Want you be my Neighbor?

Sermon: The Good Samaritan

Opening Prayer: "Father, we come before You today with humble hearts, seeking Your wisdom and guidance. Open our eyes to the truth of Your Word, and let us be transformed by it. Help us to love as You love, and to serve as You served. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Scripture Reading: Luke 10:25-37 (The Parable of the Good Samaritan)

Introduction: Good morning, church family. Today, we are going to explore a parable that many of you know well—the Parable of the Good Samaritan. But I want to challenge you to listen to it with fresh ears today. Jesus told this parable in response to a lawyer’s question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The answer that Jesus gives in this parable is more than just a lesson in kindness; it’s a challenge to live in a way that reflects the love and mercy of our Savior.

1. The Setting: A Question of Eternal Life

The parable begins with a lawyer testing Jesus, asking, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus, as He often does, turns the question back to the man, asking him what is written in the Law. The lawyer responds with the great commandment: to love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus tells him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But the lawyer, wanting to justify himself, asks, “And who is my neighbor?”

2. The Story: A Radical Definition of Neighbor

Jesus answers with the story of a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho who is attacked by robbers, beaten, and left for dead. A priest and a Levite, both respected religious figures, pass by the wounded man without helping. Then comes the Samaritan, a man from a group despised by the Jews, who sees the man, has compassion on him, and cares for his wounds. The Samaritan not only helps the man but takes him to an inn and provides for his ongoing care.

At the end of the parable, Jesus asks, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The lawyer answers, “The one who had mercy on him.” And Jesus says, “Go and do likewise.”

3. The Call: Go and Do Likewise

Jesus’ answer goes beyond what the lawyer expected. The question isn’t "Who is my neighbor?" but "How can I be a neighbor?" Jesus turns the conversation from one of legal obligation to one of heart transformation. He challenges us to love beyond boundaries, beyond prejudices, and beyond what’s comfortable.

The priest and the Levite represent those who are caught up in religious duty but have missed the heart of God. The Samaritan, the one least expected to help, shows what it means to have compassion, to be a true neighbor.

This parable teaches us that loving our neighbor means showing mercy, even when it costs us something. The Samaritan gave his time, his resources, and his care to a stranger. It’s a reminder that true love, the kind of love Jesus calls us to, is sacrificial.

4. Application: How Can We Love Like the Samaritan?

As we reflect on this parable, ask yourself: Who is God calling you to love? Who in your life needs compassion, even if they are different from you or difficult to love? Maybe it’s a neighbor who is struggling, a co-worker who is hard to get along with, or even someone in your own family.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. The Good Samaritan didn’t ask whether the man was deserving of help; he simply saw a need and responded with love. That’s what Jesus did for us on the cross—He didn’t wait for us to be deserving; He loved us while we were still sinners.

5. The Lord’s Supper: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice

As we prepare our hearts for the Lord’s Supper, I want us to remember that this table is a reminder of the ultimate act of compassion—the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins. Just as the Good Samaritan showed mercy to the man on the road, Jesus showed mercy to us by dying on the cross in our place.

Scripture Reading for the Lord's Supper: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper, he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."

Taking the Bread: As we take the bread, let us remember Christ’s body that was broken for us. (Take the bread) "Let us eat this bread in remembrance of Him."

Taking the Cup: As we take the cup, let us remember the blood that was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. (Take the cup) "Let us drink this cup in remembrance of Him."

Conclusion: A Call to Live Compassionately

As we close today, let the story of the Good Samaritan remind us that we are called to love as Jesus loves. We are called to show mercy, to be a neighbor to those in need, and to live out our faith in tangible ways. Just as Christ gave His life for us, we are called to give ourselves in love for others.

Closing Prayer: "Lord, thank You for the example of the Good Samaritan and the ultimate example of compassion in Your Son, Jesus. Help us to go and do likewise in our daily lives. Let Your love shine through us so that others may see You and come to know You. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

This sermon both reflects on the story of the Good Samaritan and incorporates the Lord’s Supper in a way that honors the Southern Baptist tradition.