YOU are the Church in Your Neighborhood

October 25, 2023

Love your neighbor as yourself. It’s such a simple command, yet most

Americans don’t even know their neighbors—and you can’t love somebody

you don’t know.

Did you know that God enjoys watching the people he created have fellowship with each other? In Zechariah 3:10, he says, “Each of you will invite your neighbor to come and enjoy peace and security, surrounded by your vineyards and fig trees” (GNT).

You probably don’t have vineyards in your backyard, but you might

have a flower garden, a fire pit, or just a patch of grass. The point is

not to have a pretty place to offer, but to make the choice to be

friendly and get to know your neighbors.

One reason we never host our church’s Trunk’R’Treat on the same date

as Halloween is because we want to encourage our congregation to get out

and meet their neighbors. Even if Halloween isn’t your thing, you can

still be a friendly neighbor while everyone is out. This is a unique

time that offers a lot of opportunities to get to know the people around

you. Why not just sit on your front porch, wave, give out candy and

even greet the people going by? You never know when a friendly gesture

might eventually lead to spiritual conversations.

In fact, we are entering the holiday season. This is the time of year

where people are most receptive to an invitation to come to a church

event or church service. You could be the very one to introduce your

neighbor to Jesus this holiday season… whether that happens through

inviting them to church or simply having real, meaningful conversations

with them in the driveway of your home.

Really, YOU are the church in your neighborhood.

How will you love the people God has placed around you well this holiday season?