Being a Neighbor: Embracing God's Call to Action
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound teachings of Jesus through the parable of the Good Samaritan, as found in Luke 10:25-37. This story challenges us to ask the right questions in our spiritual journey and daily lives. The lawyer in the passage sought to justify himself by asking, "Who is my neighbor?" But Jesus redirected the focus, emphasizing the importance of being a neighbor to others. This shift in perspective is crucial for us as followers of Christ. We are called to love and serve others selflessly, breaking down barriers and extending compassion beyond our comfort zones.
Reflecting on my own journey, I shared how Jesus transformed my life from skepticism to faith. This transformation is a testament to the power of the gospel, which addresses the internal struggles that manifest as external conflicts in our world. The gospel is not just a message to be kept within the walls of the church; it is a call to action, urging us to engage with the world and be agents of change.
We must recognize that our lives are not our own. Our purpose extends beyond personal ambitions and desires. By living with open hands, we allow God to work through us, using our lives for His greater purpose. This requires us to be willing to be interrupted, to create margin in our lives for God to perform the miraculous. It's in these moments of divine interruption that we often find the greatest opportunities to serve and love others.
Furthermore, following God comes with a cost. It demands that we give up our preconceived notions and embrace the life He has planned for us. This involves asking the right questions, not seeking to justify ourselves, but seeking to understand how we can be a neighbor to those around us. The church is called to be a city on a hill, a beacon of hope and love in a world that desperately needs Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- Ask the Right Questions: Instead of asking "Who is my neighbor?" we should ask, "How can I be a neighbor to others?" This shift in perspective challenges us to extend love and compassion beyond our comfort zones, embodying the teachings of Jesus in our daily lives. [07:34]
- Life is Not Our Own: Our purpose is greater than personal ambitions. By living with open hands, we allow God to use us for His greater purpose, impacting the world around us. This requires a willingness to let go of our desires and embrace God's plan. [20:55]
- Create Margin for the Miraculous: We must be willing to be interrupted and create space in our lives for God to work. It's in these moments of divine interruption that we often find the greatest opportunities to serve and love others. [29:41]
- The Cost of Following God: Embracing the life God has planned for us involves giving up our preconceived notions and embracing His purpose. This requires asking the right questions and being willing to pay the price of discipleship. [35:27]
- Be a City on a Hill: The church is called to be a beacon of hope and love in a world that desperately needs Jesus. By living out the teachings of Jesus, we can transform our communities and be agents of change. [36:55]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:32] - Introduction to the Good Samaritan
[04:37] - The Lawyer's Question
[06:48] - The Parable of the Good Samaritan
[07:34] - Who is My Neighbor?
[08:28] - Personal Testimony
[09:35] - The Power of the Gospel
[12:17] - Prayer and Reflection
[12:59] - Engaging with the World
[15:22] - The Importance of Meta-Narratives
[18:28] - Life is Not Our Own
[20:55] - Living with Open Hands
[22:21] - You Are Not the Hero
[23:37] - Asking the Right Questions in Marriage
[26:20] - Willingness to be Interrupted
[29:41] - Creating Margin for Miracles
[34:10] - The Cost of Following God
[35:27] - Changing the Question
[36:55] - Being a City on a Hill
[37:58] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 10:25-37
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Observation Questions:
1. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, what actions did the Samaritan take that demonstrated compassion and mercy? [06:48]
2. How did Jesus respond to the lawyer's question about inheriting eternal life, and what was the lawyer's follow-up question? [04:37]
3. What was the significance of the lawyer's attempt to justify himself by asking, "Who is my neighbor?" [07:34]
4. How did the priest and the Levite respond to the man in need, and what might this indicate about their priorities? [06:48]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the parable of the Good Samaritan teach about the nature of true neighborly love and compassion? [07:34]
2. How does the lawyer's question reflect a common human tendency to limit our responsibilities to others? [04:37]
3. In what ways does the story challenge the listener to reconsider their own biases and boundaries in showing love to others? [07:34]
4. How does the sermon suggest that the gospel addresses internal struggles that manifest as external conflicts in the world? [09:35]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you were like the priest or Levite, too busy or preoccupied to help someone in need. What could you do differently next time? [26:20]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions. What are some questions you might be asking yourself that limit your ability to love others? [35:27]
3. How can you create more margin in your life to allow for divine interruptions and opportunities to serve others? [29:41]
4. The sermon discusses the cost of following God. What are some preconceived notions or personal ambitions you might need to let go of to embrace God's plan for your life? [34:10]
5. Consider how you can be a "city on a hill" in your community. What specific actions can you take to be a beacon of hope and love to those around you? [36:55]
6. Think of someone in your life who might be considered an "enemy" or difficult to love. How can you apply the teachings of the Good Samaritan to your relationship with them? [36:13]
7. The sermon mentions living with open hands. What is one area of your life where you need to trust God more and be willing to let go? [20:55]
Devotional
Day 1: Shifting Our Perspective to Serve Others
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus challenges us to shift our perspective from asking "Who is my neighbor?" to "How can I be a neighbor to others?" This change in focus encourages us to extend love and compassion beyond our comfort zones, embodying the teachings of Jesus in our daily lives. By doing so, we break down barriers and serve others selflessly, as Jesus taught. This perspective shift is not just a call to action but a call to transformation, urging us to see every person as deserving of love and kindness, regardless of their background or circumstances. [07:34]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone outside your usual circle who might need your help or kindness today. How can you be a neighbor to them in a practical way?
Day 2: Living with Open Hands for God's Purpose
Our lives are not our own; they are meant for a greater purpose beyond personal ambitions. By living with open hands, we allow God to use us for His greater purpose, impacting the world around us. This requires a willingness to let go of our desires and embrace God's plan, trusting that His purpose for us is far greater than anything we could imagine. When we surrender our lives to God, we become instruments of His love and grace, ready to serve wherever He leads us. [20:55]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one personal ambition or desire you need to surrender to God today? How can you begin to live with open hands, allowing Him to guide your path?
Day 3: Creating Space for Divine Interruptions
We must be willing to be interrupted and create space in our lives for God to work. It's in these moments of divine interruption that we often find the greatest opportunities to serve and love others. By creating margin in our lives, we allow God to perform the miraculous, using us as vessels of His love and grace. This requires intentionality and a readiness to embrace the unexpected, trusting that God’s plans are always for our good and His glory. [29:41]
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can create more margin in your life this week to be open to God's divine interruptions? How can you prepare yourself to embrace the unexpected opportunities to serve others?
Day 4: Embracing the Cost of Discipleship
Following God comes with a cost. It demands that we give up our preconceived notions and embrace the life He has planned for us. This involves asking the right questions and being willing to pay the price of discipleship. By surrendering our own plans and desires, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's purpose for our lives. This journey of faith requires courage and commitment, but the rewards of living in alignment with God's will are immeasurable. [35:27]
"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:38-39, ESV)
Reflection: What preconceived notion or personal plan do you need to let go of to fully embrace God's purpose for your life? How can you begin to take steps toward this today?
Day 5: Being a Beacon of Hope and Love
The church is called to be a city on a hill, a beacon of hope and love in a world that desperately needs Jesus. By living out the teachings of Jesus, we can transform our communities and be agents of change. This involves not only sharing the gospel but also embodying it through acts of love, kindness, and service. As followers of Christ, we are called to shine His light in the darkness, offering hope and healing to those around us. [36:55]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you be a beacon of hope and love in your community this week? What specific action can you take to shine the light of Christ in the lives of those around you?
Quotes
"And Jesus doesn't directly answer. He actually helps the lawyer come to his own conclusion. And he tells this really famous parable. And it says this, a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and he fell among robbers, stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now, by chance, a priest was going down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side." [00:06:22] (26 seconds)
"I was maybe an outcast. I was a skeptic. I was an enemy of God. And Jesus came into my life. His spirit touched me and the kindness of God led to repentance. And I have been changed forever. I cannot deny it. And I believe that this is the greatest thing that we could ever do. When I was in high school, I wanted to be a politician because I thought that was the most good I could do. Now I've... I want to be an entrepreneur because I believe that that's a lot of value. That's the way I can add a lot of value." [00:08:31] (30 seconds)
"In order to live in the radical love and service God calls us to, we have to recognize that our life is not our own. Your life was meant to be greater than just serving yourself. Your purpose is more than about you. I'm not saying that you have to live in the radical love and service that God calls us to do. I have met with so many people over the years who feel directionless. They feel apathetic. They feel like they just can't get anything right." [00:18:28] (35 seconds)
"God is a good father who wants to give you things. He wants to give you a new purpose. He wants to give you a new calling. He wants to give you the family that you want, and he wants to give you the dreams that you want, but only if it's in his time, in his purpose, in his plan. And you can't give it to you if your hand is closed, holding onto the dream that you think that you should have. And so we have to understand that our life is not, our own. That is one of the implications of the story." [00:20:55] (29 seconds)
"You have to make margin in your life for God to work in it. I remember I was meeting with some, with a pastor who I deeply respected. And this was back in the day. And I was like, yo, I'm going to build the biggest church. Like I build the church, you know, like pastors build the church. It's like, I'm going to build the biggest church. Like, how can I do that? You know? And I was asking him, I was at coffee with him. And I'm like, hey, like, help me. I want to be famous. You know, I want to be, I know, embarrassing. So embarrassing. I want to reach celebrities for Jesus. You know, I want to be at the party with Justin Bieber, you know, like so dumb. I'm sorry. But, and, and, you know, I was meeting with this guy and he was like, after 40 minutes of me talking like about how I want to reach celebrities, how I want to be famous and platforming me is the greatest thing that could happen since sliced white bread." [00:28:43] (51 seconds)
"Following God is not safe. It's actually super fun and exciting, exciting, but there is a cost to following him. You see, when the lawyer was trying to make God in his own image, he was not willing to still give up his idea of the gospel and his idea of what God is trying to do in his own life. You see, here's the mathematics of the gospel." [00:34:18] (27 seconds)
"You give up everything that you were never meant to have. You give up everything that you were never meant to be. You give up every single part of your life. You give up everything that you that God had never intended for your life to gain in Jesus everything that you were meant to have, everything that you were meant to be, the life that you were created to live." [00:34:45] (21 seconds)
"You see, instead of asking who my neighbor is, you need to ask, how am I to be a neighbor to others? We are called to radically love and serve our world and dare I say, change it. God's church is the primary agent of change. We have the greatest message, the greatest hope, the greatest power that has ever walked this earth. The spirit of the living God lives inside of us. He's changed my life. He's changed hundreds of people's lives in here. So why would we keep that to ourselves?" [00:36:24] (35 seconds)
"That is how you love your enemies. That is how you love the unbeliever. You go into the world and you be an example. Some of the early church fathers said that our church is going to be a city on a hill. And let me tell you something. I am nothing but a beggar telling other beggars where to find bread. You have to let them know where to find the eternal life -giving source." [00:37:11] (26 seconds)
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