Love Your Enemies + Midweek Update
Good morning Immanuel. God loved us to the degree that he sent his beloved Son to die for us even while we were yet sinners.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… (Matthew 5:43-44)”
One of the most uncomfortable verses in the Bible is Matthew 5:44, where Jesus tells us to love our enemies. If we are totally honest, we either wish it didn’t exist, or we work hard to convince ourselves that Jesus couldn’t really have meant what he very clearly said.
But there are no qualifications, and that’s why it is so uncomfortable. It doesn’t say, “love your enemies once they stop acting stupid” or “love your enemies when they apologize.” It doesn’t offer gradations of enemy so we can love the lesser ones but still harbor bitterness toward the really bad ones. It just says, “love your enemies,” period. And that is hard. To love our enemies is to go against our very nature. This command is about as possible as making yourself taller or changing your gene pool. So this is impossible . . . outside of God’s transforming work through Christ.
“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
God loved us to the degree that he sent his beloved Son to die for us even while we were yet sinners, or rather enemies. Christ called us friends even as he prepared to give his life. Because of this great love, we are no longer enemies but children of God. That is the power of his love for His enemies, and he has shared it with us.
We struggle to believe we could love our enemies at all because we look into our own hearts for the capacity and desire. But when we look to Christ, we see that He has given us enough not only to love them but also to love to such a degree that they, too, may become children of God. The love of God in Christ is not just for comfort and healing (though it is that). It is a miraculous, transforming power in us and through us.
April 19, 2023 - Immanuel At a Glance
Celebrating Sunday
SUNDAY SERMON - Listen to Immanuel’s very own Dr. Tom Cox preach from Ephesians 4:17-24 here!
CELEBRATING NEW MEMBERS - What a joy it is to belong! This past Sunday, we had the honor of welcoming 20 new members! If you are ready to learn more about membership, consider joining our Next Steps Seminar.
Things To Know
WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Join us tonight as we continue our study time in the book of Acts!
INFANT BAPTISM & CHID DEDICATION SEMINAR - Interested in baptizing or dedicating your baby at Immanuel? Register to participate in our next parent seminar tonight at 6:30 pm. This seminar will be hosted in person at Immanuel.
ONLINE PRAYER - Every week, Jenn Ross, one of our Discipleship Groups leaders, facilitates two online prayer meetings that everyone is welcome to join. Join us every Thursday afternoon from 12:00-12:45 pm, or every Sunday morning from 7:30-8:00 am.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FELLOWSHIP!
What: Young Professionals Fellowship
When: Every third Thursday, beginning April 20th, from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Where: Immanuel Nashville 4301 Charlotte Avenue Nashville, TN 37209
RSVP: On your mobile phone, text the word Thursday to the number 615-622-8094