Talking with Your Neighbor

Text: Zechariah 8:16-17

I.         Undoubtedly there are evil people around us

            A.        There are people who plot the harm of others, even though it disrupts the safety of those around them - Proverbs 3:29

            B.        This was one of the many problems that led to Israel’s downfall - Micah 2:1-3

            C.        Typically these people hide what they plan - Jeremiah 9:8

            D.        They lie about others in secret - Psalms 101:5

            E.        This was one of the warning in the section of Leviticus about loving your neighbor - Leviticus 19:16

II.        Instead, God’s people

            A.        Doesn’t slander, doesn’t do evil, or degrades his neighbor - Psalms 15:3

            B.        Instead, we are to seek our neighbor’s good - I Corinthians 10:24

            C.        We rebuke him when he sins because we want him to reach heaven - Leviticus 19:17

            D.        We guide our neighbor to good - Proverbs 12:26

            E.        We are to build up our neighbors - Romans 15:1-2

            F.        We must be honest people - Ephesians 4:25

III.       Love requires communication

            A.        We need to talk with those around us to help them discover a better way to live life

            B.        We can’t be isolated from those around us