Jesus says to love our neighbours, and includes enemies in his definition.  In this week’s story Jesus confronted the reality that Samaritans and Jews were neighbours yet enemies, and said that his followers need to love and serve one another beyond such divisions.

Elsewhere, he says it quite clearly: love your enemy.  Turn the other cheek.  Go the extra mile.  My favourite part is where he says, “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.”

Loving your friends is nothing special, but loving your enemies is special indeed.  It’s hard, it’s messy, it feels very risky, compromising and vulnerable.  But when we avoid loving our neighbours and enemies, we live in isolation, fear of the unknown and misunderstandings.

One mayor told a church leader: “The majority of issues that our community is facing would be eliminated or drastically reduced if we could just figure out a way to become a community of great neighbours.”

It’s hard to know what to say, do, when life gets messy, and especially when our love isn’t returned.  It’s easy to just give up and say Jesus’ command is too hard to follow.

But that can be explained simply enough.  We haven’t got enough practice loving those closest to us, who aren’t our enemies, in order to be ready for loving our enemies.  Loving our friendly, similar neighbours is good training for the big leagues.

So – start by just finding out – Who is my neighbour?

mapthumbDownload the attached Block Map.  You are in the middle of the grid, and think of the other squares in the grid as your neighbours across the street, beside and behind your home.  Or if it’s more appropriate, think of it as your workplace, and the squares as neighbouring cubicles.  Then write in each square:

  1. Their Name(s)
  2. One Fact About Them
  3. Something Deeper – A hope, dream, fear, challenge, etc.

Try and complete the grid as much as possible, and discuss with your group.

We meet for coffee every Wednesday night at Starbucks in the Chapters Store in Ajax, in Durham Region just East of Toronto.  Maybe we’ll see you there?

Ryan Sim - July 4, 2013

Thursday - Act On It - Knowing

So far this week, we've seen that Christian faith is not about just the words you say, and not just about deeds you do. If it were, then Christian faith would be like trying to get to know a celebrity - you would either be guessing the right passcode to get through their mansion gates, or you'd be trying to hop the fence. It would be easy to know about the celebrity, and never really know them. But thankfully, God is not like a celebrity who keeps a safe distance from his fans. In Jesus, God came to earth. He didn’t have to, but he passed through those gates into our world and made it possible for us to know him personally. God took on human flesh, clothed in the way people were clothed in first century Israel, and spoke their language. We can actually know God, who came to earth in Jesus, and is active today through his Holy Spirit. Even though Jesus died and rose and since returned to heaven, we can still know him by studying his words, communicating with him in prayer, and with the community he calls his body on earth – the church. Like the one we are forming in Ajax in Durham Region just East of Toronto. The saying is true: it's not about what you know, or do, it’s about who you know. Who you know, will then affect what you say and do. Words and deeds are important, but are no substitute for the full picture of life in God's kingdom given in the Sermon on the Mount. It's about actually following who you say you follow. Inviting him to transform life…not just saying he does. The aim is to have him transform our hearts, so they look more like his. How do we know? That’s what Jesus has been teaching all through the Sermon on the Mount. He's been describing what God’s heart looks like, and wants your heart to look like, so that it transforms the rest of your life. The health of your actual heart matters – blood passes through to all areas of the body. An unhealthy heart means unhealthy life. No matter how healthy you appear, you aren’t healthy if your heart is hurting. God wants to transform the heart of our lives, so all other areas of life get healthy. And he warns us that starting with our words and actions will result in failure. It starts with openness to Jesus…a willing submission to his will. Challenge: List some ways to intentionally get to know a new friend, neighbour or colleague better. Now list ways you can intentionally get to know Jesus better. Pick one from each list and try it today.

From Series: Sermon on the Mount | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio

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