Go, and do likewise.

Service Notes:

Really enjoyed our time of fellowship this weekend.

Ready to “get to the assignment”

Key Themes to look for in reading.

■ The heart of our mission is to love God and to love other people.

■ The “neighbor” whom we are to love is not limited to members of our own group.

■ Jesus chooses a Samaritan, one of the group most hated by the Jews, as the model of neighbor love.

■ The Samaritan’s love for his “enemy” is practical and costly.

Luke 10:25–37 (KJV 1900)

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

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

27 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.

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

Story:

29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

30 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.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 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.

35 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.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Major Premise: The Gospel transforms our hearts and our actions toward those in need.

Decisions about Faith Promise, missions, etc is not primarily a decision of action but one of a response.

The question isn’t what should I do, but who has the Gospel made me to be.

Prayer

Introduction

Jesus’s journey to Jerusalem, which began in 9:51, much attention is focused on the nature and demands of discipleship.

Here a question from someone outside the disciple group prompts Jesus to illustrate the central demand of discipleship by telling one of his best-loved parables.

Desire to bend this text into a few directions.

Make this entirely about racism and discrimination. Though an understand of this is needed for the context of the story and our application that is not the primary focus.

Make application solely about evangelism. The condition of the man on the side of the road certainly does resemble that of those without the hope of Christ. But their is more to this story than just look for places to handout Gospel tracts.

To use this as spring board to motivate “random acts of kindness” and give an inspiration talk about doing small, things for those around us. However, that disrespects the weight and seriousness of this passage.

If you want to pay for the car behind you in Starbucks do. But this passage is about so much more.

Practical Implications

Application: the action of putting something into operation.

Implication: implied; it is understood to be true or to exist, although it is not stated directly or in a legal agreement:.

Why?

We have been created for good works and how that is to be lived our is unique to each of us. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

It is the role of the Holy Spirit in your life to lead you into all truth and guide you to make the proper application to God’s Word John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

The Gospel - Gospel truth - Behavior that is according to an understanding of the Gospel truths

The Gospel:

The elements of the gospel are clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received (the gospel) , how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Gospel Truths:

Our having peace with God is not the gospel itself, but is a powerful implication of the gospel Romans 5:1 “1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

In Romans 8:1 Paul is not here presenting the gospel itself but something that is true “now” because of the gospel. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Notice those words “with him” and “also.” They speak of something that grows out of the gospel. Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Behavior that is according to an understanding of the Gospel truths

The gospel is not only to renew our minds, but to inform our conduct as well.

Story of Peter and Paul in Galatians 2:14-16 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Many examples of Gospel informed living Phil 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Paul appeals to the Corinthians to “flee from sexual immorality” because 1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? We are purchased by the Gospel.

When we are encouraged to live generous lives we are encouraged to view our resources in light of God’s goodness to us. 2 Cor 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Back to the story.

Theological correct and succinct summary of the law

Luke 10:28 (KJV 1900)

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

This expert of the law led with the most important question

Luke 10:25 (KJV 1900)

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

The lawyer is not seeking eternal life, he is seeking to test Jesus. As we see in Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself

Though his answer shows his knowledge of Scripture it also shows his unrepentant, unloving heart.

Jesus tells the man that the answer is in the law, he has given his life to, and turns the question.

Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.

Jesus answer is as shocking as it would have been to Nicodemus John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

This expression “do and live” could be problematic for you.

Jesus was not giving a plan or salvation but He was addresses mans need for a Savior.

Also, Luke 10:37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

We saw it with Luke 9:59-60 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

These were answers to the statement Luke 9:57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

We know we have a relationship with Christ that is based upon what He has “Done” not our “doing”

We even give out a book to guests called Done that speaks to this.

But what are we to do with this? An identical question will be asked by the rich ruler in Luke 18:18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Look at Jesus response here. Luke 18:19-21 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Then the test comes. Luke 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

It will become apparent that the real question is not “who is my neighbor” but “what kind of person am I.”

Common desire to justify ourselves

Luke 10:29 (KJV 1900)

29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

Lawyer was trying to excuse himself

Seemed to think his love for God was right.

With the right amount of qualifications he might be doing okay with the second command

“What people can I take off the list?”

The Priest and the Levite were able to justify their conscience

Luke 10:31–33 (KJV 1900)

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

If the Levite did it and not the Priest it would have possibly brought a laugh concerning the uselessness and deadness of religion. But Jesus took it farther to a point it took northing short of a miracle of the heart.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

Steps to ignoring the need

Reposition yourself so you do not see the problem. (cross the street)

Find excuses why this is not the right circumstance or you are not the right person to address it.

no truly compassionate or merciful heart which can stand by and watch a person die while trying to see if the person fits the definition of neighbor. No life changed by the Gospel can be so self-centered.

The Samaritan hero was shocking

The recent hostile reception of Jesus and his disciples by a Samaritan village (9:51–56) reminds us of the enmity between Jews and Samaritans. Remember James & john offering to pray down fire from Heaven.

There was so much animosity between the Jews and Samaritans that if you were trying to get to the Northern part of Israel, rather than going through Samaria, Jews would walk round it. It added about 6 days to their journey, but they did it, for 2 reasons: a) you might be killed going through it; b) you would feel defiled after you did.

Remember the time Jesus said “I must needs go through Samaria”

Flight from Turkey I saw in my heart the great potential for hate and racism. Nothing short of the Gospel would have saved me from this.

My anger that day was rooted in a very deep love for self. One that would have chosen my life over the life of millions of others people I decided were my enemy on that day.

Lawyer represents the self-centered nature of fallen man

Apparent and ironic when studying this passage.

Unlike the modern reader this man would have never read “as thyself” and believed it was a call to love our selves more so we could love others. It is a given throughout Scripture. Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

How many Clemson Fans to screw in a lightbulb? Just one. They would hold it in place and expect the world to revolve around them.

Racism is so convenient because it is the fight to keep the world revolving around me and those that are most like me.

Confronting racism means confronting a self-centered view of this world which can only be done by the Gospel.

The lawyer knew that “go and do likewise” meant “become someone new.”

Who Is Your Neighbor? Well, Who Are You?

Lawyer wanted to know who he was required to love and who he wasn’t required to love

Surely the Romans weren’t their neighbors.

Jesus changes everything by making the Samaritan the one to help in the story

Are we required to love the people of Mozambique or can we justify crossing the street.

We live in a culture that says that is okay to make whatever decision is best for you and your future. It is your body. It is your life. Do not think about the consequences of others. This may show itself in the most evident fashion in the rise in the abortion rate. BUT IT IS ALSO SEEN IN THE CHURCHES LACK OF WILLINGNESS TO PAY THE COST TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE AROUND US.

We must believe if Peter and Paul were to come and take a tour of community and see..

the abortion rates,

the kids having to stay in hotel with government workers because their are no available homes

the widespread drug addiction

the neglect and lack of discipleship happening for our young people

the sinful and self-centered living of so many

the lack of sharing our resources with our brothers and sisters serving on the mission field

they would be shocked at the high percentage of the population that profess to know the Gospel.

Like the Samaritan are we not also to be about the work of showing mercy?

Titus 2:14 (KJV 1900)

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

But what if it will cost us time and money that takes away from my family?

I would get involved in helping the kids in our community but I don’t have time.

I would like to give more to missions but I still have reached our my own personal goals and dreams.

What if the American Dream is really the a nightmare because in gaining the whole world we lose our own soul.

Some of us may have made a plan for our lives at a young age. You have spent your entire life working towards it. Now is your season to get all that you have worked so hard to get. Let me ask you?

When you made those decisions where they informed by the Gospel? During your life did Jesus find you and make your complete. Did He not give you eternal life. If so don’t you think that should have altered your plans and freed you to pursue different goals.

We are good at justifying our inaction.

This is the not right circumstances

I am not the right person for this

Some of us might need to recognize that has not been the wrong circumstances and you don’t have the right resources but your heart is wrong. It has not been transformed by the Gospel and is only capable of making excuses and not demonstrating compassion.

3. We don’t have time.

Princeton Theological Seminary students asked to speak on topic on the other side of the campus.All of the students were well versed in The Good Samaritan, and many of them were preparing to give a talk on the subject, yet of the ones who were told they were running late, only 10% stopped to help the man in need on campus. Of the group who knew they had a few minutes to spare, 63% stopped to offer aid.

Look at the example of the one we are to do “likewise”

Luke 10:34–35 (KJV 1900)

34 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.

35 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.

Look at the cost

Time: Greatest resource because you can’t make more of it.

Risk: Much uncertainty with him bringing that man into town

Money: Two days wages and willing to do more

American lie about compassion

You can make a real difference in others lives without any cost

Just click the button.

Just buy the scarf you already wanted but from this place.

The lawyer heard the parable and knew it was not in him to act the same way.

That is exactly the point. It is not “who is my neighbor?” but “who has God transformed me to be?”

Maybe you feel like a foster dad felt when he said “Our world was too small before. Our faith was too shallow, our theology too narrow, our dreams too temporary, our family too isolated, our Christianity too comfortable, our worries too finite, our relationships too homogenous and our prayers too selfish.”

Dawson Troutman died the way he lived. Founder of Navigators. Boating accident in 1956. — “Died as he lived. Holding someone up.”

Invite Piano Player - slow down

CONCLUSION

The Lawyers question “who is my neighbor?” Jesus reshapes the question “which one of these men were the neighbor?”

I could easily parade the problems in this this world in front of you. But we dont need a window we need a mirror to decide if we will be a neighbor.

If you see a need meet it.

The Good Samaritan didn’t fight all the crime in that area of town. He just met the need God placed in His path.

I do not know when the invitation for this message will come to you.

It is not likely you find a many dying on the side of the road on your home - but if you do I would expect that your transformed heart will could you to act regardless of personal cost.

The lawyer knew that “go and do likewise” meant “become someone new.”

Today I ask you to examine your heart. If a love for others is not there, then become someone new today.

If you know you have been transformed by the Gospel then ask God what He will have you to do for the those who lie in darkness in Mozambique. The Gospel will move you toward the right action.