2007-02-11 - Love for a hurting world - Luke 10 25-37

Message: Love for a hurting world                                  Newport Baptist Church

Scr: Luke 10:25-37                                                            Date: 2007-02-11

Intro: people in this world are hurting

·         Brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, friends and neighbors

·         Divorced, depressed, defeated, denied, dispersed, dispensed with, destroyed…

·         What we need is love in a hurting world

·         African Baptist association appeal – Elias Mutale

·         Love offers a safe place for people– open to hear their questions – youth – I’m not sure if I believe or not… took courage to even say to the pastor.  Do we let them ask the questions?  Are we approachable? (usher at TBC… 3 piece suit)

·         People searching for God – rejecting religious stuff… looking for something real

Explanation – What can we do for hurting people?  For searching people?

·         Story of good Samaritan is an interesting one… backup and look at where it is found.

·         Disciples have been arguing about who is the greatest 9:46ff

·         Samaritans have tried to oppose Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem – his destiny (very ironic) 9:51ff

·         Some disciples questioning the cost of following Jesus 9:57ff

·         Other disciples (72) sent out to proclaim the kingdom of God 10:1ff

·         Right after the parable we find Jesus rebuking Martha for caring more about preparing a meal than following Jesus. 10:38ff

·         The return and Jesus explains that God’s plan was to hide his son, the good news of salvation from the wise… and show it to little children….

·         Kings and prophets looking for God’s plans, but it is given to regular people like us…

·         Vs 22!

Question of priorities is what does God want from us?

 TS –  we talk about salvation, we should also talk about what God wants us to do

Valentine’s day this week – world says show love to the ones we love… but Jesus takes love further

Jesus says… do two things…

Love God with all… love your neighbor…

So how do we show love for a hurting world… choice to make in caring.

1)       Hypocrisy? – vs 30-32

a)       Priest and Levite

i)         Religious – known – reputation?

ii)       Seen in the temple

iii)      Lots of religious stuff

b)       Why didn’t help?

i)         Dress? Defiled? Fear (playing possum)

ii)       Sacred to Care

iii)      Sacred to Share

iv)     Sacred to Bear (another’s burden)

Priorities a mess!

Ill - “A farm boy accidentally overturned his wagonload of corn in the road. The farmer who lived nearby came to investigate. "Hey, Willis," he called out, "forget your troubles for a spell and come on in and have dinner with us. Then I’ll help you get the wagon up." "That’s mighty nice of you," Willis answered, "But I don’t think Pa would like me to." "Aw, come on, son!" the farmer insisted. "Well, okay," the boy finally agreed. "But Pa won’t like it." After a hearty dinner, Willis thanked his host. "I feel a lot better now, but I just know Pa is going to be real upset." "Don’t be foolish!" exclaimed the neighbor. "By the way, where is he?" "Under the wagon."

2)       Real Love – vs 33-35

Man walked up to vending machine, put in coin and pressed button labed, ’Coffee, double cream, sugar’. No cup appeared but the nozzles went into action sending forth coffee, cream and sugar. All disappearing down the drain and the machine turned off. ’That is real automation..this thing even drinks it for you’. Christian life cannot be lived for you you have to drink it yourself.

Man making the journey not bright… known place for bandits and robbers.

Ill – You made your bed, now lie in it

                Go ahead if you are prepared to pay the price

Question – are we obligated to help those who have only themselves to blame?

Pat’s email – boy and his tract – pastor father – old woman’s testimony.

a)       Bandage wounds – vs 33-34a

i)         Saw him

(1)     Greatest challenge perhaps – see people – and help anyways!

(a)     Actually looked and saw a person, not a ‘case’ or ‘candidate’ or ‘contact’.

(b)     Took pity on him – cared for another human being

ii)       Paid the price to care

(1)     Bandaged his wounds

(a)     Used his own clothes perhaps

(i)       Tore strips off his robe , No first aid kits.

(2)     Oil & wine

(a)     Medicine of the day, Cost him something!

(3)     Take to safe place – vs 34b

(a)     Put on his donkey, Took to an inn, Took care of him

(4)     Ensure continuing care - vs 35

(a)     Two silver coins, Instructions, Long term investment

Conclusion – Do we love God?

Choice to make – hypocrisy or real love – important choice!

Matthew 25:31-46

Show love to others, you are showing it to Jesus

See Jesus in them!

Go and do the Same – show mercy to them

To our enemies, To the careless, To the unloved, To those we find distasteful.

Who can you show love to this week?   

Prayer –