Welcome to South! We're glad you joined us today! Below you will find some sermon notes and Bible passages, to help you follow along with Pastor Scott's message. We are in a series called "Neighboring", which has been on his heart to teach on. We hope you will be encouraged by what is taught today.

Why would Jesus eat with these people (sinners) at a party?

Jesus: "the sick are the ones who need a Physician."

Jesus: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”

Jesus: “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

What happens when Christians DON'T engage sinners around them?

1) Isolation
2) Misunderstanding
3) Fear

Something to consider: “Jesus went to Matthew’s party, because he knew that Matthew’s sinful friends weren’t likely to come to him. The same is true for us. Sinners find our parties boring. They find our fun boring. And that’s OK; we expect them to, knowing that they have tastes for the world while we have tastes for heaven. Those differing tastes are not easily joined together.” (Thabiti Anyabwile)

We want to engage with sinners, without sinning - but we're not sinless...

1) Know your struggles and limits.
2) Remember that Christ is our righteousness.
3) Keep a redemptive purpose/goal in mind.

While we should have a redemptive purpose in mind as we lovingly engage with our neighbors, we must be careful to not make their redemption the AGENDA for our relationship with them. When it becomes our agenda, we no longer love our neighbor because we are converted and want to obey Christ, but instead we love our neighbor to convert them. The problem is, we have no ability to convert anyone. The process of going from being dead in trespasses and sins to being made alive in Christ is completely a work of God.