26-0111p - Detailed Summary

The preacher, Steve, introduces the topic "love one another," derived from passages in Mark and Luke. He references the passage in Mark 12:30 and following, then shifts to the related account in Luke, specifically the parable of the Good Samaritan. He reads from the New International Version, which he prefers for study, though he appreciates other versions. This month, he is using the Christian Standard Bible, which he finds very good, though not as preferred as the NIV. He likes various Bible versions. He focuses on the lead-up to the parable of the Good Samaritan and wants to examine Jesus' comments in Luke chapter 10, starting from verse 25.

An expert in the law stands up to test Jesus, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus asks what is written in the law and how the expert reads it. The expert replies to love the Lord with all heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. Jesus affirms the answer is correct and says to do this for life. Steve explains this leads to an example of loving one another through the parable of the Good Samaritan. He then revisits Mark chapter 12, verse 28, rereading about the teacher of the law asking about the most important commandment.

Jesus states the most important commandment is to hear that the Lord is one and to love God with all heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second is to love one’s neighbor as oneself, with no greater commandment. The teacher agrees, saying God is one, and loving Him and neighbor surpasses burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus commends the wise answer, noting the teacher is near the kingdom of God. Steve emphasizes "love one another," explaining the Greek word "agape" for love.

Steve notes there are at least four Greek words translated as love in English, like "Philadelphia." Agape reflects love for the well-being of others, involving careful interaction. This is why Jesus shares the Good Samaritan story. Steve suggests reflecting on the Good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10. He notes the focus isn’t solely on it but it doesn’t take much time. After Jesus states the commandments, including loving neighbor as self, Luke provides commentary.

The inquirer affirms Jesus' answer, and Jesus says to do this for life, but the inquirer wants to justify himself, asking who his neighbor is. Steve notes this inquirer is a Jew who would ritually wash after market contact with Gentiles to cleanse contamination. He avoids social interaction with Gentiles, not inviting them home or sharing drinks. He seeks justification for this, knowing Gentiles are human but viewing them as socially inferior.

Jesus replies with a story: a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho is attacked by robbers, stripped, beaten, and left half dead. A priest sees him but passes on the other side, too important or busy to help. Similarly, a Levite sees him and passes by, unwilling to take responsibility.

A Samaritan travels, sees the man, and takes pity. This illustrates loving neighbor: concern for well-being and welfare. The Samaritan differs from the priest and Levite by showing compassion, stopping despite his own duties.

The Samaritan bandages wounds with oil and wine, puts the man on his donkey, takes him to an inn, and cares for him. Next day, he gives two denarii to the innkeeper, promising reimbursement for extras. Jesus shows unexpectedly, a Samaritan helps, especially if the victim is a Jew, despite mutual incompatibility. Jesus asks which was the neighbor: the one showing mercy. The expert agrees, and Jesus says to go and do likewise.

Steve shares from his past occupations, seeking ways to provide for his family, like nice cars and houses, but never qualifying for such. He was once an insurance agent; his company met at a Seventh-day Adventist college in Michigan. Sitting there, the speaker discussed the Good Samaritan story. Steve notes Seventh-day Adventists' focus on helping alcoholics toward sobriety.

The speaker poses: what if the roadside man was an alcoholic, beaten, robbed, rolled, left in vomit? Would you help in such a messy situation, or pass by? Passing isn’t love; helping shows compassion. This is agape: willing to help those needing it, beyond that, concern for spiritual well-being of contacts like children, mates, friends, coworkers. Are you concerned about their heaven-bound path? Will you bend over backwards, against your will, to help? Steve suggests examining a different context.

Steve transitions to 1 Corinthians chapter 8, where Paul addresses conflicts over spiritual welfare and religious beliefs. Reading from the New International Version, he begins with verse 1, noting that Christians often argue about what others believe. While knowledge is possessed, Paul warns that knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Steve explains this means knowing what the Bible says about topics like sacrifices can make one arrogant. Instead, believers must consider the perspective of the person they are speaking with and evaluate whether the issue is truly important, focusing on building others up through love rather than displaying superior knowledge.

Paul continues that those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know, implying the need for humility. Steve emphasizes approaching discussions with concern for the other person’s understanding and feelings to avoid leaving them angry or uninformed. He notes the context concerns eating food sacrificed to idols: believers know idols are nothing and there is only one God, the Father, from whom all things come, and one Lord, Jesus Christ. Yet not everyone has this knowledge; some, still accustomed to idols, believe eating sacrificial food defiles their weak conscience, though food itself does not bring one closer to or farther from God.

Steve explains that new Christians coming out of idolatry may struggle with eating meat sacrificed to idols, viewing it as connected to false gods. While there is no inherent reason not to eat such meat, if it is known to have been offered to idols, believers should abstain for the sake of the other’s conscience. He illustrates with an example: telling a brother that drinking alcohol is fine (beer or wine) without considering their background fails to demonstrate love. Paul urges consideration of the weaker brother’s perspective to avoid causing offense or stumbling.

Steve stresses that it does not matter whether one eats or abstains in the presence of the weaker brother; the key is to have compassion and avoid causing him to stumble or leave the church. If eating would trouble the other, one should eat in private or abstain. For the person whose conscience deems something wrong, it is wrong for them. Paul warns in verse 9 to be careful that personal rights do not become a stumbling block to the weak. Seeing a knowledgeable believer eat in an idol’s temple might embolden the weak to do the same, destroying the one for whom Christ died and wounding their conscience, which sins against Christ.

Paul concludes that if eating meat causes a brother to fall, he will never eat meat again to avoid causing stumbling. Steve highlights this as true love: refraining for the sake of the brother, showing concern for his welfare. This fulfills the command to love one’s neighbor by avoiding any occasion that might cause stumbling. He then introduces a similar teaching in Romans chapter 13, beginning at verse 8.

In Romans 13:8 and following, Paul instructs to let no debt remain except the continuing debt to love one another, as whoever loves others fulfills the law. The commandments against adultery, murder, stealing, and coveting are summed up in loving your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbor, thus love is the fulfillment of the law. Steve notes that worldly ways pursue selfish desires without concern for harm, leading to anger and jealousy. Christians must avoid such behaviors and ensure they do not exist in their lives.

Steve recalls the morning’s discussion and references Ephesians chapter 5, starting at verse 8. Believers, once in darkness but now light in the Lord, should live as children of light. The fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. He emphasizes finding what pleases the Lord. When interacting with others, whether brothers, sisters, or the world, the result of walking in light and love should manifest as goodness (not hatred, anger, or jealousy), righteousness in behavior, and truth without falsehood or darkness.

Steve moves to Romans chapter 14, starting around verse 19. Paul urges making every effort toward peace and mutual edification, not destroying God’s work for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong to eat anything that causes another to stumble. It is better to abstain from meat, wine, or anything that causes a brother or sister to fall. Personal convictions about such matters should remain between oneself and God. The blessed person does not condemn themselves by what they approve, but those with doubts are condemned if they act against faith, as anything not from faith is sin.

Steve stresses that loving your neighbor is comprehensive, encompassing many aspects covered by agape. Agape describes God’s love, as in John 3:16 where God so loved (agape) the world that He gave His only begotten Son. God is concerned about everything in believers' lives. Steve appreciates the concept (though not scriptural wording) of divine intervention, divine providence, and divine preservation: God intervenes for the best outcomes, provides the right experiences, and preserves eternally in heaven. This fully encompasses agape, describing God’s love for humanity’s welfare. Whenever Scripture, especially in John’s writings, speaks of God’s love or human love, it uses agape, reflecting concern for the well-being of fellow mankind.

Steve concludes that God asks believers to be concerned about their neighbor, as illustrated in the Good Samaritan parable where Jesus defines who the neighbor is. God loves humanity and does not desire that any should perish but that all come to repentance, actively working in the world through the Holy Spirit. He references Jesus' description of the Holy Spirit’s job in John chapters 14, 15, and 16. In John 16, Jesus comforts His grieving disciples about His departure, explaining He must go to the Father so the Advocate—the Holy Spirit—can come. Jesus states it is better for them that He goes away, as the Holy Spirit will not come otherwise. The Holy Spirit’s role includes convicting the world of sin (because people do not believe in Jesus), righteousness (because Jesus goes to the Father), and judgment (because the prince of this world stands condemned).

Jesus continues that He has more to say but the disciples cannot bear it now. When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide believers into all truth, not speaking on His own but only what He hears, and He will declare things to come. The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus by receiving from Him and making it known, as all that belongs to the Father is Jesus'. Steve emphasizes that God loves believers, looks after their well-being, and sent the Holy Spirit to guide, help, and protect them.

When someone responds positively to the invitation, becomes a child of God, and is baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, they rise to walk in newness of life. According to Acts 2:38, they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who then indwells them. Steve explains that Paul in Ephesians describes the Holy Spirit as an assurance that believers are children of God with the right to eternal life in heaven. The Holy Spirit serves as an earnest or down payment guaranteeing this promise.

Steve uses the analogy of a down payment when buying a car or house: it assures the seller of the buyer’s commitment. Similarly, God gives the Holy Spirit as an earnest to guarantee that forgiveness of sins, reconciliation to God through baptism for remission of sins, and eternal life will come to pass. This reflects God’s agape love—His deep concern for believers' well-being and eternal destiny.

Steve affirms that God’s agape love shows His concern for each person. He notes that the audience has likely already responded positively to this invitation. However, he extends an open opportunity for anyone needing to respond to the gospel invitation, accept Christ, be baptized, or request prayers for any need. He invites those with such needs to come forward. The sermon concludes with the congregation standing together to sing a psalm of encouragement.