Practical Ways to Love Others: Being God's Ambassador, Washing Feet, Meeting Needs, Comforting, Showing Mercy

1. Studies In Christianity

2. Christian Love #6 Paying Interest on the Debt

3. We are studying the very core principle of the Christian religion LOVE = I John 4: 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

4. Matthew 22: 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37And He said to him, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

5. Our last lesson observed that in order to love one’s neighbor : 1. One must have a healthy self-image. 2. One must not be narcissistic. 3. One must love proactively & interactively.

6. With this lesson we’ll center on 5 practical ways to love. 1. Be God’s ambassador. 2. Wash their feet. 3. Meet their needs. 4. Be a comforter. 5. Be merciful and compassionate.

7. I. Be God’s ambassador to your neighbors.

8. II Corinthians 5: 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

9. Ephesians 2: 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus Ephesians 4: 22– … in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. I John 4: 8–… God is love.

10. John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

11. II Corinthians 5: 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

12. II. Wash your neighbor’s feet.

13. In John 13 Jesus taught His disciples about humility by washing their feet.

14. John 13: 12 So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.”

15. The example of Jesus is that we should be humble. Philippians 2: 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;4do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

16. III. Meet your neighbor’s needs.

17. Titus 3: 14 Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. v I John 3: 17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

18. Matthew 25: 35 I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;

19. Hebrews 13: 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.

20. IV. Be a comforter for your neighbor.

21. II Corinthians 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,4who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfotrt those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God

22. Matthew 10: 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freelyyou received, freely give.

23. V. Be merciful and compassionate to the undeserving.

24. YOU were undeserving when Jesus gave His life to save you from your sin !

25. Matthew 7: 1 Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. James 2: 13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

26. Matthew 7:12 In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets

27. Godly people view others as God views them. Exodus 34: 6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin;

28. Matthew 5: 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Ephesians 4: 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

29. - Gave Me food - Gave Me drink - Invited Me in - Clothed Me - Came to Me Colossians 3: 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

30. How do I love my neighbor ? 1. Be God’s ambassador. 2. Wash their feet. 3. Meet their needs. 4. Be a comforter. 5. Be merciful and compassionate.

31. When the Lord divids the sheep from the goats, will you be on the right or the left ?

32. His Body was broken for us. His Blood was shed for us.

33. Give us each day Our daily bread