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Upside Down Way of God – Love Your Enemies

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Love Your Enemies

What does it really mean to love your enemies? And how do you respond when people hurt you, oppose you, or work against you? In this message from our Upside Down Way of God series, we explore one of the most challenging teachings of Jesus from Matthew 5:43-48 and Luke 6:27-36. While culture teaches outrage, retaliation, and tribalism, Jesus teaches a different way: bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you. Together, we unpack how hatred and bitterness shape the human soul, how modern culture profits from outrage, and why Jesus calls His followers to refuse becoming what wounded them. Most importantly, we discover that loving enemies is not weakness—it is one of the clearest ways we resemble our Father in heaven. Because while we were still enemies, God moved toward us through Christ.

The world understands revenge.
What shocks people is mercy.

Matthew 5:43-48

Luke 6:27-36

Discussion topics
  1. HEAD – What did Jesus say to you through the Word?
    • What stood out to you most from this week’s message?  Looking at Matthew 5:43-48, what was wrong with the religious teaching Jesus was correcting?
    • Why do you think people naturally drift toward instead of Kingdom love?
      • tribal love
      • conditional love
      • transactional love
      • Which one of these four commands that Jesus gave feels the hardest to you personally, and why?
        • love your enemies
        • bless those who curse you
        • do good to those who hate you
        • pray for those who mistreat you
        • HEART – How did it make you feel?
          • What did it look like when bitterness or resentment began shaping:
            • your thoughts
            • your speech
            • your attitude
            • your peace
            • Which line impacted you the most, and why?
              • “The Kingdom refuses to become what wounded it.”
              • “Hatred punishes the person carrying it.”
              • “The cross is proof that God loves His enemies.”
              • “You cannot love enemies while protecting ego.”
              • Is there anyone you have quietly stopped seeing as an image-bearer and started viewing only as “the enemy”?
              • HANDS – What are you going to do with it?
                • What is one practical way you can actively show Kingdom love this week?
                  • praying for someone
                  • refusing gossip
                  • blessing instead of retaliating
                  • doing good quietly
                  • showing compassion
                  • releasing bitterness
                  • Take a moment and ask yourself:
                    • Is there someone I need to forgive? 
                    • Is there bitterness I’ve been rehearsing?
                    • Is hatred quietly discipling my heart?
                    • Now pray together for:
                      • healing from offense
                      • freedom from bitterness
                      • compassion for difficult people
                      • the ability to love like Jesus
                        • Check out our other audio series and video playlists that can help you find Jesus in every moment and then discover what’s next

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