“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:2-5 (ESV) How do you serve your enemies? Serving those you love can be a challenge at times. Can you imagine trying to serve those who are against you? Jesus did! Look at His servitude demonstrated during the Last Supper. Jesus knew that Judas would betray him. Jesus knew that Judas would be used by the devil. Yet, Jesus chose to serve Judas by washing his feet. Read John 13:3 again. Jesus knew who He was and whose He was. Jesus anchored His identity to the rock of His Father’s will. Jesus knew that He came from God and was returning to God. There’s power in knowing who you are and whose you are. There’s significant security in knowing your true identity and your purpose for existence. God did not create you to live in isolation. God created you to live in genuine relationship with Jesus and to continue His ministry on the earth. Serving your enemies is a byproduct of knowing your true identity in Christ. Once you recognize that you are designed by God and for His glory, the activity of serving your enemies becomes an extension of your love relationship with Jesus. You are simply living out your God-given purpose. You are placed right where you are to continue the ministry of Jesus. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Category: Enemies
Categories
Pray For Your Enemies
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44-45 (ESV) Several years ago I had lunch with a seasoned pastor who had started a church with twelve people and it had grown to become the largest church in Louisiana. At the end of our time together, I asked Pastor Roy Stockstill, “After all your years of ministry experience, what would you say to me as a pastor?” He looked me in the eyes and placed his hand on my shoulder and said, “People are not the enemy!” That statement resonated with me and encouraged me in my journey as a pastor. Over the years, I have added a phrase to that statement to help me maintain God’s perspective. People are not the enemy, but the enemy uses people. Take a moment and identify the people the enemy has used to discourage you or to distract you in your walk with God. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us as His followers to love and pray for our enemies. We are to reciprocate the love we have received from God and we are to pray for those who persecute us. When you pray for your enemies, you begin to view them from God’s perspective and recognize His love for them. God has a plan for your life and for those who are currently your enemies. Pray for them to come into a vibrant love relationship with Jesus so they can know Him personally and eternally just as you do. Who do you need to pray for today? Remember, people are not the enemy, but the enemy uses people. Love them. Pray for them. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“‘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, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.’” Matthew 5:43-45 (ESV) In the language of the New Testament, there are four words translated into English with our word love. The Bible uses brotherly love, familial love, erotic love, and unconditional love. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the word for love meaning unconditional love. He speaks of the love that acts with nothing expected in return. This kind of love chooses to bless and benefit others regardless of their worthiness. “‘A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’” John 13:34-35 (ESV) “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8 (ESV) When you love your neighbor as yourself and when you choose to love your enemies, you are loving others as God has loved you. The unconditional love you extend to others is simply the reciprocated love you have received from God. Loving your enemies does not come naturally. Without question, to love your enemies is a supernatural work of God in your life. God wants you to become a conduit of His unconditional love. Think about the people in your life currently. Do you have any enemies? Are there individuals in your life who have become indifferent toward you or hostile in their treatment of you? Allow God’s love to flow through you to bless and benefit others, including your enemies. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:2-5 (NIV) How do you serve your enemies? Serving those you love can be a challenge at times. Can you imagine trying to serve those who are against you? Jesus did! Look at His servitude demonstrated during the Last Supper. Jesus knew that Judas would betray him. Jesus knew that Judas would be used by the devil. Yet, Jesus chose to serve Judas by washing his feet. Read John 13:3 again. Jesus knew who He was and whose He was. Jesus anchored His identity to the rock of His Father’s will. Jesus knew that He came from God and was returning to God. There’s power in knowing who you are and whose you are. There’s significant security in knowing your true identity and your purpose for existence. God did not create you to live in isolation. God created you to live in genuine relationship with Jesus and to continue His ministry on the earth. Serving your enemies is a byproduct of knowing your true identity in Christ. Once you recognize that you are designed by God and for His glory, the activity of serving your enemies becomes an extension of your love relationship with Jesus. You are simply living out your God-given purpose. You are placed right where you are to continue the ministry of Jesus. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Pray For Your Enemies
“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matt 5:44-45 (NIV) Several years ago I had lunch with a seasoned pastor who had started a church with twelve people and it had grown to become the largest church in Louisiana. At the end of our time together, I asked Pastor Roy Stockstill, “After all your years of ministry experience, what would you say to me as a thirty-one year old pastor?” He looked me in the eyes and placed his hand on my shoulder and said, “People are not the enemy!” That statement resonated with me and encouraged me in my journey as a pastor. Over the years, I have added a phrase to that statement to help me maintain God’s perspective. People are not the enemy, but the enemy uses people. Take a moment and identify the people the enemy has used to discourage you or to distract you in your walk with God. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us as His followers to love and pray for our enemies. We are to reciprocate the love we have received from God and we are to pray for those who persecute us. When you pray for your enemies, you begin to view them from God’s perspective and recognize His love for them. God has a plan for your life and for those who are currently your enemies. Pray for them to come into a vibrant love relationship with Jesus so they can know Him personally and eternally just as you do. Who do you need to pray for today? Remember, people are not the enemy, but the enemy uses people. Love them. Pray for them. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matt 5:43-45 (NIV) In the language of the New Testament, there are four words translated into English with our word love. The Bible uses brotherly love, familial love, erotic love, and unconditional love. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the word for love meaning unconditional love. He speaks of the love that acts with nothing expected in return. This kind of love chooses to bless and benefit others regardless of their worthiness. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV) “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8 (NIV) When you love your neighbor as yourself and when you choose to love your enemies, you are loving others as God has loved you. The unconditional love you extend to others is simply the reciprocated love you have received from God. Loving your enemies does not come naturally. Without question, to love your enemies is a supernatural work of God in your life. God wants you to become a conduit of His unconditional love. Think about the people in your life currently. Do you have any enemies? Are there individuals in your life who have become indifferent toward you or hostile in their treatment of you? Allow God’s love to flow through you to bless and benefit others, including your enemies. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matt 5:43-45 (NIV) Loving the lovable is not much of a challenge. But, to love those who are difficult to love requires a new perspective and a new enabling. God not only wants us to love our neighbor as ourselves, but to also love our enemies. Some people are hard to love. Jesus brings a new dimension to the concept of love in His Sermon on the Mount. Not only are we to love our enemies, but we are to pray for those who persecute us. Showing love to those who have wounded us is only possible by the enabling of the Lord Jesus. “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23 (NIV) “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” 2 Tim 1:12 (NIV) Jesus is our pattern for loving our enemies. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor