Since I'm not sure how to add the audio recording of today's sermon....

Several years ago during a revival meeting message, the evangelist (and please don't ask me WHO the evangelist was because my brain cannot remember) prayed for our hearts to be stirred and shaken and changed.  I've never forgotten that prayer and when I take the time to remember to pray that way - it seems like GOD does something amazing to remind me that He's in control and I don't need to worry.

I currently have a tricky situation in my life that my best attempts to rectify the situation have just brought on more frustration.  

Today's message...the message that I asked the Lord to stir-me-up with was titled, "Love like God."  Pastor John's text was Luke 6:27-38.  It reads:
Love Your Enemies
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” 

If Christ is raised from the dead, I am to love like God loves.
1. What?  Love our enemies with a committed love.  Committed love is a love without emotional attachment.  It's loving without anything in return.  It's love that works to benefit others.

2.  How?  How do I love my enemies?
     A. in action - do good
          Ex. David and Saul - I Samuel 24:8-22
     B. in speaking well of them
          James 2 - the power in my tongue:  to build up or destroy
          Jesus is saying (in Luke 6 passage) to not be passive.  Jesus says to bless and not curse.
          I Peter 2:23
      C. pray for those who mistreat you
          - This will internalize love and it will intensify it.
          Acts 7 - Stephen prayed for his enemies who were casting stones at him.

* For the sake of the Gospel, 

I need not fight for my rights.  

I represent Jesus Christ. *

       D. give to the taker.
            My treasure is in Heaven.
       E. leading - Luke 6 is about leading with love.  
            Do not expect love in return.
            Lead without expectation!!!

3. Why?  Why I should I love my enemy?
     Loving only friends and family is natural.  It's easy.  Loving your enemies is supernatural and is done only by an overflowing of God's love into my heart.  I am a channel of His love.

Do not ration love.  Pray for overflowing and abundant love.

The Holy Spirit's abundance of love ------>  ME! --------> My enemies and persecutors

Philippians 4:19, 20  When I love my enemies, God the Father gets the glory!!!