It’s overwhelming to focus on the final accomplishment and it’s a whole lot easier when you break down step by step.
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
[Matthew 22:39]
Jesus says that’s the most important thing we can do. That’s how we live out our faith.
Here’s the question: How do I actually reach my neighbor? What do I do next?
B.L.E.S.S.: Five everyday ways to love your neighbor
Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon, and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds. Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.” “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.” But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” The same vision was repeated three times. Then the sheet was suddenly pulled up to heaven.
[Acts 10:9-16]
The first step in knowing which neighbor to reach and how to reach them is…
- Begin with prayer.
Pray for who God is calling you to reach. And then begin to pray for them. And don’t overthink this.
Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you. Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.” So Peter went down and said, “I’m the man you are looking for. Why have you come?”
[Acts 10:19-21]
One of the most powerful things we can do for our neighbors is seek to understand.
- Listen with care.
When you are wanting to care for your neighbor, start by listening. Get to know them. Ask questions more than give answers.
“Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”
[James 1:19]
- Eat together.
It slows us down. It causes us to have quality time together.
Which neighbor do you need to grab a meal with soon?
Begin with prayer. Listen with care. Eat together.
The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa. They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled. Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.”
[Acts 10:23-29]
- Serve them.
If you have been praying for them, taken the time to listen to them, and shared meals with them, it probably won’t be too difficult to identify ways that you can serve them.
Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.’ So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.”
[Acts 10:30-33]
Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism.
[Acts 10:34-37]
- Share your story.
Doug Field’s 5 Baby Steps:
- Tell them you are a Christian.
- Invite them to something.
3. Tell them why you are a Christian.
4. Tell them how to become a Christian. (We think this is where it starts)
5. Invite them to become a Christian.
Loving our neighbor comes in baby steps. It doesn’t have to be nerve wracking or intimidating. It’s just the matter of being more intentional with the people that you naturally walk past each day.
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Application Questions
- What stood out to you from this message and why?
- What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
- What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
- How will this message change how you act at home, work and in the your relationships?