Redefining Neighborliness: Love Beyond Boundaries
Summary
In this Lenten season, we embark on a journey of reflection and transformation, focusing on the theme "Everything In Between." Today, we delve into the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan, a story that challenges us to redefine our understanding of who our neighbor is. As we gather in worship, we are reminded of the call to love and mercy, to open our eyes and hearts to those around us, and to follow the example of the Good Samaritan by binding up wounds and lifting the weary.
The parable begins with a lawyer questioning Jesus about inheriting eternal life, leading to the profound question, "Who is my neighbor?" This question is not just about identifying those we are comfortable with but challenges us to extend our compassion beyond boundaries. The story of the Good Samaritan, where a Samaritan becomes the hero, was controversial in its time, as it broke societal norms and prejudices. It calls us to see the face of a neighbor in every stranger, to break down the walls that divide us, and to act with mercy and love.
In today's world, filled with division and suspicion, we are often tempted to create exceptions to love. We seek loopholes to justify our actions or inactions. However, Jesus abolishes these loopholes, urging us to measure our neighborliness not by who aligns with us but by whom we serve. The boundary between stranger and neighbor is fluid, defined by our willingness to show mercy.
As we navigate this Lenten journey, we are called to reverse the question from "What will happen to me if I stop?" to "What will happen to them if I don't?" This shift in perspective encourages us to extend compassion in everyday decisions, not just in grand acts of heroism. We are challenged to act as neighbors to strangers, to love as we have been loved, and to include as we have been included.
In this deeply divided world, let us begin this journey by asking ourselves if we have acted as neighbors to the stranger or allowed fear to draw lines where Jesus calls for love. May we continuously expand our understanding of who our neighbor is, embracing all as God's children.
Key Takeaways:
1. Redefining Neighborliness: The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to redefine who our neighbor is, urging us to extend love and compassion beyond societal boundaries and prejudices. It calls us to see every stranger as a neighbor, breaking down the walls that divide us. [49:42]
2. Abolishing Loopholes: We often seek loopholes to justify our actions or inactions, but Jesus calls us to abolish these exceptions and measure our neighborliness by whom we serve, not by who aligns with us. This requires a shift in perspective and a commitment to love without boundaries. [58:47]
3. Reversing the Question: Instead of asking, "What will happen to me if I stop?" we are encouraged to ask, "What will happen to them if I don't?" This reversal challenges us to prioritize the needs of others and extend compassion in everyday decisions. [56:08]
4. Embracing Uncomfortable Places: Following Jesus may lead us to uncomfortable places, where we must act against societal currents and extend love to those we may not agree with. This journey requires courage and a willingness to embrace all as God's children. [53:28]
5. Living Out Love and Mercy: As we journey through Lent, we are called to live out the love and mercy we have received, acting as neighbors to strangers and extending grace in all interactions. This involves daily opportunities to be disciples of Christ, loving others as we have been loved. [01:08:51]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Lent and 40 Days of Sharing
- [02:00] - Responsive Reading and Call to Worship
- [04:00] - Affirmation of Faith with the Apostles' Creed
- [06:00] - Prayer and Reflection
- [08:00] - Introduction to the Good Samaritan Parable
- [10:00] - The Lawyer's Question and Jesus' Response
- [12:00] - The Controversy of the Good Samaritan
- [14:00] - Who is My Neighbor?
- [16:00] - Breaking Down Walls and Boundaries
- [18:00] - Reversing the Question
- [20:00] - Embracing Uncomfortable Places
- [22:00] - Living Out Love and Mercy
- [24:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
- [26:00] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 10:25-37 (The Parable of the Good Samaritan)
2. Matthew 22:37-39 (The Greatest Commandment)
3. Galatians 5:14 (The Law Fulfilled in Love)
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Observation Questions:
1. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, what actions did the Samaritan take that distinguished him from the priest and the Levite? [56:08]
2. How does the lawyer's question, "Who is my neighbor?" set the stage for Jesus' teaching in the parable? [49:42]
3. What societal norms and prejudices did Jesus challenge by making a Samaritan the hero of the story? [53:28]
4. How does the sermon describe the common human tendency to seek loopholes in the command to love our neighbors? [58:47]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What might Jesus have intended to convey by choosing a Samaritan as the compassionate figure in the parable, considering the historical context? [53:28]
2. How does the sermon suggest we redefine the concept of "neighbor" in our modern context, and what implications does this have for our daily interactions? [49:42]
3. In what ways does the sermon encourage us to reverse the question from "What will happen to me if I stop?" to "What will happen to them if I don't?" How does this shift in perspective affect our actions? [56:08]
4. How does the sermon address the challenge of extending love and mercy in a world filled with division and suspicion? [58:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you encountered a "stranger" in need. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently after hearing this sermon? [56:08]
2. Identify a personal "loophole" you have used to justify not extending love or compassion. How can you work to abolish this loophole in your life? [58:47]
3. Consider a time when you felt uncomfortable extending love to someone who was different from you. What steps can you take to embrace these uncomfortable places as opportunities for growth? [53:28]
4. How can you actively work to break down societal boundaries and prejudices in your community, following the example of the Good Samaritan? [49:42]
5. Think of a person or group you have been hesitant to serve. What practical steps can you take this week to extend mercy and love to them? [58:47]
6. How can you incorporate the question "What will happen to them if I don't?" into your decision-making process in everyday life? [56:08]
7. Reflect on your social media interactions. How can you use these platforms to promote love and understanding rather than division and suspicion? [58:47]
Devotional
Day 1: Redefining Neighborliness
The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to redefine who our neighbor is, urging us to extend love and compassion beyond societal boundaries and prejudices. It calls us to see every stranger as a neighbor, breaking down the walls that divide us. In a world where division and suspicion are prevalent, this story invites us to look beyond our comfort zones and societal norms to embrace a broader understanding of community. By seeing the face of a neighbor in every stranger, we are called to act with mercy and love, just as the Samaritan did, who defied societal expectations to help someone in need. [49:42]
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a stranger you encounter regularly. How can you extend a gesture of kindness or hospitality to them this week?
Day 2: Abolishing Loopholes
We often seek loopholes to justify our actions or inactions, but Jesus calls us to abolish these exceptions and measure our neighborliness by whom we serve, not by who aligns with us. This requires a shift in perspective and a commitment to love without boundaries. In the parable, the Samaritan's actions were not dictated by societal alignment but by compassion and mercy. This challenges us to examine our own lives for areas where we might be creating exceptions to love and to commit to serving others regardless of their background or beliefs. [58:47]
"For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?" (Matthew 5:46, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a person or group you find difficult to love. What practical steps can you take to serve them this week, breaking down your own barriers?
Day 3: Reversing the Question
Instead of asking, "What will happen to me if I stop?" we are encouraged to ask, "What will happen to them if I don't?" This reversal challenges us to prioritize the needs of others and extend compassion in everyday decisions. By shifting our focus from self-preservation to the well-being of others, we align ourselves more closely with the teachings of Jesus, who consistently put others before Himself. This perspective encourages us to act with empathy and selflessness, considering the impact of our actions on those around us. [56:08]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. How might the outcome have changed if you had prioritized the needs of others over your own?
Day 4: Embracing Uncomfortable Places
Following Jesus may lead us to uncomfortable places, where we must act against societal currents and extend love to those we may not agree with. This journey requires courage and a willingness to embrace all as God's children. The Good Samaritan's actions were radical and counter-cultural, demonstrating that true discipleship often involves stepping outside of our comfort zones. By embracing these uncomfortable places, we grow in our faith and become more effective instruments of God's love and mercy in the world. [53:28]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a situation where you feel uncomfortable sharing your faith or love. What steps can you take to overcome this discomfort and act in love?
Day 5: Living Out Love and Mercy
As we journey through Lent, we are called to live out the love and mercy we have received, acting as neighbors to strangers and extending grace in all interactions. This involves daily opportunities to be disciples of Christ, loving others as we have been loved. The parable of the Good Samaritan serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of love and mercy, urging us to embody these qualities in our daily lives. By doing so, we reflect the heart of Christ and become agents of change in a divided world. [01:08:51]
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent interaction where you could have shown more love and mercy. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future?
Quotes
Lead us, Lord, into the wilderness, that we may find your path of love and mercy. In a world where so many pass by on the other side, Christ calls us to draw near. Open our eyes to see our neighbors. Open our hearts to show compassion. When the journey is difficult and the road is rough, may we follow the example of the Good Samaritan. [00:20:34] (28 seconds)
Make us a people who bind up wounds, who pour out love, who lift up the weary. Let us go and do likewise, living out the mercy we have received. With open hearts and willing hands, we worship the God of grace, who calls us to love as he loves. [00:21:01] (20 seconds)
Rewire our hearts so that we might see the face of a neighbor in every stranger we pass. Help us to live out with our actions these words that you taught your first disciples to pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. [00:37:22] (25 seconds)
And so, they also, these progressive friends also, were questioning maybe some of the political ideologies of some of the key sponsors who had donated for this. On the other side, my more conservative friends thought that this ad was way too woke. Heard that word? Thought it was way too woke, mostly because of the inclusion of what they saw as pro-LGBTQ. [00:49:00] (29 seconds)
But a Samaritan, while traveling, came near him. And when he saw him, he was moved with pity and empathy. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his animal, brought him to an inn and took care of him. [00:55:47] (22 seconds)
Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? And, you know, I think I pointed this out in the sermon before. Notice he can't even say the word. And he can't even say Samaritan. He says, you know, the one who showed him mercy, I guess. [00:56:24] (20 seconds)
Our world is filled with strangers. People we don't know. People we don't understand. And sometimes, even our physical neighbors can feel like strangers. Especially in divisive times. We have been taught to fear one another. And to be suspicious of one another. And to not be empathetic of one another. [00:57:49] (25 seconds)
Uncomfortable places where we have to, if we're going to be followers of Jesus, we have to do things that may go against the current. The times that we're living in. The wildflowers class are studying a book called What's So Amazing About Grace. That's right now. Are you not? Right? [00:59:07] (24 seconds)
Neighborliness should use another word neighborliness not by who aligns us not who aligns with us but who we serve what if what if that we changed our paradigm around that what if the boundary between stranger and neighbor is not fixed but fluid defined by our willingness to show mercy [01:00:10] (29 seconds)
Have we acted as neighbors to the stranger or have I allowed fear to draw lines where Jesus calls for love? We created a loophole and say well not here this person outside we're always looking for insiders and outsiders Jesus is continuously expanding those walls and boundaries to include all of his children. [01:04:35] (28 seconds)
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