Sermon:           “The Unseen Neighbor”

Theme:            Those who have grown in faith and become wise will see those who are suffering and in need in their midst.

Purpose:          The congregation will begin to seek to set aside personal issues so as to see the neighbors in need.

Scriptures:       Romans 12:9-21          The Marks of a true Christian – love and forgiveness.

Luke 16:19-31 The Rich man and Lazarus, the knowledge of God means noticing our neighbors.

Questions:

What is God’s expectation for our compassion and care for people who are less fortunate than ourselves? What difference does sympathy and generosity play in our relationship with God and with one another? Can we be healthy Christians if we don’t care about the needs of others? What does it mean to “extend hospitality to strangers?” What happens to us spiritually if we don’t develop the ability to be compassionate to others?  What happens if we deepen our ability to care for others without fear or anxiousness about our own needs?

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Sermon:           “But My Neighbor is a …..”

Theme:            Faithfulness to Christ calls us to see Christ in our neighbor’s heart rather than judge his or her behaviors.

Purpose:          The congregation will seek to let go of judgments of others.

Scriptures:       Colossians 3:12-17      Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

John 4:5-42     Jesus and the woman of Samaria at the well.

Questions:

How does God call us to relate to those who have suffered humiliation and discrimination in their community? How do we find ways to show Christ’s love to people who have been condemned or suffered shame? In what ways does God call us to be people of grace and acceptance? What difference will it make to the world when we practice this Christ-like love and compassion? How do we become people who stand out in the world for our ability to bring healing and hope?

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Sermon:           “Do Not Judge the Neighbors”

Theme:            We are called to be people who practice love and acceptance, showing the grace and mercy of God.

Purpose:          The congregation will focus on acceptance of those who are different.

Scriptures:       Colossians 3:1-11        There is no longer Greek nor Jew, slave nor free, set your mind on the things that are above.

Matthew 7:1-5            Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

Questions:

What does holding grudges and prejudices end up costing us emotionally and spiritually? What happens to our relationship with God If we hold onto thoughts of judgment and condemnation? What is the cost to our fellowship together if we support suspicion, hostility, and bitterness? How do we learn to be people who are free from intolerance and condemnation of others? What leads us to practicing “wrath, malice and slander?” What leads us to focus on the things that divide us? In what ways can we be healed as we serve to bring healing to our communities?

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Sermon:           Salty Neighbors

Theme:            We are called to focus on being Christ’s loving presence in the world.

Purpose:          The congregation will seek to find ways that they can be active, making a difference in the world.

Scriptures:       Colossians 2:8-17        Do not get caught up in philosophies or arguments, but know that you are forgiven through the death of Christ.

Matthew 5:13-16        You are the light of the world, you are the salt of the earth.

Questions:

How can we be the “salt” that preserves and prevents decay in the community? What do we need to do in order to not become caught up in ideology or debates, but instead focus on doing things that bring hope and healing in the world? What causes neighbors to become divided or hostile towards each other? What are the vulnerabilities that cause people to become focused on insignificant differences rather than finding places of common hope and concern? How do we focus on developing the fullness of Christ’s wisdom?

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Sermon:           Neighbors and Politics

Theme:            Those who are mature in Christ are able to be confident in their own politics without attacking other people’s points of view.

Purpose:          The congregation will learn to be healthy and wise in disagreement.

Scriptures:       Philippians 2:12-18     Do all things without murmuring and arguing, rejoice in relationship.

John 6:25-34   The people want a sign and want to eat their fill of bread without commitment.

Questions:

How do we maintain a healthy ability to hold our points of view and opinions while allowing others to disagree with us? What are the traits needed to disagree and discuss as mature and authentic people? Why are some so easily upset by political disputes? What is the cause of discussions deteriorating into personal attacks and disrespectful language? Why are some unable to interact with the issues or concerns without feeling personally attacked? How as Christians (especially as Presbyterians) are we to teach others to engage in healthy discussion?

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Sermon:           Making the Neighborhood

Theme:            God’s people take joy in growing healthy relationships and reflecting God’s love in the way they treat others.

Purpose:          The congregation will reflect upon their attitude towards people who are close to them.

Scriptures:       Romans 13:8-14 Owe no one anything but to love one another, and be live honorably.

Mark 4:26-34  The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, what we sow is what will be produced.

Questions:

What is our role in shaping the community around us? What is Jesus’ call on us for how we build relationships? What should we be doing to intentionally assist our community and our nation in growing to be wise and healthy in relationships? How do we develop skills to that enable us to be thoughtful in how we build up the healthy elements of relationship in the world around us?

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Sermon:           Neighbors We Aren’t Sure How to Welcome

Theme:            God’s call crosses boundaries and causes us to be in relationships with people whom we hadn’t thought of as part of the family of God.

Purpose:          To call the congregation to let go of bias against people thought to be unacceptable.

Scriptures:       Acts 8:26-40    Phillip baptizes the Ethiopian Eunuch.

Mark 5:15-20  The man with the demon is rejected by his community and goes to proclaim Jesus among others.

Questions:

Who have we found it particularly difficult to accept as brothers or sisters in Christ? In what ways have we allowed judgment or discrimination to affect our attitude towards other people? In what ways do we prejudge and distort perceptions of groups, cultures, economic groups, or backgrounds? What does that do to us as Christians? What does it do to the church’s testimony of Christ?

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Sermon:           Are Those People Neighbors Too?

Theme:            The grace of God is for all people and we are called to not be partial in our acceptance.

Purpose:          The congregation will evaluate their own acceptance.

Scriptures:       Acts 10:34-48  God shows no partiality, Cornelius’ household is baptized.

Mark 6:7-13    Jesus sends the 12 disciples to all of the villages.

Questions:

What does it mean to us that God sent Peter to proclaim salvation and healing to the people Peter formally thought were unacceptable?  What does it mean to us that God calls no one unclean or unacceptable?  Do we accept Jesus’ commissioning to go out to all people? What happens to our faith and our relationship with God when we are stretched beyond where we are comfortable? What happens to us if we deny extending God’s love to some people? How does it distort our relationship with God not to welcome others as brothers and sisters?

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Sermon:           “Love Your Neighbor, Love Yourself”

Theme:            God invites us to relationships free of insecurity and grievances so that we may be healthy and joyful together.

Purpose:          We will examine the way in which we look down upon others and see the need for forgiveness in ourselves.

Scriptures:       Galatians 5:13-16        Love your neighbor, do not devour one another.

Mark 12:28-44 The greatest commandment – love your neighbor as yourself.

Questions:

What does it mean to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength? In what ways does our love for God set us free from fears about the world and situations we encounter? How are holding onto past offenses and grievances a lack of trust in God’s ability to provide for us? What causes us to become bitter and resentful towards others? How does that affect our love for ourselves? What impact does our thoughts of resentment and attacking others have upon our ability to feel secure and at peace?

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Sermon:           “Being Neighborly”

Theme:            We have to choose between practicing the love of Christ or giving into our fears towards the people around us.

Purpose:          The congregation will explore their anxieties and fears about the relationships in their lives.

Scriptures:       Romans 12:9-21          The character of love.

Matthew 22:34-40      You shall love the Lord your God, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Questions:

What is genuine love?  How does our love for the people around us influence our relationship with God? In what ways does the way in which we relate to the neighbors with whom we are less comfortable make an impact on our relationship with Christ? How does our experience of God’s love and grace cause us to be less reactive and judgmental towards our neighbors?  What do we receive from learning greater compassion and grace?

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Sermon:           “Who is My Neighbor”

Theme:            Faithfulness to God is not in religiosity but in compassion and care for those who are around us.

Purpose:          The congregation will become aware of the needs of the people who are around them, take time to consider the needs of those who are near them.

Scriptures: Leviticus 19:9-16, 33 Commandments regarding care for others.

Luke 10:25-37 Parable of the Good Samaritan

Questions:

How does the law from Leviticus about providing for those who have less influence apply to us today? What is expected from us in terms of showing compassion and care towards others? Who are we responsible to show mercy and compassion? What difference does it make to our relationship with God for us to be compassionate and merciful? What difference does it make in our experience of the fears and anxiousness towards what is uncertain in the world around us?

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