Notes

There is joy in the journey, but how do we respond to those in our lives who seek to rob us from experiencing that joy?  In other words, how might we love those who do unlovely things towards us?

1. Help people see God’s great love for them! 
2. Help people see the power of God through your transformed life!

Verses

{But I say, love your enemies! Matthew 5:44 NLT}{“As they were trying to kill him, word reached the commander of the Roman regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar… As Paul reached the stairs, the mob grew so violent the soldiers had to lift him to their shoulders to protect him. And the crowd followed behind, shouting, “Kill him, kill him!”
Acts 21:31, 35-36 NLT}{“Please, let me talk to these people.” Acts 21:39 NLT}{“Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.” When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater. Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today. And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the Christians from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished. Acts 22:1-5 NLT}{“Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said… Acts 22:1 NLT}{“I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today.” Acts 22:3 NLT}{“As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked. “And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.’ The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me. “I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’ Acts 22:6-10 NLT}{But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’ The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!”
Acts 22:21-22 NLT}{“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them… Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Romans 12:14, 17-18 ESV}

Quotes