Sunday, October 25, 2026

Scriptures:  Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17, Matthew 22:34-46

Sermon title: “Our neighbors need us”

1. Introduction

Today I am doing something a little different by wearing a T-shirt instead of my usual suit. Some of you may be wondering, “Pastor, did you forget your Sunday clothes?” There are two reasons for this. First, some people hardly recognize me without my suit! Second, I dressed this way because I love this congregation and each one of you. As you can see, my T-shirt carries that message: I love this congregation!

2. Questions to trap Jesus

Throughout Jesus’ three years of ministry, the religious leaders constantly challenged Him with difficult questions, trying to trap Him in His words. In Mark 12:13-17, the Pharisees asked whether it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus wisely answered, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” Then, in Mark 12:18, the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, asked Jesus whose wife a woman would be after marrying seven brothers. Jesus corrected their misunderstanding, explaining that life in the resurrection would be different from life on earth. Jesus answered their questions with wisdom, but the religious leaders did not stop. Their goal was to trap Him.

Now, they came with another question, trying to test Jesus about which commandment was the greatest. It was a difficult question because people had different opinions about which commandment mattered most. Jewish tradition included 613 commandments, making it difficult to know and follow them all. Religious leaders had debated which commandment was the greatest for years, with some said the Sabbath or sacrifices. A parent might choose “Honor your father and mother,” If I ask Fred and Peter, they could say “Do not give false testimony in court.”

3. Love God with your whole life

Jesus responds by quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-5: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” This command, known as the Shema, meaning “hear,” was a familiar prayer that every Jewish person knew. Jesus was not introducing a new teaching; He was reminding them of a truth they knew but often failed to practice. To love God with all our heart means making Him our priority in our thoughts and feelings. To love Him with all our soul means surrendering our emotions, including our grief, joy, fear, and peace, to Him.

Jesus demonstrated this in Gethsemane when He prayed for the Father’s will to be done, even as His soul was deeply sorrowful (Matthew 26:38). To love God with all our minds means using our thoughts and understanding to know God and His will. Faith is not only a spiritual experience; it also involves learning, reflection, and making wise decisions. Studying Scripture, reading Christian books, and discussing our faith help us deepen our relationship with God.

4. Love your neighbor as yourself

Jesus did not stop at loving God. He also commanded us to “Love our neighbors as ourselves” (Leviticus 19:18), teaching that the two commandments are inseparable. When we truly love God, that love transforms how we treat others. Our neighbor is anyone who needs our love, kindness, and compassion, those seeking shelter, people coming to our church for assistance, or those receiving support through our community meals and ingathering ministries. Jesus calls us not only to talk about love but also to put our love into action.

5. Whose Son is he?

In the final part of today’s Scripture, Jesus asks the Pharisees, “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” This reminds us of how people in His hometown focused on Jesus’ family and background and rejected Him (Mark 6; Luke 4). Jesus challenges us to look beyond people’s backgrounds, where they come from, and their past successes or failures. What truly matters is how we live, relate to God, and love and treat others.

6. Our neighbors need us

There are two things we as Christians can do to make the world a better place by loving God and our neighbors. But without love and working together, we cannot fully do God’s work. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). We cannot claim to love God while failing to love those around us (1 John 4:20). Our neighbors need our love, but many people in crisis suffer silently, hoping someone will notice. Sometimes, even caring people hesitate because they fear getting too involved. There is always a gap between people’s needs and our willingness to help.

If love can be written on a T-shirt, can it also be seen in how we live every day? How can you offer grace to your neighbor? Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:22-23 of the fruit of the Spirit. We can show love through simple actions: checking in, sending a note, bringing a meal, offering a ride, picking up groceries, spending time with someone, or helping with yard work.  It costs almost nothing, but can mean everything to someone who feels forgotten. Loving your neighbor does not require an invitation, only a willingness to show up and care. This week, choose one fruit of the Spirit to share with someone and make Christ’s love visible in our church and our community. Do not just wear love. Live love. This is how others will recognize us as disciples of Christ. Amen. *