Serve in Love

Who is my neighbor?

Wrong question because it gives the impression that we can pick and choose who we love and serve

Right Question-How can I be a good neighbor? How can I serve?

4 questions

Jesus goes into a story about a man who is leaving Jerusalem and heading up to Jericho

fell among robbers

he was stripped and beaten

left him half dead

Abraham Kuyper

300 Quotations for Preachers Aiming at God’s Glory in Everything

Wherever man may stand, whatever he may do, to whatever he may apply his hand, in agriculture, in commerce, and in industry, or his mind, in the world of art, and science, he is, in whatever it may be, constantly standing before the face of his God. He is employed in the service of his God, he has strictly to obey his God, and above all, he has to aim at the glory of his God.

Whoever God Brings

Priest-Passed on the others side

Levite- Passed on the other side

Samaritan

Enemies

“When he saw him, he had compassion!”

to be deeply moved (bowels) v. — to be affected deeply in one’s inner being, especially in that aspect (the bowels) characterized by sympathy and compassion.

to be deeply moved (bowels) v. — to be affected deeply in one’s inner being, especially in that aspect (the bowels) characterized by sympathy and compassion.

Matthew 25:31–40 ESV

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Whenever He tells Us

Priest is walking and finds the man

He passes on the other side

Levite is walking and finds the man

He passes on the other side

Samaritan

Sees the man in need and meets that need

He could have walked by

He could have said I am not helping that man. I don’t even like Him!

A friend once told me, “If it’s inconvenient it is probably the right thing to do!”

John 13:12–17 ESV

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Wherever He Wants Us

The road being referred to in this story was a dangerous road.

It gave robbers a great opportunity to hide and rob passerby

Serving may require that we serve not just in the areas of comfort, safety, and ease but also in places that are not “safe”

Whatever He Leads us to Do

Went to Him and bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine

Set him on his animal and brought him to an inn and he took care of him

He took out two denarii (2 whole days wages) and gave them to the innkeeper

Offered to pay more if needed

Why?

Because of the service that Jesus gave to us

Who did Jesus serve? His enemies

When did He serve? Beginning at creation, ultimately in his incarnation, presently as he sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for His children

Where did He serve? - He left heaven

Whatever- He gave His life on the cross to take the punishment of our sin!

Mark 10:45 ESV

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Truth for Life

Who is it that the Lord is impressing upon your heart to serve today?

parents-teachers-classmates-enemies-

When is the right time to serve?

all the time! pick up your room in the morning, make your bed in the morning, make lunches for your family, pick up the classroom, pick up trash you see on the ground, bake treats for your neighbor, etc.

Wherever you are

serve in the safety and the brokenness

Whatever

Time-Talent-Money