Prestoncrest Church of Christ
We're so glad you are with us today at Prestoncrest Church of Christ! Enjoy encouraging words during online, or join us in person for worship service. We stream LIVE at 8:30am & 10:45am, or watch any time afterward on YouTube. Details about how to connect with us are all listed below. Thank you for being here!
SERMON: "Be Perfect"
Dr. Gordon Dabbs
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.
In this sermon, beginning to end, Jesus raises up the holy standard of God, he paints a picture of true righteousness and doesn’t back down from it.
1 Thessalonians 3.12-13 (NLT) And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.
In our walk with Jesus, there is one ingredient that is the base layer of the whole discipleship project. Love.
Growing in loving others. . .
1. Listen more. Talk, tweet, and post less.
2. Do a regular “soul check.”
3. Practice praying God’s power into your weakness.
