Introduction: 1.
In our lesson we are concentrating on
the words found in Leviticus 19:18b -- "Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
2.
As we study this commandment, we are
considering:
a.
its importance
b.
its interpretation
c.
an illustration that relates to it.
3.
Let us begin by considering . . .
Discussion:
I.
THE
IMPORTANCE OF THIS
COMMANDMENT
A.
(Matthew 22:35-40) Jesus revealed the
2 great commandments in the law.
1.
(vs.39) He identified the commandment
we are studying as the 2nd great commandment of all.
2.
(vs.40) It was 1 of the 2
commandments upon which all the law and prophets hung.
a.
The 1st commandment summed
up all the responsibilities that the Jews had toward God.
b.
The 2nd commandment summed
up all the responsibilities that the Jews had toward their neighbors (Leviticus
19:13, 14, 15, 16, 17).
B.
The New Testament also reveals how
important this commandment is to Christians (Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:13-15;
James 2:8).
C.
Since this commandment is so
important we must understand it.
D.
To help us understand it, let us
consider . . .
II.
THE
INTERPRETATION
OF THIS
COMMANDMENT
A.
(Matthew 5:43-48) Jesus dealt with a
misinterpretation of this commandment.
1.
A misinterpretation is revealed in
vs.43.
2.
Jesus taught His will in vs.44-48.
B.
Jesus gave a practical explanation of
this commandment in Matthew 7:12.
C.
Let us turn our attention to . . .
III.
AN
ILLUSTRATION THAT RELATES
TO THIS COMMANDMENT (Luke 10:25-37)
A.
(vs.25-29) We learn why Jesus told
the parable of the Good Samaritan.
B.
(vs.30) A man needed assistance -- he
had been robbed, stripped of his clothing, wounded, and left half dead.
C.
(vs.31-32) 2 men did not love their
neighbor.
1.
(vs.31) When a priest saw the man, he
"passed by on the other side."
2.
(vs.32) A Levite "came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side."
D.
(vs.33-35) A Samaritan did love his
neighbor.
1.
(vs.33) The Samaritan loved his
neighbor because he had compassion on him.
2.
He demonstrated his love by:
a. caring for the man in need (vs.34)
b.
sacrificing so the man would be taken
care of (vs.35).
E.
Jesus applied this parable to the
lawyer in vs.36-37.
Conclusion:
1.
This morning we showed that the
Lord's people are to avoid having respect of persons.
2.
By practicing the 2nd
commandment, we will overcome and avoid respect of persons.
