The Good Samaritian

 

Luke 10:25  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 

(If we could all live that.. Life would be simple)

Here he has combined Deuteronomy 6:5 & Leviticus 19:18

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

Set the Scene:

The Jews had no dealings with the samaritains

John 4:9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

Any time you see certain… Insert YOUR name here

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

Too Busy, Not one of MY people, Nothing in it for ME
The religious crowd prides itself on how they’ve cleaned up.. So much to the fact that they no longer have effect on the world.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

At least he looked on him, empathy..
There is that group out there who acknowledges that there is a need… but does want to fill it. Examples

Dr. White’s Pope joke

33  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

There was effort.. Doing the right thing is not always easy.
Note: He came where he was & He went to HIM
If we are to have an impact of this world it must be outside these doors first!

Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

(Ministry costs money)
Two Pence equates to about 2 days wages.
Having these church doors open, cost money: Pastor’s salary, materials, electric, water, building maintained, missionaries, evangelists, transportation costs, dinners here at church…
Many times a foreign missionary needs to feed a man before he can present the Gospel.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

What does being a Christian mean to you.

Coming to church, being good?
So many examples in the Bible are just that.. Examples of how someone who Loves God should be. Yet so often we boil down being a Christian as just someone who goes to church.

God wants a Holy people that will put His words into action.  Actions that make a difference in peoples lives.

Prayer..

Tonight at one time in our life we have been one of these folks.. The tempter, The man in the ditch, The Priest, The Levite or the Samaritan…  Remember Jesus wants us to: Thou shalt love the Lord thy   God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

I say too… Go and do thou likewise…