Church Together

Speaker: Pastor Andy Searles Scripture Focus: Matthew 5:38-48 Sermon notes are as follows: What's Your Reaction (38-42) • Jesus pushes us to answer the question, "What’s your reaction to deliberate insult, violated rights, and unfair compulsion?" Our response to this question determines so much about our walk with Him. • In abusive situations, never allow the abuser to continue to abuse. • Evil manipulates people. Martin Luther said that we need to be careful distinguishing between the “office” of evil and the “carriers” of evil. • Our sense of honor must come a distant second to God’s. • Christians are people who lay down their rights and pick up their responsibilities. All too often, sadly, we lay down our responsibilities as we demand our rights. • “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend. Love transforms with redemptive power”.  How Will You Respond? (43-48) • Praying for our enemy is the gateway to loving our enemy. • Living an ordinary life can sometimes be a barrier t