The Good Samaritan Series

Note: This was a message preached by Edwin Leon a missionary from Belize. He gave me permission to post it plus I added a few notes. I felt that this was a great message. You can watch it here http://vimeo.com/50936476

Parable of the Good Samaritan

Theme:

Text: Luke 10;25 – 37

Introduction

It is great to be in 2012 our problem happens when we try to live in 2011. Genesis 11 and Genesis 12 tells the story of two people one who in Genesis 11 that wanted to settle and the other that wanted to move.

God is a moving God. He expects his people to be moving. He expects his people to be working and doing something for the kingdom of God when we get settled then we start missing the plans and purposes of God.

Look with me at luke 10:25 – 37

Luk 10:25-29 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (26) He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?" (27) So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'" (28) And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live." (29) But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

This is how the story begins. The lawyer was inquiring about receiving eternal life. Whether he was being honest or just trying to trip Jesus up we are not sure of. It seems he had the same arrogant attitude of the others.

Yet Jesus knew how to get his attention. He shares this story with him. We are not told that this is a parable. We have to assume that this is a true story. In all of Jesus parables he tells us that they are parables first. So here is the famous parable.

30 Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. (31) "Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. (32) "Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.

Notice the two who watched. A priest (the leader of the church) and a levite (workers or laymen in the church). Both kpt going. Both going as far as passing on the others side. They couldn’t see it.

If you could just take them aside and tell them or at least let them see. I know maybe they were busy, maybe they were trying to get to a fund raiser or dinner. Either way they did see him but the did not stop.

(33) "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. (34) "So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. (35) "On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'

Let us look at 6 things the Good Samaritan did that we all need to do.

A) He stopped (he befriended him) he took time out of his busy schedule to care

B) He approached him, not avoiding him, not afraid to make eye contact.

We have got to learn to, “Walk slowly through the crowd.”

C) He got down where he was, this was the only way he could see his need and know how to help

God down on his level so he could see what he really looked like, he could see his real needs

D) He picked him up, he didn’t leave him in the same condition as he found him

E) He took him

He didn’t just tell him where to go or send him to get help he took him himself, action.

F) He provided for him

He did something about it and extra. He went the “second mile” Matthew 5:41

Where did he get the resources? Do you think that he took extra just in case he ran into a man who fell among thieves and got robbed? No this was out of what he had. Out of what he brought for himself.

Luk 10:37 And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Showed – action, he moved and took action. He did something about the condition and our challenge is to go and do likewise.