Series: Things Jesus Wants Us To Know
Part 9 -
Luke 10:25-37
INTRO: Do you ever take a Red-lettered Bible and marvel at the words of Christ? Does His wisdom contained therein reach you like none other? Well, this is what I am trying to do with this series, let us see what He wants us to know from His Word.
Eight weeks ago I started a series entitled "Things Jesus Wants Us To Know. We have been working through the Gospel of Luke. We have learned that He proclaimed He was the Son of God. Also, that Satan Can Be Defeated Through Jesus. He wants us to follow Him completely. We need to take time out for God while we can. We saw that Jesus wants us to think about how we plan and live our lives. For Easter I jumped ahead in the book of Luke and we looked at a time just after the resurrection (yes He died - but He lives). Then I looked at Luke 9 where Jesus sent out His disciples. We saw His instructions given to the twelve to totally trust in Him, as they were about to face society as representatives of Jesus Christ our Lord. Two weeks ago we saw how important it is that we as individuals have the proper idea of who Jesus Christ really was and is this day.
Today I want to move to Luke 10. We see here an individual talking with the Lord and Jesus takes time out to share a parable with him. This parable asks (or answers) the question, "Who is your neighbor?" Have you ever thought of this question? Who is your neighbor? Does it really matter?
Well Jesus used this time to share with us an important precept about how we are to react to those around us. There is a certain way we need to treat and approach people.
Luke 10:25 - 37
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.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 showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
As we look at our scripture today, I want to examine a few things. We see that…
Our answers or guidance in life should come from God - vs 25-28
From His teachings (Holy Scriptures) - we need to rightly divide His Word
Study (to show thyself approved)
Prayerfully approaching His Word
Applying it to our lives
Obedience, not just knowledge
Willingness to obey
Desire to obey
Steps to obey - just do it -"I know, I need to do that"
Advice from godly brothers and sisters
Idea here is someone who has studied God's Word, and they help us find and apply His Word in our lives
Holy Spirit (not to be misconstrued with our own feelings)
Will move upon our conscious if we allow
Will NOT be contrary to God's Word
So, we can see that the lawyer gave Christ an excellent answer, which had all the elements needed. It was Biblically based, it was accurate, it was doable, and it was what he needed. Vs. 28
Next I want to ask you…
Who is the "certain man" in our lives that Christ spoke of? - vs 30
We can see he was…
Facing hardships caused by others - fell among…
Unable to remedy his situation - stripped
Hurt(ing) - wounded
Needful - half-dead
Do we know anyone like this?
Anybody that is facing problems in life?
Someone who desperately needs help?
Someone who desperately needs your help?
Maybe even spiritually they are needful.
Do you know anyone who is hurt and mangled spiritually?
Someone who needs your helpful, caring hand?
Your prayers? Your encouragement? Your example?
Or even your Lord and Savior?
Who is it that your know?
Are you seeing them?
Is the Lord placing them on your mind?
Next I want to look at how three different men reacted to the one who was in need…
The priest
God's man - right?
Should be…
Close to God - in desires and deeds
Courageous in the Lord - Luke 10:19
Luke 10:18 - 20 18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.20
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.Conspicuous in his actions
Conscious of the needs of others
Caring for his "neighbor"
If we are not careful, we will fall short of our walk and talk for the Lord
It is my surmising that his priest was very possibly only…
Positionally religious - just to what suited him
Only…
Visionally available - he was not really there for anyone else
Completely lacking as an example
I do not want to just look the part, or even seem to fill the part, I want to do the part!
Then we see…
The Levite - From the tribe of Levi, just not descended from Aaron
Maybe not in authority (so why make a decision?)
Still should be very influential for the Lord
Can be very influential to those hurting
Approachable - we know him
Receivable
His joy, His blessings, his rescue
Yet, he lost a great opportunity to reach someone who was hurting.
To help someone who need help
To point someone to the right Helper
To show someone that God is real in his life
To change someone's outlook and attitude towards God's people
Have you ever walked right by an opportunity of a lifetime?
Have you ever skipped out on a chance to make a difference?
Have you ever played the part of the Levite?
Then we see a different type…
The Samaritan - Hated by this lawyer, the religious folk, and Jews in general
Mixed race
Common
Basically, their enemies (even if they were "tolerated")
Yet, we see a different approach…
Journeyed - we are all on our journey- where are you headed? - 33
Approached him- had his eyes open - 33
Compassion - we often think, they deserve everything they get - 33
Aren't you glad Jesus had compassion on us?
Helped - tremendously - 34
Sacrificially gave - paid for his recovery - 35
Right approach! - 36-37
So, we must examine our lives…
Are just filling a position, a name, or a spot?
Are we living a life of concern?
Are we conscious of people's hurt around us?
Are we willing to reach out to others?
Are we willing to go the extra mile for someone other than a friend or family member?
And…
How does Jesus feel about who we are?
How does Jesus feel about what we do?
How does Jesus feel about how we react to people?
And last, think before you answer look around in your mind…
Who is your neighbor?
Not, "Who has a similar street address?"
Not, "Who is a lot like you?"
Not, "Who is your friend?"
But, " Who really is your neighbor in God's eyes?"
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 050607am