A Vision for Loving Our Neighbor A Special
A Vision for Loving Our Neighbor A Special Six-Year Anniversary & Vision Message Luke 10: 25 -37 January 26, 2014 Pastor Paul K. Kim
WHY A LOCAL CHURCH [A CHRIST-FOLLOWER] MUST HAVE AN OUTWARD FOCUS • It is a sign of health in a local church/Christ-follower (Acts 1: 8). • It is the first step of the Great Commission given by Lord Jesus himself (Matt 28: 19 -20). • It is a way out of the ingrown tendency in a community (Acts 8: 1 -4) • It is why Jesus sent his followers into the world (John 17: 18).
Cross. Way’s spiritual direction [vision] for 2014 is: “To love our neighbor—as Christ-followers and his church. ”
JESUS’ TEACHING ON LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR • QUESTION #1: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life? ” 25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? ” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it? ” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. ” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live. ” (vs. 25 -28) Ø The lawyer’s first question was to test Jesus. Ø In his reply, Jesus’ question, “What is written in the Law? ” redirects the lawyer’s test back to him. Ø Jesus’ answer, “Do this and you will live” is to show the lawyer see the impossibility of saving himself by keeping the Law (i. e. , falling short from keeping the Law by his efforts).
JESUS’ TEACHING ON LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR • QUESTION #2: “Who is my neighbor 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor? ” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. (vs. 25 -34)
JESUS’ TEACHING ON LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR • QUESTION #2: “Who is my neighbor? ” 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back. ’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers? ” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy. ” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise. ” (vs. 35 -37) Ø The lawyer’s second question was to justify himself in coming short in his obedience to the law of loving his neighbor. Ø In his reply, Jesus’ parable corrects the lawyer’s question: “To whom shall I be a loving neighbor? ” Ø Jesus’ point: Be a loving neighbor to all people around you— i. e. , our love should not be limited by who they are.
HOW SHALL WE APPLY THIS AS TODAY’S CHRIST-FOLLOWERS/CHURCH? 1) As Christ-followers, we are to love those who are beyond our own self-centered boundaries. 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers? ” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy. ” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise. ” Luke 10: 36 -37 Ø We are not to draw self-justified boundaries on who our neighbor is to exclude some people. Ø This means that we must turn our attention outside of our little world and begin to take “compassion” for outsiders. Ø Hence, loving our neighbor requires us to go out of our comfort zone with a compassionate heart.
HOW SHALL WE APPLY THIS AS TODAY’S CHRIST-FOLLOWERS/CHURCH? 2) As Christ-followers, we are to love our neighbor in this season of our lives without delaying it. 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father. ” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead. ” Matthew 8: 21 -22 Ø There are so many distractions, seemingly noble or excusable reasons to delay, but we must follow Jesus now not later. Ø We must not idealize our obedience in loving our neighbor, which keeps us stuck in spiritual inertia. Ø Hence, we must begin TODAY with small steps of obedience in loving our neighbor with our limitations and imperfect life.
HOW SHALL WE APPLY THIS AS TODAY’S CHRIST-FOLLOWERS/CHURCH? 3) As Christ-followers, we are to love our neighbor holistically— i. e. , in spiritual, social/emotional, and physical needs. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6: 10 10 Ø One temptation in loving our neighbor is to polarize spiritual and physical needs, but we need to see them as inseparable. Ø We must see our neighbor not as our “projects” but as “people” whom Jesus loves—without ulterior motives. Ø Hence, we are to love our neighbor with the whole person in mind and through the eternal perspective.
I was hungry, and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger. I was imprisoned, and you crept into your chapel and prayed for my early release. I was naked, and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance. I was sick, and you knelt to thank God that you were in health. I was homeless, and you told me of the shelter found in the love of God. I was lonely, and you left me alone to go to pray for me. You seem so holy, so close to God but I am still very hungry-and lonely- and oh so very cold! —written by a homeless woman who was turned away by a country vicar [quoted by John Stott]
There are many who insist that doing justice is spreading the gospel, it is evangelism they say. Doing justice can indeed lead people to give the message of gospel grace a hearing, but to consider the deeds of mercy and justice to be identical to gospel proclamation is a fatal confusion. I propose a different way to understand evangelism and social justice. They should exist in an asymmetrical, inseparable relationship. Timothy Keller
HOW SHALL WE APPLY THIS AS TODAY’S CHRIST-FOLLOWERS/CHURCH? 4) As Christ-followers, we are to love our neighbor humbly by Christ’s love and for Christ’s sake. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3: 17 Ø Christian love must be genuine and humble (Rom. 12: 9); the source of power to love is not from us but from Christ. Ø We are not superior givers who dispense handouts and broken people who are touched by Christ’s love. Ø Hence, we are to love our neighbor in the name of Jesus, through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, and for the glory of God!
Cross. Way’s spiritual direction [vision] for 2014 is: “To love our neighbor—as Christ-followers and his church. ” So, will you join in this spiritual direction?
THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1. In what ways are you convinced of your need to love those who are beyond your comfort zone and self-centered boundaries? 2. What would it look like if you really begin to love your neighbor in this season of your life and holistically? 3. What would be your first step toward loving your neighbor humbly with by Christ’s love and for Christ’s sake?
- Slides: 16