:14)
5. We all need Grace . (1 Thess 5:14-15)

   1. Be Patient .
   2. Be Merciful .
   3. Be Good .

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. How can you tell the difference between the idle, the fainthearted, and the weak?
   

3. How can you specifically carry out the command to admonish someone in the church who is just attending and watching, but not getting involved (v14)? What would you say to that person?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

The Lost Art of Discernment. What is Best?

Introduction:

Philippians 1:9-11

1 Corinthians 6-8-10 Principle: Five Questions to Ask To Make the Best Decision in a "Grey Area":

1. Is it Permissible ? (1 Cor 6:12)

   1 Corinthians 6:12 - "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful.
   "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything.

2. Is it Beneficial ? (1 Cor 6:12)

   1 Corinthians 6:12 - "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful.
   "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything.

3. Could it get me under its Power ? (1 Cor 6:12)

   1 Corinthians 6:12 - "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful.
   "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything.

4. Could it cause a brother to Stumble ? (1 Cor 8:12-13)

   1 Corinthians 8:12-13 - Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

5. Is it Glorifying to God? (1 Cor 10:31)

   1 Corinthians 10:31 - So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Philippians 1:9-11 and 1 Cor 6:12, 1 Cor 8:12-13, 1 Cor 10:31

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why is it important to discern what is best, not just what is “right and wrong”? See Philippians 1:10.
   

3. Name a “grey area” you’ve personally struggled with. How does the 1 Corinthians 6-8-10 principle help you come to a conviction in that area?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

---

If you are struggling with discernment in the form of an addiction. Check out the 5-part series where the church faces this series need head-on. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the pastors or elders of the church to get help!