Who Is My Neighbor?

Introduction:

John 13:34-35 – a new commandment. What exactly is new here? Mosaic principles told Jews to love their neighbor (Lev. 19:18; Deut. 6:5). In the kind of love Jesus is talking about, we see a deeper intensity and a love that is self-abandoning & self sacrificing.  A goal we need to have is to increase love and godly behavior. We increase love when we realize that good deeds & good will are tangible evidence of God’s saving power at working w/in us. Love & good deeds will spring forth from a heart that is growing toward God.

I.  Do This and You Will Live – Lk. 10:25-29.

A. 10:25-27 - Here Jesus makes the connection between behavior, eternal life, and love.

B. Love is not regarded by Jesus as just a warm feeling or a compassionate tear…

1. These principles were a directive for action and a principle for behavior.

2. Do that and you will live.

C. But…can it really be that simple?

II. Who is my neighbor? Luke 10:30-37.

A. 10:30 – man ambushed, beaten, stabbed, robbed, and stripped of all belongings, left for dead. He will die if someone does not arrive to help him.

B. 10:31 – priest comes by. Notices victim, but passes by on the other side. Why?

1. The man is still there. He will die if someone does not arrive to help him.

C. 10:32 – Levite comes by. Does nothing. Why?

1. He will die if someone does not arrive to help him.

D. 10:33-35 – A Samaritan…

1. Samaritans had no respect for God or the temple.

2. 10:33-35 – this person’s actions are recorded for us.

E. 10:36 – Jesus now has a neighbor question of his own for the lawyer…

1. 10:37 – expert…offended by Jesus’ usage of Samaritan in story…can’t even use the word…

III. Two Responses:

A. 10:37 – Expert’s response to Jesus question is: The one who did mercy.

1. Jesus then says, Go and do the same.

B. In effect, Jesus invalidates the question “who is my neighbor?”

1. If one has love, one does not choose his neighbor; he chooses to be a neighbor!

2. Christ like love does not ask “who is my neighbor.”  Rather it is active…Go and do the same!

C. Doing mercy, love, and good deeds aren’t so we will get saved.

1. We do what we are.  Love and good deeds spring out of a changed heart.

D. If we have to ask “who is my neighbor?” then we do not understand love!

Conclusion:

A. Who do you identify with today?

1. Can you identify with the priest and Levite?

2. Can you identify with the victim of the robbers, or every broken person you encounter?

3. Can you identify with the Samaritan?

B. Didn’t the Samaritan do just what Jesus would do?