More Than A Story

MORE THAN A STORY

Thank you for joining us for week 2 in our online experience.

Life continues to change at a rapid pace.

Psalm 46:1–2 — 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear

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Let’s begin today’s message with a story. In Luke 10, Jesus shares the store of man who makes a journey from Jerusalem to Jericho.

How many are familiar with the story? Show of hands.

The Good Samaritan

MORE THAN A STORY

Jesus is trying to help us.

TWO LESSONS:

FIRST, in the story, Jesus ELEVATES THE STANDARD OF LOVE

The Old Testament, the Law of God can be summarized by two laws: 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 also, Love your neighbor as ourselves.

In Luke 10, Jesus engages in a conversation with a religious scholar about living these laws out. The religious leader asks Jesus . . .

WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?

WHO MUST I LOVE?

HOW SHOULD I LOVE?

If the “GOOD SAMARITAN is our example, we should love people freely.

Luke 6:27–28, 33, 36 — “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Love freely

The religious scholar seeks to limit responsibility

We should instead look for opportunities to be a neighbor

To love freely will also involve some level of sacrifice

Luke 10:33–35 — 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’

Time Resources

Will we love in this way?

Offer support to your neighbors.

Out of concern, call at least 3 people each day.

Pray for people by name—send them a text

Do something. Love freely

The story EXPOSES OUR NEED FOR A SAVIOR

Luke 10:25 — “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Article that an increasing number of people are doing on-line wills.

Luke 10:29 — But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In sharing the story, Jesus exposes that none of us have consistently loved others in this way.

Acts 2:38—turn to Jesus for the forgiveness of sins

Acts 3:19—turn to Jesus that your sins might be blotted out

Acts 4:12—salvation is in Jesus.

Acts 4:12 (ESV) — 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”