December 8 2013 Showing I Care For My Neighbors

Showing I Care For My Neighbors

(Open Before Christmas: Part 2)

(Jesus) “I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” Matthew 25:40

“‘Teacher, of all the commandments, which is the most important?’ Jesus replied, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.’” Matthew 22:36-40

“And who is my neighbor?” — Luke 10:29b

My Neighbor: SOMEONE WHO IS ON MY WAY.

FOUR STEPS TO LOVING MY NEIGHBOR

1. Ask GOD FOR A COMPASSIONATE HEART

“You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” — Luke 6:36

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.” — Psalm 139:23

2. Show GENUINE INTEREST.

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” — Romans 12:10

3. Be ALERT TO NEEDS.

“Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others - ignoring God - harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.” — Galatians 6:7-8

“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6

4. Respond WITH COMPASSIONATE ACTION.

“Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone. Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, ‘Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well’ – but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all – it is dead and useless.” James 2:14-17

"Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." Matthew 7:12

Memory Verse: “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." — John 13:35