Introduction: Human beings cannot live alone. That is why we have neighbors. A true neighbor makes our lives blessed, and a bad neighbor makes our lives miserable. Husbands and wives, parents and children, brothers, sisters, and friends and neighbors live together. How can we be a true neighbor?


1. Who is our neighbor? (Lk 10:25-27).
    1) An expert in the law tested Jesus-What must I do to inherit eternal life?
    2) Jesus answered in terms of the law to a lawyer-What is written in the Law?
    3) The lawyer´s answer (Lk 10:27).
    4) Who is my neighbor?
    5) Jesus explained about a true neighbor.

2. The parable of a man who fell into the hands of robbers.
    1) A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of
        robbers.
        ⓛ Jericho was a city below sea level, an oasis abundant in livestock products.
            He sold these products in Jerusalem.
        ② He had a pocketful of money when he fell into the hands of robbers on the way
            to Jericho.
        ③ The robbers stole the money, stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and went
            away leaving him half dead.
        ④ A priest passed by: a legalist who rebukes, condemns, and judges.
            The legalist condemned, stripped, scratched, disgraced, and trampled on his
            neighbor    (Lk 6:37).
        ⑤ A Levite also passed by: a man who conducts rituals.
            Rituals help a priest with rites and ceremonies.
            Ritualists conduct religious ceremonies, but they are indifferent to righteousness,
            love, and faith    (Ro 12:15-16).
        ⑥ The Good Samaritan: the Jews treated the Samaritans like dogs, like barbarians
            who had no laws or rituals.
            (1) He was generous-had mercy on the man.
            (2) He treated the man with what he had-bandaging his wounds, pouring on oil
                and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn, and
                took care of him.

3. The lesson for us.
    1) We are all like the man who fell into the hands of robbers-Satan stole the spirit,
        blessing, and health of the descendents of Adam (Jn 10:10).
    2) Who can help us?
        ⓛ Religion and laws? There is no one righteous before the law that condemns,
            rebukes and judges us (Ro 3:20).
        ② Rituals or ceremonies? Do circumcision and baptism give us salvation?
            (Ac 4:12).
    3) Jesus the Good Samaritan.
        ⓛ Jesus took pity on us and came to us.
        ② He woke up our spirit with the oil of the Holy Spirit.
        ③ He cleansed our sin with His precious blood.
        ④ He bandaged us with love.
        ⑤ He put us on His gracious cart and took care of us at a church, which is an
            inn of heaven.

4. Our turn to become a good neighbor.
    1) Our neighbor, North Korea, who is in trouble (Mt 25:35-36, 40).
    2) Do not be a legalist who condemns nor a ritualist who ignores (Jas 2:14-17).
    3) Let us show mercy and love-not with what we do not have, but with what we do
        have (1Jn 3:17-18; Lk 6:38).
    4) Pyongyang heart hospital.
        ⓛ 500,000 members decided to give 300,000 KRW for two years
        ② 150,000 KRW per year, 13,000 KRW per month, 3,300 KRW per week
        ③ Let us all practice love, and be a good neighbor (2Co 9:6-9).


Conclusion : Love is the greatest Christian virtue. When we love God and neighbor as ourselves, we will have fruitful salvation.