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He Loves You Best Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High Lk 6: 35

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Theme We absolutely cannot love AGAPE style, for to love that way requires something only God gives.

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The Impossible Love

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1. Action Caring (AGAPE) is Unnatural 26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets. But I tell you who hear me: 27a A. Unnatural Decisions: Love your enemies, 27b B. Unnatural Actions: Do good to those who hate you, 27c C. Unnatural Concern: Bless those who curse you, 28a D. Unnatural Desire: Pray for those who ill-treat you. 28b

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2. Action Caring (AGAPE) is Uncomfortable The Length and Breadth of AGAPE Love If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. 29a If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 29b Give to everyone who asks you, 30a If anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 30b Summary of AGAPE Love Do to others, as you would have them do to you. 31

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3. Action- Caring (AGAPE) is Always Rewarded

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Theme We absolutely cannot love AGAPE style, for to love that way requires something only God gives.

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A. That which brings no reward 1. Returned Love If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 32 2. Returned Benevolent Actions And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 33 3. Investment Love And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 34

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B. That which brings amazing reward But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, 35

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4. Action Caring (AGAPE) is Always Like God But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, 35 [Why?] Because, He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 35b,36

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The Love He Gives Us To Give A.When the object of his love was indifferent and uncaring He reached out with charity and compassion B. When the object of His love was rebellious to His guidance and help for them He was just and merciful with them at same time C. When the object of His love resented Him in bitterness and even open hostility He forgave them and was generous to them D. When the object of His love out and out hated Him and was His enemy He died on the cross to pay for their sins and give eternal life.

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Theme We absolutely cannot love AGAPE style, for to love that way requires something only God gives.

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Our Challenge To take God up on His offer to ACTUALLY love others as He did. To take hold of Gods promise to provide the GRACE to do it. To claim the eternal UNSEEN REWARD that God promises to those that love the way He does.