WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.419 Good morning, church. 00:00:06.280 --> 00:00:14.259 Listen, normally I will jump right into what I'm preaching about, and we are going to do that in just a moment. 00:00:14.259 --> 00:00:17.539 But I want to let you know I just got back from El Paso. 00:00:18.420 --> 00:00:21.160 So since Wednesday, I left. 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:26.140 And by the way, Mike Brown, thank you for filling in for my life group on Wednesday night. 00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:30.560 I encourage you to jump into a life group if you're not already in one. 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:37.079 There are multiple ways for you to plug yourself into Christian community here within the context of our church. 00:00:37.219 --> 00:00:43.920 We have Sunday school classes meeting from 930 to 1030 every Sunday morning, except some of y'all who don't start at 930. 00:00:44.259 --> 00:00:46.839 Some of y'all know who you are. 00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:51.000 Technically on the schedule, we have 930 to 1030. 00:00:51.099 --> 00:00:53.399 Sometimes they get started a little later than that, but that's all right. 00:00:53.799 --> 00:01:02.619 But that is a great spot to jump into Christian community, as well as our Monday night men's group, Tuesday night life groups, and Wednesday night life group here at the church. 00:01:02.799 --> 00:01:05.019 So take advantage of that. 00:01:05.140 --> 00:01:07.180 Mike, thank you for filling in this Wednesday night. 00:01:07.180 --> 00:01:08.379 But I got to go to El Paso. 00:01:08.379 --> 00:01:15.039 So this was an awesome opportunity to go down and see different ministry opportunities that are available in El Paso. 00:01:15.420 --> 00:01:26.379 Texas Baptist collection of over 5,000 churches across Texas, like-minded in the area of loving Jesus, serving Jesus, and trying to reach people with Jesus. 00:01:26.379 --> 00:01:31.859 We might differ in a lot of other areas or beliefs, but we really focus on that. 00:01:31.939 --> 00:01:36.359 So we're able to partner together under this banner of Texas Baptists. 00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:40.039 Some churches will be First Baptist churches in small towns like ours. 00:01:40.340 --> 00:01:42.979 Other churches won't even have Baptists on their church name. 00:01:42.980 --> 00:01:46.820 But they've partnered together with us for this great cause. 00:01:46.960 --> 00:01:49.340 And so together we can do more. 00:01:49.579 --> 00:01:54.140 And part of that we talk about during the Mary Hill Davis offering that we just took up about a month ago. 00:01:54.880 --> 00:02:00.939 And that helps support so many ministries across our state, some of which you may not even be aware are going on. 00:02:01.060 --> 00:02:07.000 For instance, I didn't know until this trip that Texas Baptist has a dedicated immigration ministry. 00:02:07.460 --> 00:02:08.319 It's called Isaac. 00:02:09.040 --> 00:02:11.000 And so they're going down to the border. 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:15.360 They've actually moved that headquarters down to the border for this immigration ministry. 00:02:15.939 --> 00:02:26.419 And they are helping people get immigrants, get legal citizenship, or at least paperwork to be in the United States. 00:02:26.479 --> 00:02:28.439 So they're trying to help meet that need. 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:33.259 And that's also a space where there's a lot of scams going on, a lot of people taking advantage of others. 00:02:33.479 --> 00:02:38.319 We talked about that a little bit, that idea of taking advantage of other people in the sermon last week. 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:39.680 But that's happening today. 00:02:39.680 --> 00:02:43.140 And so Texas Baptist is trying to step into that space and meet some of that need. 00:02:43.300 --> 00:02:46.280 There's a lot of hunger ministries going on, feeding the hungry. 00:02:46.760 --> 00:02:49.379 We got to go see firsthand and take part in some of that. 00:02:50.520 --> 00:02:56.700 Education of how to improve societies down along the border, as well as the longstanding river ministry. 00:02:56.840 --> 00:03:04.800 So they go across the river into Mexico and reach people with the gospel and with community development and human flourishing. 00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:07.520 So that is all happening down at the border. 00:03:07.680 --> 00:03:18.280 And we had a small group of pastors able to go down and see firsthand and then come back and talk about with our churches and together as pastors on how we can help improve that. 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:20.360 So that's what I've been doing the last few days. 00:03:20.360 --> 00:03:22.419 And it was an absolutely fantastic time. 00:03:22.539 --> 00:03:24.580 We're going to be in Luke chapter 10 today. 00:03:24.879 --> 00:03:26.120 Luke chapter 10. 00:03:26.319 --> 00:03:31.580 As you're finding your place, maybe you won't have to look at the screen this time as you're turning your pages. 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:39.340 But let's try this, our sermon call and response that we've done through this series on Jesus' generosity. 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:39.759 Ready? 00:03:40.819 --> 00:03:41.639 God gives. 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:43.020 We give back. 00:03:43.159 --> 00:03:44.240 How do we give back? 00:03:44.560 --> 00:03:45.740 We give back. 00:03:45.740 --> 00:03:46.900 That's right. 00:03:47.240 --> 00:03:51.780 So we've been talking about this idea of generosity and what Jesus had to say about it. 00:03:51.860 --> 00:03:54.000 We're going to be in Luke chapter 25. 00:03:54.379 --> 00:03:59.659 We've been talking about time, talking about talent, treasure, and our heart. 00:04:00.300 --> 00:04:03.640 If we're being honest, much of this has been a challenge. 00:04:04.420 --> 00:04:06.820 Rethinking what it means to follow Jesus. 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:08.500 How we see giving. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:10.240 How we see service. 00:04:10.540 --> 00:04:11.719 How we see sacrifice. 00:04:11.719 --> 00:04:11.960 Twice. 00:04:13.099 --> 00:04:18.360 But as we close this series today, I would like this, our time together to be a little different. 00:04:19.500 --> 00:04:20.560 So let me ask you this. 00:04:21.500 --> 00:04:29.819 What if the most spiritual moment you have this week doesn't happen in this building? 00:04:29.819 --> 00:04:40.860 What if the most spiritual moment that you have this week doesn't even happen in your quiet time alone with God in prayer? 00:04:43.639 --> 00:04:48.219 What if it doesn't happen in the sanctuary but on the street? 00:04:48.220 --> 00:04:49.220 What if it doesn't happen in your quiet time? 00:04:49.220 --> 00:04:53.180 Let's keep that in the back of our minds as we read in Luke chapter 10. 00:04:54.600 --> 00:05:01.940 Because in the end, being generous isn't all about giving. 00:05:04.640 --> 00:05:06.080 It's about living. 00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:11.560 Being generous is more than just giving. 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:16.939 It's more than just how you give or what you give. 00:05:17.540 --> 00:05:19.420 It's about how you live. 00:05:20.420 --> 00:05:27.160 So, our goal, obviously, as followers of Jesus is to live like Jesus. 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:33.480 And the story we're going to dive into today is not just a story about kindness. 00:05:34.540 --> 00:05:36.100 About passing it along. 00:05:36.100 --> 00:05:39.540 It's a story about the gospel of Jesus. 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:42.360 It's a word you hear thrown around in church a lot. 00:05:42.660 --> 00:05:46.060 It simply means the good news, the Jesus story. 00:05:46.840 --> 00:05:48.780 And how that applies to our lives. 00:05:49.680 --> 00:05:52.140 So today, we're going to be challenged to love like Jesus. 00:05:52.780 --> 00:05:54.920 Love like he has loved us. 00:05:55.080 --> 00:06:00.180 But, before we read this passage, I want you to hear from someone right here in our church. 00:06:00.780 --> 00:06:01.960 Penny, if you would come on up. 00:06:01.959 --> 00:06:07.159 But, Penny Reardon recently found herself in a situation that was not on her calendar. 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:11.639 Probably wasn't in her comfort zone. 00:06:11.739 --> 00:06:12.979 I'll let her speak to that. 00:06:16.039 --> 00:06:19.120 But, it turned out to be a divine appointment from God. 00:06:19.240 --> 00:06:21.799 So, Penny, you come on ahead and share your story. 00:06:28.299 --> 00:06:28.939 Good morning. 00:06:28.939 --> 00:06:28.980 Good morning. 00:06:29.779 --> 00:06:32.160 So, Sam wanted me to share this. 00:06:33.399 --> 00:06:37.759 Back on August 23rd, I had gone by the coffee shop. 00:06:38.219 --> 00:06:41.459 And there was a lady walking down the street. 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:47.420 And I had just mentioned to my two workers, I said, you know, gosh, I wonder if she's homeless. 00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:49.360 And they said, no, she's not homeless. 00:06:49.459 --> 00:06:51.100 She has a really interesting story. 00:06:51.220 --> 00:06:52.620 She came in and told us about it. 00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:53.519 And I said, oh, that's cool. 00:06:53.519 --> 00:06:59.779 So, I just went on, went to Wichita, came back, and it was about 430. 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:06.339 And this lady was sitting on that curb at CDC. 00:07:06.339 --> 00:07:12.419 And so, I looked at her, and my car just goes right over to her. 00:07:13.039 --> 00:07:17.239 And I just rolled down my window, and I said, do you have somewhere to stay tonight? 00:07:17.959 --> 00:07:20.139 And she said, no. 00:07:20.259 --> 00:07:23.719 And I said, well, get in, and let's find you a spot. 00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:31.320 So, I went out to the hotel, and I pulled up, and I thought, oh, my gosh, this is hotter than hell weekend. 00:07:32.180 --> 00:07:33.580 There's not going to be anything. 00:07:34.200 --> 00:07:35.380 No room at the inn. 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:42.060 So, I thought, I wonder how Chris is going to like me bringing somebody home with me, because I didn't know what else I was going to do. 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:48.560 So, I went in, and I asked the gentleman, I said, do you have any room? 00:07:48.640 --> 00:07:51.500 And he said, we just happen to have a room available. 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:53.819 And I was like, go figure. 00:07:54.680 --> 00:07:57.459 So, I said, well, let's do two nights. 00:07:58.339 --> 00:08:01.420 And so, very nice lady from Colorado. 00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:03.660 She's from Greenlee, Colorado. 00:08:04.220 --> 00:08:09.199 And she was, it's like 30 minutes from where Lizzie is. 00:08:09.720 --> 00:08:10.899 So, I thought that was interesting. 00:08:11.100 --> 00:08:19.860 And then, I got back to my shop, and I was sitting there, and God said, how do you think she's going to get home? 00:08:19.860 --> 00:08:24.939 And I was like, well, I guess I'm going to buy her a bus ticket. 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:31.120 And during all this, I'm thinking, okay, God, Chris doesn't have a job. 00:08:31.580 --> 00:08:32.899 Real estate's slow. 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:38.080 This is getting a little bit, you know, out of my comfort zone. 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:41.920 But, so, I bought her a bus ticket. 00:08:42.340 --> 00:08:46.300 And I told her, I said, you enjoy your, I called her, and I said, you enjoy your weekend. 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:51.000 I'm going to pick you up at 11, and I'll take you to the bus station. 00:08:51.480 --> 00:08:54.620 So, that evening, I was going to have dinner with a couple of my friends. 00:08:54.620 --> 00:09:00.659 And one of them said, how do you know that she's here for her dad? 00:09:00.700 --> 00:09:08.080 Because she had told me her dad was in jail here, and she was trying to get him out, and he's 90 years old. 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:10.240 And I'm like, yeah, I believe that. 00:09:10.740 --> 00:09:15.259 So, we checked the jail roster, and, of course, he wasn't on it. 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:16.740 And I'm like, okay, great. 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:19.399 I'm just going to get knocked in the head Monday. 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:20.120 It'll be great. 00:09:20.179 --> 00:09:20.740 No problem. 00:09:21.700 --> 00:09:29.659 And so, I picked her up Monday morning, and I said, now, tell me your story again. 00:09:30.059 --> 00:09:32.139 And what a strange story. 00:09:32.980 --> 00:09:36.179 So, her father was 90 years old. 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:43.279 He lived in Dallas, and he was staying with his daughter. 00:09:43.279 --> 00:09:45.279 He wanted to go to Colorado. 00:09:45.819 --> 00:09:51.720 His daughter rents Hill May car and puts him on the road by himself to Colorado. 00:09:52.299 --> 00:09:57.860 So, he gets stopped in Clay County, and they try. 00:09:58.039 --> 00:09:59.100 He has no ID. 00:09:59.839 --> 00:10:01.039 He's Apache Indian. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:04.980 He doesn't know anything here. 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:07.319 He has no ID with him. 00:10:07.699 --> 00:10:10.679 So, they have to take him in and run his fingerprints. 00:10:10.679 --> 00:10:13.159 His fingerprints aren't in the system, obviously. 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:20.959 And so, ICE gets involved because they can't identify him. 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:25.439 So, ICE is holding this 90-year-old man in our jail. 00:10:26.379 --> 00:10:29.819 And this woman, she's just like, I don't know what to do. 00:10:29.919 --> 00:10:33.240 I have to wait until I have brought the paperwork down. 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:37.779 But they had to send him to Omaha to see a judge. 00:10:37.819 --> 00:10:39.000 I don't understand this. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:41.539 And so, we were chatting. 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:45.220 And, I mean, we talked the whole way up there, just a wonderful lady. 00:10:45.720 --> 00:10:52.519 And, you know, I said, how in the world were you going to get back home? 00:10:53.159 --> 00:10:54.000 She's got a backpack. 00:10:54.220 --> 00:10:54.700 That's it. 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:56.600 And she said, God? 00:10:57.940 --> 00:11:00.800 She said, I knew God would send me somebody. 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:04.560 And I'm like, well, here I am. 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:09.539 And so, she, we kept in touch. 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:12.000 Her dad did get out. 00:11:12.399 --> 00:11:14.019 They did have to send him to Omaha. 00:11:15.019 --> 00:11:20.199 And, but he, they found out that he was born on a reservation with no birth certificate. 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:22.579 So, it was really hard for him. 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:33.600 But the funny thing, I guess, or the blessing, one of the blessings that was a big blessing is, you know, God will use you if you let him. 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:38.600 And he's not going to stare you to somebody that's going to attack you or something. 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:41.960 He's going to, the Holy Spirit is going to lead you what you need to do. 00:11:43.060 --> 00:11:48.460 And my husband, this has been a really, really tough year for us. 00:11:48.460 --> 00:11:54.340 And my husband had applied for a job a month ago. 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:57.820 And they were supposed to call him back in two weeks. 00:11:57.860 --> 00:11:58.860 And they never called back. 00:11:59.160 --> 00:12:00.800 So, he pulled his application. 00:12:02.400 --> 00:12:11.920 And so, two weeks after this happened, they called him and said, we saw you pulled your application. 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:14.340 We wanted you for this job. 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:16.780 And would you still take it? 00:12:16.780 --> 00:12:17.759 And he's like, yeah. 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:25.000 And it's working at Faith Mission with veterans that have PTSD like he does. 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:27.919 And it's just been a blessing for him. 00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:31.799 So, you know, I think it's twofold. 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:37.139 If we allow God to use us, he'll use us. 00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:43.220 And if you don't allow God to use you, he's not going to ask again. 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:45.819 So, thank you. 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:54.600 I did not know that part about Faith Mission. 00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:56.019 That's so, so cool. 00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:59.159 Listen, I want to challenge you. 00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:01.899 Like she has challenged me. 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:04.319 Love like this. 00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:05.899 Love like this. 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:08.860 And that's actually kind of the theme that we're talking about today. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:14.639 So, let's go to Luke chapter 10, verse 25. 00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:26.259 We just heard a real life example in our town, in our context of needs that come through regularly. 00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:31.039 And God used one of his chosen servants to meet that need. 00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:34.480 So, let's look at this example from Luke chapter 10. 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:36.440 And we'll see something similar. 00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:38.519 One day, an expert, verse 25. 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:41.899 One day, an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus. 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:45.019 You'd think these guys would have gotten tired of that at some point. 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:48.740 Because they always failed when they tried to catch Jesus off guard. 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:50.920 So, they asked him this question. 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:54.399 Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life? 00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:58.879 This was a common question that someone in the temple would ask a rabbi. 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:00.899 What should I do to inherit eternal life? 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:02.259 That's kind of the goal. 00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:03.899 Verse 26. 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:06.279 Jesus replied, what does the law of Moses say? 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:07.720 He went straight to scripture. 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.500 You tell me. 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:12.879 You're supposed to be an expert in religious law. 00:14:13.179 --> 00:14:15.620 What does the law of Moses say? 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:16.620 How do you read it? 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:18.059 Verse 27. 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:20.620 The man answered, well, here's what it says. 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:24.879 You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:28.720 Also, you must love your neighbor as yourself. 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:31.120 He's referencing Levitical law here. 00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:33.639 You can read it for yourself in the book of Leviticus. 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:37.759 Right, Jesus told him, do this and you will live. 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:41.019 The man wanted to justify his actions. 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:45.240 So, he asked Jesus, who's my neighbor? 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:47.259 Tells me to love my neighbor. 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:48.600 Who's my neighbor? 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:51.420 However, Jesus replied with a story. 00:14:52.060 --> 00:14:53.720 As so often he would. 00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:57.940 And sometimes that was probably frustrating for those listening to him. 00:14:58.720 --> 00:15:03.019 When he didn't give them a direct answer, he said, I want you to think through this. 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:04.899 I was just talking with somebody recently about this. 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:08.560 Said he didn't always just respond with the black and white answer. 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:11.940 He wanted us to use this wonderful gift he's given us called a brain. 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:15.740 And figure it out with the help of his spirit, his guiding. 00:15:16.340 --> 00:15:17.860 Oh, this is what he wants. 00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:18.920 This is what he means. 00:15:19.060 --> 00:15:22.020 It's not just a robot receiving a command. 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:23.780 We're coming to it ourselves. 00:15:23.900 --> 00:15:24.980 So, he paints this picture. 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:29.260 A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho. 00:15:29.400 --> 00:15:31.620 And he was attacked by bandits. 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:34.100 They stripped him of his clothes. 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:36.539 Beat him up. 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:40.100 Left him half dead beside the road. 00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:43.779 By chance, a priest came along. 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:49.679 But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:51.199 Now, let's set this up. 00:15:51.479 --> 00:15:54.000 What exactly is happening here in Luke chapter 10? 00:15:54.419 --> 00:15:58.679 Jesus is using this fictional story to illustrate a point. 00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:02.559 And he uses the road between Jerusalem and Jericho. 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:05.479 It was a road travel. 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:07.239 Jericho was a very wealthy city. 00:16:07.579 --> 00:16:10.079 Obviously, Jerusalem was an incredible city. 00:16:11.219 --> 00:16:12.279 Very important. 00:16:12.439 --> 00:16:13.139 Very strategic. 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:15.039 Obviously, the temple and all this is there. 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:19.759 And so, a lot of important people are crossing the road between Jerusalem and Jericho. 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:21.919 A lot of money traveling along this road. 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:23.559 So, bandits would lie in wait. 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:26.459 It was a rocky road up on mountains. 00:16:26.579 --> 00:16:30.740 And so, they would lie in wait, hide out in some of the clefts of these rocks. 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:36.019 And they would jump out and mug someone, beat them, rob them, and leave them. 00:16:36.699 --> 00:16:39.419 So, it happens to a Jewish man. 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:45.219 Most of who would travel between Jerusalem and Jericho would be Jews. 00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:51.120 About, I don't know, a percentage, but the vast majority of people on this road would be Jews. 00:16:53.079 --> 00:16:54.719 So, they stripped him of his clothes. 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.939 Clothes held a lot of value. 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:59.339 Not just his possessions, but also the very clothes he's wearing. 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:05.220 They beat him up and left him half dead with the appearance, maybe, to the casual passerby. 00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:06.480 Hint, hint. 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:08.140 The casual passerby. 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:09.539 That he would be dead. 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:13.200 The first casual passerby comes along. 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:14.860 A priest. 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:16.660 It's a rabbi. 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:19.600 A leader in Jewish law. 00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:23.319 And he comes along and he sees the man lying there. 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:27.720 And he crosses to the other side of the road and passes him by. 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:29.740 Now, let's do a little audience participation. 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:33.079 Why would he cross to the other side of the road? 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:35.400 Why did the priest cross the road? 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:41.140 If you say to get to the other side, then we're going to have a problem, all right? 00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:42.539 Not a chicken. 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.759 He's a priest. 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:44.460 What's that? 00:17:45.380 --> 00:17:46.620 He didn't want to get mugs. 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:47.640 Okay. 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:48.120 Maybe. 00:17:51.100 --> 00:17:51.539 All right. 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:51.740 Wait. 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.319 One at a time. 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:53.620 We're going to have to do a raise your hand thing. 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:54.539 Unclean. 00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:55.480 Who said unclean? 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:56.519 Yes. 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:57.420 That's it. 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.600 The rest of you lost. 00:17:58.920 --> 00:17:59.460 Just kidding. 00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:08.100 It was because he would be ritually, according to Jewish tradition, he would be ritually 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:09.579 seen as unclean. 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:11.039 Are you ready for this? 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:17.259 If his shadow touched the maybe dead guy. 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:21.100 Couldn't even confirm if he was dead or not. 00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:24.219 But they were supposed to stay away from dead things. 00:18:24.379 --> 00:18:27.980 And so my shadow cannot even touch. 00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:29.799 Now, let me tell you that. 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.759 Let me tell you something. 00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:33.279 The Bible never taught them that. 00:18:33.919 --> 00:18:34.219 Yes. 00:18:34.219 --> 00:18:39.259 There were some laws about priests and Levites and being unclean and not going and touching 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:39.879 dead things. 00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:42.540 And you can read about Samson breaking those laws. 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:46.960 He was a Levite and he went and touched a dead lion carcass and got honey out of it. 00:18:47.060 --> 00:18:48.020 We're getting off track. 00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:50.760 But the point was, yes, that law did exist. 00:18:50.760 --> 00:18:54.940 But the hope they took it and went way farther than they ever should have gone. 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:58.860 So now our shadow cannot even touch. 00:18:58.940 --> 00:19:04.840 So I can't even go check and see if this human being made in the image of God needs help or 00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:10.740 if he, according to his appearance, is actually dead because that's, can't do that. 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:12.900 So that's what's happening. 00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:18.420 He moves on, crosses to the other side of the road, got to give it a wide berth. 00:19:18.820 --> 00:19:19.880 What happens next? 00:19:19.880 --> 00:19:26.660 A Levite, a temple assistant walks over and looks at him lying there, but then he also 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:28.340 passed on the other side. 00:19:29.340 --> 00:19:30.920 Do you think he got his shadow dirty? 00:19:32.140 --> 00:19:33.000 I don't know. 00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:39.120 He at least maybe started to kind of, oh, looks like that guy's been through it. 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.880 And I love how it says up here. 00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:41.680 It's kind of hard to see. 00:19:42.100 --> 00:19:44.340 Thoughts and prayers moving on my way. 00:19:45.060 --> 00:19:46.300 Anybody ever done that before? 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.080 Thoughts and prayers. 00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:54.279 It just sounds so, really, you didn't really have to say anything rather than say that. 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.919 So he's moving along. 00:19:58.159 --> 00:20:02.859 Then a despised Samaritan comes along. 00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:09.519 And when he saw the man, his first thought was, eh, probably a Jew. 00:20:09.699 --> 00:20:10.539 Can't stand the Jews. 00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.439 They can't stand me. 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.399 And he moves along, right? 00:20:13.139 --> 00:20:13.639 Nope. 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.259 Not what happened. 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:15.299 Not what happened. 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:21.139 His next thought was, how do I even know if this was a good guy? 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:25.319 What if he's a terrible person and he deserved what happened to him? 00:20:26.639 --> 00:20:31.500 He did not filter any of his response. 00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:34.919 He just responded to a need. 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:38.600 He saw the man. 00:20:38.600 --> 00:20:41.820 And his first thought was compassion. 00:20:42.980 --> 00:20:44.519 He felt compassion for him. 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:51.380 Verse 34, going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine. 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:53.140 Why would he use olive oil and wine? 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:54.759 Olive oil would obviously soothe it. 00:20:55.759 --> 00:21:01.000 Wine, the alcohol content in wine would cleanse, disinfect the wound. 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:12.640 So he's using his own expensive products, olive oil and wine, to meet this man's needs. 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:14.980 And then he bandages the man. 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:26.900 And then I'm wondering if maybe some of us might have done that to meet his immediate need of not bleeding out on the side of the road. 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:34.000 And then maybe prop him up under a shade tree and say, hey, I hope somebody comes along that can help you further. 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.720 Get some rest. 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:36.779 You'll feel better tomorrow. 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:43.399 Instead, he actually put him on his donkey, his own donkey. 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:49.319 So now he's probably leading the animal, which is a position of servitude. 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:57.160 Anyone passing by would think whoever's sitting on the donkey is in charge and whoever's leading the animal is his servant. 00:21:58.259 --> 00:22:00.899 But, you know, I feel like this Samaritan might have been okay with that. 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:05.980 Because it seemed like he saw himself as a servant of his fellow man. 00:22:07.780 --> 00:22:11.860 And so he takes him to an inn where he took care of him. 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:16.820 The next day, verse 35, he handed the innkeeper two silver coins. 00:22:18.380 --> 00:22:21.700 Penny, when you were telling your story, you said you paid for two nights in the hotel. 00:22:21.800 --> 00:22:26.740 And I'm sitting here thinking he went and seemingly paid for two nights in the inn. 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:34.700 And then said, hey, if it costs more than that, he said, if his bill runs higher than this, I'll pay you the next time I'm here. 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:39.779 Do you realize innkeepers, especially back then, didn't have a great reputation? 00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:44.359 Maybe weren't always the most ethical or trustworthy people. 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:51.440 And so the Samaritan, probably knowing this, gives the innkeeper an incentive to take good care of the guy. 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:58.180 He said, listen, you let this bill run up as high as you need it to, but just care well for this man. 00:22:58.759 --> 00:23:00.600 Love him truly. 00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:04.480 And then I will pay the cost. 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:12.480 So, Jesus tells this story to this expert in religious law. 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:21.259 And he says, which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits? 00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:28.900 Which of these three was his neighbor and treated him as a neighbor would? 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:31.400 The man gave the obvious answer. 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:33.160 The one who showed him mercy. 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:36.680 Notice what he didn't say, what he didn't call him. 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:40.880 He didn't call him a Samaritan. 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:49.000 He's become known throughout all of world history for anyone who reads the Bible. 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:52.460 And this is one of the most commonly referred to stories in the Bible. 00:23:52.580 --> 00:23:54.520 He's become known as the good. 00:23:55.600 --> 00:23:56.080 Right. 00:23:56.800 --> 00:24:02.720 But this guy, maybe, I don't know what his reasoning was, but it seems like he didn't even want to use the word. 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:04.900 Don't know. 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:09.580 He said, the one who showed him mercy. 00:24:09.579 --> 00:24:11.960 Jesus said, yes. 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:14.699 Now go and do the same. 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:17.079 You know what Jesus was saying? 00:24:18.899 --> 00:24:20.079 Love like this. 00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.799 Love like this. 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:30.619 When we read this story, that thought should echo in our minds and make its way down to our heart. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:32.339 Love like this. 00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:38.480 When we hear Penny's story of how God used her to help this woman and meet this need. 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:41.899 And she's not trying to lift herself up and say, hey, look at me. 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.579 Look how like Jesus I am. 00:24:44.139 --> 00:24:47.699 That's not the heart that goes and meets a need like that. 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:51.559 But the thought should be echoing in our minds. 00:24:51.919 --> 00:24:53.500 Love like this. 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:55.720 So this is where we find ourselves. 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:59.880 Number one, generous people move toward the mess. 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:03.720 Generous people move toward the mess. 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:07.039 Messes are something we always want to avoid. 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:10.779 What happens when there's a spill in a store? 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:18.500 We put out cones or caution signs or whatever. 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.259 Be careful. 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.019 Don't slip. 00:25:20.159 --> 00:25:20.740 Floor's wet. 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:21.159 Whatever. 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:24.000 There's an intercom message. 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:24.759 It goes out. 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.099 Clean up on aisle. 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:26.519 Whatever. 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:26.599 Whatever. 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:32.460 Because the whole point is you want to avoid the mess. 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:34.379 That's what we want to do. 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:37.180 We always try to avoid messes. 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:38.759 We don't want to make a mess. 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:42.359 And we sure don't want to go clean up somebody else's mess. 00:25:44.059 --> 00:25:47.279 Except there's one person who moves toward the mess. 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:47.819 Who is it? 00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:50.000 It's a janitor. 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:52.359 It's a custodian. 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:55.319 They move toward the mess. 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:59.619 First day of the school year. 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.799 First official day back. 00:26:00.899 --> 00:26:02.799 We had the teachers all out there. 00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:05.019 And they had a great event going on at the school. 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:10.139 And the church and other community organizations and companies went out. 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:11.319 And they set up booths. 00:26:11.899 --> 00:26:13.919 And the teachers went along and got free swag. 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:17.799 And we invited people out to our lunch. 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:19.579 So we're all getting there early. 00:26:19.679 --> 00:26:21.439 And we're setting up all our tables and booths. 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:23.440 And the poor guy from... 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.940 It was the juice place. 00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:27.559 Fruit guy. 00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:27.980 That's it. 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:28.500 Thank you, Penny. 00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:29.380 The fruit guy. 00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:31.380 The fruit guy was out there. 00:26:31.640 --> 00:26:37.160 And he had these big old containers full of lemonade and whatever kind of juice. 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:39.820 And he was going to hand out free juice to the teachers. 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:42.480 And he had it all set up. 00:26:42.679 --> 00:26:45.960 And then somehow the table wasn't working right or something. 00:26:46.159 --> 00:26:48.059 And he tried to fix it. 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:50.899 And it all went crashing to the floor. 00:26:51.939 --> 00:26:55.619 Just big old barrels of juice just everywhere. 00:26:55.899 --> 00:26:59.000 I mean, it was very colorful and very wet. 00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.279 I felt... 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:00.899 We all felt... 00:27:00.899 --> 00:27:01.819 I mean, you couldn't... 00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:02.599 We're standing in the hallway. 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:03.200 Boom. 00:27:03.299 --> 00:27:03.960 Big old crash. 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.799 And it's just everywhere. 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:06.500 Like, I felt so bad for the guy. 00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:09.480 Yeah. 00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:10.460 It was rough. 00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:13.460 So we're all avoiding the area, right? 00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:15.960 And thankfully, it was down at the very end. 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:18.180 So you just didn't go past a certain point. 00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:19.460 But who came? 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:21.419 Somebody went and found the janitor. 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.399 And he came running. 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:24.559 And they got a machine. 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.619 They, like, sucks it up. 00:27:25.639 --> 00:27:27.119 It was amazing what they were able to do. 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.539 They got it cleaned up. 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:30.200 And I think somebody eventually came out. 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:32.259 He had enough kind of left in the barrels. 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:34.159 He got to hand out most of it. 00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:36.200 And then somebody came and brought him refills. 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:37.000 But it... 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:39.920 I was just like, man, that was such a mess. 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:41.480 And I felt so bad for the guy. 00:27:41.560 --> 00:27:43.340 And everybody then just avoided the area. 00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:45.640 And the whole reason he came was to hand out the juice. 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.880 And now the juice is gone. 00:27:48.300 --> 00:27:49.720 But somebody ran toward it. 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:51.600 And that was the janitor. 00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:53.060 He had a job to do. 00:27:54.060 --> 00:27:56.080 He said, this is where I come in. 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:58.660 This is where I show my worth. 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:02.200 This is where I get to go solve a problem. 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:05.600 It wasn't convenient. 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:14.400 He could have just stayed doing whatever else he was doing and not had to stop and go clean up the mess. 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:19.960 But generosity is rarely convenient. 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:25.019 But generosity always moves toward a need. 00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:26.880 Let me say that again. 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:31.620 Generosity always moves toward a need. 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:40.640 When Jesus calls us to love our neighbor, he calls us to interrupt our comfort zone. 00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:48.180 Interrupt our place of comfort and satisfaction and move toward a need. 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:51.780 Toward someone else's healing. 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:54.920 That's what Jesus wants for us. 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:57.160 Listen, I want to throw a picture up. 00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:58.319 If you guys, did we get it? 00:28:58.680 --> 00:28:59.660 Yes, let's go. 00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:07.339 I literally just texted this to Matt while Penny was talking because her story sparked something that I just found out about this last week. 00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:09.399 This guy right here, look at that, man. 00:29:09.439 --> 00:29:10.159 These guys are awesome. 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:13.819 This is Pastor Ariel Martinez from down in El Paso. 00:29:13.919 --> 00:29:14.319 I met him. 00:29:14.439 --> 00:29:18.019 Actually, I met him before, but I saw him and got to know him better on this trip. 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:20.759 He's pastor of Del Sol Church in El Paso. 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:22.299 Very successful church. 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.379 They've got multiple campuses. 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:26.679 They're doing awesome ministry down there in that border city. 00:29:26.680 --> 00:29:31.180 We are around Texas Baptist. 00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:32.779 Many of us know Pastor Ariel. 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:33.960 He's doing a great job. 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:37.759 Think of him with respect, thanking God for his ministry. 00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:40.560 What we didn't know until this last week is his story. 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:45.920 Not his dad, but his grandfather came across the border. 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:51.180 He's pretty sure he was illegal when he came across the border. 00:29:51.360 --> 00:29:52.519 He was a migrant worker. 00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:54.720 Probably did not come here legally. 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:58.019 His dad was born here. 00:29:58.640 --> 00:30:01.220 His dad was naturalized, and he was born in America. 00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:04.319 But they grew up very poor. 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:06.480 I mean, dirt poor in El Paso. 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:09.059 And that's real poverty, all right? 00:30:10.100 --> 00:30:20.200 And so he's growing up with very little, very avoiding anybody who could maybe get his family out of the country in just a really difficult situation. 00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:24.620 But his dad was born here, and he's growing up, and he goes to high school down there. 00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:27.679 He's growing up here in El Paso and starts playing an instrument in the band. 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:30.119 How many of y'all play in the band or maybe did play in the band? 00:30:30.939 --> 00:30:31.539 Wave at me. 00:30:31.659 --> 00:30:32.359 Yeah, there you go. 00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.099 I like it. 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:33.479 Al. 00:30:33.659 --> 00:30:34.500 Al's our band guy. 00:30:34.939 --> 00:30:35.399 There you go. 00:30:35.579 --> 00:30:36.000 I like it. 00:30:36.219 --> 00:30:37.239 We got a lot of band members. 00:30:37.879 --> 00:30:39.419 Listen, our band is awesome, too. 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:46.700 People like that have a unique window into the lives of the young people under their care. 00:30:47.580 --> 00:30:50.960 And this band director noticed Pastor Ariel. 00:30:50.960 --> 00:31:07.319 And he noticed that he had a talent, and he took enough care and paid enough attention to this young man's life, he realized this kid probably has no chance to go to college. 00:31:08.120 --> 00:31:09.720 Well, he was right. 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:15.559 No one in his family, going back generations, had ever gone to college. 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:26.079 So the band director takes matters into his own hands and contacts the band director at UTEP, University of Texas, El Paso, and said, 00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:33.119 I've got exceptional talent here in high school, but there's no way he can afford to go to college unless you give him a scholarship. 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:39.500 Well, they gave him a scholarship, full-ride scholarship for band at UTEP. 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:44.119 He became the first in his family to ever attend college. 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:59.980 Fast forward to today, that man's son is Pastor Ariel at Del Sol Church in UTEP, reaching thousands of people along the border with the gospel of Jesus. 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:03.299 Pastor Ariel has three brothers. 00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:07.539 One of them is an astrophysicist. 00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:11.879 One of them is a mechanical engineer working on space shuttles. 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:21.319 And one of them served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Iraq War and is now a highly successful attorney in Dallas. 00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:33.299 That band director, moving toward a mess and doing what he could, 00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:38.879 change the trajectory of an entire family for generations. 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:46.079 And not just that family, but the far-reaching effects, we'll never know until we get to heaven someday. 00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:52.019 Just how much was impacted by someone moving toward a mess. 00:32:54.099 --> 00:33:01.119 Love moves toward the mess because that's what Jesus did for us. 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:06.019 He could have sat on his heavenly throne and said, 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:08.159 Look at all the wrong they've done. 00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:10.759 Look at all the laws they've broken. 00:33:11.459 --> 00:33:14.899 Look at all the things that they have not done right. 00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:17.039 They made this mess themselves. 00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:19.119 Let them clean it up. 00:33:19.899 --> 00:33:21.319 Let them suffer for it. 00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:30.639 And how many times do you and I find ourselves seated on our imaginary thrones and saying that kind of thing? 00:33:33.099 --> 00:33:34.139 When instead, 00:33:35.480 --> 00:33:39.059 we must not forget 00:33:39.059 --> 00:33:42.700 that Jesus showed us the very kind of mercy, 00:33:43.559 --> 00:33:44.779 the very kind of compassion 00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:49.420 that he's now asking us to show to others. 00:33:50.079 --> 00:33:51.319 1 John 3 00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:53.519 and verse 17. 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:57.420 Y'all can close that picture out. 00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:57.899 Thank you. 00:33:58.639 --> 00:34:00.759 1 John 3 and verse 17. 00:34:01.440 --> 00:34:03.740 If someone has enough money to live well 00:34:03.740 --> 00:34:06.720 and sees a brother or sister in need, 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:08.779 but shows no compassion, 00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:12.480 how can God's love be in that person? 00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:14.219 Do you understand what it's saying? 00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:16.840 It's not saying living well. 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:19.240 We think of somebody who's just rich 00:34:19.240 --> 00:34:21.119 and can buy whatever they want. 00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:22.800 I don't think that's at all what it meant. 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:25.519 I think it meant you have enough 00:34:25.519 --> 00:34:27.659 to meet your daily needs. 00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:31.519 Maybe you can't go out and buy the truck you want 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:33.059 or the size of TV you want 00:34:33.059 --> 00:34:36.099 or take the trip maybe you want to take 00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:37.099 or whatever it is. 00:34:38.240 --> 00:34:39.920 But you've got enough money 00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:41.719 to make it through this life 00:34:41.719 --> 00:34:42.959 and you're okay. 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:45.179 And you see somebody else 00:34:45.179 --> 00:34:46.519 who's clearly not okay. 00:34:47.199 --> 00:34:49.359 But you have no compassion for them. 00:34:49.759 --> 00:34:51.139 And not just having, 00:34:51.500 --> 00:34:52.339 but showing. 00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:55.619 You show no compassion for them. 00:34:56.239 --> 00:34:57.679 Then how can you say 00:34:57.679 --> 00:34:59.339 that God's love is in you? 00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:01.679 That's the question. 00:35:02.439 --> 00:35:03.599 Questions convict. 00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:07.459 Are we convicted by this question from John? 00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:12.039 So we see this principle from the good Samaritan 00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:13.440 who showed the compassion, 00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:14.599 saw the need, 00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:16.900 and took the lead, so to speak. 00:35:17.720 --> 00:35:20.079 He had enough compassion to cross the road. 00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:23.519 So that's my question for you. 00:35:23.619 --> 00:35:26.679 Do you have enough compassion to cross the road? 00:35:26.840 --> 00:35:29.800 Or does it depend on who's lying on the other side? 00:35:30.220 --> 00:35:31.920 Does it depend on who's in need? 00:35:31.920 --> 00:35:34.180 Because oftentimes we've been hitting this 00:35:34.180 --> 00:35:35.740 every single Sunday of this series, 00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:37.079 and today's the last one. 00:35:37.139 --> 00:35:38.159 So don't worry, we'll move on. 00:35:38.500 --> 00:35:39.539 But I wanted to hit it again. 00:35:39.900 --> 00:35:41.700 Does the person that we go help 00:35:41.700 --> 00:35:44.059 have to be inside our lines? 00:35:45.659 --> 00:35:47.400 Because if they're outside the lines 00:35:47.400 --> 00:35:49.519 of what we approve or who we'll accept, 00:35:49.880 --> 00:35:50.940 they're not going to get our help. 00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:52.059 They're not going to get our compassion. 00:35:52.059 --> 00:35:56.639 Or do we judge them on this centered set idea 00:35:56.639 --> 00:36:02.239 on the right that Jesus showed compassion to everyone? 00:36:02.820 --> 00:36:06.360 Jesus died for the sins of all men and all women. 00:36:07.259 --> 00:36:09.259 Jesus died for the sins of all of us. 00:36:09.340 --> 00:36:12.420 He offers mercy and compassion to all of us. 00:36:12.500 --> 00:36:14.559 And so if we're going to follow Jesus, 00:36:14.920 --> 00:36:16.299 then we got to do the same thing. 00:36:16.940 --> 00:36:19.039 We can't just help the people 00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:21.219 who fit inside our circle. 00:36:22.059 --> 00:36:23.179 Inside our lines. 00:36:23.960 --> 00:36:25.759 Jesus drew no lines. 00:36:26.679 --> 00:36:28.400 He extended it to everyone. 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:30.639 So love doesn't look the other way. 00:36:31.340 --> 00:36:33.940 Love steps directly into the mess, 00:36:34.299 --> 00:36:36.340 into someone else's story, 00:36:36.539 --> 00:36:38.940 and becomes part of the story. 00:36:39.139 --> 00:36:40.699 And you know what happens when you do that? 00:36:40.920 --> 00:36:42.900 You get an incredible story to tell, 00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:45.460 just like we heard from Penny just now. 00:36:46.579 --> 00:36:49.519 And then you get to be a vessel for God to use 00:36:49.519 --> 00:36:51.820 to help inspire someone else and say, 00:36:51.900 --> 00:36:53.219 wow, I could have done that. 00:36:54.440 --> 00:36:56.860 But instead of just looking backward and saying, 00:36:56.860 --> 00:36:59.019 how many times have I missed an opportunity? 00:36:59.300 --> 00:37:00.559 Let's look forward and say, 00:37:00.679 --> 00:37:02.960 God, help me not miss the next one. 00:37:04.000 --> 00:37:06.960 Help me meet the next need that comes along. 00:37:07.139 --> 00:37:10.000 Help me see with your eyes and notice 00:37:10.000 --> 00:37:11.820 and not look the other way, 00:37:12.099 --> 00:37:14.460 but step into the story. 00:37:14.619 --> 00:37:15.139 Number two, 00:37:15.639 --> 00:37:17.860 interruptions are often God's invitations. 00:37:18.039 --> 00:37:18.360 By the way, 00:37:18.400 --> 00:37:19.659 there's only two points in this sermon. 00:37:20.219 --> 00:37:21.239 So we're nearly there. 00:37:21.320 --> 00:37:21.559 All right? 00:37:21.659 --> 00:37:23.199 Stick with me for just a couple more minutes. 00:37:23.960 --> 00:37:26.500 Interruptions are often God's invitations. 00:37:26.500 --> 00:37:32.960 Every time you and I step up for someone, 00:37:33.099 --> 00:37:35.300 we're stepping into a divine appointment, 00:37:35.300 --> 00:37:37.340 like we just heard about, 00:37:38.099 --> 00:37:40.940 from God set up long before this need 00:37:40.940 --> 00:37:42.360 ever showed up on your doorstep 00:37:42.360 --> 00:37:44.340 or across your path. 00:37:44.920 --> 00:37:47.599 The Samaritan did not set out on his journey 00:37:47.599 --> 00:37:50.599 as a ministry trip. 00:37:51.460 --> 00:37:53.239 He wasn't going on a missions trip. 00:37:53.239 --> 00:37:57.219 He was traveling between Jerusalem and Jericho. 00:37:57.799 --> 00:38:01.159 He had a separate purpose for his trip. 00:38:01.779 --> 00:38:04.059 And that's usually where we find 00:38:04.059 --> 00:38:05.679 these divine appointments happening. 00:38:06.239 --> 00:38:07.519 God brings us something 00:38:07.519 --> 00:38:09.419 when we're doing something else. 00:38:09.579 --> 00:38:11.179 We're in the middle of something else. 00:38:11.239 --> 00:38:12.259 It's a little inconvenient. 00:38:12.839 --> 00:38:15.239 How in the world am I supposed to stop what I'm doing 00:38:15.239 --> 00:38:18.799 and go help this person? 00:38:20.479 --> 00:38:21.839 He was just traveling. 00:38:23.239 --> 00:38:28.379 But love doesn't check our calendars. 00:38:29.159 --> 00:38:30.739 Love seizes the opportunity. 00:38:31.959 --> 00:38:34.059 So my dad went to seminary 00:38:34.059 --> 00:38:36.779 down at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth 00:38:36.779 --> 00:38:40.739 studying ministry and God's Word and theology. 00:38:41.000 --> 00:38:43.419 And he had a professor down there 00:38:43.419 --> 00:38:44.439 who was a favorite of many 00:38:44.439 --> 00:38:45.739 who went to Southwestern Seminary. 00:38:46.000 --> 00:38:48.059 And his name was Roy Fish, Dr. Roy Fish. 00:38:48.059 --> 00:38:50.000 He taught principles of evangelism 00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:51.339 or sharing Jesus with other people. 00:38:51.340 --> 00:38:55.380 And so Dr. Fish, I heard tell a story 00:38:55.380 --> 00:38:56.940 that I thought was amazing. 00:38:57.680 --> 00:38:59.340 And I've heard others reference this story. 00:39:00.039 --> 00:39:01.780 He had a seminary student in class 00:39:01.780 --> 00:39:04.000 who came up to him before class one day 00:39:04.000 --> 00:39:07.500 and said, hey, I'm pastoring a small church 00:39:07.500 --> 00:39:08.660 outside of Fort Worth 00:39:08.660 --> 00:39:11.900 and we're going to have a revival in the fall 00:39:11.900 --> 00:39:12.680 or the spring. 00:39:12.800 --> 00:39:13.820 I'm sorry, this was a fall semester. 00:39:13.940 --> 00:39:15.460 He said, we're going to have a revival in the spring. 00:39:15.460 --> 00:39:17.199 And I would love if you would come 00:39:17.199 --> 00:39:19.860 and be the featured guest speaker for our revival. 00:39:22.039 --> 00:39:23.940 And Dr. Fish looked at him and said, 00:39:24.240 --> 00:39:25.539 how do you know? 00:39:29.740 --> 00:39:31.320 The guy probably looked at him like, 00:39:31.420 --> 00:39:32.880 you're looking at me right now like, what? 00:39:33.940 --> 00:39:36.039 He said, we're going to have a revival. 00:39:36.039 --> 00:39:39.739 And Dr. Fish said, how do you know? 00:39:41.679 --> 00:39:42.800 What is a revival? 00:39:43.759 --> 00:39:46.840 That is where God's spirit fills his people, 00:39:47.519 --> 00:39:50.300 recenters their vision off of themselves 00:39:50.300 --> 00:39:51.980 and their world 00:39:51.980 --> 00:39:54.800 and puts it back onto Jesus Christ 00:39:54.800 --> 00:39:55.840 and God's kingdom. 00:39:57.199 --> 00:39:59.940 And then the fruit of that happens in their lives 00:39:59.940 --> 00:40:02.000 and often spreads throughout their church, 00:40:02.119 --> 00:40:02.980 throughout their town, 00:40:03.300 --> 00:40:04.079 throughout their community. 00:40:04.079 --> 00:40:06.440 Sometimes we've read in past history 00:40:06.440 --> 00:40:09.340 of revivals sweeping across the entire nation 00:40:09.340 --> 00:40:11.519 and even traveling to other nations. 00:40:11.619 --> 00:40:12.519 It's been a long time 00:40:12.519 --> 00:40:14.739 since we've seen something like that in America. 00:40:15.619 --> 00:40:16.960 So Dr. Fish says, 00:40:17.239 --> 00:40:19.380 you put that on your calendar? 00:40:20.219 --> 00:40:21.559 How do you know God's going to do that? 00:40:23.619 --> 00:40:26.799 I think what the young man meant to say was, 00:40:27.239 --> 00:40:29.460 we're going to schedule a meeting 00:40:29.460 --> 00:40:32.319 where we pray and ask God 00:40:32.319 --> 00:40:33.719 to send us a revival. 00:40:34.079 --> 00:40:38.019 He said, let's be careful how we think about this. 00:40:38.539 --> 00:40:40.239 Revival isn't something you can schedule. 00:40:40.799 --> 00:40:42.239 It's something God does 00:40:42.239 --> 00:40:44.259 when our hearts turn to him. 00:40:46.819 --> 00:40:48.519 Reviving a dead church 00:40:48.519 --> 00:40:50.900 full of distracted people, 00:40:52.219 --> 00:40:54.340 look around us. 00:40:54.779 --> 00:40:55.699 We're distracted. 00:40:55.699 --> 00:41:01.119 The Holy Spirit of the living God has to do that. 00:41:01.559 --> 00:41:02.960 And it can't be scheduled. 00:41:03.839 --> 00:41:06.759 It has to happen as heart by heart 00:41:06.759 --> 00:41:12.119 gets arrested by the Holy Spirit of God. 00:41:13.259 --> 00:41:15.839 And when our hearts are arrested by God, 00:41:16.839 --> 00:41:18.139 change happens. 00:41:18.139 --> 00:41:20.199 And it starts inside. 00:41:20.679 --> 00:41:22.159 And then it goes to the outside. 00:41:22.159 --> 00:41:24.420 And we go help somebody. 00:41:24.579 --> 00:41:26.639 And we spend money we weren't thinking of spending. 00:41:27.519 --> 00:41:30.019 And we spend time that we weren't thinking of spending. 00:41:30.159 --> 00:41:32.159 We spend energy that we weren't thinking of spending. 00:41:32.579 --> 00:41:35.599 Because our plans are no longer the priority. 00:41:35.599 --> 00:41:38.880 Now God's purpose is our priority. 00:41:40.619 --> 00:41:42.940 Revival in our hearts is more likely to come 00:41:42.940 --> 00:41:45.119 from the interruptions of life 00:41:45.119 --> 00:41:47.119 that we didn't plan for, 00:41:47.239 --> 00:41:49.920 but they're actually invitations from God 00:41:49.920 --> 00:41:51.759 back into the way of Jesus. 00:41:52.539 --> 00:41:55.299 So maybe revival has less to do with planning 00:41:55.299 --> 00:41:56.599 and with programs, 00:41:56.719 --> 00:41:58.799 and it has more to do with pursuing 00:41:58.799 --> 00:42:01.079 the person of Jesus. 00:42:01.079 --> 00:42:06.779 So, Proverbs chapter 16 and verse 9. 00:42:07.460 --> 00:42:08.539 We can make our plans, 00:42:09.000 --> 00:42:10.639 but the Lord determines our steps. 00:42:11.319 --> 00:42:13.880 What a reminder of God's sovereignty. 00:42:14.079 --> 00:42:14.980 He's in charge. 00:42:15.579 --> 00:42:17.059 And if we walk in His way, 00:42:17.360 --> 00:42:18.639 He'll bring us invitations 00:42:18.639 --> 00:42:21.480 that won't seem so much like interruptions anymore. 00:42:21.619 --> 00:42:23.860 Colossians chapter 2 and verse 14. 00:42:24.719 --> 00:42:26.239 Colossians 2 and verse 14. 00:42:26.779 --> 00:42:28.299 We're never more like Jesus 00:42:28.299 --> 00:42:30.259 than when we stop for someone 00:42:30.260 --> 00:42:31.800 who can't repay us. 00:42:31.860 --> 00:42:33.460 This is the other side, all right? 00:42:33.760 --> 00:42:35.240 This is the other side to it. 00:42:37.260 --> 00:42:38.900 The other side to this story 00:42:38.900 --> 00:42:41.000 other than, wow, what a great guy. 00:42:41.100 --> 00:42:42.980 He stopped and really cared about this person. 00:42:43.060 --> 00:42:43.960 The other side is, 00:42:44.360 --> 00:42:46.280 this points us to the Savior. 00:42:46.800 --> 00:42:48.280 This points us to Jesus 00:42:48.280 --> 00:42:51.340 and reminds us of what He did for us. 00:42:51.660 --> 00:42:53.600 We're never more like our Savior 00:42:53.600 --> 00:42:55.220 than when we stop for someone 00:42:55.220 --> 00:42:57.480 who can't make it worth our while. 00:42:57.480 --> 00:43:00.740 Someone who can't repay us 00:43:00.740 --> 00:43:02.920 because that's what Jesus did for us. 00:43:03.179 --> 00:43:04.219 Colossians 2, 14. 00:43:04.539 --> 00:43:06.860 He canceled the record of our sin, 00:43:07.159 --> 00:43:08.619 the charges against us, 00:43:08.679 --> 00:43:09.760 and took it away 00:43:09.760 --> 00:43:12.940 by nailing it to His cross. 00:43:13.800 --> 00:43:15.820 What a thing Jesus did for us. 00:43:16.139 --> 00:43:17.059 All of our wrong 00:43:17.059 --> 00:43:18.659 that He could have held against us. 00:43:18.940 --> 00:43:20.240 Instead, He took it away 00:43:20.240 --> 00:43:22.019 and nailed it to the cross, 00:43:22.179 --> 00:43:23.099 so to speak, 00:43:23.159 --> 00:43:24.579 that He was crucified on. 00:43:24.579 --> 00:43:26.039 And then 1 Peter 2, 24. 00:43:26.259 --> 00:43:28.259 This is a quote from Isaiah, 00:43:28.360 --> 00:43:29.099 the prophet Isaiah. 00:43:29.500 --> 00:43:29.840 He says, 00:43:30.219 --> 00:43:32.039 He personally carried our sins 00:43:32.039 --> 00:43:33.739 in His body on the cross 00:43:33.739 --> 00:43:36.719 so that we can then be dead to sin 00:43:36.719 --> 00:43:38.440 and live for what is right. 00:43:38.639 --> 00:43:39.699 By His wounds, 00:43:40.279 --> 00:43:41.159 you are healed. 00:43:41.259 --> 00:43:43.239 That's what Jesus did for us. 00:43:43.480 --> 00:43:44.779 So what's our takeaway this morning? 00:43:45.259 --> 00:43:47.259 When you and I love like Jesus, 00:43:48.119 --> 00:43:50.759 generosity stops being something we do 00:43:50.760 --> 00:43:53.320 and becomes who we are. 00:43:54.540 --> 00:43:55.440 That's the takeaway. 00:43:56.300 --> 00:43:58.080 When we love like Jesus, 00:43:58.460 --> 00:43:59.700 like the Good Samaritan, 00:44:00.000 --> 00:44:02.160 like we just heard God do through Penny, 00:44:02.720 --> 00:44:04.640 when we love like that, 00:44:06.040 --> 00:44:08.540 generosity is not just something we do, 00:44:08.980 --> 00:44:10.780 and God starts to change 00:44:10.780 --> 00:44:12.680 who we actually are. 00:44:12.940 --> 00:44:13.980 So that's our challenge. 00:44:14.500 --> 00:44:16.200 Go and do likewise. 00:44:16.600 --> 00:44:17.600 That's what Jesus said 00:44:17.600 --> 00:44:18.480 at the end of this story. 00:44:18.480 --> 00:44:20.360 Your Bible might say likewise. 00:44:20.599 --> 00:44:22.460 It might say go and do like this. 00:44:23.500 --> 00:44:24.719 But that's our challenge. 00:44:25.099 --> 00:44:26.880 Go and do likewise. 00:44:27.240 --> 00:44:28.139 You do the same. 00:44:28.440 --> 00:44:29.380 I do the same. 00:44:29.480 --> 00:44:31.760 And when we together do the same, 00:44:32.240 --> 00:44:34.059 the community starts to change. 00:44:34.719 --> 00:44:36.639 Our community starts to change. 00:44:37.179 --> 00:44:39.000 So let's say it one final time together, 00:44:39.099 --> 00:44:39.420 can we? 00:44:39.840 --> 00:44:40.619 God gives. 00:44:41.019 --> 00:44:41.940 We give back. 00:44:42.039 --> 00:44:43.059 How do we give back? 00:44:43.440 --> 00:44:44.300 We give back. 00:44:45.300 --> 00:44:47.340 God, I pray that you would allow us to do that. 00:44:48.480 --> 00:44:49.360 To give back. 00:44:49.440 --> 00:44:50.059 Hands open. 00:44:50.219 --> 00:44:50.860 Eyes up. 00:44:52.420 --> 00:44:54.579 Because when our eyes are fixed on you, 00:44:54.740 --> 00:44:56.760 we will see where your eyes are. 00:44:58.380 --> 00:45:00.320 And your eyes are noticing the man 00:45:00.320 --> 00:45:01.440 laying on the side of the road. 00:45:01.800 --> 00:45:04.599 Your eyes are noticing the woman who needs help. 00:45:05.599 --> 00:45:07.460 Your eyes are noticing the people 00:45:07.460 --> 00:45:09.119 that cross our paths every day 00:45:09.119 --> 00:45:13.480 who need a generous follower of Jesus 00:45:13.480 --> 00:45:15.179 to step into their story. 00:45:15.179 --> 00:45:17.779 Teach us how to do that, God. 00:45:17.859 --> 00:45:18.639 Give us opportunities 00:45:18.639 --> 00:45:20.859 and we'll give you all the glory for it. 00:45:20.940 --> 00:45:21.960 It's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:45:22.599 --> 00:45:22.919 Amen. 00:45:24.500 --> 00:45:25.879 Would you bow your heads with me 00:45:25.879 --> 00:45:27.399 for about the next two minutes? 00:45:27.599 --> 00:45:29.079 We're going to give this time to God 00:45:29.079 --> 00:45:29.599 and just say, 00:45:29.659 --> 00:45:31.079 God, move in my heart. 00:45:31.659 --> 00:45:32.719 If you need to come forward 00:45:32.719 --> 00:45:34.079 and pray with Jared or myself, 00:45:34.139 --> 00:45:34.819 you can do that. 00:45:35.179 --> 00:45:35.919 If you need to come down 00:45:35.919 --> 00:45:36.739 and kneel at this altar, 00:45:36.859 --> 00:45:37.500 you can do that. 00:45:37.980 --> 00:45:39.460 Linda's going to play for just a moment. 00:45:40.139 --> 00:45:41.579 If you need to sit in quiet prayer 00:45:41.579 --> 00:45:44.319 and let God speak to you, 00:45:45.179 --> 00:45:46.519 then you do that for this moment 00:45:46.519 --> 00:45:47.340 before we dismiss. 00:45:47.340 --> 00:45:48.019 Amen.