Man to Man - Go and Be a Neighbor
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
What Does it Mean to “Go and be a Neighbor?”
What Does it Mean to “Go and be a Neighbor?”
Our theme verse for today comes from the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:29-37
Jesus spoke this parable in response to a lawyer that asked “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus answered him with a question “What is written in the law?”
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Jesus answered him, “Do this and you shall live”
This should have been enough of an answer but the man then asked, “Who is my neighbor?”
To explain this, Jesus gave this parable that
doesn’t talk about what you do in your family
doesn’t talk about what you do in your work
doesn’t talk about what you do with the people that live nearby
The point of this parable is to describe the action the Samaritan took to care for a fellow human being that had been hurt.
You know the parable, a Priest walked by and a Levite walked by but they didn’t do anything.
Then, a Samaritan, a man the Jews would have nothing to do with, came by and helped.
Jesus said in Luke 10:36-37
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Valentines Day
Valentines Day
Now, I am going to step back for a minute because we are very close to Valentines Day.
February 14 is the day when we remember those who are near and dear.
Those of us with close personal relationships may express our love by giving cards, candy, flowers, or dining out.
There are many that don’t have someone in their life and may not be a recipient of this kind of love.
As a child of God, the Good News (the Bible) lets us know, you‘ll always be loved by God and never forgotten.
I want to take this occasion to talk about Love, not just the natural human kind of love, but the God kind of love.
(The origin of St. Valentine Day can be found at History of Valentine Day, 2009, History.com).
St. Valentine
St. Valentine
Valentines Day was originally set aside to honor a martyred Christian, named Valentine.
Over time, it has become extremely commercialized, and today there are few that know it’s origin.
Today’s Symbols
Today’s Symbols
If we do a search on Valentines Day, we will find several symbols that are used which includes
the heart-shaped outline
doves
and this chubby and playful winged little boy named Cupid
Cupid (Eros)
Cupid (Eros)
But Cupid was not always this playful little child.
Cupid is often shown with a bow and arrows, which he shoots to ignite love in one’s heart.
Cupid, The original Cupid was a Greek god called eros
(the Greek word for desire)
At one point, he was said to have a sharp golden arrow, that if shot, would cause love in the heart it pierced.
But if he shot a dull lead arrow, it would cause disdain in those it struck.
It was said that Eros was “a wanton boy, of whom a thousand tricks and cruel sports are related, and from whom neither gods nor men were safe”.
Cupid (eros) was thought to play with the hearts of mortals and gods to cause mayhem.
This concept of Cupid (eros) refers to sensual or passionate love, from which the term erotic is derived.
It recognizes that there is a natural, carnal, love that draws people together, but it can also become vulgar when this passion is only directed toward self-satisfaction.
We might describe this today as stalking, or rape, or physical abuse. We might also recognize that in many pagan religions having sex with a temple priestess was a way to worship the gods.
Greek Words Translated as Love
eros
storge
philia
agape
Eros
Eros
Eros is one of several Greek words translated in English as love. There are four main Greek words translated as the English word “love” but each has a slightly different meaning.
However, this word eros which is implied through Cupid on Valentine’s Day, is not found in the New Testament.
Storge
Storge
Another Greek word storge, which is the love within a family, is also missing in the New Testament
This word would is a clear part of a marriage and family
Jesus was very clear in Mark 10:6–9
6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. 7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
We also understand that God established this family structure so we could raise “a Godly seed”, children in Malachi 2:13.
There are two main Greek words that describe love in New Testament.
These show us God’s priority for our lives as Christians in this age.
Philia
Philia
The first is philia, which is a friendship.
Friendship is a mutual bond, where both are inclined to help or support each other.
An example of philia love is in Galatians 6:2
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
This means we should be aware of the things going on in anothers life and help them as we are able.
Another example is in Romans 12:15
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
There are challenges that we sometimes face.
There are also victories that we can celebrate.
No more pain in my shoulder.
Eye sight for Rich.
Agape
Agape
The other Greek word in the New Testament is the most common word used which is agape.
This carries the sense of affectionate regard or benevolence toward someone.
Jesus said in John 15:12
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
philia and agape are must have ingredients if relationships are going to succeed
So, lets now get to what it means in Luke 10:36-37
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Who was a neighbor?
Who was a neighbor?
Well, Jesus said it was the one that “showed mercy”
When we look up the word mercy here, the definition says, “See Love”
But this wasn’t just to “love”, the word “shewed” before it means to “make a path for”
This Samaritan made a way for the wounded and injured man to experience love as his needs were taken care of.
The emphasis in the New Testament is on these two kinds of love, “philia”, friendship, and “agape”, unconditional love, the God kind of love.
This “agape” love is what God showed us through Jesus Christ in Romans 5:6–8
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
We only come to know this “agape” love because God has demonstrated it to us.
This is the love that creates in us a heart of flesh, as God promised in Ezekiel 36:26–27
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
As Born Again Holy Spirit-filled sons and daughters of God, we no longer should be driven by the self-gratifying lust of the flesh.
Instead, because we know the love of God for us, and trust Him as our provider, we should be aware of the needs of others.
This means we’ve learned to act as the Good Samaritan did.
May this Valentine’s Day be a blessed and joyful one.
May we not only experience the “agape” love (that sense of affection), that God has for us, but that we also demonstrate it, as the Apostle Paul did.
Paul, in Romans 16:1-15 as he recognized all of the people that were doing their part as Christians around him.
1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. 7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household. 11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. 12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. 13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. 15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
Paul sends his agape love of gratitude to fellow believers who supported him by:
laboring with him
praying for him
giving sacrificial gifts
Let this day also remind us of God’s love, and that He wants us to share it each day, as He did at the cross.
God our Father showed us his agape love, by giving the greatest gift mankind could ever receive.
He could give nothing greater than His only begotten son.
Go and be a good neighbor
Who is around you that you can help today?