Redefining Neighbor: Embracing Mercy and Responsibility
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. It's wonderful to see you all on this beautiful last Sunday of July. Today, I want to talk about the question, "Who is my neighbor?" and explore its deeper meaning through the lens of Luke 10. We often think of our neighbors as those who live next to us, but Jesus challenges us to broaden our understanding. Your neighbor could be anyone in need, regardless of their proximity to you.
In Luke 10, an expert in the law asks Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan. This story highlights four key narratives: tragedy, apathy, responsibility, and mercy. The traveler on the road to Jericho represents the story of tragedy, as he is beaten and left for dead. The priest and the Levite, who pass by without helping, embody the story of apathy. They see the need but choose to step around it rather than into it. The expert in the law represents the story of responsibility, as he tries to justify himself and avoid the duty of helping others. Finally, the Good Samaritan exemplifies the story of mercy, as he goes out of his way to help the injured man, showing compassion and generosity.
Jesus uses this parable to teach us that our neighbor is anyone we encounter who is in need. It's not about geographical proximity but about the divine appointments God places in our lives. We are called to step into these moments of need, even when it's inconvenient or costly. The Good Samaritan didn't just see the need; he acted on it, providing care and resources without expecting anything in return.
As we go about our daily lives, we must keep our eyes, ears, and hearts open to the needs around us. Whether it's a financial need, emotional support, or spiritual guidance, we have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Let's not let apathy take root in our hearts. Instead, let's embrace the responsibility and privilege of being a neighbor to those in need.
### Key Takeaways
1. Redefining "Neighbor": A neighbor is not just someone who lives next to you but anyone in need whom you encounter. This broader definition challenges us to be more aware and responsive to the needs around us. [45:57]
2. The Story of Tragedy: The traveler on the road to Jericho represents the brokenness and hurt caused by sin in our world. We are surrounded by people who are victims of various forms of tragedy, and these are opportunities for us to extend God's mercy. [53:28]
3. The Story of Apathy: The priest and the Levite in the parable symbolize the danger of apathy. They saw the need but chose to step around it. We must guard our hearts against apathy and be willing to step into the needs we encounter, even when it's inconvenient. [59:50]
4. The Story of Responsibility: The expert in the law tried to avoid the responsibility of helping others by asking, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus teaches us that loving our neighbor is a fundamental part of inheriting eternal life. We must accept the responsibility of these divine appointments. [01:05:21]
5. The Story of Mercy: The Good Samaritan exemplifies true mercy by going out of his way to help the injured man. He didn't just see the need; he acted on it, providing care and resources without expecting anything in return. This is the kind of mercy we are called to show. [01:14:57]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[38:17] - Community and Fellowship
[38:53] - Missions Giving Update
[39:35] - Vision of Generosity
[40:15] - Introduction to "Who is My Neighbor?"
[41:06] - Personal Neighbor Stories
[42:34] - Defining Neighbor
[45:57] - Broader Definition of Neighbor
[47:13] - The Expert's Question
[48:48] - Jesus' Response
[50:47] - Divine Appointments
[52:09] - Four Stories in the Parable
[53:28] - The Story of Tragedy
[58:56] - The Story of Apathy
[01:02:44] - The Story of Responsibility
[01:10:39] - The Story of Mercy
[01:20:28] - Demonstrating the Gospel
[01:21:28] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Luke 10:25-37 (The Parable of the Good Samaritan)
### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, who are the four main characters, and what roles do they play? [52:09]
2. What specific actions did the Good Samaritan take to help the injured man? [01:13:58]
3. How did the priest and the Levite respond when they saw the injured man, and what might this indicate about their attitudes? [58:56]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose a Samaritan as the hero of the parable, considering the cultural context between Jews and Samaritans? [01:11:36]
2. How does the expert in the law's question, "Who is my neighbor?" reveal his understanding of responsibility and compassion? [48:48]
3. What does the parable suggest about the nature of true mercy and compassion, especially in the context of inconvenience and cost? [01:14:57]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you encountered someone in need. How did you respond, and what might you do differently after hearing this sermon? [01:09:00]
2. The sermon emphasized the danger of apathy. What are some practical steps you can take to guard your heart against apathy and be more responsive to the needs around you? [59:50]
3. Think about a time when you felt justified in not helping someone in need. How does the story of the expert in the law challenge that justification? [01:03:50]
4. The Good Samaritan provided care and resources without expecting anything in return. Identify a specific way you can show this kind of mercy to someone in your community this week. [01:14:57]
5. The sermon mentioned "divine appointments" where God places people in our path who need help. How can you be more attentive to these moments in your daily life? [47:13]
6. Discuss a time when helping someone was inconvenient or costly for you. How did you feel afterward, and what did you learn from that experience? [01:00:37]
7. How can you cultivate a mindset that sees everyone you encounter as a potential neighbor, regardless of their proximity or relationship to you? [45:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Redefining "Neighbor"
Our understanding of who our neighbor is often limited to those who live near us or those we know personally. However, Jesus challenges this narrow view in the parable of the Good Samaritan. He teaches that our neighbor is anyone we encounter who is in need, regardless of their proximity or relationship to us. This broader definition calls us to be more aware and responsive to the needs around us, seeing every person as a potential neighbor deserving of our love and compassion. By expanding our definition of "neighbor," we open our hearts to the divine appointments God places in our lives, allowing us to be instruments of His mercy and love.
[45:57]
Luke 6:32-33 (ESV): "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same."
Reflection: Think of someone outside your immediate circle who might be in need. How can you extend your love and compassion to them today, treating them as your neighbor?
Day 2: The Story of Tragedy
The traveler on the road to Jericho represents the brokenness and hurt caused by sin in our world. He was beaten and left for dead, a victim of tragedy. This story reminds us that we are surrounded by people who are suffering in various ways—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These moments of tragedy are opportunities for us to extend God's mercy and love. By recognizing the brokenness around us, we can be more intentional in offering support and care to those who are hurting, becoming a source of healing and hope in their lives.
[53:28]
Psalm 34:18 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: Identify someone in your life who is experiencing a form of tragedy. How can you be a source of God's mercy and support to them today?
Day 3: The Story of Apathy
The priest and the Levite in the parable symbolize the danger of apathy. They saw the need but chose to step around it rather than into it. This story serves as a warning against allowing apathy to take root in our hearts. We must guard against indifference and be willing to step into the needs we encounter, even when it is inconvenient or costly. By overcoming apathy, we can become active participants in God's work, showing His love and compassion to those in need.
[59:50]
James 2:15-17 (ESV): "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you felt apathetic towards someone's need. What steps can you take to ensure you respond with compassion and action the next time you encounter a similar situation?
Day 4: The Story of Responsibility
The expert in the law tried to avoid the responsibility of helping others by asking, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus teaches us that loving our neighbor is a fundamental part of inheriting eternal life. We must accept the responsibility of these divine appointments and be willing to act on them. This story challenges us to embrace the duty of helping others, recognizing that it is an essential aspect of our faith and relationship with God.
[01:05:21]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Consider a responsibility you have been avoiding. How can you take a step today to fulfill this duty and show love to your neighbor?
Day 5: The Story of Mercy
The Good Samaritan exemplifies true mercy by going out of his way to help the injured man. He didn't just see the need; he acted on it, providing care and resources without expecting anything in return. This is the kind of mercy we are called to show. By embodying the mercy of the Good Samaritan, we can reflect God's love and compassion in our actions, making a tangible difference in the lives of those around us.
[01:14:57]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: Think of a recent opportunity where you could have shown mercy but didn't. How can you prepare yourself to act with mercy the next time you encounter someone in need?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I really do believe that part of the, the vision of God's kingdom is in terms of the blessing. It really comes from generosity as we have been leaning into missions and leaning into church planting as well through our multi-site, we've just been really open-handed and we have been sending so much out for his work. And yet the more we send out, the more it seems like God blesses us in return." [39:35] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "A neighbor is somebody that's in proximity to us in a particular moment when our eyes see and our ears hear and our heart discerns and understands that they're in a particular place of need and perhaps God has called us into a divine appointment to cross paths with them because we have something that they need." [47:13] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "For as long as sin and the curse of sin exists on this world, there will be hurt, there will be division, there will be racism, there will be adultery, there will be lying, there will be cheating, there will be stealing, there will be all sorts of dark human behaviors that will leave hurting and broken people in the wake of their addictions and their pain and everything else. And God is calling the church to make more neighbors." [57:22] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "It is always the right time to do the right thing. It's always the right time to do the right thing. And accept the responsibility. Not. Try to shake it off. Like the expert of law." [01:10:39] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "My heart for all of us is to ask two questions today. Number one. Who is my neighbor? And to live a life that continues to ask that question. Number two. Perhaps we can ask the question. Who am I most like in this story right now?" [01:18:27] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I think your neighbor can be someone. That. Needs. something that you have somebody who's broken somebody who's hurting somebody who is that anxious or afraid or at unrest or in physical need and their body or emotional need or relational need or financial needs and for whatever reason they've fallen into some difficult times in their life and they can't find their way out on their own and they need someone else to step in to their life and provide something and share something to help lift them out of that difficult season that they're in." [45:57] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "How many times will you and I, over the course of this year, cross paths with someone who's in need? And we have the time to give. We have the consolation and peace and comfort to give. We have the money to give, to lift them out of something. We have an opportunity to give. We have the truth of the gospel to give. Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you." [50:47] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The good Samaritan, who actually stopped, probably asked himself, what will happen to this man if I don't stop? What would happen to this man if I don't stop and help? Which leads to that, like, crossing point for us to ask, like, where is my heart in all of this?" [01:02:44] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You want to inherit eternal life? Give God all of who you are. All of your heart. All your soul. All your mind. All your strength. And make sure you know who your neighbors are. So when you come across a neighbor moment. That you actually step in. And you accept the responsibility of that divine appointment." [01:05:21] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Please do not allow our minds. To get myopic about this parable. And think that it only applies. To someone who has. No home to sleep in. Or food on their table. That is an incredibly important aspect of this. But it's not limited to that. There are all sorts of. Neighbor opportunities. Where somebody is. There's something that they need. And you have what they need. And God has called you. To cross paths with them. For such a time as that very particular moment." [01:10:04] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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