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Introduction:
How do we love our neighbors as ourselves? When God’s love transforms us, we can’t help but want others to experience the same love, grace, and freedom we enjoy through Christ. But how do we share that love with others without scaring them away or offending them? For most Christians, “evangelism” is a scary and intimidating word. What if there was a more organic, authentic way to share our faith with our friends, neighbors, and coworkers?
“Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” —Romans 13:8
Together, we can learn to be a blessing in our neighborhoods and to those around us. We were made to B.L.E.S.S. others. If we can live out the love of God where we are, we will see those around us experience the blessings God promised long ago.
In this collection, we will discover 5 everyday ways to love our neighbors and change the world:
June 1st/4th - Begin with Prayer
June 8th/11th - Listen to the Holy Spirit
June 15th/18th - Engage and Eat
June 22nd/25th - Serve Them
June 29th/July 2nd - Share Your Story
Text: Luke 11:28 (CSB, New Testament)
Today’s Takeaway: To bless our neighbors, the Holy Spirit invites us to listen.
Week 2 - LISTEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
I. UNDERSTAND HOW TO
A. Listen by asking
- H
- H
- H
- H
“When the people in our lives feel unheard and unknown, it leaves them feeling unloved.” —Pastor Dave Ferguson
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,” —James 1:19b
B. Block out the
“Then he said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.’ At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper.” —1 Kings 19:11-12
II. LISTEN LIKE
“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen.” —Mark 4:9b
“As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36Hearing a crowd passing by, he inquired what was happening. 37Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,’ they told him. 38So he called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 39Then those in front told him to keep quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 40Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to him. When he came closer, he asked him, 41’What do you want me to do for you? ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘I want to see.’ 42’’Receive your sight,’ Jesus told him. ‘Your faith has saved you.’ 43Instantly he could see, and he began to follow him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.” —Luke 18:35-43
III. LISTEN ACROSS
“The one who gives an answer before he listens —this is foolishness and disgrace for him.” —Proverbs 18:13
IV. LISTEN IN
“Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new. 22Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, ‘People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. 23For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.” —Acts 17:21-23
Listen for the four P’s of a place.
- P
- P
- P
- P
“To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some.” —1 Corinthians 9:22
CONCLUSION: Who do you need to B.L.E.S.S. this week?
DEEP DIVES:
Why do we have such a difficult time truly listening to the people around us?
Read Luke 18:35-42. What impresses you most about Jesus’s interatction with the man who was blind? How would you have felt if you were that man?
When was the last time you truly felt listened to, known, and loved? What was so speical about that experience?
Review “Listening to the four P’s of a place.” Use one of those to desribe a community around you.