“Do You Love Your Neighbor”
Luke 10:(25-29) 30-37
Introduction
· The word ‘neighbour’ is used 157 times in the Bible. Many of these references are there to give us instruction into how to deal with our neighbors. Consider these:
o Mt. 22: 36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
o Ps. 15:1-3 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
o Prov. 14: 21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
o Mt. 19: 16-19 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
* Your relationship with your neighbor is important to good. You and I will be judged, by God, on how we treated our neighbors.
I. Consider his Position, 30
A. He was an Outcast, ‘from Jerusalem to Jericho’
B. He was Out numbered, ‘fell among thieves’
C. We was Outdone, ‘wounded’
II. Consider his Opposition, 31-32
A. It came from ‘church folk’ (a certain priest, a Levite)
B. It came from uninvolved folk (when he saw, looked)
1. This means to see, with understanding
2. It’s the same word used in Mt. 2:2 in reference to the wise men ‘seeing’ the star of Bethlehem, showing where Jesus was born. They saw, and had an understand about what the star meant.
C. It came from scared folk
1. Sacred to Care
2. Sacred to Share
3. Sacred to Bear (another’s burden)
III. Consider his Recognition, 33-37
A. He was recognized by the unlovely
B. He was recognized without being judged
C. He was recognized in a tangible way
“A farm boy accidentally overturned his wagonload of corn in the road. The farmer who lived nearby came to investigate. "Hey, Willis," he called out, "forget your troubles for a spell and come on in and have dinner with us. Then I’ll help you get the wagon up." "That’s mighty nice of you," Willis answered, "But I don’t think Pa would like me to." "Aw, come on, son!" the farmer insisted. "Well, okay," the boy finally agreed. "But Pa won’t like it." After a hearty dinner, Willis thanked his host. "I feel a lot better now, but I just know Pa is going to be real upset." "Don’t be foolish!" exclaimed the neighbor. "By the way, where is he?" "Under the wagon."
Conclusion
· So, let me ask again, ‘Do You Love Your Neighbor?’
· The Bible teaches that you and I will be judged, by God, and our place in the Kingdom will be awarded based in part on the answer to this question.
· It’s a question that deserves and answer!
· It’s a question that has an answer!
