https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/ActionsAndReactions.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n\tby Jeffrey W. Hamilton<\/p>\n\t
Text: Luke 6:20-36<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I. How should you act? How should you react?<\/p>\n A. We live in a “me first” age. People demand their rights. They seek to get even\nwhen wronged.\n
B. But let me tell you about a radical view of life<\/p>\n
II. Actions – Luke 6:27-28<\/p>\n
A. Love your enemies<\/p>\n 1. The root difference in being a Christian is our attitude. We love even those\nwho think they are our enemies.\n 2. This doesn’t mean we love a person in their hatred and sins. Rather it is a\ndesire for the best for people and a concern for their well-being. \n
3. There is an interesting story in the Old Testament<\/p>\n a. Israel and Judah long had been enemies of each other since the\nsplit of the kingdom.\n b. Israel took an opportunity to attack their enemy – II Chronicles\n28:8-11\n
c. While God did use Israel to punish Judah – II Chronicles 28:1-5<\/p>\n
d. They went too far in their hatred.<\/p>\n
e. Fortunately, they listened – II Chronicles 28:12-15<\/p>\n
4. It is the attitude God showed toward us – Romans 5:8<\/p>\n
B. Do good to those who hate you<\/p>\n
1. That attitude then can be observed in how we behave.<\/p>\n 2. Romans 12:18 -21 – It is the opposite of how the world behaves. They seek\nto even the score, as if someone was keeping a record.\n
3. It is the goodness of God which leads toward our change – Romans 2:4<\/p>\n
a. God treats the good and bad alike with His gifts – Matthew 5:45<\/p>\n
C. Bless those who curse you<\/p>\n
1. This same attitude is seen in how we talk about others<\/p>\n
2. Romans 12:14<\/p>\n
a. “Bless” is to speak well of another<\/p>\n
b. “Curse” is to wish a catastrophe on another<\/p>\n
3. It is being courteous – I Peter 3:8-9<\/p>\n
4. Christ left us an example – I Peter 2:18-23<\/p>\n
5. The example of Paul – I Corinthians 4:12-13<\/p>\n
6. Jeremiah’s example – Jeremiah 18:20<\/p>\n
D. Pray for those who mistreat you<\/p>\n
1. David’s example<\/p>\n
2. How his enemies treated him – Psalms 35:11-12<\/p>\n
3. How David treated them – Psalms 35:13-14<\/p>\n
4. How they responded – Psalms 35:15-16<\/p>\n
5. It might seem unfair – Psalms 109:2-5<\/p>\n a. We forget how miserable life can be when you mistreat others –\nPsalms 109:16-20, 26-31\n
6. Seen in Stephen’s prayer as he was being stoned – Acts 7:60<\/p>\n
III. Reactions – Luke 6:29-30<\/p>\n
A. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other<\/p>\n
1. Don’t recompense evil – Proverbs 20:22; 24:29<\/p>\n
2. A strike on the cheek is an insult, but it doesn’t put your life in jeopardy<\/p>\n 3. The example of Jesus was to offer a mild reproof when wrongly struck –\nJohn 18:22-23\n
4. It fulfilled the prophecy – Isaiah 50:6<\/p>\n
B. Whoever takes away your coat, offer him your shirt<\/p>\n
1. Why not accept the wrong – I Corinthians 6:7<\/p>\n
C. Whoever asks of you, give to him<\/p>\n
1. Proverbs 21:26 – Be generous<\/p>\n
2. Deuteronomy 15:8 – Lend according to need<\/p>\n
D. Whoever takes what is yours, don’t demand it back<\/p>\n
1. Loan without expecting return – Luke 6:34<\/p>\n
E. All are stated in shocking extremes to make a point<\/p>\n 1. Jesus is not talking about going against evil, but against the gut reaction to\ntake personal vengeance by deciding for ourselves what should be done.\n 2. When someone does us wrong, we are too close to the matter to decide\nwhat the response ought to be.\n F. Never return evil for evil, instead do what is good for everyone – I Thessalonians\n5:15\n
IV. Treat others as you want to be treated – Luke 6:31<\/p>\n A. Too often our gut reaction comes from wounded egos, selfish motives, and a lack\nof concern for others\n
B. The reaction doesn’t have to be of the same type<\/p>\n C. The radical idea is that we always do what is best for others, looking out for their\ngood, no matter how they might have treated us.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 6:20-36 I. How should you act? How should you react? A. We live in a “me first” age. People demand their rights. They seek to get even when wronged. B. But let me tell you about a radical view of life II. Actions – Luke 6:27-28 A. Love your enemies 1. The root difference…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[119,32],"tags":[719,721,399,720],"class_list":["post-4364","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-audio","category-sermon","tag-hatred","tag-kindness","tag-revenge","tag-vengeance"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":62885,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/its-time-to-grow-up\/","url_meta":{"origin":4364,"position":0},"title":"It’s Time To Grow Up","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 16, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: I Peter 1:22-2:3 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It seems every parent at some point tells their child, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you just grow up?\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In one sense, that is what they are doing; but what the parents want is for the child to stop acting so much\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":90438,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/united-in-christ\/","url_meta":{"origin":4364,"position":1},"title":"United in Christ","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 14, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Acts 10:34-43 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Our Lord and Savior prayed before his death - John 17:13-26 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It was his desire that we would share the same oneness that he and the Father shared. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is a oneness based in love \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0If we are committed to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":7634,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-parable-of-the-unjust-steward\/","url_meta":{"origin":4364,"position":2},"title":"The Parable of the Unjust Steward","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 11, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Luke 16:1-13 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Many find this parable confusing because of the praise of the lord in verse 8. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0How is it that an unfaithful steward, about to be relieved of his position, gains praise from his employer when he ends his career stealing more from him? II.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0This\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":51752,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/we-must-accept-the-consequences-of-our-actions\/","url_meta":{"origin":4364,"position":3},"title":"We Must Accept the Consequences of Our Actions","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 15, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"by Raymond Warfel","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":19229,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/three-philosophies-of-life\/","url_meta":{"origin":4364,"position":4},"title":"Three Philosophies of Life","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 8, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 10:25-37 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Luke 10:25-37 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A lawyer, trying to test Jesus, asked him how to gain eternal life. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Jesus, as was his want, turned the question around and asked for his opinion first. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The response was to love God and to love his neighbor. To\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2004\/01\/GoodSamaritan.gif?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":63067,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/mistakes-of-a-rich-man\/","url_meta":{"origin":4364,"position":5},"title":"Mistakes of a Rich Man","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Luke 12:13-21 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Someone approached Jesus, asking him to settle a dispute over an inheritance. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Jesus declined, stating that it wasn\u2019t his occupation \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0But he pointed out the root problem between the brothers \u2013 greed \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We know this without even knowing the facts\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4364","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4364"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4364\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4364"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4364"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}