Testing God!

1. It is not healthy to test God Mat 4:7, Luke 4:12

Mat 4:7 Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD yourGod.

Luke 4:12 And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'you shall not tempt the LORD your God.

Luke 16:15

And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was extremely dangerous. It was a twisting, turning, mountainous road where thieves and robbers waited for their victims. Being mugged was to be expected in this area. These thieves were aggressive and violent. The Bible says They stripped him. We all know someone who has been stripped of there pride, self-respect, or decency. I am sure it does not feel good.

2. Check your attitude: Concerned about becoming unclean. If the man was dead and the priest touched him he would be unclean for 7 days and the priest would loose his turn to serve in the temple.

There are pastors who are very caring at church. But, you catch them out of the church, that is were the true person comes out.

I have found that People are afraid of getting close to people. They keep everyone at arm’s length. If I don’t get involved I won’t get hurt.

• We spend so much time trying to avoid people who really need us that we miss opportunities to minister to them.

3. Move beyond being Curious

Some of us ask questions because we are curious and nothing more.

Many traffic jams are caused by people wanting to see what happened in an accident, but who have no intention of stopping to help.

It is easier to do nothing:

If you want to change a garden into a wilderness do nothing.. and the weeds will take over.

If you want your children to grow up druggies and/or criminals. Do nothing about training them up in the things of God.

If you want to change your joy into misery Do nothing about prayer or worship.

If you want to kill you marriage, Do nothing and take him/her for granted

You can loose a lot over doing nothing

4. Show Compassion

The person that stopped to help was an outcast, a half breed Jew, despised by all true Jews. He was hated and scorned.

But this half Jew returned love for hate. He did not continue the trend of hatred.

We are to love and care for one another.

Luke 6:27 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Show Compassion even when your friends leave, people turn there backs on you, curse you out. (Show compassion even when)

5. Give of your-self

The Samaritan saw him and went to him.

The Samaritan probably had to tear off portions of his cloths to bandage the victim.

Put him on his own animal- The Samaritan probably walked

*Took him to a Hotel

*Took care of him

*Made him comfortable

Two denary= 2 days of pay somewhere between $100 and $200 dollars our money.

Then said if it cost more – I will pay you when I get back.

Love does not look at obstacles, it looks at opportunities.

Jesus concern for others always led to action. We have heard the old saying; People don’t care how much you know until they how much you care.

There is a song we sing that says “I give myself away so you can use me”.

Our neighbor is whoever we encounter with a need.

God wants us to be merciful:

James 2:15-17

Go and do good things for Christ:

I know it gets hard sometime doing the right thing. But God tells us in Galations 6:9-10 and let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do well to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.