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?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 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.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Luke 10:25-29 (NLT)
How do I love all my neighbors?
Cultivate ____________________.
“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.”
Luke 10:33 (NLT)
Practice _____________________.
“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. 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 10:34-35 (NLT)
“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
A quick perusal of the newspaper or listening to the news shouts of a world in desperate need of this simple yet profound message. Followers of Jesus have been given this assignment to first, love God and to second, love oneself and one’s neighbor. What if by loving our neighbor, Jesus literally meant the precious people who live in our neighborhoods? What if by loving our neighbors Jesus meant all our neighbors regardless of age, socioeconomics, education or any other potentially divisive status? The cry of our neighbors who do not yet know the love of God in Christ and the gift of Christian community is the last line of the “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” theme song. Our lost, hurting and broken neighbors are desperately crying out:
Won't you please, Won't you please, Please won't you be my neighbor?
Often this cry is disguised as addiction or affluence. Sometimes it’s masqueraded as violence or vitriol, but in the deep recesses of their soul, it’s our neighbors cry to simply be loved. And followers of Jesus are invited to hear their cry and be their neighbors.
Wes Olds is a 1993 graduate of The University of Kentucky and received his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2002. Prior to coming to Grace Church in 2006, Wes began a multi-cultural, urban church called The Rock-La Roca United Methodist Church in Lexington, KY (2002-2006). While there, he co-founded Lexington’s “Room in the Inn”, a ministry of hospitality and shelter for homeless men. From 1997-2002, Wes was a Pastor with Youth and Evangelism at Centenary United Methodist Church in Lexington. From 1994-1997, Wes was Pastor with Youth at Christ United Methodist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and from 1991-1994 was the Director of Youth Ministries at Versailles United Methodist Church in central Kentucky.
Wes has served as an adjunct instructor at Asbury University, a ministry mentor with Asbury Theological Seminary and has been a contributing writer for several projects with Group Publishing and United Methodist Communications. He has been a guest speaker and worship leader for retreats at local churches and conferences for youth and adults.
Wes is a leadership coach for Spiritual Leaders, Incorporated (SLI) training pastors on creating generative leadership environments. Through SLI, Wes has facilitated yearlong incubators for over 75 pastors in Florida, Kentucky, and Kansas.
Wes is married to Becky and they have one teenage son named Caleb. Wes loves music and plays guitar, enjoys fishing, sports, history and hanging out with his friends and family.
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Won't You Be My Neighbor? - Part 2 - CC | Sermons | Grace Church
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?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 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.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Luke 10:25-29 (NLT)
How do I love all my neighbors?
Cultivate ____________________.
“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.”
Luke 10:33 (NLT)
Practice _____________________.
“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. 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 10:34-35 (NLT)
“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
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