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

What Loving Your Neighbor Means

When we hear the phrase “love your neighbor,” we often think of treating others with kindness, compassion, and respect. To be a good human is to “love your neighbor”. But what if that’s not what Jesus meant? What if it’s not a metaphor, but a command to love your actual neighbor? In this video, we see from the Bible what it means to love your neighbor, who your neighbor actually is, and what steps you can take to start doing so.

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MESSAGE NOTES

According to a few recent studies… we are becoming less and less likely as Americans to know who our neighbors are.

PewResearch found that “Among Americans who know at least some of their neighbors, a majority (58%) say they never meet them for parties or get-togethers.”

Ownerly, a home-buying resource website found through some studies that “1/4 Americans don’t know their neighbor’s names.”

An article written by Alexandra Miller describes this with great detail, “We don’t sit on our front porches because we are addicted to this privacy of a backyard and the security we think it brings. If we were sitting out front, then our neighbors would see us. They would know our business, feel obligated to wave hello, or (gasp) start up a friendly conversation. We don’t want our neighbors to see us when we walk to the mail, because then they would know that we spent all day in our pjs or lazy pants. Neighbors should be kept at a safe distance. We want them friendly but not our friends.”

[Luke 10:25-28]

One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26
Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”

[1 John 4:20-21]

If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love
God, whom we cannot see 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.

[Luke 10:29]

29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Your neighbor is not a metaphor.

 

[Luke 10:30-32]

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road 31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

And we have tons of excuses why we can’t cross the road to help:
■ I will send them my thoughts and prayers.
■ This is too dangerous.
■ This is too risky. What if I get mugged too?
■ I would LOVE to help, but I have things to do.
■ It seems this man needs medical attention and I am not qualified.
■ Or how about this one… He got himself into this mess, he can get himself out.

[Luke 10:33-37]

33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,[a] telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ 36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

A good neighbor loves anyone in their path, even their enemies.

[Luke 10:33-34]

“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them.

[Proverbs 25:21-22]

If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to
drink. 22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.

A good neighbor is moved to action by compassion.

[Luke 10:33]

Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 4 Going over to him…

[Matthew 9:36-38]

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

A good neighbor is generous.

[Luke 10:34-35]

Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed
the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

[Luke 10:35-36]

“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. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

 

[Matthew 9:35-38]

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about
the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Michael Koulianos said, “A ministry built on names must sustain with names, but a ministry built on Jesus will sustain with Jesus.”

 

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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?

When we hear the phrase “love your neighbor,” we often think of treating others with kindness, compassion, and respect. To be a good human is to “love your neighbor”. But what if that’s not what Jesus meant? What if it’s not a metaphor, but a command to love your actual neighbor? In this video, we see from the Bible what it means to love your neighbor, who your neighbor actually is, and what steps you can take to start doing so.

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