WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:01.040 Well, good evening. 00:00:03.180 --> 00:00:07.940 It's not the normal response that Peter gets in the morning, but that'll do. 00:00:08.859 --> 00:00:10.640 Well, thank you very much for coming along this evening. 00:00:11.240 --> 00:00:18.440 As we consider the second evening in our studies in Luke, which we are looking at the parables. 00:00:19.800 --> 00:00:26.120 And I want to start by telling you a story, as I guess customary in the start of the sermon, 00:00:26.120 --> 00:00:31.520 when we tell a story just to get you to understand exactly what we are going to speak about tonight. 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:33.859 And the story I want to tell you about is about coffee. 00:00:34.240 --> 00:00:37.020 Not the coffee that you're drinking in the cup, Sabina, but about a barista. 00:00:38.120 --> 00:00:42.640 Way back in 2008, there was a barista, about 51 years old, 00:00:43.079 --> 00:00:50.820 and she donated a kidney to one of her regular long-time customers in order to save her life. 00:00:50.820 --> 00:00:55.560 Her customer was a 55-year-old, a similar woman, 55-year-old, 00:00:55.700 --> 00:00:59.240 who, upon having a chat with this girl, Sandy, one day, 00:00:59.380 --> 00:01:01.340 she explained that she needed a kidney transplant, 00:01:01.799 --> 00:01:06.620 and that neither her husband nor her son was a match, 00:01:06.700 --> 00:01:08.599 and therefore couldn't donate their kidney, 00:01:09.539 --> 00:01:11.859 meaning that they could not save her life. 00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:19.340 Now, without hesitation, Sandy agrees to do the blood test to check if she's a match, 00:01:19.340 --> 00:01:24.540 and I think the amazing part of the story is that she ends up being a perfect match. 00:01:25.140 --> 00:01:29.000 And Sandy donated her kidney to this customer called Anna Marie 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:33.140 in the Virginia Mason Medical Center a few weeks later. 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:37.640 And after that, a few weeks after that, she was back to 100%, she was back to normal. 00:01:38.460 --> 00:01:42.480 Now, anyone hearing that story would indeed say that Sandy was a good Samaritan, 00:01:43.439 --> 00:01:45.900 and I think we all understand what is implied by that. 00:01:45.900 --> 00:01:51.080 But if we look closely, we see that Sandy didn't just give a small drop out of her abundance, 00:01:51.460 --> 00:01:52.900 or a few pennies in a jar. 00:01:53.540 --> 00:01:59.420 Instead, she selflessly gave her own body, literally, in order to save another person's life. 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:02.600 And Anna Marie's life would have definitely been saved, 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:05.780 and more than that, she would have been transformed, literally. 00:02:06.280 --> 00:02:10.240 And I'm sure from that day forward, she would have been grateful, 00:02:10.439 --> 00:02:11.319 she would have been thankful, 00:02:11.319 --> 00:02:16.620 and anybody that she bumped into, she would have told that story about such an amazing encounter, 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:18.579 and such an amazing person. 00:02:20.120 --> 00:02:22.719 And that is an amazing, incredible story indeed. 00:02:24.019 --> 00:02:27.379 And I think we would all say that that is a picture of a good Samaritan. 00:02:28.039 --> 00:02:32.099 But tonight, we're going to look back at the original story that Alistair read for us tonight, 00:02:32.159 --> 00:02:33.159 about the good Samaritan. 00:02:33.479 --> 00:02:37.639 The story that has ended up being an everyday phrase for all of us. 00:02:37.639 --> 00:02:42.779 But I want us to look at what Jesus wanted us to learn by his inclusion in Scripture. 00:02:44.239 --> 00:02:48.079 You see, this parable is probably one of the most familiar parables that we know. 00:02:48.299 --> 00:02:52.179 It's often used just in reference to anyone who does a good deed. 00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:57.879 However, as we focus on the details, we'll find that it's more than just a story about generous kindness. 00:02:58.759 --> 00:03:02.599 And maybe the central point of the message is slightly more obscure than we first thought. 00:03:03.379 --> 00:03:06.259 Now, I haven't done three catchy headings, 00:03:06.259 --> 00:03:09.139 but I do have three points that I want you to think about. 00:03:09.620 --> 00:03:10.620 And the three points of this. 00:03:12.340 --> 00:03:18.280 Number one, what we cannot do, which is fairly easy and simple to remember. 00:03:18.659 --> 00:03:20.879 The second point is what we must do. 00:03:22.139 --> 00:03:23.919 And the third point is what we should do. 00:03:24.500 --> 00:03:25.340 So they're fairly straightforward. 00:03:25.519 --> 00:03:28.719 What we cannot do, what we must do, and what we should do. 00:03:28.719 --> 00:03:30.159 And these will help. 00:03:30.340 --> 00:03:34.379 And I also mentioned there that we're going to have some questions after the message. 00:03:34.539 --> 00:03:37.460 These will help in the discussion, these questions. 00:03:37.860 --> 00:03:40.079 But before we do that, let me just remind you what a parable is. 00:03:40.719 --> 00:03:44.120 So I think if you were brought up in a church or you went to Sunday school, 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:45.740 you'll have heard a phrase like this. 00:03:45.860 --> 00:03:48.659 A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. 00:03:49.500 --> 00:03:54.819 In other words, it's a true-to-life story that is used to illustrate or illuminate truth. 00:03:54.819 --> 00:04:01.299 It is true-to-life, even though not all of the parts might have actually occurred in the way that they're presented. 00:04:02.579 --> 00:04:07.519 But the situations are very relatable to us and about everyday things that we experience. 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:10.759 But they are used to demonstrate a spiritual lesson. 00:04:12.199 --> 00:04:14.099 Our Good Samaritan is in that, right? 00:04:14.199 --> 00:04:17.740 It's classed as a parable, which means it may be one of these two things. 00:04:17.779 --> 00:04:22.319 It may be purely illustrative, or it may have actually been an event that occurred 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:24.319 in which it's been referred to. 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:26.740 In either case, right, it doesn't necessarily matter, 00:04:27.180 --> 00:04:30.759 because the story is used to illustrate a truth to the man who was asking the question 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:32.579 and to those who were listening. 00:04:33.599 --> 00:04:38.139 So in order for us to understand that parable a bit more, let's look at the context. 00:04:38.379 --> 00:04:45.860 So this appears to be a fairly normal scene at the start of the reading in verse 25. 00:04:45.860 --> 00:04:48.740 Jesus is teaching and debating with the people that followed him, 00:04:48.780 --> 00:04:53.300 and in that crowd, no doubt, there have been some scribes and Pharisees and lawyers, etc. 00:04:54.100 --> 00:04:57.340 Now, unlike what we have here, where the preacher stands up and preaches, 00:04:57.460 --> 00:05:02.240 and you guys are sitting, and it's replicated all through academia, the same kind of format. 00:05:02.699 --> 00:05:05.759 In them days, most of the people would have been sitting down. 00:05:06.100 --> 00:05:08.120 And if somebody wanted a question, they would have stood up, 00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:11.379 and they would have addressed the teacher the question that they wanted to ask. 00:05:11.379 --> 00:05:17.100 Now, the individual that posed the question, we should note, right, as a lawyer, a learned man, 00:05:17.159 --> 00:05:21.699 the King James writes this, a certain lawyer, which might mean that he had formed for this, 00:05:21.899 --> 00:05:27.139 that he'd done this before, that this is one of the ways that he engaged in debate. 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:30.939 And more than just a general lawyer, I think we should note, 00:05:31.019 --> 00:05:36.620 but specifically somebody who would acutely understand the law of Moses, which is the Jewish law. 00:05:37.560 --> 00:05:40.600 He asked Jesus what would seem to be a fairly reasonable question. 00:05:40.600 --> 00:05:44.939 He asked us, teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 00:05:45.900 --> 00:05:50.520 However, before we consider the question, we should note, and it is noted in the word of God, 00:05:50.840 --> 00:05:55.180 that it specifically tells us that the lawyer was trying to put Jesus to the test. 00:05:56.820 --> 00:06:01.379 Now, we don't know whether this was a topic of never-ending debate within the Pharisees, 00:06:01.420 --> 00:06:05.200 or he had a specific gotcha moment that he was looking to trip the Lord Jesus up in, 00:06:05.199 --> 00:06:11.920 but we do know that people came often with that intention to trip the Lord Jesus up in the words that he spoke. 00:06:12.839 --> 00:06:17.319 Now, interestingly, the man asked what he could do to inherit eternal life, 00:06:17.539 --> 00:06:20.599 and I think this is the key to understanding the parable, 00:06:20.920 --> 00:06:25.300 this key question that he asked about what he could do to inherit eternal life. 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:29.879 Other Pharisees and rulers come, we read that in Luke 18, 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:33.819 where the young ruler comes and asks, and Nicodemus comes in John 3, 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:38.460 and although maybe probably slightly different motives, they pose similar questions. 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:43.360 Now, I wonder, in the audience tonight, if we have the same questions, 00:06:44.220 --> 00:06:47.939 very similar questions, because it seems like a fairly obvious question, 00:06:47.939 --> 00:06:51.500 but I wonder if you have the question in your head tonight that says this, 00:06:51.620 --> 00:06:52.819 how can you be right with God? 00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:55.819 What must you do to be saved? 00:06:56.899 --> 00:07:01.980 What is the means by which the sin that separates us from God can be removed? 00:07:02.899 --> 00:07:04.040 Can you have peace with God? 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:06.000 And how do you gain that? 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:07.860 Relatively simple questions. 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:11.720 But Jesus doesn't answer this question that the lawyer poses immediately. 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:13.819 Instead, he asks him another question. 00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:18.120 And quite rightly so, this man is an expert on the law, 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:20.019 so he asks him what the law says. 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:22.879 He's an expert on the law. 00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:26.819 He would have known exactly what the Mosaic writ would say, 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:29.819 and he recites this proficiently. 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:31.819 In verse 27, 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:33.939 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, 00:07:34.480 --> 00:07:36.079 and with all your soul, and with all your strength, 00:07:36.120 --> 00:07:38.980 and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself. 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:41.639 And Jesus replies, 00:07:42.219 --> 00:07:43.519 You have answered correctly. 00:07:43.819 --> 00:07:44.540 Do this, 00:07:44.980 --> 00:07:45.939 and you will live. 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:49.019 So the question's answered. 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:50.480 Jesus is simple, 00:07:51.099 --> 00:07:52.540 and clear in his response. 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:57.120 You see, the man set out to put Jesus to the test, 00:07:57.279 --> 00:07:59.699 but he doesn't accept the answer, 00:07:59.800 --> 00:08:01.800 because he realises that by the Lord's response, 00:08:01.899 --> 00:08:02.740 he has trapped himself. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:05.920 He realises that the bar that was set in law, 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:08.920 and now confirmed verbally by himself, 00:08:09.480 --> 00:08:11.240 is an impossibly high standard, 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:12.579 which no man can fulfil. 00:08:12.579 --> 00:08:14.579 Well, we read in Galatians 5, 00:08:14.659 --> 00:08:16.779 for the whole law is summed up in this one word. 00:08:17.399 --> 00:08:19.699 You should love your neighbour as yourself. 00:08:20.699 --> 00:08:20.979 Now, 00:08:21.459 --> 00:08:24.939 if we are trying to keep the law as a means of salvation, 00:08:25.500 --> 00:08:27.439 as a means to inherit eternal life, 00:08:27.779 --> 00:08:29.139 then we would need to keep the whole law. 00:08:29.139 --> 00:08:32.819 And if we break the law at any point, 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:33.639 and in any way, 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:34.439 and in any time, 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:36.840 then we will have also broken these two commandments. 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:38.519 Matthew 22, 00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:40.360 a very similar question. 00:08:40.980 --> 00:08:41.799 It's another lawyer, 00:08:41.860 --> 00:08:42.860 and he asks the same questions. 00:08:42.939 --> 00:08:43.139 He says, 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:45.220 He says, 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:46.840 And he said to him, 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:58.559 Verse 40. 00:08:59.100 --> 00:09:02.100 And on these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets, 00:09:02.220 --> 00:09:03.860 and we'll come back to the law and the prophets later. 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:10.460 So if we break any of these commandments, we offend these two fundamental pillars. 00:09:11.940 --> 00:09:18.419 Now, everyone knows, and watch what I'm saying because there may be a lawyer in here tonight, 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:21.800 but everybody knows that lawyers don't like to be caught out. 00:09:22.300 --> 00:09:28.800 They're expert wordsmiths on their interpretation of the law, on technical differences of an understanding, 00:09:29.539 --> 00:09:32.800 and they like to get themselves out of the spot of bother by that. 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:43.659 I'm sure we could all smirk just at the recollection of quick-thinking lawyers who have used technical nuance to excuse us from a speeding fine or such like. 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:46.359 Well, the lawyer's response is just that. 00:09:46.459 --> 00:09:50.679 He seeks to justify himself, and he asks, well, who is my neighbour? 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:54.219 Define the terms of this high bar that has been set. 00:09:54.439 --> 00:09:58.219 You see, Jewish teachers normally refer to the neighbour as their fellow Israelite. 00:09:58.220 --> 00:10:07.540 And this lawyer is looking for a technical or maybe a hypothetical interpretation that allows him off the hook from fulfilling what the law requires. 00:10:08.440 --> 00:10:11.019 It's a curveball, and we can all relate to that. 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:17.460 You know, when you're backed into a corner in a debate, often what comes out is this, a comment about, you know, 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:19.300 what about this or what about that or what about the next thing? 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:23.360 A curveball to get away from the question that was actually asked. 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:25.659 Now, I wonder if we do that with Scripture. 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:35.159 I wonder if we hypothesise or look for technical arguments that neither build us up as Christians or draw us near to God. 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:42.240 The devil did that to Eve in the Garden of Eden when he asked her to consider the words of God in a different way, 00:10:42.480 --> 00:10:45.379 and he caused sin and separation to enter into the scene of time. 00:10:45.379 --> 00:10:51.200 Now, speaking of time, I am 10 minutes in and we've not even got to the parable yet. 00:10:51.460 --> 00:10:54.320 So, but let's just look at that parable then, right? 00:10:54.460 --> 00:10:59.059 So, and before we do that, I'll just read it again for us. 00:10:59.439 --> 00:11:00.439 So, verse 30. 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:01.519 Jesus replied, 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:06.299 A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, 00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:10.039 who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:15.879 Now, by chance, a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 00:11:16.539 --> 00:11:21.139 So, likewise, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 00:11:21.579 --> 00:11:28.059 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:35.299 He went into him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:40.059 Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to the inn and took care of him. 00:11:40.599 --> 00:11:45.439 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 00:11:45.699 --> 00:11:50.000 Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back. 00:11:51.199 --> 00:11:55.679 Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers? 00:11:55.859 --> 00:12:00.000 He said, the lawyer, the one who showed him mercy. 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:03.559 And Jesus said to him, You go and do likewise. 00:12:03.559 --> 00:12:10.379 Now, this story is amazing at silencing some of the noise that arises when people's consciences are pricked. 00:12:10.859 --> 00:12:15.719 You see, the scandalous outcome of this scene is that the one who the Jews hated, 00:12:16.579 --> 00:12:19.279 they cursed and they spat upon, namely the Samaritans. 00:12:19.439 --> 00:12:20.539 You'll remember the story well. 00:12:21.339 --> 00:12:26.979 You'll remember the story well at the well, where it says the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans. 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:29.119 And yet here is a Samaritan helping a Jew. 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:33.179 If this had been a Jew helping a Jew or a Jew helping a Samaritan, 00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:38.220 it would be easy to be blown off course with further questions about the divides of these two people. 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:45.879 But Jesus answers the man's first question for the second time at the end of this parable. 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:50.039 The man's question was, What must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:54.339 And Jesus answered is, Love your neighbour like this. 00:12:55.299 --> 00:12:56.319 Not just as a one-off. 00:12:57.199 --> 00:12:58.959 Not just to the people that you care about. 00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:01.719 Not just to those who are like you. 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:03.500 Or those who can repay you. 00:13:04.079 --> 00:13:05.079 Not just when it's convenient. 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:07.099 And not just when others are watching. 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:12.019 The law demands that we should love our neighbour as we love ourselves. 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:16.439 And if we were in that situation, what would we do for ourselves? 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:21.779 We would look after ourselves. 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:23.179 We would have patched ourselves up. 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:24.960 We would have gotten us to the inn. 00:13:25.319 --> 00:13:27.340 We would have recuperated, etc, etc. 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:29.620 That is what the law demanded. 00:13:31.079 --> 00:13:35.279 The neighbour to the wounded man in this parable is the one who acts. 00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:37.879 And the one who shows mercy as required. 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:46.740 And is required to do exactly for your neighbour what you would do for yourself when you were in need. 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:52.340 Now, there are some points that help us appreciate the depth of lesson that Jesus is teaching. 00:13:52.439 --> 00:13:53.500 But the central point is this. 00:13:53.559 --> 00:13:56.720 That we cannot fulfil the requirements of the law. 00:13:57.460 --> 00:14:02.299 And therefore we cannot earn or gain eternal life in this way. 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:04.279 This is what the parable is teaching. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:07.259 So my first point that I said about what we cannot do. 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:11.639 We cannot inherit or earn or gain eternal life by observing the law. 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:13.620 Because we cannot keep the law. 00:14:14.279 --> 00:14:15.600 This is the theology of works. 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:23.059 But our good works, as mentioned and as written in Isaiah 64, says that all of our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:28.360 So we must conclude that eternal life is obtained by another way. 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:32.779 And this is where, when we go back over the parable, we see a deeper theme. 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:37.840 Which helps us see that the good Samaritan is indeed a picture of the Lord Jesus. 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:42.399 It's maybe not immediately apparent to the hearer, but the picture is there. 00:14:43.060 --> 00:14:46.700 And I don't want to force the parable, as maybe some of us have heard in the past, 00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:51.840 where we assign some kind of attribute to every single little part of the parable. 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:57.100 But I think in its interpretation, there are some good points that can help explain the good news or the gospel 00:14:57.100 --> 00:14:59.840 that concerns the good Samaritan. 00:15:00.800 --> 00:15:06.220 You see, as sinful man, we can put ourselves in the place of the man who is beaten up, 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:09.700 unable to help ourselves when it comes to our spiritual salvation, 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:12.120 because we cannot keep the law. 00:15:14.660 --> 00:15:18.420 The road from Jerusalem down to Jericho can be seen as moving away from the temple 00:15:18.420 --> 00:15:20.840 and symbolically then as moving away from God. 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:22.680 And that is where we are. 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:28.580 The direction of those, all of us, who are without God, is moving away from him. 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:32.540 And as sinners, this is a picture of us away from God, 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:37.160 unable to help ourselves, and require some other person to intervene. 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:42.399 Now, the two that pass by who were unwilling and unable to help 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:44.719 are often referred to as the two that I mentioned earlier, 00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:49.480 the law, meaning the priest who passed by, or the prophets, meaning the Levite. 00:15:50.219 --> 00:15:52.519 Neither of which could bring about salvation. 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:54.659 Although, as we know from other parts of the scriptures, 00:15:55.120 --> 00:16:00.179 both of these were supposed to bring us to Christ, to the Lord Jesus, 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:02.519 which leads us to the Good Samaritan. 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:06.240 The Good Samaritan is an amazing picture of the Lord Jesus. 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:11.560 He saw us in our need, unable to help ourselves, unable to keep the law, 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:14.399 and he had compassion on us, and he intervenes. 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:16.120 Romans 5 and 8 says, 00:16:16.279 --> 00:16:19.500 But God shows his love for us, and that while we were still sinners, 00:16:20.180 --> 00:16:24.899 or another version would say, while we were yet without strength, Christ died for us. 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:29.639 The Samaritan comes right down to the place where the wounded man lay, 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:33.159 and provides exactly what the victim needed. 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:35.919 Notice the tenderness in which he cleans a man's wounds, 00:16:36.579 --> 00:16:40.860 where he pours in wine, which will have been used to sterilise and clean the wound, 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:45.860 and any pours in oil, which would be used as a barrier to stop infection and reduce inflammation. 00:16:46.339 --> 00:16:51.839 He gently lifts the casualty and provides for him transport, food, and shelter, 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:53.100 so that he can recover. 00:16:53.579 --> 00:16:57.000 The Good Samaritan covers all of the costs of all of this, 00:16:57.220 --> 00:17:01.159 knowing full well that the injured party had nothing to offer him in return. 00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:05.119 A true picture of sacrificial love. 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:10.339 The Lord Jesus sacrificed himself in the ultimate act of compassion and love, 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:13.859 to grant to those who believe in him eternal life. 00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:18.119 He has provided the way, and he has covered the costs. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:21.079 And my second point was this, 00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:25.039 and I don't need an interactive audience, but it is what we must do. 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:30.200 We must come to the Lord Jesus in our need and in our ruin, 00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:33.319 and accept that there is nothing that we can do, 00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:37.259 and that all that has been done, he has done on our behalf. 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.779 He is our rescuer. 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:43.039 He will heal our wounds, and he provides for our eternal future. 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:46.299 Which leads me on to the third point, which is, 00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:47.960 what should we do then? 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:53.559 Now, this is an exhortation to those of us who are saved. 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:59.120 We should endeavour to live out this wonderful principle 00:17:59.120 --> 00:18:01.079 that is articulated in the law 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:04.759 by the enablement of the Spirit that is at work within us. 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:10.259 This type of sacrificial love is exactly what is mentioned in Galatians 5. 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:15.660 And an ongoing outward display of love and kindness and goodness. 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:18.319 These are the marks of the Spirit of God within us. 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:24.420 It is our duty to find those who need our help, 00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:29.680 regardless of skin colour or religion or social background or intellect. 00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:33.240 The two people in the Soriacy could not be more different. 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:36.140 The Jews, I've already mentioned this, 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:37.940 the Jews and the Samaritans were enemies. 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:40.180 Sometimes the Jews cursed the Samaritans, 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:42.980 and no doubt that Samaritan might have thought, 00:18:43.340 --> 00:18:46.740 if I were in that man's case, he would not help me. 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:51.779 Or the Jew that was robbed, who he helped, 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.799 he could not repay him. 00:18:53.100 --> 00:18:55.059 And maybe the Samaritan might have thought to himself, 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:57.440 well, I will do the least that I can 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:59.620 because it doesn't benefit me in any way. 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:04.440 Or he could have acted like the other two that passed by on the other side. 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:08.440 There are a number of excuses that the good Samaritan could have used, 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:08.980 but didn't. 00:19:09.580 --> 00:19:10.420 And we should do likewise. 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:19.340 But remember this is a parable that is given to eliminate truth about salvation, 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.340 a spiritual truth. 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:22.920 And the third point about what we should do 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:26.180 goes further than just physical kindness towards our fellow man. 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:31.440 And my opening story about Anna Marie receiving the kidney 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:35.620 is an amazing story about a beneficiary of sacrificial love. 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:37.259 Love that changed her life. 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:39.140 And I'm sure, as I mentioned earlier, 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:40.799 that the outcome would have been transformative. 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:45.160 Both in the praise and the heartfelt thanks that she had for Sandy, 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.060 who donated her kidney, 00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:49.039 but also for the fact that she would have went on 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:51.480 just about her normal daily life, 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:54.940 telling others about the most amazing sacrifice 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:56.299 that somebody else gave her 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:58.720 and the details of what happened. 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:03.079 And I think here lies our greatest challenge 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:04.920 of being a good Samaritan. 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:08.839 What is man's greatest need? 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:11.099 We read that, in fact, 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:13.519 just this morning we heard from Luca 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:16.039 and Alistair last week 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:20.000 about the need of a man. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:23.279 It is the need of our eternal soul. 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:26.079 In John 1, 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:28.299 Philip excitedly exclaims to others, 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:31.680 we have found him of whom Moses and the law 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:34.299 and also the prophets wrote, 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:36.339 Jesus of Nazareth. 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:39.000 And I want to challenge you. 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:42.759 Does our heart move in this way 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:44.900 towards our fellow humans 00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:48.880 to share the answer to their greatest need? 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:52.540 Referring back to Luca's sermon this morning 00:20:52.540 --> 00:20:53.620 and Alistair's last week, 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:55.820 it both covered both being ready 00:20:55.820 --> 00:20:57.720 and willing to give an account. 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:01.060 So, in conclusion, 00:21:01.860 --> 00:21:04.640 I just want to sum up the three points 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.400 that I made. 00:21:05.540 --> 00:21:07.900 It is impossible for us to gain salvation 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:09.360 by means of keeping the law 00:21:09.360 --> 00:21:11.880 because we cannot keep the law. 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:14.740 Jesus quietly shows the listener this 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:16.600 in the simple yet complex answer. 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:19.839 The law demands an impossibly high standard 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:22.299 of love towards both God and man 00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:26.619 which cannot be attained by mortal man. 00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:28.879 Good works can't save us either, 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:31.299 but good works should be an ongoing 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:33.240 outward display of our link with Christ. 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:35.679 Jesus tells us this over and over again 00:21:35.679 --> 00:21:37.500 in the manner in which we are to live 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.839 towards our fellow man. 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:42.099 And he lays great stress upon the love 00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:43.319 which should shine throughout 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:44.500 our Christian character. 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:47.180 I need to be careful, 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:48.460 but this is Spurgeon, 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:49.339 not Sturgeon. 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:51.039 Spurgeon said this, 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:53.779 I shall hold up the love of our neighbour 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.680 as a, 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:57.079 I shall not hold up the love of our neighbour 00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:58.619 as a condition of salvation, 00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:00.240 but as a fruit of it. 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:02.819 I shall not speak of obedience to the law 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:03.859 as a road to heaven, 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:05.819 but I shall show you the pathway 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:06.799 which is to be followed 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:09.180 by the faith which works by love. 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:12.880 We must fall on our knees 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:14.220 and accept by faith 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:16.080 the gift of compassion 00:22:16.080 --> 00:22:18.920 that is offered by the grace and mercy of God 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:21.060 through the good Samaritan. 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:24.539 And we should live our lives thereafter 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:26.799 telling others about him. 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:30.720 Now, I want to thank you for listening. 00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:32.279 The three points, I think, 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:34.799 that will help us in our questions after 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:36.139 about what we must do, 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:37.339 sorry, what we cannot do, 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:39.159 about what we must do, 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:41.359 and about then what we should do 00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:43.059 as we live our lives 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:46.019 there out telling about him thereafter. 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.619 And I want to thank you for listening. 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.960 I'm going to hand back over to Alistair. 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.240 Thank you very much. 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:50.299 Thank you. 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:50.359 Thank you. 00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:51.240 Thank you. 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.299 Thank you.