I Heart God, I Heart Guelph

 Love Your Neighbour

Matthew 5:38-48 // Ephesians 4:29-32

POINT 1: Practice Mercy

Matthew 5:38-42 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a]39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

Matthew 9:13 Jesus tells His disciples to understand the meaning of the phrase: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

POINT 2: That Jesus would be known through our love

Matthew 5:43-48 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[b] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that 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. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

John 4:7 Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 12 There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ. 13 We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit. And so we are formed into one body. It didn’t matter whether we were Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free people. We were all given the same Spirit to drink. 14 So the body is not made up of just one part. It has many parts.

St. Augustine observed that Jesus does not say “give whatever you are asked,” but rather “give to whomever asks.” And so, when the beggar in the book of Acts asked Peter and John for some money, Peter replied: “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6) He didn’t give him what he asked for, but he gave him something. We can do the same. It is not always wise to give money, but perhaps we can help someone with food or a bus pass. We can certainly tell them about Jesus.

POINT 3:  Offenses hold us captive

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians 4:29-32 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.