LOVE PEOPLE

2025-01-19

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Matthew 22:37-40 (CSB) He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38This is the greatest and most important command. 39The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”

Last week, we talked about the greatest commandment which Jesus gave to us Matthew 22. We looked at the first part of the commandment, Love God. Let’s take a moment for a recap from last week:

TRBC Mission Statement: “To Change Our World By Developing Christ Followers Who Love God and Love People”

How do I love God? With ALL OF YOU (Heart + Soul + Mind + Strength – Mark 12:30)

1. DEVOTE to God – “Follow” (Step Out)
2. DIE to self – “Surrender” (Step In)

Six Values:     Commitment to Scripture, Culture of Prayer, Lifestyle of Worship, Connected in Community, Heart for Serving, Passion for Sharing

So, for today, let’s talk about the second part of Jesus’ command. Remember, Jesus actually said the second part “is like” the first meaning it is important: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.

How do I love people?

1. Through Him!

• We must see others as He sees them
• This is something we must deal with on a spiritual level between God and us
• We must see the value of people through the lens of Scripture.
• Jesus modeled this behavior during his time on earth. Some examples:

– Woman at the well – John 4

– Man by the pool of Bethesda – John 5

– Woman caught in adultery – John 8

– Man let down through roof – Luke 2

– Demon possessed man – Luke 8

“A Christian should always remember that the value of his good works is not based on their number and excellence, but on the love of God which prompts him to do these things.”[1] – Juan de Yepes Álvarez

1. With others

• This is why “community” is so important
• We love others better when we are not isolated

John MacArthur states, “The church is a worshiping community, a witnessing community, and a working community. In other words, the church is to exalt the Lord, it is to evangelize the world, and it is to edify its members.”[2]

Hebrews 10:24–25 (CSB) And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

• It is important to note our lives are actually enriched when we are gathered in community with those are on the same journey
• We are able to love others better when we are loving others while connected in community

David Allen says, “The order is important: love is the internal attitude and spiritual disposition that expresses itself in outward tangible good works.”[3]

1. Through intentional acts

• Taking the time to notice others in their need
• Helping when inconvenient
• Again, Jesus gave us some examples through Scripture:

– Washing of Jesus’ feet – Luke 7

– Good Samaritan – Luke 10

– Joseph of Arimathea – Matthew 27

1 John 4:19–21 (CSB) We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.

1. In the overflow

• We can love others because we are loved by Him
• The unreasonableness of God’s love for us should lead to loving those who are difficult to love
• Matthew 5:43–45 (CSB) You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

[1] Juan de Yepes y Álvarez, The New Encyclopedia of Christian Quotations, (Copyright 2000 John Hunt Publishing), Compiled by Mark Water.

[2] MacArthur, J. F., Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2022).

[3] David L. Allen, Hebrews, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2010), 518.