The Upside down Kingdom of God

If everyone was looking out for the interest of others; what would this world look like?

In a moment.... Video

As we watch

Recognize a few things

pay attention to the details

Luke 10:30–37 NLT

30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. 31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. 33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ 36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Luke 10:30

Lots of details

lets break this down

The Bible says that a certain man

Doesn’t specify the origin or nationality of the man

Does specify very clearly who those three men are that pass by

First is a priest

Supposed to be the pillar or religious example

the moral example

a leader within the community

a man devoted entirely to the word and ways of God

Second a Levite

Similar to the priest

would have been seen nearly equal to the priest

Third a Samaritan

John 4:9 NIV

9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

Jews hated Samaritans

Anger that went back centuries

But

Samaritan helped the Jew

Conflict that had gone back centuries

Think about this,

theifs

Considered low life

They are the people you

robbers

Samaritans are considered poor and illiterate

the poor and illiterate

These are the people you don’t associate with

As a matter of fact you would purposely avoid them

Believe it or not they still exist

But who is teaching this parable?

Jesus

Jesus is a jew

The Bible says “Jews had no dealing with Samaritans”

So then what is going on here

You see a samaritan is the last person you would think would be helping out

A samaritan is not supposed to be setting a good example

He is supposed to be beneath you

Not worth helping

He is that homeless man you see

He is that drug addict you judge

He is the black sheep in the family

But who is the bad guy or guys in this story?

Bridge the gap

Lets look

How often do we allow our own ambitions to get in the way of biblical behavior?

Remember we are talking about the upside down kingdom of God

Where the humble are praised

Where the accomplished are brought down

How often do we see this in our society?

How often do we see this is our army?

I want us to take a moment

Focus the lens on our current situation

We have all seen that soldier struggling

And if you haven’t you’re going to

That soldiers that doesn’t seem to make the cut

And if you haven’t noticed start paying attention

That soldiers that just doesn’t fit in

Same here pay attention

Open your eyes

don’t be the priest that walks by

Don’t be that levite that ignore the suffering

How many of us are guilty of acting like the Levite

Let me bring you back to the original question

Do you look at someone else who you know is struggling but you ignore them

You purposefully walk by

What would this world look like if everyone was concerned about each other?

You purposefully ignore their pain

You purposefully decide your comfort is more important than their pain.

We are talking about the upside down kingdom here

w

Where

This nerd

This pathetic loser

The one that cared for a man in need

A man that was supposed to be his enemy

A man that probably wouldn’t have done the same

It is this samaritan that is exalted in this story

He

Carried him to a place to stay

Used his own time

Used his own money

Used his own resources

Paid for this place to stay

Stayed up with him all night

Promised to pay for his medical bills

Promised to pay for what ever costs

This was his mortal enemy!!

And this pathetic loser that did all these things didn’t even know the man he was caring for!

Yet I would argue today that many of us, to include myself, have been guilty from time to time of refusing to help even those we know.

So let me ask you again, what would this world look like if we began to act like the Samaritan?

It would hardly be recognizable.

Can you imagine

Everyone’s needs are taken care of

Everyone feels loved

Everyone is important

A world where suicide is no longer an issue

A world where depression, loneliness, sadness, is no longer an issue

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart but what is equal to that? To love your neighbor as yourself.

The Bible says in

Philippians 2:3–4 NIV

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

A new way of thinking

Counter to our worldview

Jesus is hitting us right where it hurts here.

He knows we are all guilty of this

He knows what this world could look like

You see Jesus is that Samaritan

Jesus came to help you in your weakness

And Jesus is there to help you in all you do

Jesus took your place, suffered and died for you! He paid for your sins, carries you, picks you up, heals your wounds, and offers eternal life through His death in the cross for the forgiveness of sins.

His model and example is how we apply this to our lives.

His model and example is how we change our culture

This teaching is a call to action

An encouragement to start paying attention

Don’t ignore your battle buddies pain

Don’t ignore that soldier struggling with depression.

Dig in and get involved

Focus on Christ.

Love each other and devote yourself to others

Proverbs 31:8–9 NIV

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:8–9 NIV

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:

If anyone would like to speak or just needs prayer I am available

But let’s pray.