Can You Breathe? A Sermon On Healing And Restoration

Introduction:

You have heard enough news media for a lifetime, you have heard what everyone has to say, now let’s hear what God has to say.

However, before I begin, I must warn you. Pastor Tom says, we may not see eye-to-eye on every issue, but we can walk arm-in-arm. Also, one of my professors said, “the test of a first-rate mind is the ability to hold two conflicting opinions and still retain the capacity to function.”

I wish to state, that as a church we blatantly oppose the sin of racism and injustice in any form. May God give us the courage to confront such sins where it may be found and participate with the Holy Spirit as we seek the reconciliation, healing and restoration of people to God, and to one another. Praise God! Hallelujah!

The dead of George Floyd’s is sad. No matter his past, he like every other person was created in the image of God, and his life mattered. I cannot but think, that one of his last words, were; “I can’t breathe!” However, this was not the first time we had heard those words. In December 2014, Fred Shapiro, editor of the Yale Book of Quotations, announced that the words, “I can’t breathe” topped the list of the most notable quotations of 2014. This is because in that year another man, named Eric Garner was killed, and his last words were those same words; I can’t breathe.

I think as human beings these times call for many questions, but one question we need to ask when someone calls for help, is a simple one – and I have taken the liberty to title this message, with the same question: Can - you - breathe?

I want to ask you that question today: Can - you - breathe? I know you look nice, and drive in a nice car, but behind the façade, and the make-up, are you okay? Can - you - breathe? If you are watching online, I don’t know what you are going through, but Can -you – breathe?

Today, I am taking my text from Luke 10:25-37. In this text is the popular story of the good Samaritan. This famous story is the most popular parable of the bible. Our Society is so familiar with the story that there are at least half a dozen Hospitals in the US named after the Good Samaritan. So many sermons have been dedicated to it, in fact searching the phrase “Sermon on the Good Samaritan” in Google returns over 1.8 million results. So you can imagine my surprise when the Lord led me to this scripture, but at the end of this message you will understand why.

Before we begin reading, let us pray.

PRAYER:

Father, we humble ourselves before You because we are debtors to Your grace. Everything we are is because of Your goodness and mercy. Lead us further into truth and justice. Breathe upon your word. Your word says, there’s a spirit in man and it is the inspiration of the almighty that gives man’s spirit understanding. Let the entrance of your word bring light. Let it be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, in Jesus name, amen.

If you don’t mind, join me as we read together. Luke 10:25-28.

Luke 10:25-37 (NIV)

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Pause for a moment, I just want to remind everyone that Jesus is coming soon, are you prepared? Let’s read on) 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

I know we are maintaining social distancing, but look at the person closest to you, and from that distance ask them, “Neighbor, are you really my neighbor?” Praise God!

Put it in context, this man knew the law of Moses, he was a lawyer, and he knew the tension between the Jews and Samaritans, because Samaritans customarily did not have dealings with Jews, so what did Jesus do?

Jesus gave him a story using as a backdrop, “the good Samaritan”, this is not the only time a Samaritan was used in the narratives of Christ, remember the Samaritan woman at the well?). Jesus always challenged the controversial issues of His day and called on us to live with a higher standard.

Jesus was trying to draw the man’s attention to the idea that it is not only those in your Zip code that are your neighbor. They may not be your skin color, your tongue or your tribe. Many don’t like people that don’t look like them.