LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR
February 19, 2006 Jay Davis Robison LEVITICUS 19:13-18
Good neighbors a gift guess 1st one I remember was Mr. Kelly
Seemed to me to be nicest guy in world We even named him Mr. Greenjeans after neighbor on Capt Kangaroo
Were those who when Micki and I first moved into 1st home
Came brought cakes, & bread welcoming us to neighborhood
Probably best ones were the Tates right next door
Need to understand what it means to be good neighbor?
Jim let dog out to do its business late one night watching TV Remembered to let dog in. opened door, he was shocked!
In his dog’s mouth was his neighbor’s cat, dead!
"Bad dog! BAD DOG!" Took the cat away and looked at it.
Couldn’t bring self to tell neighbor what happened,
So took cat into bathroom washed off all blood & dirt.
It took forever; had to wash it 4 times.
He brushed beautiful white fur blow-dried it put collar on. Dark, he snuck into neighbor’s yard laid cat down on porch, in front of door. Next day saw neighbor. "Hi" neighbor said.
"Hi," Jim nervous. "Something weird happened last night."
"Oh yeah? What’s that?" asked Jim, sweating now.
"Well, my cat died yesterday, so we buried him,
and this morning he was lying on my front porch!"
Neighbors are wonderful gift, hope you have have good ones
Someone said “One cannot define one’s neighbor;
One can only be a neighbor."
What does it mean to do that?
When God teaching us how to live in community
3 Expressions of being good neighbor in Lev 19
At end of each of these said I AM THE LORD !
To be a good neighbor Follow my instructions for I am God
1. Be there FOR THOSE AT RISK
In any community are those who for various reasons at risk
God says pay special attention to those
Sadly many people like Big Daddy Warbucks from Annie
“It doesn’t matter who you run over when climbing the
ladder of success if you don’t plan on coming back down.”
God says if going to be good neighbor be there for those at risk
Vs 13-14 explains what that means 2 illustrations
Vs 13 says don’t cheat your neighbor
Tells of group of day laborers - to be paid each day.
Law said you could hold on to pay for a day
God says day laborers depend on pay today pay right away
Don’t take advantage of someone else even if it’s legal
Do we have compassion for others or take advantage
Principle here is don’t take advantage of another person’s ignorance or helplessness
what if someone gives you back too much change at Walmart
do you say, oh I got them hold on to $5 for self or be honest
Walt Kallestad Phoenix pastor said that happened to him
Went back in store waited in line told cashier
Who said I know I did that I’ve visited your church
Just wanted to see if you really believe all stuff you say
Second example of being neighbor by being there Vs 14
Like what Haddon Robinson said Your neighbor is anyone
whose need you see, whose need you are able to meet.
Show you fear God by not cursing a deaf person
If they are deaf how can you curse them?
They can’t hear you anyhow?
Point is to treat neighbor with dignity and respect
Easy to ridicule people with disabilities poke fun
vs. 14 also says don’t place stumbling block before blind
Just to make them fall,
Part of honoring God is how we treat weakest among us
Respect for God cannot be separated from respect at risk.
Mat 25 what we do to least of these we do to Christ
Do we treat everyone with dignity?
Hurts me when I hear what people say about exceptionals
Those who poke fun are handicapped
Who do you belittle?
Someone with less money, who can’t speak clearly
Someone who does not speak English? With a disability?
God says be there for those at risk
Because, You could be AT RISK ANYTIME
Reality is any of us could lose everything
People here have and listen to their lessons
Elderly Christian lady, lived next to an affirmed atheist,
Woman received a meager social security survivor’s benefit.
Although, had $$ only for most basic meal plans, daily she
would open her windows to give thanks & prayer to GOD.
Once month he SS check was over 2 weeks late, she hurting
Still praised God for taking care of this need
Her neighbor sitting on his porch and overheard her praying
"Lord although I don’t have any food but you will provide!"
Man thought great opportunity to prove to her there no God
He hurried to store, bought a carload of groceries.
At home put them on her porch, rang doorbell hid in bushes
to spring surprise. Elderly woman made her way to door.
She opened door, saw all groceries & praised God!!
Man jumped out said God is not real I bought those groceries.
old woman replied, "knew God would supply my needs, but I didn’t know he would make the devil pay for them!"
2. Beware OF HOW WE BUILD COMMUNITY
Every society and every person in society has it’s prejudices
“Blondes are all dizzy,” “Teenagers are all rebellious,”
“Preachers are lazy,” “men are pigs,” or “women are moody”
Make sweeping statements then pre-judge others
Hurts community, shows our laziness of judgment,
I love TBC take prejudices and blow them up
I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.” (1 Timothy 5:21).
Vs 15-16 example from in court justice for all
Vs 15 NLT simply says Always judge your neighbors fairly.
Goes on to say do not favor someone because poor or rich
Do we treat all people equally? so easy to show favoritism
And marginalize those on the fringe
May say "Its their fault they are poor, should work harder".
Problem is the attitude, which stops us from caring for others.
People of Israel were slaves in Egypt poor until God rescued
Principle is refrain from judging before we hear both sides
Of the story then be objective
Found my prejudices often point to my fears or weaknesses
Vs 16 Don’t spread slanderous gossip among your people
What is it about gossip that is so juicy
Why so easy to tear another down, to pick us up
Prov 20:19 NLT A gossip tells secrets, so don’t hang around
with someone who talks too much.
Do we talk about other people? Do we gossip about others?
Youth do tear each other up on cell phone or text message?
Do you know anyone who has been destroyed by gossip
Be careful how you build community
This refers to court and THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION
If you’re in a position to offer testimony on someone’s behalf you are not permitted to remain silent
1 of all-time baseball greats Babe Ruth, had lifetime 342 avg
His 714 HRs record remained unbroken until Hank Aaron
In time age took its toll popularity slipped.
Finally Yankees traded him to the Braves.
One of last games vs Cincinnati, Babe Ruth began to falter.
He struck out and made several misplays allowing Reds to score 5 runs in 1 inning.
As Babe walked toward dugout, chin down & dejected, rose from the stands an enormous storm of boos & catcalls.
"Loser!!! Get off the field! You bum! You has-been!"
Some fans shook their fists. Just then a boy jumped over railing onto playing field.
Tears streaming down face, threw arms around legs of hero. Ruth didn’t hesitate for one second. He picked up the boy.
He hugged him set him down on his feet patted his head.
2 of them walked off field together. hush fell over the park.
We also called to take such unpopular steps
Stand for what is fair and right for neighbor
Isa 58:10 NCV If you feed those who are hungry
and take care of the needs of those who are troubled, then
your light will shine in the darkness, and you will be bright
like sunshine at noon."
3. Dare TO CARE ABOUT PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
How much of society is broken by fractured personal r-ships?
Dear Abby be out of business tomorrow if r-ships better
Be a good neighbor, care not just for at risk
Don’t just ensure fairness in courts
But Dare to Care about personal relationships
Vs 17-18 gets personal sets context if relative personal r-ship
Easy for us to say I love everybody & neglect those closest to us in church or family Healthy r-ships vs 17-18
* NOT NURSING HATRED
If been close to anyone long in family or work or church
They have done things wrong to you, do you keep list?
Nursing a grudge causes anger to seethe into hate
hate grows like bitter root. Better to say it and get in open.
Move beyond the hate to deal with the hurt
* DIRECT CONFRONTATION
Be frank and honest. Value r-ship enough to confront
people appreciate honesty not in hate but in love.
Amazing when we talk to people how things can be resolved.
Eph 4:15 says in church should be speaking the truth in love,
we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, Note it’s truth in love not sledgehammer r-ship
* LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
Means take self seriously enough to have positive r-ships
with others why Jesus told us keep relationships clear good
Charles Brent Intercessory prayer might be defined as loving our neighbor on our knees. Charles Brent
If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:18 NRSV
How we TREAT OTHERS reflects HOW WE TREAT GOD
Remember God’s love for you and His love for others - the needy, the alien his enemies. May we experience His love and share it.
A neighbor is someone who says, "What is mine is God’s and what is God’s belongs to my neighbor because my neighbor belongs to Him." (Larson)
LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR
February 19, 2006 Jay Davis Robison LEVITICUS 19:13-18
“One cannot define one’s neighbor;
One can only be a neighbor."
I AM THE LORD !
1. Be there
“It doesn’t matter who you run over when climbing the ladder of success if you don’t plan on coming back down.” Big Daddy Warbucks
Your neighbor is anyone whose need you see,
whose need you are able to meet. Haddon Robinson
You could be
2. Beware
Always judge your neighbors fairly. . . Vs 15 NLT
A gossip tells secrets, so don’t hang around
with someone who talks too much. Prov 20:19 NLT
This refers to court and
3. Dare
Healthy personal relationships come from
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If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:18 NRSV
How we reflects
