So far in our relationship series, we’ve talked about Friendships, Dating and avoiding temptation.
Tonight we’re going to wrap it up by talking about the opposite of a good friend, an enemy.
You may ask, “What does that have to do with relationships?” Listen up and I think you’ll see…
Key Verse Tonight: Matthew 5:43-48 (NKJV & MSG) – love and pray for your enemies.
Read Kingdom Dynamics for v. 44
This isn’t something we can do in the natural (our own strength). We have to rely on God
Take The Steps:

1. Recognize your enemy
2. Consciously forgive them of the wrongs they’ve done to you (be specific)
   1. In person or to yourself
3. Repent of your feelings against them and ask for Got to forgive you – Luke 11:4a
4. Pray for your enemy Matthew 5:44
   1. By praying for them you are pushing out evil thoughts toward that person and, in the process, realizing God’s forgiveness for them and you.
   2. When you honestly pray for your enemy’s well being, you have a spiritual stake in their wellbeing.

When you care for your enemies, your heart softens and you stop carrying the hurt and unforgiveness which affects every aspect of your life both spiritual and relational.
Matthew 18:21-35 – unforgiving servant

1. Unforgiveness restricts what God is doing in our lives (servant was no longer free but in jail)
2. The spirit of unforgiveness takes a toll on our bodies, minds and emotions
3. The binding power of unforgiveness is dangerous

Illustration Story:
The year was 1947, almost two full years after the liberation of Auschwitz, when a woman named Corrie ten Boom stepped forward to share a message of forgiveness and healing at a German church. As she began to speak, she prayed that God would use her words to bring about healing, forgiveness and restoration. What she was about to experience changed her life forever.
As Corrie finished her message, a man stepped forward, moving his way through the crowd of people there to talk to her. He looked familiar, like she had seen him somewhere before. As she looked into his eyes, it all became crystal clear. She recognized him . . . the uniform . . . the whips . . . walking past him naked at the selection. She remembered her sister dying a slow and painful death at his hands. The memories came flooding back to her . . . memories from Auschwitz and this man who had been a guard at the camp.
“I’m a Christian now.” He spoke with his eyes sadly looking into hers.
“I know that God has forgiven me, but will you forgive me?” He stretched out his hand to receive hers. She stood there for what must have seemed an eternity, although it was probably only a moment or two. She knew that she had to make a choice. Would she forgive the man at whose hand she experienced so much hurt, pain and humiliation? Could she?
“Jesus, I need Your help,” she prayed. “I can lift my hand, but You need to supply the feeling.” Corrie slowly raised her hand, reached out to the man and took his hand in hers. As she reached out, a warm sensation filled her heart. God was indeed faithful. “I forgive you, brother—with my whole heart!”
Matthew 6:14 – forgive those who sin against you

Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God – we were God’s enemy’s
Romans 6:23 says that, as a result of our sin, we deserve to die
But God loves us too much to let us die…
Romans 10:9 says that if we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead, we will be saved

God forgives us of all of our wrong doing because he loves us!!