Sermon Central
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Go And Do Likewise
Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Jan 30, 2024 (message contributor)
Summary: To establish that the man who would do good; must show compassion and be involved in helping anyone found in peril. It is not enough to note a given situation; the "Good Samaritan" was constrained into action on behalf of his neighbor’s conditions.
a. The road was a constant descent from Jerusalem to Jericho, over 3,000 feet in elevation, about eighteen miles distance to travel.
b. The traveler is either "going down from Jerusalem" or "going up to Jerusalem," Acts 18:22. This was due entirely to its elevation. A city that is set on a hill! Consider--
c. I see a parallel of events in this story. Notice:
1) Jesus, as a stranger, came down from heaven to earth.
2) And fell among wicked religious leaders and Gentiles.
3) He was arrested, stripped of His clothing, beaten, and whipped.
4) Leaving Him half dead as a victim in a Roman courtyard.
5) He was compelled to bear a cross to Golgotha's hill.
6) On which He was crucified.
7) Where later, He died and was buried.
8) But, on the third day, He arose, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
2. He was wounded: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed," Isaiah 53:5.
a. The love of God: "For God commended His love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us," Romans 5:8-11; John 3:16.
b. The love of Christ: "Constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again," 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.
c. The golden rule: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets," Matthew 7:14. We mention this now, for it is the basis of all our actions. Help those who need help; that they might help you when you need assistance. But our Lord goes a lot further in this rule. He also includes our enemy. This will prove helpful later in this lesson. Hear the Lord--
3. Love thy enemy. Jesus said: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. For it ye love them...do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect," Matthew 5:43-48.
Our Lord continues the story--
C. And by chance. "There came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side," Luke 10:31. Notice:
1. As good fortune would have it, a priest came by that way. Our first neighbor in this story; was a priest. He was a man of religious standing, which stood between the people and God; came down the road where the event occurred.
a. He saw this man (his neighbor), which had been beaten, robbed, and left for dead. What did he do? Like many today: "He passed by on the other side."
