Risk: For What You Believe

Manuscript Template

Title:  Risk: For What You Believe

Focus Statement:  

God calls us to RISK our comfort, schedule, reputation, safety, and wealth for our neighbor.

Function Statement:  

Go out and be a good neighbor to everyone who has a need that you have the power and opportunity to help.

Tweetable Phrase:  

Main Text:  Luke 10:25-37

Supporting Text:  Deuteronomy 6:4-7, Leviticus 19:18, Leviticus 19:2

Redemptive Closure (point to Jesus):  Matthew 25:14-30

Benediction:  Proverbs 14:21

Questions to Review

Is the bottom line clear? Main point should be able to be said in a single sentence.

What’s the opening line? Not hello, start with a question or something to grab attention.

Is the transition from the introduction to main point clear?

What’s my main point? Make it short and memorable

Does it matter? Is the topic relevant to the congregation?

Where is the power in the text? What word or phrase highlights the tension?

How am I moving toward application?

What is my main to-do (application)? Be specific.

What does it matter? The WHY creates urgency.

How am I closing? Have a plan.

WELCOME

Good morning!!! My name is Ryan Hanson and I have the honor of serving here at The Light KC as the lead pastor. I’m so glad you’re here with us.

‌Welcome to those joining us online. We hope your doing well and hope to see you in person in the coming weeks.

And a special welcome to those joining us for the first time. We’re so glad you chose to be here.

ME/INTRO - Tension

Have you ever seen this pop up on your GPS?

[Google Stalled Vehicle Warning]

Do you look for the vehicle, or just click it off?

What do you do when the warning is followed by an actual stalled vehicle?

[stalled vehicle]

Do you stop? Do you change lanes and keep driving?

What if you see this; a frustrated person standing by the stalled vehicle?

[Stalled Vehicle with Person]

Years ago...

I was the frustrated person stranded on the road next to my stalled vehicle. But it wasn’t the side of the road, my truck broke spectacularly. I was driving down a 5 lane road when the tie rod (the metal bar that connects your steering wheel to the front wheels of the vehicle) exploded. My wheel was no longer connected to the steering rack and could rotate however it wanted. It started flapping back and forth like the wheel on a shopping car. I tried to get to the center / left hand turn lane, but (because my steeling wheel wasn’t connected to the wheels anymore) I stopped right in the middle of the driving lane so violently it can only be described as that same shopping cart when a rock gets stuck under the wheel.

I was by myself, in my 20s, and with the front wheels pointed in opposing directions, I couldn’t push the truck off the road. I called to get a tow truck, but they said it would be 45 minutes. I sat in the truck for a while, waiting, but with the number of people that were honking, waving their hands, and screaming profanities at me I didn’t feel safe. I ended up walking into the front yard of the nearest house and sat on the sidewalk, watching people honk, wave hands, and scream profanities at me and my truck for 45 minutes. When the tow truck finally came, got the wheels straightened out, got my truck on the tow truck, the owner of the house that I was in front of walked out and asked if they could help. Turned out they were watching me sit on the sidewalk the whole time through the window and didn’t feel like coming out when I could have actually used the help. Over the 45 minutes, nobody stopped to help.

Even knowing what it is like being stranded on the side of the road with nobody willing to help, I find it really difficult to stop and offer help to others.

Moment of vulnerability, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve stopped for a someone who was stranded. More often than not, I’m going somewhere and “don’t have the time”. Or traffic is busy and pulling over doesn’t feel safe. Or I just don’t feel like I have the ability to actually help.

WE - Tension

How do you respond to people stranded, who need help?

When you see someone in need, do you feel too busy, unsafe, or ill equipped to help?

Do you look at other’s suffering as an inconvenience or an opportunity to be the Light to an ever darkening world?

That’s exactly what we’re going to talk about today as we continue our series “Living An Invitational Life”.

Week 1, we talked about how we’re called to LIVE the life of a disciple, obediently doing the next thing God calls us to do.

Week 2, we talked about how we are called to SHOW UP to places we typically wouldn’t go, talk to people we typically wouldn’t talk to, and serve those we typically wouldn’t interact with when called to do so by God.

Last week, we talked about how God calls us to RELATE to to the lost of this world as God’s Ambassador, ADOPTING God’s values, beliefs, and teachings as our own. ALIGNING our lives with those values, beliefs, and teachings. And PASSIONATELY SHARING the Love and Grace of Jesus to a those hurting in this world.

This week, we’re going to discuss what God is calling us to RISK as we obediently try to live out the call to be His Ambassador to the lost.

If you missed the previous messages, please feel free go to our website, TheLightKC.org, to catch up.

As as we begin, please turn with me to [Luke 10: 25-37], as we look at one of Jesus’ parables about a group of people that come across a man stranded on the road.

We’ll have the scripture on the screen, but if you have a Bible with you, or Bible app on your phone, I’d encourage you to turn to the passage and follow along. There is nothing that replaces having God’s word in your hand.

AND...if you don’t have a Bible, we have Bibles under the seats. If you don’t have a bible and would like one, please come see me after the service and I’ll get you one you can keep.

Lets dive in.

GOD - Text

Luke 10:25–26

Luke 10:25–26 NIV

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

I don’t know how you read this, but this seems like a pretty crazy question for an “expert in the law” to ask. Any expert in the Old Testament Law should, not only know how to inherit eternal life, but should be regularly teaching others how to do it.

It turns out back during the times of Jesus, there was a huge debate about how to interpret the Old Testament scripture. You see in the Old Testament there are 613 commandments or law. They’re called the Mitzvot. The Rabbis, or teachers of the law at that time were divided into schools of thought on how to read all 613 commandments, as sometimes there were situations when you had to choose which law was more important. Like in our example of stopping to help someone stranded on the side of the road, so I help the person in need, or break a promise to someone by showing up late to an appointment.

The expert in the law was asking Jesus which school of thought he belonged to. There were two.

Hillel taught that our greatest calling was to “Love the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)...love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18)”

Shammai taught that our greatest calling was to “love the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)...be holy, as God is holy (Leviticus 19:2)”

Everyone agreed, loving God was the highest priority, but what do we do next? Is the next priority centered on self (being holy)? Or centered on others (loving your neighbor)?

Jesus answers

Luke 10:27–28 NIV

27 He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

Jesus sides with Hillel, we are to Love God, then love our neighbor.

It seems the “expert in the law” may have sided with Shammai and just said “God and Neighbor” because he thought that is what Jesus would answer. That seems like a reasonable assumption as the “expert in the law” asked a follow up question that Jesus answers with a parable.

Luke 10:29–35 NIV

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

Let’s take a second to look at the response from each of the people who passed by the man in need.

The Priest. For some context, the Levites, the tribe of Israel that served as the priests mostly lived in Jericho, a town that was 21 miles from Jerusalem. They had a rotation throughout the year that coordinated when they had to serve in the Temple in Jerusalem. They would walk a small, narrow, dangerous path between the cities, because it was the most direct. Because it was narrow, rocky, and had many twits and turns it was perfect for thieves to hide. They would jump out, attack people, and steal whatever they had.

More often than not, when I have heard this passage preached, the Priest’s actions are justified because they had an appointment to serve in Jerusalem and could not be late. He had important duties to attend to and didn’t have the time to help.

Given the start of this section where the “expert in the law” is asking about how to read scripture, I think there may be more here. Instead of the Priest being too busy, maybe his belief sides with the school of Shammai. To the Priest, maybe living the life God calls him to live means Loving God, then being Holy. To help the man that was beating up would cause him to be ceremonially unclean because there was blood. Being unclean, especially for a Priest, brought with it a level of shame. If the priest helped, he would have to endure public ridicule, go through purification rituals, etc. To the Priest, it seems like being holy was more important than helping this man in need (his neighbor at that point in time).

The Levite seem have a similar story to the priest. For context, all Priests in Israel were from the tribe of Levi, but not all Levites were priests. The Priest and the Levite were from the same tribe, yet only one was serving in the role as priest. Jesus Parable isn’t clear as to why the Levite passed by. Maybe the Levite saw the Priest pass by and followed his example as Priests were supposed to be the spiritual leaders of Israel. Maybe they both just happen to ascribe to the thinking the school of Shammai, and place holiness above loving one’s neighbor. We don’t know, but in Jesus’ parable, both Jewish people neglected to help the man in need.

The Samaritan. We’ve discussed the history between the Jewish people and the people of Samaria detail in previous weeks, but I think it is important to review. Jewish people HATED Samaritans. They were the Jews from Northern Israel that intermarried with other cultures after being defeated by the King of Assyria. Because they didn’t keep the Jewish nation pure, they were treated as unclean outcasts.

Yet, this Samaritan stopped for a man in need, who was probably a Jew. This Samaritan stopped to help someone that hated him. He risked his safety, taking more time on a dangerous road than he planned. He risked his schedule, taking quite a bit of time helping this man by the way the story describes. And it cost him 2 days wages. That would be like spending $350-500 on someone you never met, hates you because of your race, and that you’ll probably never see again.

The Samaritan may not be part of the “great Rabbinical debate”, but Jesus is clearly making the point that this person ascribes to the thinking of the school of Hillel, “Loving God first, loving neighbor second”.

Jesus is not quite done with the parable. In typical Jesus teaching style, Jesus turns it back on the “expert in the law”.

Luke 10:36–37 NIV

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Jesus changes the entire context of the conversation. The “expert in the law” asked “WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR” (making the assumption there are people he doesn’t have to love), Jesus turns it around and focuses not on the WHO (noun), but on the VERB, “HOW CAN YOU BE A NEIGHBOR TO OTHERS”.

Jesus takes the conversation away from WHO we need to love, and makes it pretty clear that we’re called to

Be a good neighbor to everyone who has a need that you have the power and opportunity to help.

YOU - Takeaway

So, it begs the question of all of us.

What school of through do you ascribe to? Hillel (God, Neighbor) or Hammai (God and Holiness)?

What are we willing to endure for the people God places in our lives?

Would you risk your comfort for someone in need?

Would you risk your schedule?

Would you risk your safety?

Would you risk your money?

This priest and Levite wouldn’t risk any of that. They choose to stay HOLY, and keep walking.

Who have you walked by that is in need? Physically? Mentally? Spiritually?

Who’s name is God putting in your ear right now that you need to stop for this week be a neighbor to?

WE / JESUS - Redemptive Close - Call to Action

We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, sharing His love, grace, and forgiveness to a hurting world.

I came across a real life story of a man who lived the parable of the Good Samaritan for 30 years. Daryl Davis was an African American blues musician. One day he was playing at a popular club named the Silver Dollar Lounge when a white man approached him. He said that he really enjoyed the music and hadn’t ever heard an African American play like Jerry Lee Lewis. Daryl was a bit taken back as the boogie-woogie / rockabilly style of piano playing originated within the African American community with Fats Domino and Little Richard.

They sat down and shared a drink. As they talked, the white man confessed that he had never shared a drink with an African American. Daryl found that strange and asked why. The white man confessed that he was part of the Ku Klux Klan. Daryl saw the fact that a Ku Klux Klan member could share the same interest in music as he did, and was willing to sit down and have a drink with him (an African American) as a Divine Moment. He described it as a seed planted, and he felt God’s calling to nourish that seed.

Daryl traveled the country doing research for a book he felt called to write. He would attend KKK rallies and ask Klan members one question. How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?

In one such interactions, a Klan member answered that African Americans were inferior because they had a gene in them that made them violent. Daryl was not initially sure how to respond to that. He pointed out that he was an African American and has never done anything violent. The Klan member responded, “your gene is latent, it hasn’t come out yet.” Not sure how to respond to that, he thought for a second when God gave him an answer. He told the Klan member that all white people have a gene that makes them serial killers. The Klan member said that was ridiculous. Daryl asked him to name 3 African American serial killers. The Klan member could not, but Daryl could easily name three white serial killers; Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Charles Manson, John Wayne Gacy, … Daryl said, maybe your gene is latent.

The Klan member said that was stupid, and Daryl pointed out that a violent gene was just as stupid. The conversation got quit, and after a while they parted ways. 5 months later Daryl received package in the mail. It was the Klan Robe from this man and a note explaining how their conversation led him to question what the KKK was teaching. He left the Klan.

[Daryl Davis - Klan Rally]

Daryl has attended Klan rallys for 30 years, risking his safety, his comfort, reputation, and investing loads of time and money traveling.

BUT...God has worked miracles through him. Daryl’s closet how has over 200 Klan robes from people that he has built friendships with.

You may hear this and think, Daryl is a one in a million type of guy. That this story is amazing, but something that you are not capable of.

A story like this makes me question...

What assumptions do we have about others?

What fears do those assumptions lead to?

Are we willing to take the risk to talk to someone we know nothing about?

Jesus tells another parable in Matthew 25:14-30 about a rich man who goes away for a while and gives his servants money to steward while he’s gone. Based on their ability, he gives one 10 bags of gold, another 5 bags, and a third 1 bag. Each bag is a talent of gold (75 lbs), and in today’s money worth $2.25 million dollars, so even the 1 bag guy had enough to start something.

The 10 bag guy and the 5 bag guy each start businesses, work had, and double the money.

The 1 bag guy is scared, thinking he doesn’t have what it takes and fearing the rich man when he returns he buries the money, keeping it safe, but not growing it.

The rich man returns, praises the 10 bag and 5 bag guys, but rebukes the 1 bag guy.

Matthew 25:26–30 MSG

26 “The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? 27 The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest. 28 “ ‘Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. 29 And get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb. 30 Throw him out into utter darkness.’

Jesus is telling us, to live the kingdom life, we will need to risk.

No matter, who you are, what skills you have, God wants to partner with you to achieve amazing things within His Kingdom. Being a Christian, following God’s call, means THERE WILL BE RISK.

But...God wants to partner with us, taking the risks He calls us to, to seek and save the lost.

Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Romans 8:28 NIV

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

God calls us to RISK our comfort, schedule, reputation, safety, and wealth to love our neighbor.

PRAYER 

Will you join me in prayer...

SONG 

As we enter into our final song, I want to open the steps up front as an altar to anyone who needs God this week. The steps are open for you to pray to the God who is with you, who loves you, you wants to give you His peace.

‌

You may feel a hand on your shoulder as I or one of the elders join you in prayer.

BENEDICTION 

Proverbs 14:21 NIV

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

This week...let’s be good neighbors to everyone in need that God puts in our paths. Let’s RISK our comfort, schedule, reputation, safety, and wealth to love our neighbors well.

Quick reminder...

Prayer walk - Today 2-4 - meet at the church. I have everything we need. Let’s pray for, talk to, get to know, and invite our neighborhood to take the first step toward a relationships with Jesus Christ.

Good Friday - 4-7 PM - Guided reflection every 30 minutes

Easter - Party at 9:30 - Service at 10:45 - invite everyone you know

If you’re new, please stop by our info desk, or see me. We’d love to say “hi” and get you know you a bit better.

I hope you have a great week.

Go in peace.

You are dismissed.

DISCIPLESHIP QUESTIONS (download into APP)

What specific risks are you currently being called to take for the sake of your neighbors?

In what ways can you practically demonstrate love to someone in need this week?

Who in your life needs your help, and how can you reach out to them?

How does the story of the Good Samaritan challenge your current perspective on helping others?

What are the obstacles that prevent you from 'risking' your comfort for others?

What does being a 'good neighbor' look like in your school or community?

Can you think of a time when you helped someone in need? How did that make you feel?

What fears do you have about helping others, and how can you overcome them?

How can you encourage your friends to take risks for the sake of others?

In challenging situations, how can you be a light to those who are struggling around you?