Which One are You?
Gregg Brenes
Part of Imua!
March 1, 2021

“Follow Me”

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” —John 15:5 NASB

  • Following Jesus will eventually connect us with the desire to make a difference.

You can’t love God without loving others.

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’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” —Luke 10:25-28

Knowing what to do is not the same as doing it.

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” —Luke 10:29

Why do some people see the need and ignore it, and other people stop to make a difference?

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 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.’ —Luke 10:30-35

  • True compassion costs us something.
  • Godly compassion redirects our focus to see others above ourselves.

Jesus redefined neighbor for everybody, in every nation, in every generation.

“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 10:36-37

Which of these three loved the Lord his God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength by loving a stranger as himself?

  • The one who saw a need and met it.
  • The one who knew the price and paid it.
  • The one who didn’t talk himself out of it.

Discipleship Guide

Let’s Connect

  • Think about a big need you had that someone stepped out to meet. How did their selfless act make you feel?

Let’s Talk About It
Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves, but that’s easier said than done. Which people qualify as neighbors…and which don’t? Jesus radically redefined “neighbor” for everybody, in every nation and every generation. He taught that being a neighbor is being someone who sees a need and meets it, knows the price and pays it, and doesn’t talk themselves out of it.

John 15:5; Luke 10:25-37; Leviticus 19:18; James 1:23-24; Hebrews 4:13; Hebrews 9:26-28

  • Which part of the message made an impact, caught your attention or challenged you?

  • Read Luke 10:25-37. How does the question Jesus asked in verse 36 redefine “neighbor” for everybody? How does it take away all our excuses to not do something? James 1:23-24 describes the Bible as a mirror that shows us when things are not right in our hearts. Is there anything in the story Jesus told that reveals a perspective towards others that God wants you to change?

  • Is there a need in someone’s life you need to walk toward? What can you do over the next week, month, or even year to begin to walk towards the need? How can this group support you?

  • Read through Chapter 1 in the One 2 One app. Why do we need to become a new creation? Why do we need salvation?

  • Read Hebrews 9:26-28. What exactly happened on the cross? What does that mean to you?

  • We receive salvation when we stop trusting in ourselves and put our trust in what Christ did for us. Have you taken this step? Are you willing to follow and obey Jesus?

Take a Step

  • If you haven’t already done so, take a step and ask Jesus to be Lord of your life.
  • What is one thing you can do this week to walk towards a need and see it, not as an inconvenience, but an opportunity?

SOAP reading:

  • Day 1: Numbers 28-29, Mark 8
  • Day 2: Numbers 30-31, Mark 9
  • Day 3: Numbers 32-33, Mark 10
  • Day 4: Numbers 34-36, Mark 11
  • Day 5: Deuteronomy 1-2, Mark 12
  • Day 6: Deuteronomy 3-4, Mark 13, Psalm 36
  • Day 7: Deuteronomy 5-6, Mark 14, Psalm 43

Here’s My Prayer
Lord, I acknowledge that the separation between us is because of my sin. I confess that I have sinned and have fallen far short of your glory. Thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus to pay the penalty for my sin. I believe that He died on the cross for me. I believe that You raised Him from the dead. I am sorry for my sins and I ask You to forgive and cleanse me. I want to turn away from everything the Bible calls sin and receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Help me to love, serve and obey You for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.