NOTES: How To Neighbor, Part 2

How To Neighbor 2- Pray Like It Matters

Sunday September 17, 2023

Text: Luke 6:27-36

Luke 6:27–36 (ESV)27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Let’s Connect:

When neighboring fails:

Follow Jesus, who CROSSed the street to be the Good Neighbor.

Luke 10:33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds,…36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Q: Once we "cross the street,” then what?

“Mercy is showing goodness to those in misery or distress.”

Text Explained:

This mercy goes beyond my fear for self-preservation AND my need for self-promotion.

We leave the results in God’s hands: 

Let’s Relate:

Q: Once we "cross the street,” then what?  Prayer like it matters

Prayer is the most effective way to rightly: Open our heart and engage our minds

Our Challenge:

Let’s go for a drive: Join us for the Prayer Drive!