Scripture Reading: Romans 13:8-10
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
Intro.
1. A lot of talk about how Jesus would love others today (specifically, toward the LGBT community).
a. I heard one person say Jesus would "hang out" with the LGBT crowd.
b. His implication was that Jesus would be OK with them. Is that right?
2. What are Christians supposed to do to love our neighbors in the world? Matt. 22:39
a. agapaō: "love from the highest moral considerations, without self-interest, holy".[1]
b. This is the love that can love an enemy, Matt. 5:44.
I. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF MEANS HAVING THEIR BEST INTEREST IN WHATEVER WE DO TOWARD THEM, Matt. 5:43-48.
A. Even When They Do Not Love Us, 5:44, 10-12; 1 Pet. 3:8-9, 13, 17.
B. Do Not Retaliate with Evil, Matt. 5:38-42.
II. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF MEANS USING YOUR OPPORTUNITIES TO TEACH THEM THE TRUTH.
A. Loving Neighbors does not Mean Isolating Ourselves from Society.
1. We cannot leave the world, 1 Cor. 5:9-10.
2. Neither are we to "have fellowship with" their sin, Eph. 5:8-11.
B. Loving Neighbors does not Mean being a Moral Chameleon.
1. Paul did not compromise his values, morals, faith, 1 Cor. 9:22.
2. There are moral limits placed on our interaction with the world, 1 Cor. 15:33-34; 1 Pet. 4:3-4.
C. When Jesus Interacted with Sinners He Taught them the Truth and Called them to Repentance, Mk. 2:13-17.
1. He taught them, 2:13. Are we teaching the lost we say we love?
2. He called sinners to follow Him, 2:14. Are we calling those we say we love to follow Jesus?
3. He knew they were "sick" and so He talked to them about repentance of their sins, 2:16-17. Do we discuss sin and repentance out of love?
4. In fact, this is what Jesus called true mercy, Matt. 9:11-13.
D. Jesus did not Conduct Himself in Any Way that Caused Sinners to Think He was OK with (agreed with) their Sin.
1. He taught the sinners who gathered to hear Him, Lk. 15:1-2, 7.
2. He told the adulteress to go and sin no more, Jno. 8:11.
3. He showed mercy by forgiving and by teaching, Lk. 7:36-50.
4. He loved young man and told him what he lacked, Mk. 10:20-22.
5. He rebuked and condemned the hypocrites, Matt. 23:33.
* 6. Where did Jesus ever just "hang out" with sinners?
E. "Have I Become Your Enemy Because I Tell You the Truth?" Gal. 4:16
1. Was Paul guilty of running people off by telling them the truth and rebuking their sin?
2. Paul was not abrasive or abusive in his words and actions, but he was clear, Gal. 5:19-21; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Not timid, 2 Tim. 1:6-8.
3. Loving your neighbor includes "speaking the truth in love" - which will identify sin, warn of its dangers and offer the gospel as sin's only relief and hope, Eph. 4:15; Matt. 28:19-20; Rom. 1:16.
F. Tolerating Sin is not Loving your Neighbor, 2 Jno. 10-11.
1. Love rebukes sin, trying to save the lost, Prov. 27:5-6.
2. How can you be salt when all you are is sugar?! Matt. 5:13
3. Loving your neighbor does not mean giving up your convictions, Mk. 8:38; Rev. 2:10.
III. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF MEANS CONTINUING TO LOVE EVEN WHEN YOU ARE REJECTED BY UNBELIEVERS, Heb. 12:3.
-"Love never fails" (1 Cor. 13:8) Endure, persevere, remain constant
Conclusion
1. Christians do not treat sinners the way the world does - and the world hates us for it, Jno. 15:18-20.
2. We can expect to be hated by the LGBT community and their sympathizers - Not because we are unloving, but precisely because we love them the way Jesus loves them! 1 Cor. 13:6; Rom. 12:21
[1] Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). The Pulpit Commentary, St. Matthew (Vol. 2, p. 366). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: April 8, 2015