Golden Rule (Apex)
Matthew McBirth
Part of Apex—Five Essentials of a Jesus Follower
July 25, 2021

July 25, 2021

Communion meditation notes:

Sermon Notes

Matthew 7:12; Luke 10:25-37

Intro

Hero in the faith -

It’s not okay to look at other people through fear, hatred or pure indifference, but to see them the way that God sees them. —Dr. John Perkins story

The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” —Luke 10:25-37

Three Characteristics of Christians who actively seek the well-being of their neighbors.
A. They are

Reveal Answer
. Jesus is man of compassion. He listens to people. He invites people. Jesus notices people that society doesn’t want to notice.

B. They do it

Reveal Answer
. Love is not just a noun, it is an active verb

C. They look like

Reveal Answer
. The original meaning for the word “compassion” meant to have an emotional heartfelt response. Not only seeing and having pity for someone, but also provokes action in wanting to help and therefore seek the well being for them. It could also signify sacrifice.

a. Sacrificing time, resources, selfishness or pride

D. They now become our

Reveal Answer
. Even if someone is not yet part of the family of God, they have every potential to be so, and so we treat them accordingly.

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.
47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. —Acts 2:42, 44, 47

What do we do with this new perspective of seeing strangers as neighbors, as seeing people as meaningless now as invaluable as family.

Two practices
1. When you see someone at Church, remind yourself this is my beloved brother or sister. Create a culture at Church by calling each other as these names.
2. When someone you know is in need, stop and ask God what I can do to help them. Then follow through with that. (Could be making a dinner or meal train, providing transportation, blessing someone with your blessings, etc.)

Go and do likewise.

Discussion

  1. Did you ever fall and hurt yourself as a child? What happened? Who helped you feel better and what did they do?

  2. When has someone been kind to you?

  3. Tell of a time that you were unexpectantly invited to something?

  4. Someone retell the story of Dr. John Perkins.

  5. Read the following concept from Dr. Perkin’s story, “It’s not okay to look at other people through fear, hatred or pure indifference, but to see them the way that God sees them.” How would this attitude change things in your life?

  6. What surprises you about the Good Samaritan story in Luke 10:25-37?

  7. Why do you think it is important that Jesus is compassionate?

  8. How have you seen Christians actively show love to others?

  9. What do you need to sacrifice to look more like Jesus?

  10. How do you plan on actively treating others like family at Church?

  11. Together pray for God to see others and show you how to help them.

  12. Read Acts 2:42, 44 and 47.

  13. Pray about how we can reflect the Spirit in what we do as a Church.

QUOTES

It’s not okay to look at other people through fear, hatred or pure indifference, but to see them the way that God sees them. —Dr. John Perkins story

“Jesus is man of compassion. He listens to people. He invites people. Jesus notices people that society doesn’t want to notice.”

“Even if someone is not yet part of the family of God, they have every potential to be so, and so we treat them accordingly.”

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