Bible, Friendship, Relationships, Obedience, Love, Community, Heart

4 Ways To Love A Difficult Neighbor

Jesus’ command to love your neighbor seems like an easy enough thing to do with some time and intentionality. But what if you don’t like your neighbor? What about the people who try to make life more difficult for us? Do we still need to love them and if so…how!? In this video, we talk about the barriers to loving difficult people and give 4 practical ways to love people who are not easy to love.

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MESSAGE NOTES

[Luke 6:32-36]

“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return. “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”

 

I’ve got two truths for you:

  • ANYONE can love someone that loves them first
  • It ain’t easy loving those who don’t!

 

3 WAYS TO BE MORE LOVING TO THOSE WHO AIN’T EASY TO LOVE

 

  1. LOVE THEM ENOUGH TO LISTEN

 

2. LOVE THEM ENOUGH TO BE HONEST

 

[Proverbs 11:9a, 12]

“ with their words, the godless destroy their neighbors… It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet.”

 

[Psalm 101:5a]

“ I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors”

 

3. LOVE THEM ENOUGH TO GIVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT 

 

[Psalm 12:1-2]

“Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth! 2 Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.”

 

[Leviticus 25:14]

“When you make an agreement with your neighbor to buy or sell property, you must not take advantage of each other.”

 

4. LOVE THEM ENOUGH TO BE AVAILABLE TO THEM

 

[Proverbs 3:28]

“If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, ‘Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.’”

 

 

[2 Corinthians 9:6-9]

“Remember this, a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generally provide all you need. Then you’ll always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

 

Martin Luther King, Jr – “Darkness doesn’t drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Application Questions

  1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
  2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
  3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
  4. How will this message change how you act at home, at work, and in your relationships?

Jesus’ command to love your neighbor seems like an easy enough thing to do with some time and intentionality. But what if you don’t like your neighbor? What about the people who try to make life more difficult for us? Do we still need to love them and if so…how!? In this video, we talk about the barriers to loving difficult people and give 4 practical ways to love people who are not easy to love.

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