The Apostle John says it’s impossible to love God, whom we can’t see, if we don’t love our brother, whom we can see. Jesus said to serve Him, the One who has everything, we serve the “least of these.” Over and over the BIble makes it clear that loving God and serving God is all about how we reach out to our neighbor.

 

Stepping In: READ IT

Read Matthew 22:1-46

 

Building Up: STUDY IT

Focus on Matthew 22:39

 

Before you get tricky and try to figure out who your neighbor is not, so you don’t have to love and serve them, Jesus reminds us in Luke 10 that we are to be a neighbor…whoever they are.

 

Living Out: APPLY IT

 

Application questions (Is there a… 1. Sin to CONFESS 2. Promise to CLAIM 3. Attitude to CHANGE 4. Command to OBEY 5. Example to FOLLOW (or not) 6. Prayer to PRAY 7. Error to AVOID 8. Truth to BELIEVE 9. Something to PRAISE GOD FOR). 

 

Think through the people you will likely see today: family members, co-workers, and maybe some people you expect to see at church. Then think through those you might cross paths with: waitress, clerk, a first time guest at Community, next-door neighbor or CHP (hopefully not. ha). Take a moment how think through the different ways you could demonstrate God’s love to each one of these. Seriously, think through the whole list. It can be different for each person. The more specific we are, the more likely we’ll be able to love them in a specific/tangible way.

 

Dear Father, even on a crowded and exciting weekend service at Community, help me to see the one person who really needs to know you love them. Help me to listen to them. I want them to feel accepted and loved and important. Reach through me and allow your grace to be experienced as we meet.