Correcting Our Misunderstanding of Love (Matthew 5:43-48)

Sermon Series: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)

Sermon Title: Correcting Our Misunderstanding of Love

Sermon Text: Matthew 5:43-48

Big Idea: The way of Jesus loves others the way God loves us.

1. Jesus confronts our misunderstanding of love (5:43)

2. Jesus corrects our misunderstanding of love (5:44-48)

What we know to be clear and certain in Scripture regarding love

1. God is love (1 John 4:8)

2. We are created in the image of a loving God (Genesis 1:26-27)

3. Love is not contrary to the truth (Ephesians 4:15, 1 Corinthians 13:6)

4. Love is not contrary to justice (Hosea 12:6, Micah 6:8)

5. Love is not tolerant of injustice (Hebrews 12:6)

6. The way of Jesus is a way of love (1 Corinthians 13)

Loving like Jesus:

1. Leads to greater intimacy with God (v45a)

2. Imitates the love of God (v45b)

3. Loves those who do not love us (v46)

4. Welcomes those who are not like us (v47)

5. Conforms us into the image of Christ (v48)