Don’t you want to be my neighbor?
Preaching Outline on Luke 10:25-37 – And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tried him, and said, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He answered him: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.
Central idea:
You won’t be able to love God fully if you don’t see yourself correctly. And if you don’t see yourself correctly, you won’t be able to relate from a place of emotional and spiritual health.
I. The Savior’s Love
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
A. He sees our condition
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were distressed and exhausted…” (Matthew 9:36)
B. Heals our wounds
“By his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
C. Carries us in our weakness
“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” (Isaiah 53:4)
D. Paid the full price
“For you were bought at a price.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)
“It is finished!” (John 19:30)
II. Sacrificial Love
“Jesus answered, ‘Go and do likewise. (Luke 10:37)
A. Eyes to see
“Let each of you consider not only his own interests, but also the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)
B. Scars bring healing
“That we may be able to comfort them which are in any affliction, with the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:5)
C. Lighten the load
“Bear one another’s heavy burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
D. Grace inspires generosity
“Do not forget to do good and to share with others what you have, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.” (Hebrews 13:16)
III. Love for oneself
“He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)
A. Know your value in Christ
“He saw him.” (Luke 10:32)
B. See yourself with compassion
“He had compassion on him.” (Luke 10:33)
C. Take care of your emotional and spiritual wounds
“He healed his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them.” (Luke 10:34)
D. Surround yourself with the right people
“He set him on his own beast.” (Luke 10:34)
E. Invest in your well-being
“He took him to an inn and cared for him.” (Luke 10:35)
Final message:
Unhealthy self-love seeks validation, control and pleasure at the expense of others, leading to pride, emptiness and broken relationships. But self-love according to God embraces grace, healing and stewardship of life, allowing us to love others from a place of wholeness, not neediness.
Are you ready to love as Christ loved?
Preaching Outline on Luke 10:25-37 – And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tried him, and said, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He answered him: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.
More Preaching Outlines
- Who is my neighbor? – Luke 10:25-29
- Zechariah 13:6 – Jesus’ wounds
- Preaching on the Good Samaritan – Luke 10:34-35
