“43 ¶  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so? 48  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Mt 5:43-48 KJV)

I have just finished listening to a message by the pastor of my first Fundamental Baptist Church I was a member of Faith Baptist Church of Avon, Indiana. It was an insightful message on the danger of Islam. (I will make it available to anyone who wants it on CD) The Message was entitled “Islam, America No 1 Enemy..

We have also seen God give President Bush not just a victory but a mandate to lead our nation. And they tell us that the top concern of the voters was moral issues. The only question I have is who determines what those issues  are in America and how do we determine that the standard should be. I believe that it is the Bible and the Bible alone.

When we bases our morals on anything that is not founded on the bed rock of the bible we are building on shifting sands. Our opinion of right and wrong change and are sometime even contradictory. In Montana we voted to add $1.00 to each pack of cigarettes (I hope that it will cause some of you who know you should quit to realize that the World calls this a sin tax and you should give up your sin) and at the same time we vote to make the use of marijuana legal.

As I was thinking of these issues and the relationship of Christians in the affairs of the world, I was reminded that we also have a Mandate from the Master. We cried out the Lord and ask him to spare us and allow George W. Bush to win the election in a decisive way he did 52% to 47% and over 4 million votes different. But why did we what to be spared, just so that we could enjoy our freedoms a little longer, or was it so that our nations could continue to head in the right direction.

I Believe it was the latter, but who will head our nation in the right direction.

In the process of electing a president, it was necessary to mobilize literally millions of Americas to get out the message, and the vote. I heard stories of people going for place that they knew there candidate was secure to the battleground states to help get out the vote. On election eve and election day there were over 18,000,000 phone calls made by volunteers to get out the vote just for G. W. Bush.

Now we come to our text and the theme of the Message, A Mandate from the Master.

I. The Master of the Mandate

But I say unto you

A. It goes without saying that the Master is the Lord Jesus Christ.

B. But notice his Authority.

1. He does not take a poll to know how to instruct the listener.

2. He does not appeal to another source.

3. He does not offer his opinion

C. He is the ultimate source.

D. Because he could swear by none great he gave the command in his name.

1. Men Swear by others higher

“For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation [is] to them an end of all strife.” (Heb 6:16 KJV)

2. Who is higher or greater than He.

 “For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,” (Heb 6:13 KJV)

E. He is the ultimate source.

1. Not because he is judge-Although he is that

 “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” (Ro 2:16 KJV)

“I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;” (2Ti 4:1 KJV)

2. But because he is the Lawgiver.

“For the LORD [is] our judge, the LORD [is] our lawgiver, the LORD [is] our king; he will save us.” (Isa 33:22 KJV)

“There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” (Jas 4:12 KJV)

3. The Lawgiver does not ponder how the law should be applied,

4. The Lawgiver does not seek for a more appropriate ways of applying the law.

5. This Lawgiver knows the nature of man, and of man’s nature—and He is Just, Wise and Holy.

F. This Authority Knows that to give a law or command he must also give all that is needed to carry out his command.

1. He will never leave us

“[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Heb 13:5 KJV)

2. He is with us.—It is not someone or something that he send, it is Him.

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Mt 28:20 KJV)

3. He is our supply

“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” (Php 1:19 KJV)

“Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.” (Php 2:30 KJV)

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Php 4:19 KJV)

4. With Him we can do all things.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Php 4:13 KJV)

II. The Persons of the Mandate

A. Neighbors

1. Who is my neighbor. Well scripture seam to reveal some interesting thing that we won’t have time to deal with. We will leave that for another message.

a) Those Who live nearby.

b) Those From whom you may borrow

c) Those Whose things you covet.

d) Those with whom you share things in common.

2. The Law commanded that we love our neighbors.

“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD.” (Le 19:18 KJV)

a) Note that it was the corruption of the law that the phrase and hate thine enemy was added.

b) Jesus is here correcting and applying this truth.

3. In Luke 10:36 He expanded the Jewish Idea of Neighbor to include those in need.

“Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?” (Lu 10:36 KJV)

B. Enemies

1. What are their characteristic?

a) These are those who have done something against our persons that is morally wrong.

b) These are those who conduct is opposed to that which we have accepted based upon the Word of God as morally right.

c) These are those who we just feel have offended us.

2. What Does Scripture Reveal about our enemies.

a) Christ prayed for his

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Lu 23:34 KJV)

b) The lives of, to be spared

“Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and [some] bade [me] kill thee: but [mine eye] spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he [is] the LORD’S anointed.” (1Sa 24:10 KJV)

 “10  And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? 11  And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now [may this] Benjamite [do it]? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.” (2Sa 16:10-11 KJV)

c) The goods of, to be taken care of

“4  If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. 5  If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.” (Ex 23:4-5 KJV)

d) SHOULD BE

(1) Loved

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Mt 5:44 KJV)

(2) Prayed for

“And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Ac 7:60 KJV)

(3) Assisted

“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:” (Pr 25:21 KJV)

 “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” (Ro 12:20 KJV)

(4) Overcome by kindness

“Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.” (1Sa 26:21 KJV)

e) Rejoice not at the misfortunes of

 “If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:” (Job 31:29 KJV)

f) Rejoice not at the failings of

“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:” (Pr 24:17 KJV)

g) Desire not the death of

“And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;” (1Ki 3:11 KJV)

h) Curse them not

“Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.” (Job 31:30 KJV)

i) Be affectionately concerned for

“But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing [was] sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.” (Ps 35:13 KJV)

j) The friendship of, deceitful

“9  And Joab said to Amasa, [Art] thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. 10  But Amasa took no heed to the sword that [was] in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth [rib], and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.” (2Sa 20:9-10 KJV)

 “[Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation.” (Pr 26:26 KJV)

 “Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful.” (Pr 27:6 KJV)

 “48  Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49  And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.” (Mt 26:48-49 KJV)

k) God defends against

“[Because of] his strength will I wait upon thee: for God [is] my defence.” (Ps 59:9 KJV)

 “For thou hast been a shelter for me, [and] a strong tower from the enemy.” (Ps 61:3 KJV)

l) God delivers from

“And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.” (1Sa 12:11 KJV)

 “Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth [day] of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.” (Ezr 8:31 KJV)

 “He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.” (Ps 18:48 KJV)

m) Made to be at peace with saints

“When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Pr 16:7 KJV)

n)  Pray for deliverance from

“And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.” (1Sa 12:10 KJV)

 “From the wicked that oppress me, [from] my deadly enemies, [who] compass me about.” (Ps 17:9 KJV)

 “<<To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.>> Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.” (Ps 59:1 KJV)

 “<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.” (Ps 64:1 KJV)

o) Of saints, God will destroy

“Through God we shall do valiantly: for he [it is that] shall tread down our enemies.” (Ps 60:12 KJV)

9) Praise God for deliverance from

“And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.” (Ps 136:24 KJV)

III. What is the Mission of the Mandate

A. Love is active, not passive

1. How do you demonstrate your love to your children, by actions

2. How do you demonstrate your love to your spouse, bu actions

3. How do you demonstrate your love to your neighbor, by your actions.

4. How do you demonstrate your love to your enemies, by your words.

B. We are ambassadors of the Mandate.

1. We have confidence that we have eternal life.

“6  Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8  We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.” (2Co 5:6-9 KJV)

a) In this life we labor

b) If we are absent from this life we are present with the Lord

c) But we labor to be accepted by him. Not into heaven, but into a place of honor and praise.

2. We must all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ.

“10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad. 11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” (2Co 5:10-11 KJV)

Therefore

a) We should be concern about what we do to please the Lord who is the Judge.

b) We Because we know the terror of the Lord we persuade men

(1) The terror of facing him empty handed because we labored not

(2) The terror of others facing him with out His robes of Righteousness, which we were to tell them about.

3. We are constrained by his love

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:” (2Co 5:14 KJV)

a) This is Christ love for us. He loved us so much that he died for us. He became sin for us.

b) This Love compels us to love even as he loved.

C. We are to be ambassadors.

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (2Co 5:20 KJV)

1. Ambassabors to our friends and neighbor

2. Ambasadors to our enemies.

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