The Most Disappointing Series Ever I Week 1

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Saturday, October 5, 2024

Speaker: Ben Snyder, Lead Pastor

Title: Jesus Disappointing the CROWDS

Memory Verse: John 16:33 (NLT) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

Disappointment: The gap between our expectations and reality. (John Maxwell) The bigger the gap, the deeper the disappointment.

We can either LANGUISH in disappointment or LEARN in it.

Matthew 5:38-48 (NLT) You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Bottom Line: You can make a disappointing relationship better with LOVE.

Jesus' word for LOVE = AGAPE, an attitude and action of love

In God’s Kingdom, we don’t have the right to deny anyone AGAPE.

1 John 4:7-8 (NLT) Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Romans 5:8 (NLT) But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Additional Passages: Matthew 4:23; Matthew 4:25; Proverbs 13:12; 1 John 4:11; 1 Peter 2:23; Hebrews 12:15

References:

Tim Macke - Love Your Enemy
Mammoth Cave
MLK Jr praying for his enemies

Discussion Questions:

Icebreaker: When was the last time you were disappointed?

How do you usually respond to disappointment?

Read Matthew 5:43-48. Why might people find these verses disappointing? What about these verses challenges you the most?

What does Jesus teach us in these verses about our response?

What simple, gracious act of kindness can you do for those who may be opposed to you?

Music:

I Thank God