THE GOOD SAMARITAN

Luke 10:25–37 KJV 1900

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 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. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 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. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 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. 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. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

THE GOOD SAMARITAN IS IT YOU?

Christians must be willing to help those in need. Though salvation is not by good works (, ),

Ephesians 2:8 KJV 1900

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

,

Ephesians 2:9 KJV 1900

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Salvation will produce good works. Some are so busy with self and pleasure that they have no time to help others; too many are interested in getting but not giving. If you want to enjoy the Christian life, then learn to give. Learn to share. Learn to help.

THE SEEKERS

A. Desire A man came to Christ, seeking the way to inherit eternal life. Many sincere people are seeking for truth.

Luke 10:25 KJV 1900

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

LUKE

B. Demand Note the demand made by Jesus:

Luke 10:26–27 KJV 1900

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

1. Love God with all thy heart—our emotions.

1. Love God with all thy heart—our emotions.

2. Love God with all thy soul—our spiritual being.

3. Love God with all thy strength—our physical being.

4. Love God with all thy mind—our mental life.

C. Destiny By keeping this command, we are really fulfilling all the Ten Commandments—. If you love God in the four-fold way above, you will keep these commands.

Luke 10:28 KJV 1900

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

II. The Story—vv. 30–35

A. Problem—v. 30. A traveler was robbed, wounded, and left along the roadside to die, alone and in need of help.

Luke 10:30 KJV 1900

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.

B. People—vv. 31–35. Notice the people who came by:

1. A Jewish Priest. He represents the religious world. He offered no help.

2. A Levite. He represents the church world. He also passed without helping. Those who know God will get involved and help those in need.

3. A Samaritan. He represents the Christian world. Though the Samaritans and Jews were enemies, this Samaritan helped this Jew in need.

C. Pity—The despised Samaritan had pity for the Jewish man who had been ignored by his religious leaders.

1. Divine love. He had compassion on him.

2. Practical love. He bound up his wounds.

3. Kind love. He took him to an inn and gave him shelter.

4. Unselfish love. He paid for his care.

The Simplicity

A. Application—v. 36. Who is your neighbor? The wounded one. The whole world is wounded—let’s help them.

B. Answer—v. 37. Note Jesus’ words, “Go and do thou likewise.” Don’t just talk about love—show it! “But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees his brother in need, and won’t help him—how can God’s love be within him?”—, LB.

Are you like the Good Samaritan?

Do you give of your time, self, and money to help those in need?

God wants more than words—He wants action. Note these steps:

a) Be considerate. Think of others, their needs and problems.

b) Be consecrated. When you give yourself to God, you will be helpful.

c) Be compassionate. Put yourself in the place of others.

d) Be Christlike. Have His love and compassion.