Redefining Love: The Call to Be Neighbors

Devotional

Day 1: Redefining Our Neighbors

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus challenges us to expand our understanding of who our neighbors are. This story is not just about compassion but about breaking down the barriers that society often builds. The Samaritan, who was considered an outsider, becomes the hero by showing love and kindness to someone in need, regardless of their differences. This radical redefinition of neighbor calls us to love without limits, reflecting God's inclusive love. We are encouraged to see beyond ethnicity, proximity, and familiarity, and to embrace a broader, more inclusive view of community. [29:33]

"And he answered, 'You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself.' And he said to him, 'You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.'" (Luke 10:27-28, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life have you overlooked as a neighbor because of differences in background or beliefs? How can you reach out to them in love today?

Day 2: Love in Action

True love for God is demonstrated through our actions towards others. It's not enough to feel compassion; we must act on it. The Good Samaritan didn't just feel pity for the injured man; he took action to help him. This active love is what transforms lives and communities. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones and meet the needs of those around us, even when it's inconvenient. By doing so, we reflect the love of God in a tangible way, showing that our faith is alive and active. [17:58]

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror." (James 1:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to demonstrate love to someone in need? How can you make this a regular practice in your life?

Day 3: Embracing Unexpected Heroes

The story of the Good Samaritan and personal experiences remind us that help can come from unexpected sources. The Samaritan, an unlikely hero, teaches us to be open to receiving and giving love across cultural and religious lines. We often have preconceived notions about who can be a source of help or kindness, but God works through all people. By embracing this truth, we can break down barriers and build bridges of understanding and compassion. [07:21]

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a time when you received help from an unexpected source. How can you be open to both giving and receiving love from those who are different from you?

Day 4: Faith in Practice

Faith becomes alive when we step out and meet the needs around us. It's in the doing, not just the believing, that we experience the fullness of our faith. The Good Samaritan's actions exemplify this truth, as he didn't just pass by the injured man but took the time and effort to care for him. Our faith calls us to be active participants in God's work, to be His hands and feet in a world that desperately needs His touch. By putting our faith into practice, we not only help others but also grow in our relationship with God. [37:04]

"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can put your faith into practice more actively? How can you take a step towards doing that today?

Day 5: Be the Change

We are called to be the kind of people who are impossible not to like, those who influence the world through love and compassion. By embodying the Samaritan's example, we can change the world. This means being proactive in our love, seeking out opportunities to serve, and being a positive influence in our communities. As we strive to be the change we wish to see, we reflect the heart of God and inspire others to do the same. [37:53]

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can be a positive influence in your community this week? How can you let your light shine in a way that points others to God?

Sermon Summary

Taking a deep breath, I reflect on the essence of today's message. The story of the Good Samaritan is not just a tale of compassion but a radical call to redefine who our neighbors are and how we should love them. In a world that often draws lines and builds walls, Jesus challenges us to expand our understanding of neighbor beyond ethnicity, proximity, and familiarity. The Samaritan, an unlikely hero in the eyes of Jesus' audience, exemplifies the boundless love that God calls us to embody. This love is not just a feeling but an action—a commitment to meet needs, to step into the lives of others, and to do so without hesitation or prejudice.

The story I shared about my own experience, where a stranger named Muhammad went out of his way to help me, mirrors the parable's message. It reminds us that acts of kindness and compassion can come from unexpected places and people. These moments are unforgettable because they reflect the heart of God—a heart that sees beyond our divisions and calls us to do the same.

Jesus' teaching is clear: love for God is demonstrated through love for others. This is not a passive love but an active, intentional, and sometimes inconvenient love. It is a love that sees a need and meets it, that recognizes the humanity in every person, and that refuses to be limited by societal norms or personal biases. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be doers, not just believers. We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in a world that desperately needs His touch.

Key Takeaways

1. Redefining Neighbor: Jesus redefines the concept of a neighbor, expanding it beyond ethnic and social boundaries. Our neighbor is anyone in need, regardless of their background or beliefs. This challenges us to love without limits, reflecting God's inclusive love. [29:33]
2. Love in Action: True love for God is demonstrated through our actions towards others. It's not enough to feel compassion; we must act on it. This active love is what transforms lives and communities. [17:58]
3. Unexpected Heroes: The story of the Good Samaritan and my own experience with Muhammad remind us that help can come from unexpected sources. We should be open to receiving and giving love across cultural and religious lines. [07:21]
4. Faith in Practice: Faith becomes alive when we step out and meet the needs around us. It's in the doing, not just the believing, that we experience the fullness of our faith. [37:04]
5. Be the Change: We are called to be the kind of people who are impossible not to like, those who influence the world through love and compassion. By embodying the Samaritan's example, we can change the world. [37:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - The Unforgettable Act of Kindness
[00:44] - A Personal Story of Need
[03:15] - A Prayer for Safety
[06:56] - Saved by Muhammad
[09:08] - Investigating Jesus
[12:23] - Luke's Account of Jesus
[15:13] - The Lawyer's Test
[17:47] - Love for God and Others
[21:34] - The Good Samaritan Parable
[25:01] - The Samaritan's Compassion
[29:33] - Redefining Neighbor
[33:31] - Go and Do Likewise
[37:53] - Be the Samaritan
[38:17] - Conclusion and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What question does the lawyer ask Jesus, and how does Jesus initially respond? ([15:31])
How does Jesus use the parable of the Good Samaritan to redefine the concept of a neighbor? ([29:33])
What actions did the Samaritan take to help the injured man, and how do these actions contrast with those of the religious figures in the story? ([27:28])
How does the lawyer respond to Jesus' question about who was a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers? ([32:54])

Interpretation Questions

Why might Jesus have chosen a Samaritan as the hero of the parable, and what does this choice reveal about God's view of societal boundaries? ([25:01])
How does the parable illustrate the idea that love for God is demonstrated through love for others? ([17:58])
In what ways does the parable challenge the lawyer's attempt to justify himself, and what does this suggest about the nature of true neighborly love? ([19:18])
How does the story of the Good Samaritan reflect the broader mission of Jesus as described in the sermon? ([12:39])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you received help from an unexpected source. How did that experience shape your understanding of who your neighbor is? ([07:21])
Consider the societal or personal boundaries that might prevent you from loving others as yourself. What steps can you take to overcome these barriers? ([29:33])
Identify a need in your community that you can meet. What practical steps can you take this week to address that need? ([33:31])
How can you actively demonstrate love for God through your actions towards others in your daily life? ([17:58])
Think about a person or group you find difficult to love. What specific actions can you take to show compassion and kindness to them, following the example of the Good Samaritan? ([25:01])
How can you be more open to receiving help from unexpected sources, and how might this openness change your perspective on community and support? ([07:21])
In what ways can you be a "doer" of faith rather than just a believer, and how might this shift impact your spiritual journey? ([37:04])

Sermon Clips

They saw you in need and they saw a need and they just met it. They saw that something needed to be done and they just stepped up and they did it. And they didn't just walk by and talk themselves out of it. When you have an experience like that, and we've all had those experiences I hope. [00:00:24]

And the moral of the story is when stuff like that happens, I know that's kind of dramatic. You just don't forget people like that because they came to the rescue. Now, some of you are listening to that story and you're thinking, Andy, that's pretty dramatic. But you know what? [00:08:05]

And the whole idea of the kingdom of God, Jesus presenting the kingdom of God. This represents the reign and the rule of God. And Luke says this is what was so amazing about Jesus. When Jesus talked about God's rule either on earth or over the life of a person, it was inviting. [00:13:02]

That every one was endowed with certain inherent worth, that everybody had value that everybody was made in the image of God. And that the caste system or the caste type systems that again permeated ancient time world and permeate parts of the world today. Jesus had no patience for that. [00:13:58]

His point was that love for God is demonstrated by love for others. That love for God, this was Jesus, the point of his ministry. This is why it's good news. This is why the reign and rule of God is not something to be resisted. That love for God is demonstrated by love for others. [00:17:49]

And then, once again, in typical Jesus fashion, Jesus didn't answer the question he asked. Jesus answers the question that he should have asked. Because the real question isn't who is my neighbor, the real question that Jesus wanted him to understand was this question. What does neighbor love look like? [00:21:55]

And then Jesus makes this Samaritan out to be the extra mile, are you kidding me, who would even think about doing that variety of hero. In fact, there are six and I counted six, there may be more, six or more expressions of compassion. So Jesus just, he's just packing it on. [00:27:14]

And Jesus does all of that for every generation and in every nation with one perfectly timed, perfectly created, perfectly delivered question. And it's a question that forces me. And it's a question that forces you. And it's a question that forces everybody everywhere to examine their hearts, our hearts. [00:30:20]

Do you wanna participate in the kingdom of God on earth? Do you wanna live your life in sync with God's activity in the world? Do you wanna see thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth right now in your earth on your world as it is in heaven he would say to his audience. [00:33:43]

He has plenty of admirers. He has plenty of believers, he needs doers, because it's the doers that change the world. It's the doers, not even the prayers that change. You can walk by a wounded man and pray that somebody will stop and help him. And that is not loving the Lord your God. [00:36:54]

You wanna see changes? Very simple, Jesus gave us the formula. He wraps it up in that horrible, wonderful question. You wanna see for those of you if faith has gotten boring for you. Church has gotten boring for you. In fact one of the reasons you're losing faith is 'cause there's just nothing to it. [00:36:59]

Let's be those people. Let's be that person. Let's be the Samaritan. Let's change the world. And we will pick it up right there next time in part five of "Investigating Jesus." Here's how we know. And here's why we follow. [00:38:44]

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