"Who Is My Neighbor?"

In this sermon, The Rev. Charlie Holt unpacks the familiar story of the Good Samaritan — but challenges us to see it in a new light. More than a simple lesson in kindness, Jesus’s parable reveals our tendency to justify ourselves and redefine God’s commands to fit our own lives.

Rev. Charlie highlights how Jesus turns the lawyer’s “gotcha” question — “Who is my neighbor?” — into a radical call to see ourselves as those who desperately need mercy. Like the man beaten and left half dead, we cannot save ourselves; only Christ’s sacrificial love can truly restore us.

Through relatable stories and thoughtful reflection, Rev. Charlie invites us to stop adjusting God’s word to our comfort and instead let Christ transform our hearts, our relationships, and our willingness to show mercy — even to those we might least expect.

Scripture: Luke 10:25–37 (The Good Samaritan)

Key Themes: Self-justification, mercy, transformation, loving your neighbor, sacrificial love, Gospel-centered living