Abundant Life Church of Christ

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Love Thy Neighbor

Pastor A. Gary Foreman

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

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Love is not something you fall into by mistake, it is a choice.

'1How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! 2For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. 3Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.'

Psalms 133:1-3

The Beauty of Fellowship

David describes unity in three powerful ways:

Pleasant – It brings joy and spiritual satisfaction

Precious Oil – Symbolizes anointing, consecration, and God’s presence

Refreshing Dew – Represents renewal, life, and divine blessing

Key Insight

Loving your neighbor is not just a command—it creates an atmosphere where God releases blessing and life everlasting.

Where there is unity, God commands a blessing
Where there is division, spiritual flow is hindered

Reflection Question

Is my life producing harmony or division among God’s people?

The disciples of Christ after they were filled with the Holy Ghost had fellowship daily in each others houses or wherever the people of God could meet. Jesus sent them out 2 by 2.

'1The Lord now chose seventy-two#10:1 Some manuscripts read seventy; also in 10:17. other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. 3Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road. 5 “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ 6If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. '

Luke 10:1-6

Jesus sends out the seventy-two:

In pairs → Love is lived out in partnership

With dependence on God → No excess provisions

With a message of peace → “Peace be to this house”

Spiritual Principles

Love travels in community

We are not meant to minister alone

Love releases peace

Your presence should shift atmospheres

Love discerns receptivity

Not everyone will receive you—but love anyway

Key Insight

Loving your neighbor includes bringing God’s peace into their environment.

'17When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” 18 “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” '

Luke 10:17-20

Power in Ministry

The disciples return rejoicing:

Demons obeyed them

Authority was evident

But Jesus redirects them:

“Don’t rejoice because spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Key Insight

Loving your neighbor is not about spiritual performance, but about eternal relationship.

True love is:

Not prideful

Not self-exalting

Rooted in identity, not power

'25One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”#10:27 Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18. 28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” 29The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. 31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32A Temple assistant#10:32 Greek A Levite. walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. 33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,#10:35 Greek two denarii. A denarius was equivalent to a laborer’s full day’s wage. telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ 36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” '

Luke 10:25-37

The Greatest Commandment

Two inseparable commands:

Love God completely

Love your neighbor as yourself

Key Insight

You cannot separate love for God from love for people.

Your love for God is proven by how you treat others

The Parable

The Characters:

Priest → Religious, but unresponsive

Levite → Aware, but inactive