The Art of Neighbouring Building genuine relationships

Art of Neighbouring Who is our neighbour? Overcoming barriers: time The Art of Neighbouring Who is our neighbour? Overcoming barriers: time Checking our motives Overcoming barriers: fear Looking for open doors Building genuine relationships

How to please God… “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, “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Luke 10

From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. Acts 17: 26

Have you had a go? How is it going?

Growing good boundaries It’s good to be responsible to a person but not for a person.

We can’t be everyone’s best friend. So who do we invest time in?

Jesus was always intentional The crowds Wider group of disciples of 72 Core group of 12 Inner circle of 3 And sometimes alone

What did he ask the seventy two to do. Not Byeee; go save the world What did he ask the seventy two to do? Not Byeee; go save the world! Specific instructions – and 72 is symbolic.

Luke 10: 1 - 11 After this the Lord appointed seventy- two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore

to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. 5 ‘When you enter a house, first say “Peace to this house.” 6 If someone who promotes peace is

there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. 8 ‘When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.

9 Heal those there who are ill and tell them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 “Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God has come near.”

Everything’s spiritual He sent them: Go! v4 Where...? to every town and place where he was about to go. v1 It’s his harvest; his timing; his people.

Everything’s spiritual Jesus tells us how to pray. Ask the Lord… v2 Ask for influence. Ask to be a harvester. Ask where the fields are ripe. Ask specifically about our neighbours.

Don’t get cluttered or distracted Do not take purse, bag or sandals. v3 Priorities. Nothing to slow us down. Do not greet anyone. v4 There’s an urgency. Earth must never blot out heaven.

Be focussed Jesus sent them to look for a specific type of person. Look for a person of peace v6 And then stay in that house. v7 Surely connect with as many people as possible? No – build deep relationships with a few.

Invest well Recognising a person of peace. Your peace will rest on them. v6 Those who have open hearts. Open to you in friendship Open to others Open to the Lord God fearing people (Cornelius) They will form deeper relationships with us.

Being spiritually equipped Heal the sick… Doin’ the stuff! Tell them: the kingdom of God is near you. v9 This is the heart of the gospel. Be expectant for signs and wonders that accompany the kingdom. Healing Words of knowledge Wisdom

Who are you investing in?

Stay spiritually filled up…

Next series: The difference Jesus makes With our past In our relationships With our feelings With those who don’t like us With our money