Loving Your Neighbor As Yourself

“Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself”

Luke 10:25-37

“25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered: “ ‘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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

INTRO: We live in a society that only cares about self. The attitude in “what am I getting out of this?” has affected not only homes but churches. What was Jesus answer to this? In this parable we notice how the question is about eternal life but the answer is totally way out of base (according to us).

Loving God is not only within the perimeter of what Jesus expects but also loving our neighbor as ourselves. Who is our neighbor? Someone nearby, a fellow human being.

I. DIFFERENCES DON’T MATTER

1. Race – is not a concern

1) Samaritans – They were a mix race of Jews that stayed during the exile to Babylon.

2. Religious Beliefs – Should out interfere

1) Our Biblical foundation should never be touch but our attitudes should not shake this foundation

3. Lifestyles – A holier than others attitude should not hinder

1) We were much sinners than many that still have not experience Jesus

II. THE KINDS OF INDIVIDUALS THAT EXIST IN THIS LIFE

1. A Priest

1) Those that know the Word but don’t want to get involve

2. A Levite

1) Those that are trying to but in not being sure, they stand aside

3. A Samaritan

1) Those that are moved by their heart

i. “Took pity on him”

III. KNOWING WHEN TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

1. If you are religious

1) James 1:27 “27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

i. See toward the orphans

ii. See toward the widows

iii. Keep oneself from being polluted by the world

2. If you are not religious

1) Lev. 19:34 “34 The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”

i. You should love the illegals

2) Ex. 23:4,5 “4 “If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. 5 If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it.”

i. You should love your enemies – they are your neighbor

IV. HOW DO WE EXPRESS OUR LOVE TOWARD THEM

1. Show Mercy – compassionate disposition

1) James 2:14-17 “14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”