What Makes a Godly Neighbor? Part 1

This sermon, "What Makes a Godly Neighbor?" from Pastor Pete's "The Questions Jesus Asked" series, uses the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) to explore what it means to fulfill Jesus's command to "go and do the same" as a neighbor to others.

Pastor Pete emphasizes that we don't just have neighbors but are neighbors ourselves, and identifies two key attitudes of a godly neighbor: mindfulness (an attentive spirit) and mercy (a heart for the hurting). The core problem he addresses is that modern disciples are too busy, stressed, and saturated by a "culture of chaos" to be truly mindful of others' needs, missing opportunities to serve. He provides a practical three-step model for developing mindfulness: Pray (asking God to open your eyes to see those you're called to serve), Pause (taking time to investigate and consider needs rather than rushing past), and Prioritize (putting God's kingdom first so you're ready to act when He calls).

The sermon powerfully contrasts the priest and Levite who both "saw" the wounded man (using the same Greek word meaning "to know by perception") but passed by, with the Samaritan who not only saw but had compassion and acted with mercy, demonstrating that mercy is "putting mindfulness into action." Pastor Pete includes personal examples, particularly encouraging husbands to listen to their wives' attentive spirits, and challenges listeners to move beyond passive observation to active, sacrificial love that both sees needs and does something about them.