January 19, 2025

LOVE PEOPLE

January 19, 2025

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Last week we read Matthew 22, as Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your spirit,”—our sermon last Sunday. But Jesus went further. He said the “second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Did you ask during the week, (knowing this was coming), “How do I love people I can’t stand?” Today, we are hearing Pastor tell us how to love people. As last week, today the answer is simple. As last week, today the doing is hard. Who bugged you while you were trying to listen—the people two rows over who were talking during the whole message? A nearby member who was playing a card game on her cell the whole message? The person who cut in front of you on the way home? Love. It’s important. It’s necessary. But see them with God’s eyes.

Focal Passages: Matt. 3:13-17, 5:43-45, 27:57-61, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 7:36-50, 8:26-39,10:25-37, John 4:5-26, 5:1-15, 8:3-12, Heb. 10:24-25, 1 Jn. 4:19-21.

HOW DO I LOVE PEOPLE?

Through Him:                                                                                                                 

  • Read Matt. 22:29-30. Last week, how did we learn to love God? In today’s passage, what are the first several words? If ‘something’ is like ‘something else’ then what does that mean to us? So, how important are those words? What did Jesus mean?
  • Does that mean we are to love other people with all our heart, soul, mind and spirit? Do we hear a collective gasp in the room?! How much does God love you? Think of your family: how much does God love each of them? What about the person at work whom you don’t like: how much does God love them? Why does He love them?
  • Why does God love all those people who are so unlovely? A person this week said God ‘asked them’, “Who are YOU in Me?” They floundered: a spouse, a teacher? But God said to them, “You are the ‘apple of My eye’!” Then He asked, “Who is ___ in Me?” The person was their enemy. Then God said, “He is the ‘apple of My eye’ also.” Why is it so vital we see other people as God sees them?
  • Who are some of the people in Scripture He loved or healed whom we would not have touched? How did He model loving behavior while He was here?
  • At the end of the day, if God counted your ‘good works’ as only the ones prompted by your inner desire to show love to someone, how many would you have?

With others:

  • Can someone who heard the story of Roseta, Italy tell the group what the end result has been for that community in PA.? What is so special in being in community with other believers? Has there been a time you spent a retreat of several days with believers, and can tell what it was like? How is that like church on Sunday? Do you take time to talk with those you don’t know when you are at church?
  • What are some of the community groups you serve in? Tell some of the relationships you’ve developed because of the group. What are you able to accomplish through a group involved in ministry? Give some examples.
  • What should be our motivations that should help the community relish getting together? To spread the gospel? Feed the poor? Clothe the ones who have little?
  • Read Heb. 10:24-25. What should occur when believers work together in community? Is this another way to worship our Lord?

Through intentional acts:

  • Read 1 Jn. 4:19-21. What do you consider an intentional act? If someone in your group or class has a need, are you active in helping meet it? If not, why not?
  • What are some of the passages in the NT where an individual did an intentional act for Jesus that could have caused a backlash (Washing Jesus’ feet, the Good Samaritan, Joseph’s Tomb)?
  • Have you ever done something for someone that cost you more than money?

In the overflow:

  • What is the only way we can learn to love those who are unlovely? Do you really see yourself as not meriting the forgiveness God has shown you? Should that be your catalyst? How do you ever expect to exemplify Christ if you’re angry at others?
  • Read Matt. 5:43-45. What is the first reason we love all people? Look at verse 45 again: does God differentiate between the evil and good? Then why would we?

Close:

What would you say if God spoke to your heart, saying, “Who are you in Me?” In other words, God is asking you if you know how He views you. Does He see you as loving, as forgiven, as His child? We just read that all of the works we do are as nothing unless we are doing them for love—love for God and love for the person who might just have hurt you. Really, God? It’s so easy to do things for God, but what about the kid (perhaps yours) who bugs you to death because of their room, or their lack of motivation, or their unwillingness to help? Is it justified that you get angry, or say harsh things, or even curse, to make your point at how disappointed you are in them? Do you know millions of parents do this without thinking every day? Is that the way we show the love of Jesus Christ to them?

A person who heard the example of the one to whom God said “Who are you in Me?” said, “I can’t even imagine running to my earthly father as an older child (not as a toddler) and throwing my arms around him, and saying, “I love you, Papa!” That is beyond sad. Both for the child and for the father—and for the idea that young person will have of what God the Father is like. They will believe He is waiting with a huge fly swatter to flatten you each time you fail Him. Please—think before you portray our God as mean or hateful to anyone, but especially a young person or an unbeliever. He is good. All the time.

By Sandy Day
January 19, 2025

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