Sabbatical Summer 2024.

• As a member of Hillcrest, to show tangible support of our pastor’s sabbaticals, we support this opportunity in our church family.

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• What are your hopes for David, for his family, and for our church family during his Sabbatical?
• What would you like us as elders and staff to prioritize?
• What would you hope to be accomplished for our church and the Kingdom as a result of his time of refreshment & growth?
• What are your concerns, if any, for the church/team in his absence?

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Exegesis

Theology

Life

Exegesis

Theology

Life

Biblically Saturated: Think Biblically about everything.

Exegesis

Theology

Life

Biblically Saturated: Think Biblically about everything.

Culturally Discerning: wisely navigate an accelerated, complex culture.

Text Questions:

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• Upside Down Kingdom
• Love your Enemies.
• Judging Others.
• A tree and its Fruit.
• Build Your House upon the Rock.

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“Recently a pilot was practicing high-speed maneuvers in a jet fighter. She turned the controls for what she thought was a steep ascent—and flew straight into the ground. She was unaware that she had been flying upside down. This is a parable of human existence in our times—not exactly that everyone is crashing, though there is enough of that—but most of us as individuals, and world society as a whole, live at high-speed, and often with no clue to whether we are flying upside down or right-side up. Indeed, we are haunted by a strong suspicion that there may be no difference—or at least that it is unknown or irrelevant.”

― Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God

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Big Idea: Living in this upside-down Kingdom of God…

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Luke 6:20-26

²⁰ And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ²¹ “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. ²² “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! ²³ Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

Luke 6:20-26

²⁴ “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. ²⁵ “Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. “Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. ²⁶ “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

Living in this upside-down Kingdom of God…

• JESUS changes everything: HE is available to all, we recognize our need for HIM, and find HIM satisfying.

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Living in this upside-down Kingdom of God…

• JESUS changes everything: HE is available to all, we recognize our need for HIM, and find HIM satisfying.
• JESUS changes THE GAP of our suffering: We accept being hated and leap for JOY in suffering.

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Living in this upside-down Kingdom of God…

• JESUS changes everything: HE is available to all, we recognize our need for HIM, and find HIM satisfying.
• JESUS changes THE GAP of our suffering: We accept being hated and leap for JOY in suffering.
• JESUS is the foundation for OUR Joy-filled, multi-generational Community.

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JOY

god

OLD VIEW OF CHRISTIANITY

NEW VIEW OF CHRISTIANITY

JOY

God

JOY

god

OLD VIEW OF CHRISTIANITY

LOVE your enemies.

Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

Luke 6:27-36

³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Big Idea: Living in this upside-down Kingdom of God, Jesus makes it clear that those who treasure Him are called to radically love their enemies.

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• The Call to Radical Love

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• The Motivation of our Love

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• How to display Jesus’ Love more thoroughly.

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• The Call to Radical Love

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Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

• The Call to Radical Love

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• Who is our enemy?

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Jesus IS NOT telling us to love those we don’t like.

• The Call to Radical Love

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• Who is our enemy?

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Definition: Those who take joy in diminishing our joy.

• The Call to Radical Love

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• Who is our enemy?

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• Do good to those who hate you.
• Bless those who curse you.
• Pray for those who abuse you.

3 Descriptions

Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

• The Call to Radical Love

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• Who is our enemy?

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• What is Love?

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Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

• The Call to Radical Love

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• Who is our enemy?
• What is Love?

4 Illustrations

• Offer the other cheek.
• Give your coat and shirt.
• Give to the beggar.
• Don’t expect anything back.

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Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

• The Call to Radical Love

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• Who is our enemy?
• What is Love?

4 Illustrations

• Offer the other cheek.
• Give your coat and shirt.
• Give to the beggar.
• Don’t expect anything back.

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The last three commands reveal that the command to love one’s enemies does not appeal to the emotions but to the will. Jesus did not command his followers “to feel” in a certain way but to act in a certain way. Emotions can be elicited but not commanded. Actions and the will can be commanded. Thus the command to love one’s enemies is not directed to how believers are to feel but how they are to act.

Robert H. Stein

Luke: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (Volume 24) (The New American Commentary)

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THINKING

FEELING

DOING

THINKING

FEELING

DOING

THINKING

FEELING

DOING

THINKING

FEELING

DOING

• The Call to Radical Love

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• Who is our enemy?

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• What is Love?

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• The Call to Radical Love

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• Who is our enemy?

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• What is Love?

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• Comes with a cost (Time, treasure, talent)
• Someone else’s good and our joy is motivation
• God’s GLORY (NOT empire)

• The Call to Radical Love

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• Who is our enemy?
• What is Love?

Jesus’ Summary...

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• The Call to Radical Love

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• Who is our enemy?
• What is Love?

Jesus’ Summary...

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Do something for them.

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Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

• The Call to Radical Love

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• Who is our enemy?

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• What is Love?

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• Why is this love so rare?

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• The Call to Radical Love

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• Who is our enemy?
• What is Love?
• Why is this love so rare?

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3 more Illustrations.

Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

Luke 6:27-36

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

Luke 6:27-36

³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:27-36

³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:27-36

³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:27-36

³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

LOVE your enemies.

WHY is this so RARE?

We equate not retaliating with displaying Jesus’ love.

We assume it is impossible.

We equate not retaliating with displaying Jesus’ love.

We assume it is impossible.

We equate not retaliating with displaying Jesus’ love.

We have been poorly taught

We assume it is impossible.

We equate not retaliating with displaying Jesus’ love.

We have been poorly taught

We don’t take Jesus seriously.

We assume it is impossible.

We equate not retaliating with displaying Jesus’ love.

We have been poorly taught

We don’t take Jesus seriously.

We have not seen it.

We assume it is impossible.

We equate not retaliating with displaying Jesus’ love.

We have been poorly taught

We don’t take Jesus seriously.

We have not seen it.

We have not experienced it.

We assume it is impossible.

We equate not retaliating with displaying Jesus’ love.

We have been poorly taught

We don’t take Jesus seriously.

We have not seen it.

We have not experienced it.

LOVE your enemies.

• The Call to Radical Love

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• The Call to Radical Love

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• The Motivation of our Love

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Luke 6:27-36

³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:27-36

³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:27-36

³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:27-36

³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

• The Call to Radical Love

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• The Motivation of our Love

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• So that your reward in heaven will be great.

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• The Call to Radical Love

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• The Motivation of our Love

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• So that your reward in heaven will be great.
• So that the world sees the God you serve

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”Let down your nets.”

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PRAYER IS THE WORK.

SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL MOMENTUM

PUBLIC SPACE

Curiosity.

SOCIAL SPACE

Friendship.

PERSONAL SPACE

Friendship.

COMMUNION with GOD.

”Let down your nets.”

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PRAYER IS THE WORK.

SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL MOMENTUM

”Let down your nets.”

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PRAYER IS THE WORK.

SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL MOMENTUM

• The Call to Radical Love

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• The Motivation of our Love

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• So that your reward in heaven will be great.
• So that the world sees the God you serve.
• So that that they don’t get what they do deserve. (We genuinely display the mercy we have received.)

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• The Call to Radical Love

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• The Motivation of our Love

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• How to display Jesus’ Love more thoroughly.

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A Disciple follows Jesus, Builds Community, �and seeks transformation.

How to display Jesus’ Love more thoroughly.

How to display Jesus’ Love more thoroughly.

• Take Jesus’ teaching seriously.

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How to display Jesus’ Love more thoroughly.

Evil for Evil

OR�Good for Good

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Expected

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Good for Evil

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Can only Come from one place.

How to display Jesus’ Love more thoroughly.

• Take Jesus’ teaching seriously.

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How to display Jesus’ Love more thoroughly.

• Take Jesus’ teaching seriously.
• Ask God to reveal to us why we aren’t more loving.

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How to display Jesus’ Love more thoroughly.

• Take Jesus’ teaching seriously.
• Ask God to reveal to us why we aren’t more loving.
• Identify our enemies.

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Ongoing Spiritual Transformation …as life happens.

More JOY in JESUS!

Ongoing Spiritual Transformation …as life happens.

How to display Jesus’ Love more thoroughly.

• Take Jesus’ teaching seriously.
• Ask God to reveal to us why we aren’t more loving.
• Identify our enemies.
• Identify a way to love them.

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Ongoing Spiritual Transformation …as life happens.

Ongoing Spiritual Transformation …as life happens.

How to display Jesus’ Love more thoroughly.

• Take Jesus’ teaching seriously.
• Ask God to reveal to us why we aren’t more loving.
• Identify our enemies.
• Identify a way to love them.
• Pursue the reward of Jesus and His love with all our might.

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God, help me to listen closely to�your teachings, so they reshape and renew me to know your truth in whatever you invite me into today.

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