Sermon Central
-
I Would Help, But. . .
Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 21, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: This message examines 10 excuses seen in the parable of the Good Samaritan that we need to overcome in order to serve as God desires us to.
THE LAWYER’S FOCUS (AND OUR’S TOO):
- “Sure, I’m willing to help. . . when it’s convenient for me.”
- v. 29.
- helping within the family/helping with a friend/helping in a tear-jerking situation/helping at Christmas.
- his question presumes that “some are my neighbors and some aren’t.”
- ongoing examples throughout the sermon:
- hungry (physical needs),
- hurting (emotionally),
- helping (ministering at church).
EXCUSES NOT TO HELP:
- some of these overlap each other and some come from opposite directions because there are all sorts of excuses that people will use.
1. “It’s his own fault.”
- v. 30 - “went down from Jerusalem to Jericho”
- blame as an excuse not to help.
2. “I’d help, but I’m not going to get hurt.”
- v. 30 - “wounded him”
3. “I’ll help next time.”
- v. 30 - “half dead” - sometimes there is no “next time.”
- procrastination.
4. “It’s not my job.”
- v. 31-32 - “a certain priest. . . a Levite”
5. “I’ll help if somebody asks.”
- v. 34 - “went to him”
6. “I’ll just write a check to help.”
- v. 34 - “bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine”
- Union Mission: checks to volunteers - 16:1.
- the value of touch.
7. “I don’t have the time right now.”
- v. 34 - “set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him”
- hurry/busyness.
8. “I can’t afford to help.”
- v. 35 - “two denarii”
- the need for sacrificial giving sometimes.
9. “I’ll help if this doesn’t take too long.”
- v. 35 - “when I come again, I will repay you.”
- short-term commitment.
BUT THE BIGGEST EXCUSE (AND THE BIGGEST COST) IS:
10. “It cost him heart.”
- v. 33 - “And when he saw him, he had compassion.”
- v. 37 - “‘He who showed mercy’. . . ‘Go and do likewise.’”
