Mission 2020

Who is My Neighbor?

INTRODUCTION

This summer, we focused on the admonition from Jesus: Love your neighbor as yourself. The series was built around the “one another’s” in the New Testament. During our annual Missions emphasis, I want us to give attention to the question from the expert in the law recorded by Luke in Luke 10:29: “And who is my neighbor?”

Of course, Jesus responded with the very famous parable of The Good Samaritan. Even in His answer, Jesus challenged the theology and worldview of the religious scholar. On the one hand, the man who had been injured was the “neighbor” in the parable. However, Jesus will end the parable with the question, “Which one of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” With that question, Jesus turned the tables on the scholar. Then, Jesus added, “Go and do likewise.”

In typical Jesus fashion, our Lord used a simple story to show how the Kingdom of God breaks into our normal world. The Samaritan turned out to be the “real neighbor” because of his neighborly actions. There is much to be learned from this famous parable. We will spend this month reflecting on our relationship with our own neighbors.

Obviously, this entire Mission emphasis is a further extension of our theme for the entire year of 

2020: What our world needs now is . . . Love!

Who is My Neighbor?

November 1, 2020:  Love Your Neighbor in Deed

Love is at the heart of the Gospel. We are to love God and our neighbors. In fact, we demonstrate our love for God by loving our neighbors. Love challenges us to walk toward and not walk away. Even when it is hard. God’s people are unleashed in this world and we are to walk towards our neighbors. This is particularly challenging if our neighbors are really different from us! This story from Jesus is rife with both racial and religious overtones.

Sermon Text: Luke 10:25-37

Reflections on the Sermon/Biblical Text:

-This week, elections will be held across our nation. Let’s take time to pray for America. Let’s pray for each other. Let’s pray for those with whom we disagree politically. Let’s pray for God’s will, God’s peace, and for God’s love to flow through us.

-Our society continues to struggle with racial issues. How might God use you in efforts of reconciliation and healing?

-What is your natural tendency with other people? Do you generally move towards people or away from them? Why?

-How might God use you in relationship with someone in need this week?

Daily Bible Readings

November 2: James 1

November 3: James 2

November 4: James 3

November 5: James 4

November 6: James 5

November 7: Reflection

November 8, 2020:  Dinner’s Ready!

Meals are special opportunities. First of all, they can just be enjoyable because of the good food! However, meals often are special because of those gathered around the table. I would go even further; our homes are special places --- often because of who is invited in. As we move beyond this pandemic, we are sensing that God is calling some of our folks to use their homes as gathering places for community as a ministry of our church. We will explore that idea today in this message.

Sermon Text: Luke 14:15-24

Celebration of the Lord’s Supper

Reflections on the Sermon/Biblical Text:

-How do meals work at your home? If you live alone, how often do you intentionally seek to share a meal with someone else?

-How welcome do people feel in your home? Obviously, the pandemic has rendered much home fellowship moot. However, the pandemic will end – and we will return to some level of normalcy. 

-Are there ways you can demonstrate hospitality in your neighborhood?

-Are you sensing God’s call to participate in FBCA@home in some way?

Daily Bible Readings

November 9: Luke 11:37-54

November 10: Luke 12:1-12

November 11: Luke 14:1-14

November 12: Luke 14:15-24

November 13: Luke 15

November 14: Reflection

November 15, 2020: Friends are . . . Friends!

Our friends are neighbors! We should care about their spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being. As the church is unleased across the community, church members develop friendships. We should always demonstrate our desire to bring our friends to Jesus! Friends should always prove themselves friendly!

Sermon Text: Luke 5:17-26

Reflections on the Sermon/Biblical Text:

-What kind of friend are you? Notice in our readings this week, even Jesus needed friends!

-How has God used you to shape the spiritual lives of your friends?

-How might God use you this week in the lives of your friends?

Daily Bible Readings

November 16: Luke 4:38-44

 November 17: Luke 5:1-16

November 18: Luke 5:17-26

November 19: Luke 5:27-39

November 20: Luke 6:1-16

November 21: Reflection

November 22, 2020: Cultural Bridge Building

Our society has become incredibly diverse. Our community is now multi-cultural. God has brought people from across the world into our neighborhoods, schools, churches, and workplaces. How should the church respond to this phenomenon? As we are unleashed across our community, God can use us to build bridges that bring understanding and grace in cross-cultural relationships. This Gospel is truly for everyone!

Sermon Text: Mark 7:24-30

Reflections on the Sermon/Biblical Text:

-How many cross-cultural friendships do you have? Are they hard or difficult for you? Why?

-How might God use you to build bridges in relationships?

-Spend some time this week praying for God to use you in developing spiritual relationships with people from other cultural backgrounds.

Daily Bible Readings

November 23: Acts 11:19-30

November 24: Acts 15:1-21

November 25: Acts 15:22-29

November 26: Acts 18:1-17

November 27: Revelation 7:9-17

November 28: Reflection