WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:03.100 Luke chapter 10 this morning, Luke chapter 10. 00:00:04.520 --> 00:00:08.120 As we take a look here in Luke chapter 10, 00:00:08.240 --> 00:00:10.599 as we're going to be looking at a neighbor with no name. 00:00:10.700 --> 00:00:14.240 We've been going through a series of talking about people in Scripture 00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:17.179 that had no name given for them, 00:00:17.800 --> 00:00:22.960 and that really most of these you'll find can apply to us. 00:00:23.059 --> 00:00:26.300 I mean, instead of their name or not having a name given, 00:00:26.300 --> 00:00:30.640 you could put your name in a lot of these and apply the principles 00:00:30.640 --> 00:00:33.520 and the things that we're looking at for that. 00:00:33.600 --> 00:00:38.079 But in Luke chapter 10, let's pick up here in verse 30 here quick this morning. 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:39.500 And it says this, 00:00:39.500 --> 00:00:40.899 And Jesus answering said, 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:45.320 A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves, 00:00:45.400 --> 00:00:48.840 which stripped him of his raiment and wounded him and departed, leaving him half dead. 00:00:49.340 --> 00:00:52.120 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way, 00:00:52.159 --> 00:00:55.320 and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 00:00:55.320 --> 00:01:00.200 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, 00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:03.200 came and looked on him and passed by on the other side. 00:01:03.579 --> 00:01:08.280 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was, 00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:12.439 and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:15.159 And he went to him and bound up his wounds, 00:01:15.280 --> 00:01:17.939 pouring in oil and wine and set him on his own beast, 00:01:18.340 --> 00:01:21.060 and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 00:01:21.060 --> 00:01:28.200 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pants and gave them to the host and said unto him, 00:01:28.280 --> 00:01:34.040 Take care of him, and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 00:01:34.520 --> 00:01:40.980 Which now of these three thinkest thou was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? 00:01:40.980 --> 00:01:43.760 And he said, He that showeth mercy on him. 00:01:44.859 --> 00:01:49.820 Then said Jesus unto him, Go and do thou likewise. 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:51.100 Let's pray. 00:01:51.180 --> 00:01:57.740 Heavenly Fathers, we take a few moments here to look at these individuals here within the passage, 00:01:57.859 --> 00:02:01.540 Lord, about answering the question of who is my neighbor. 00:02:01.540 --> 00:02:08.620 Lord, to consider those things in our own lives as we look at others as we walk through life, 00:02:08.780 --> 00:02:16.939 and to take a look and to see who our neighbor is and what our responsibility is in regards to it. 00:02:17.020 --> 00:02:19.420 And Lord, we just love you and thank you in Jesus' name. 00:02:20.120 --> 00:02:20.460 Amen. 00:02:21.060 --> 00:02:25.480 You know, we find here this parable is told by Jesus in response to a question. 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:31.819 I found up in verse 29, who, when the lawyer came and asked him this, he says, 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:34.179 Who is my neighbor? 00:02:34.959 --> 00:02:35.319 You know? 00:02:36.079 --> 00:02:41.120 Which brings to the forefront, what does a Christian look like? 00:02:41.179 --> 00:02:45.919 What does Christian love, what does charity, as the Bible call it, look like? 00:02:46.519 --> 00:02:50.259 Because when we understand this question, because who is his neighbor? 00:02:50.259 --> 00:02:54.579 This man was asking a question, trying to get out of responsibility. 00:02:56.479 --> 00:03:00.019 Instead of we need to ask, you know, how is this our responsibility? 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:03.659 How does this apply to us? 00:03:03.819 --> 00:03:06.739 And, you know, when we think about this parable, 00:03:07.060 --> 00:03:10.599 it could really be summarized by three statements about people. 00:03:11.299 --> 00:03:11.560 You know? 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:14.139 Because there's three people you find in here. 00:03:14.199 --> 00:03:16.759 You find some spend their life beating people up. 00:03:17.519 --> 00:03:17.819 You know? 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:20.859 You find some spend their life passing people up. 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:24.239 And you find some spend their life helping people up. 00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:28.659 You know, that's really a great summation I found for this passage, 00:03:28.659 --> 00:03:32.400 because we're going to see each of these in what they do. 00:03:32.580 --> 00:03:38.100 But really, the choice is ours to which category is going to describe our life. 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:38.320 You know? 00:03:38.379 --> 00:03:42.820 Because you don't have to have great title or position or even great resources 00:03:42.820 --> 00:03:47.620 to understand the responsibility as Jesus is going to look here of who is your neighbor. 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:51.580 What's our responsibility towards others? 00:03:51.719 --> 00:03:57.700 Because when we consider those things, we need to realize the gravity of sin. 00:03:57.780 --> 00:04:02.920 Because really, in discussing this, we need to consider the reality of the gravity of sin 00:04:02.920 --> 00:04:04.740 that's involved in life. 00:04:04.860 --> 00:04:07.780 You know, the victim of this story we're told very little about. 00:04:08.460 --> 00:04:08.680 You know? 00:04:08.680 --> 00:04:11.920 He's probably the one we know the least about or can make least assumptions. 00:04:12.040 --> 00:04:20.560 We really know nothing about the man who fell into what was a victim here of this brutality. 00:04:20.560 --> 00:04:26.160 We find here, we're told he's going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and got into trouble. 00:04:26.720 --> 00:04:30.340 You know, we don't know whether he was going with right intentions or wrong intentions. 00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:33.660 You know, he doesn't give us a picture either way. 00:04:33.660 --> 00:04:36.080 But we do know he was going down. 00:04:36.240 --> 00:04:38.160 And you know, one of the things that's interesting in Scripture, 00:04:38.320 --> 00:04:42.840 oftentimes going down is always a reference into going someplace you shouldn't go. 00:04:43.540 --> 00:04:43.820 You know? 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:47.900 It's kind of an illustration that reveals to us. 00:04:48.060 --> 00:04:55.780 And we realize here that one of the greatest deceptions of Satan is to make sin look attractive or enticing. 00:04:56.140 --> 00:05:01.700 And he makes us think that we'll be wise by following the temptation that's before us. 00:05:01.699 --> 00:05:02.459 You know? 00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:03.879 But it takes us down. 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:06.039 It takes us away from God. 00:05:06.099 --> 00:05:08.860 And we're going to see this picture play out here. 00:05:08.979 --> 00:05:11.319 You know, consider Genesis chapter 3 for a moment. 00:05:11.620 --> 00:05:13.899 When it talks about Satan, it says, 00:05:14.019 --> 00:05:15.459 And the serpent said unto the woman, 00:05:15.899 --> 00:05:17.860 Ye shall not surely die. 00:05:18.199 --> 00:05:18.480 You know? 00:05:19.060 --> 00:05:20.759 We could take time just to break this down. 00:05:20.839 --> 00:05:23.759 But she questioned, the serpent questions the word of God. 00:05:23.839 --> 00:05:25.180 What did God say about it? 00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:27.839 For God doth know that the day ye eat thereof, 00:05:27.839 --> 00:05:31.259 that your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 00:05:31.699 --> 00:05:35.219 And the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, 00:05:35.259 --> 00:05:37.740 and the tree to be desired to make one wise. 00:05:37.819 --> 00:05:42.240 She took the fruit thereof and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:42.579 You know? 00:05:42.979 --> 00:05:44.939 We realize what happened at that moment. 00:05:46.779 --> 00:05:50.639 They went from paradise and went down. 00:05:50.639 --> 00:05:53.839 They stepped away from God. 00:05:53.839 --> 00:05:57.620 They stepped away from what God would have, 00:05:57.759 --> 00:06:02.779 because sin looks good, but always is way more destructive than you ever realized. 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:08.639 You know, the devil has a way of painting the picture of sin that's going to make life better, 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:11.000 but it always destroys. 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:13.079 It always tears down. 00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:18.000 And we need to see that, because notice the direction of sin. 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:22.959 A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho there in verse 30. 00:06:23.479 --> 00:06:27.919 You know, it's natural to assume that Jerusalem, when you look on a map, 00:06:28.519 --> 00:06:31.000 Jerusalem is north of Jericho. 00:06:31.719 --> 00:06:35.319 You know, and since we normally use the terms in that context today, 00:06:35.319 --> 00:06:38.360 when we look on a map, you know, we think about north as going up, 00:06:38.719 --> 00:06:40.299 and south as going down. 00:06:40.300 --> 00:06:44.500 But when you read your Bible, you have to understand that's not what it's talking about. 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:48.400 When it's given descriptions, it's talking about geographic. 00:06:49.720 --> 00:06:49.960 You know? 00:06:50.199 --> 00:06:53.040 So even the directionally challenged can manage this, 00:06:53.100 --> 00:06:55.660 because if you're going that way, it's down. 00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:56.920 If you're going that way, it's up. 00:06:57.019 --> 00:07:01.540 So instead of being north and south, we'll just start talking about being up and down, 00:07:01.620 --> 00:07:02.580 and so that might help people. 00:07:02.699 --> 00:07:02.900 I don't know. 00:07:03.040 --> 00:07:06.540 But pick on some of our directionally challenged folks, 00:07:07.180 --> 00:07:08.540 directionally handicapped, or whatever they... 00:07:08.540 --> 00:07:12.260 If you shut their GPS off, they'd never leave home. 00:07:12.580 --> 00:07:17.400 But, you know, I want you to see here what's happening that, you know, in this, 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:20.660 because the reason that Jesus spoke about him going down, 00:07:20.760 --> 00:07:23.939 it's based on altitude rather than direction. 00:07:24.900 --> 00:07:29.300 Jerusalem sits about 2,500 feet higher than Jericho. 00:07:29.300 --> 00:07:33.920 So he's actually talking about the altitude of which they're going. 00:07:34.020 --> 00:07:39.879 In other words, we see this picture of going down to Jericho. 00:07:40.079 --> 00:07:43.819 And the reason this makes perfect sense for Jesus to say, 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:47.240 they went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:51.280 because literally it was the downhill direction that they would be going. 00:07:51.900 --> 00:07:52.080 You know? 00:07:52.139 --> 00:07:55.319 And God refers to Jerusalem as his own city, 00:07:55.699 --> 00:07:56.519 a place of his. 00:07:56.519 --> 00:07:58.439 Jeremiah 3 says this, 00:07:58.500 --> 00:08:01.120 At the time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord, 00:08:01.419 --> 00:08:05.060 and all nations shall be gathered unto it in the name of the Lord to Jerusalem. 00:08:05.560 --> 00:08:10.759 Neither shall they walk anymore after the imagination of their evil heart. 00:08:11.159 --> 00:08:13.539 You know, when he talks about going down from Jerusalem, 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:16.259 it's a picture of going away from God, 00:08:16.379 --> 00:08:19.799 because Jerusalem is seen as the place of God, 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:22.920 and leaving and departing is going away. 00:08:23.020 --> 00:08:24.259 And it's going down, 00:08:24.400 --> 00:08:27.699 because I've never been over there to the Middle East, 00:08:27.840 --> 00:08:29.000 and over to Israel. 00:08:29.120 --> 00:08:30.920 It would be fun to probably go someday. 00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:33.980 But, you know, just to see the geography. 00:08:34.560 --> 00:08:35.340 But they tell me, 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:36.399 when you look at that, 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:38.779 there's no place to leave Jerusalem that you don't go down. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:41.879 If you depart the city of Jerusalem, 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:42.759 you're going downhill. 00:08:42.940 --> 00:08:43.980 It sits on top of a hill. 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:48.120 So we see this picture being played out, 00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:52.200 and so we go down into sin. 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:54.039 That's the picture that we see here. 00:08:54.519 --> 00:08:57.600 You know, and the Scripture teaches the propensity to go down. 00:08:57.700 --> 00:09:00.399 It's amazing how many times this plays out. 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:02.600 You know, Genesis 12 talks about Abram, 00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:05.240 and he goes down into Egypt to sojourn there. 00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:09.180 You know, we find that in Judges 14, 00:09:09.179 --> 00:09:11.959 Samson went down to Timnath, 00:09:12.219 --> 00:09:13.879 and saw a woman in Timnath, 00:09:13.919 --> 00:09:15.439 and the daughters of the Philistines. 00:09:15.839 --> 00:09:17.959 You know, you find in Jonah chapter 1, 00:09:18.299 --> 00:09:19.139 in verse 3, 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:20.939 he rose up and fled into Tarshish 00:09:20.939 --> 00:09:22.059 from the presence of the Lord, 00:09:22.099 --> 00:09:23.479 and went down to Joppa. 00:09:23.799 --> 00:09:26.459 I mean, you see this illustration play out in Scripture. 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:30.359 Many times as going down in that relationship 00:09:30.359 --> 00:09:34.099 to sin and the direction that they were going. 00:09:34.099 --> 00:09:37.179 You know, when we understand the direction, 00:09:37.179 --> 00:09:39.239 but the depletion of sin, 00:09:39.299 --> 00:09:40.939 because the road down spiritually 00:09:40.939 --> 00:09:42.439 never leads where it promises. 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:43.759 You know? 00:09:45.459 --> 00:09:46.699 Sin is a deceiver. 00:09:47.959 --> 00:09:50.319 This man leaving Jerusalem that day 00:09:50.319 --> 00:09:52.699 probably had no idea what was going to take place. 00:09:53.819 --> 00:09:57.219 He had no idea what was going to happen on the road. 00:09:57.339 --> 00:09:59.979 You know, look here in our text here in Luke 10, 00:10:00.059 --> 00:10:00.879 verse 30, it says, 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:03.699 A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho 00:10:03.699 --> 00:10:05.199 and fell among thieves, 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:08.160 which stripped him of his raiment and wounded him. 00:10:08.740 --> 00:10:10.900 You know, when the devil promises us good, 00:10:11.300 --> 00:10:14.440 and that which is pleasant, he's lying. 00:10:14.540 --> 00:10:16.580 You know, the devil never tells you the truth. 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:19.020 He's a master deceiver. 00:10:19.160 --> 00:10:20.000 John 8 says, 00:10:20.080 --> 00:10:21.840 He was a murderer from the beginning, 00:10:21.960 --> 00:10:23.180 and abode not in the truth, 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:24.759 because there is no truth in him. 00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:27.440 When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own, 00:10:27.520 --> 00:10:30.660 for he is a liar and the father of it. 00:10:30.659 --> 00:10:33.259 You know, the devil loves to deceive, 00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:35.699 loves to bring us away, 00:10:35.959 --> 00:10:38.419 and to draw us in to sin, 00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:40.379 promising something he'll never deliver. 00:10:41.819 --> 00:10:43.019 Sin never delivers. 00:10:44.019 --> 00:10:45.719 It always consumes more. 00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:47.959 And it takes more. 00:10:48.039 --> 00:10:50.240 But also the deadening of sin, 00:10:50.319 --> 00:10:54.299 because ultimately the goal of the devil is death, 00:10:54.439 --> 00:10:56.539 and the wages of sin is death. 00:10:56.539 --> 00:10:59.480 This is the believing him always takes us away 00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:02.620 from the promise of life and brings death. 00:11:03.419 --> 00:11:06.459 You know, death is always associated with sin. 00:11:06.539 --> 00:11:07.919 Think about what James tells us. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:08.679 James 1, 00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:11.259 But every man is tempted when he is drawn away 00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:12.559 of his own lust and enticed. 00:11:12.839 --> 00:11:14.379 And when lust hath conceived it, 00:11:14.439 --> 00:11:15.259 bringeth forth sin. 00:11:15.319 --> 00:11:16.360 And sin, when it is finished, 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:18.399 bringeth forth death. 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:22.399 You know, the man on the road to Jerusalem, 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:23.740 down to Jericho, 00:11:24.459 --> 00:11:27.799 came frighteningly close to death that day. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:30.179 Notice here in our text in verse 30, 00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:32.559 and departed, leaving him what? 00:11:33.199 --> 00:11:34.600 Half dead. 00:11:35.079 --> 00:11:37.519 You know, it damaged his life. 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:39.659 It damaged the things around him. 00:11:39.699 --> 00:11:41.840 And those of us who are saved 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:44.579 have a death-to-life experience 00:11:44.579 --> 00:11:46.899 because of what Christ has done. 00:11:47.199 --> 00:11:48.639 Because the Bible makes it clear 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:50.980 that you're dead in your trespasses and sins 00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:52.779 until you call upon the Savior 00:11:52.779 --> 00:11:53.779 and then you're made 00:11:53.779 --> 00:11:56.659 and transformed into life. 00:11:57.019 --> 00:11:58.920 It tells in Ephesians 2, 00:11:59.060 --> 00:12:00.759 And you hath he quickened 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:03.600 who are dead in trespasses and sins. 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:05.560 That word quickened means made alive. 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:07.440 You know, but when we realize 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:09.320 that even after salvation sometimes 00:12:09.320 --> 00:12:12.300 we choose a direction away from God. 00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:13.980 You know, God's not a tyrant. 00:12:14.320 --> 00:12:15.899 You know, sometimes people look at God today. 00:12:15.940 --> 00:12:17.820 How many people of you know you talk to 00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:19.039 that think of God as a tyrant? 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:21.719 You know, if he's such a sole authority, 00:12:21.819 --> 00:12:22.599 why does he let this? 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:23.480 And why does he do that? 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:24.299 And why is all this? 00:12:24.419 --> 00:12:26.699 And they give God recognition, 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:29.360 but they don't realize that God is a loving God. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:32.879 He's truly in the right context, 00:12:32.959 --> 00:12:33.699 a sovereign God. 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:35.319 He's sovereign over his creation. 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:38.120 But God also gives us the ability to make choice. 00:12:38.339 --> 00:12:40.980 Because you can't experience love without a choice. 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:46.879 God cannot be loving and not allow choosing. 00:12:47.220 --> 00:12:49.220 Because you can't force somebody to love you. 00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:51.500 Love is a choice that we make. 00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:55.980 The Bible makes it clear that God chose to love us. 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:58.220 That's the reason Christ came. 00:12:58.300 --> 00:12:59.320 You know, we talked about that earlier, 00:12:59.420 --> 00:13:00.639 is because God loved us. 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:02.440 He chose to love us. 00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:05.100 He didn't have to. 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:07.220 He chose to. 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:11.280 The same as we choose what we're going to do 00:13:11.280 --> 00:13:13.840 with what he has put on display for us. 00:13:14.660 --> 00:13:16.680 Even after salvation, you choose, 00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:18.520 are you going to stay close to God? 00:13:20.180 --> 00:13:21.900 Or are you going to wander away from God? 00:13:22.160 --> 00:13:23.740 We need to understand the picture 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:25.760 of what's happening. 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:29.759 You know, when we understand the dynamic, 00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:31.659 the gravity of sin, 00:13:31.799 --> 00:13:34.059 you know, God tells us very clearly, 00:13:34.179 --> 00:13:35.519 you know, 1 John 1.9 says, 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:36.639 if we confess our sins, 00:13:36.700 --> 00:13:38.480 he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:41.819 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:43.860 That verse in 1 John 1.9 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:45.000 was written to save people. 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:47.100 If you read 1 John, 00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:49.360 it's talking about our fellowship with God, 00:13:49.419 --> 00:13:51.120 not our relationship with God. 00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:55.120 Because sin causes a hindrance 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:56.600 in the fellowship. 00:13:57.060 --> 00:13:58.820 But God says they can always be restored 00:13:58.820 --> 00:14:01.379 if we come to him. 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:03.000 That's the reason he's always 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:03.879 throughout the Old Testament. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.200 The theme of the Old Testament, 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:07.220 you'll find as you read through 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:09.000 one of the themes that's very clear in there 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:11.000 is God's calling people back to him. 00:14:12.820 --> 00:14:14.659 God's calling Israel to return. 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:16.620 Come back to me. 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:20.539 It's a constant calling. 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:22.980 You see it throughout the Old Testament. 00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:24.980 And it's still the same story today. 00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:27.340 God's calling people to himself. 00:14:27.920 --> 00:14:29.800 But we see here first the gravity of sin, 00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:31.440 but then the greater sinners. 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:32.580 Because, you know, 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:34.240 he doesn't talk much about this man 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:34.940 that fell into, 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:37.480 that was robbed and beaten, 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:38.820 even though we know 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:40.960 that he was going away from Jerusalem 00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:41.899 for whatever reason. 00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:42.639 We may not know, 00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:44.519 but the picture that we see, 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:45.899 but we see the greater sinners 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:47.440 because as the story continues, 00:14:47.440 --> 00:14:50.539 we have this man lying by the road 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:51.360 half dead. 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:53.379 You know, 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:55.259 here he is beaten and bruised 00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:57.000 and barely alive. 00:14:57.699 --> 00:14:59.459 And then Jesus talks about 00:14:59.459 --> 00:15:00.959 a couple other people who come by. 00:15:02.339 --> 00:15:04.439 One a priest and the other a Levite 00:15:04.439 --> 00:15:07.339 pass him by without stopping for help. 00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:10.899 Without stopping to see what could be done. 00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:13.100 You know, 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:14.299 it's not difficult to see 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:15.919 the callousness of the priest 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:16.699 and the Levite 00:15:16.699 --> 00:15:18.299 in this passage. 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:19.100 The problem is 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:21.419 they're really more true to our life 00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:22.819 than we care to admit sometimes. 00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:24.860 You know, 00:15:24.899 --> 00:15:26.559 sometimes when you read Bible stories, 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:27.439 we get the idea, 00:15:27.579 --> 00:15:27.639 well, 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:29.840 why wouldn't be that person in the story? 00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:31.179 But the reality is oftentimes 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:33.100 we are that person in the story. 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:34.659 We're the one that misses 00:15:34.659 --> 00:15:37.639 the opportunities that God has. 00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:37.860 You know, 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:39.700 how often do we pass up 00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:41.879 an opportunity with people 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:43.620 of someone who's been robbed 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:45.100 and left for dead spiritually? 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:45.779 You know, 00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:47.580 we have people that have been beat up 00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:50.800 by sin and this world all around us. 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:53.500 Been robbed of the joy 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:54.740 that God offers to them. 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:57.120 They're dead in their trespasses and sins 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:58.379 and we can walk on by. 00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:58.940 You know, 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:00.360 when we think about 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:01.600 and ask ourselves, 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:03.580 has God put someone into your path 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:04.060 perceiving, 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:06.220 perhaps even repeatedly 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:07.680 to whom we have neglected 00:16:07.680 --> 00:16:08.940 to minister? 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:09.680 Maybe it's somebody 00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:10.759 that you're in contact with 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:12.560 that you're always around 00:16:12.560 --> 00:16:13.920 and you just never say anything. 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:14.519 You know? 00:16:16.040 --> 00:16:16.960 But let's look here 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:18.139 at this greater sinners 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:19.879 because we see a divine intervention 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:21.519 that takes place 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:23.159 because the Lord often 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:24.960 sets up appointments for us. 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.159 You know, 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:26.259 we aren't prepared for them 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:27.620 unless we prepare ourselves 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:30.180 to be ready for what God allows 00:16:30.180 --> 00:16:31.580 in our lives. 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:32.980 The priest and the Levite 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:35.379 in Jesus' parable 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:37.060 weren't prepared. 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:38.420 Look here at verse 31. 00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:39.759 And it says, 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:40.899 and by chance, 00:16:40.940 --> 00:16:41.639 there came down 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:43.080 a certain priest that way. 00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:44.460 And it says, 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.000 likewise, 00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:46.379 a Levite. 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:47.899 And by chance, 00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:48.820 a chance meeting 00:16:48.820 --> 00:16:50.180 is always an opportunity 00:16:50.180 --> 00:16:53.080 to see what God is doing. 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:53.920 You know, 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:54.920 this chance meeting 00:16:54.920 --> 00:16:55.600 was an appointment 00:16:56.200 --> 00:16:57.840 orchestrated by God 00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:59.960 who knows everything 00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:02.220 about what's going to take place, 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:03.560 of what the need is. 00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:04.200 You know, 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:05.779 including those who lead us 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:07.740 to intersect with someone 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:09.240 who has a need. 00:17:09.360 --> 00:17:09.519 You know, 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:10.180 we never know 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:11.559 where somebody is. 00:17:12.600 --> 00:17:13.900 That we could be a blessing 00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:14.380 to them 00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:15.140 or help them 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:17.120 or be able to direct them 00:17:17.120 --> 00:17:18.180 towards the Lord. 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:18.420 You know, 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.200 we can be sure 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:20.779 that we find someone 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:22.120 with a spiritual need 00:17:22.120 --> 00:17:23.220 and God intends us 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:24.720 to help them. 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:25.720 You know, 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:26.960 when we understand 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:28.980 that God wants us 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:29.680 to be a part, 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.480 He wants us 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:31.740 on those appointments 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.519 to step up 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.600 and do what we ought to do. 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:35.120 But we find 00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:36.640 a deliberate indifference. 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:37.460 You know, 00:17:37.860 --> 00:17:39.059 when we aren't prepared 00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:40.200 ourselves, 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:42.559 we will let things go. 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:42.900 You know, 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:44.059 we've been looking 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:44.980 in the Old Testament 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:46.360 and reading about the kings 00:17:46.360 --> 00:17:47.180 and one of the statements 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:47.600 in there 00:17:47.600 --> 00:17:49.259 is he prepared his heart 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:50.120 to seek the Lord 00:17:50.120 --> 00:17:51.400 is one of the phrases 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:52.140 you'll find 00:17:52.140 --> 00:17:52.420 in there 00:17:52.420 --> 00:17:53.380 talking about the kings. 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:54.400 They either prepared 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:54.920 their heart 00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:55.740 or they didn't prepare 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.240 their heart 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:57.720 and had two different outcomes. 00:17:59.180 --> 00:17:59.400 You know, 00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:00.360 when it comes to looking 00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:00.779 at this, 00:18:00.840 --> 00:18:01.400 a lot of this 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:02.539 of how we look 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:03.340 at the opportunities 00:18:03.340 --> 00:18:04.220 God's present 00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:05.740 is based on how 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:07.000 we prepare our heart 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:09.840 to be observant for it. 00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:11.519 Because if you're not 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:12.300 looking for something, 00:18:12.360 --> 00:18:13.300 you'll walk right by it. 00:18:13.380 --> 00:18:14.440 If you're not considering 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.400 those things, 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:15.920 you know, 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:17.100 you might say 00:18:17.100 --> 00:18:17.779 that we need, 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:18.860 Jesus is dealing 00:18:18.860 --> 00:18:20.100 with their spiritual 00:18:20.100 --> 00:18:21.680 eyesight here. 00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:22.620 you know, 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:23.380 it's interesting 00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:24.640 that most Americans, 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:24.880 you know, 00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:25.640 we're pretty diligent 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:26.820 about our physical sight. 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:28.460 I mean, 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:29.140 just look around. 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:29.720 It's another one 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.700 of those popular places. 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:31.779 You'll find eye places 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.620 all over the place. 00:18:33.060 --> 00:18:33.320 You know, 00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:35.000 and we have great concern 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.180 of things about 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:37.340 being able to see 00:18:37.340 --> 00:18:38.440 and we spend 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:39.440 great resources. 00:18:39.620 --> 00:18:40.180 It tells us 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:41.259 that there's roughly 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:43.279 43,000 brick and mortar 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:44.960 locations selling eyeglasses 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:47.259 in the United States. 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.259 You know, 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:49.379 there are about 00:18:49.379 --> 00:18:52.160 197 million adult 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:54.099 vision correction users. 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:54.519 In other words, 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.759 about 75% 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:57.559 of the United States 00:18:57.559 --> 00:18:58.359 has some sort 00:18:58.359 --> 00:18:59.240 of vision correction 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:02.339 that they're able 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:03.200 to help them read 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:03.859 or to see. 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:04.700 You know, 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:05.519 many of them 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:05.960 are wearing 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:07.279 prescription eyeglasses 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:08.960 and doing all 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:10.579 the different things 00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:11.200 to help, 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:11.480 you know, 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:12.559 even making sure 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:13.180 they look good 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:14.220 like why they see. 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:14.519 You know, 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:15.140 think about how much 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:15.879 money people spend 00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:16.440 on frames. 00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:17.980 You know, 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.059 you ever been to 00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:19.440 the store 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.580 and maybe want 00:19:20.580 --> 00:19:20.860 to make sure 00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:21.420 I look good. 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:23.360 You know, 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.259 they spend a lot 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:24.720 of money 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:26.820 on those things 00:19:26.820 --> 00:19:27.960 and the different 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:28.759 elements to make 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:29.779 sure we can see 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:30.759 physically. 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:32.759 But you know, 00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:34.160 where are we at 00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:35.059 when it comes 00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:35.860 to our physical? 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:37.820 We might be that 00:19:37.820 --> 00:19:38.900 diligent on our physical 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:39.519 but where are we at 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.860 in our spiritual eyesight 00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:42.420 of seeing those 00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:43.039 around us 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:43.860 that God would have? 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:45.740 You know, 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.700 when we prepare 00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:47.680 our heart 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:48.680 because look here 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.720 at verse 31 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.819 and it says this, 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:51.500 and by chance 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.140 there came down 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:53.059 a certain priest 00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:54.160 that way 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:55.180 and when he saw him 00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:55.799 he passed by 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.620 on the other side 00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:57.140 and likewise 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:57.740 the Levite 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.200 when he was 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:59.660 at the place 00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:00.339 came and looked 00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:00.819 on him 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:02.319 and passed by 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:03.579 on the other side. 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.539 The priest saw, 00:20:04.859 --> 00:20:05.980 the Levite looked, 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.279 they both deliberately 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.519 chose to pass up 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.180 an opportunity. 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:10.839 Later they would have 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:12.200 rationalized away 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:13.599 their indifference. 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:13.879 You know, 00:20:14.119 --> 00:20:14.740 it's interesting, 00:20:14.879 --> 00:20:15.699 the priest saw, 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.980 that means that 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:18.659 he was on the other 00:20:18.659 --> 00:20:19.059 side. 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:20.539 It's like, 00:20:20.639 --> 00:20:21.339 don't disturb me 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:21.819 right now, 00:20:21.919 --> 00:20:22.379 keep moving. 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.139 And the Levite, 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:25.740 you might say, 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.379 that's the rubber 00:20:26.379 --> 00:20:26.740 necker. 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:28.740 You know, 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.219 the one on the 00:20:29.219 --> 00:20:29.659 interstate 00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:30.039 that's got to 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:30.459 slow down, 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.159 you know, 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:31.699 the rubber 00:20:31.699 --> 00:20:32.159 necker. 00:20:32.599 --> 00:20:33.240 Because it says 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:33.699 he went over 00:20:33.699 --> 00:20:34.219 and he looked. 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:34.740 In other words, 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.639 he went over 00:20:35.639 --> 00:20:36.019 and says, 00:20:36.699 --> 00:20:37.000 dude, 00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:38.139 you're in bad 00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:38.559 shape. 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.439 But you know, 00:20:39.439 --> 00:20:39.899 the problem with 00:20:39.899 --> 00:20:40.359 both of them 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:40.740 is they just 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.179 kept going. 00:20:41.459 --> 00:20:41.679 You know, 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.179 they could say, 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:42.359 well, 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.099 I was in a hurry, 00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:43.639 I didn't have 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:44.099 time, 00:20:44.139 --> 00:20:44.639 I didn't feel 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:45.419 qualified. 00:20:46.219 --> 00:20:46.519 You know, 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.099 it looks too 00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:47.619 risky, 00:20:48.379 --> 00:20:48.679 you know, 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:48.919 or, 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:49.519 you know, 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.199 these statements 00:20:50.199 --> 00:20:51.000 all ease our 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:52.179 conscience sometimes, 00:20:52.179 --> 00:20:53.740 but it also 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:54.779 seeds the 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.339 indifference. 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.899 Because we can 00:20:57.899 --> 00:20:58.399 become very 00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.059 indifferent to 00:20:59.059 --> 00:20:59.819 people sometimes 00:20:59.819 --> 00:21:00.480 and not 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.539 understanding 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.259 where they are. 00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:02.480 You know, 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:02.959 look over to 00:21:02.959 --> 00:21:03.779 Matthew 24 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.379 for a moment. 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:05.959 Matthew 24 00:21:05.959 --> 00:21:06.779 and verse 12. 00:21:07.139 --> 00:21:07.539 Word of God 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.459 tells us this, 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.379 and because 00:21:09.379 --> 00:21:10.399 iniquity shall 00:21:10.399 --> 00:21:10.859 abound, 00:21:10.959 --> 00:21:11.539 the love of 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.059 many shall 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:12.379 what? 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:14.679 wax cold. 00:21:15.899 --> 00:21:16.139 You know, 00:21:16.219 --> 00:21:16.879 we need to 00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:17.759 understand the 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.959 importance of 00:21:18.959 --> 00:21:19.500 what's taking 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.019 place. 00:21:21.879 --> 00:21:22.399 You know, 00:21:22.439 --> 00:21:23.119 we need to be 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:23.740 willing and 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.399 paying attention 00:21:24.399 --> 00:21:25.179 to what God 00:21:25.179 --> 00:21:25.939 would have, 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:26.779 how God 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.619 intends for us 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.179 to help 00:21:28.179 --> 00:21:29.699 those that 00:21:29.699 --> 00:21:30.919 cross our 00:21:30.919 --> 00:21:31.379 path. 00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:32.559 But let's look 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.319 here next at the 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.119 Good Samaritan 00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:35.379 as we take the 00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:36.039 rest of this time 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.179 here, 00:21:36.219 --> 00:21:36.559 because, 00:21:36.919 --> 00:21:37.119 you know, 00:21:37.159 --> 00:21:37.879 the third man 00:21:37.879 --> 00:21:38.599 is on his way 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.299 to Jericho, 00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:40.319 the Good Samaritan. 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:41.480 he looked 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:41.980 and saw 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:42.559 the man's 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.460 plight as well, 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:44.200 but this man 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.919 chose to do 00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:45.740 something with it. 00:21:46.679 --> 00:21:47.259 In other words, 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:47.859 he didn't just 00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:48.839 drive on by. 00:21:49.899 --> 00:21:50.980 I got an appointment, 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:51.720 I got to be there. 00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:52.819 He didn't stop 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:53.419 and rubberneck 00:21:53.419 --> 00:21:54.119 along the way. 00:21:55.899 --> 00:21:56.899 He saw that 00:21:56.899 --> 00:21:57.159 there was 00:21:57.159 --> 00:21:57.919 something happening. 00:21:58.720 --> 00:21:59.740 He took time 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.179 and he went 00:22:00.179 --> 00:22:00.779 and looked, 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.259 but then he 00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:02.819 took action. 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:04.579 He said, 00:22:04.639 --> 00:22:05.539 what can I do 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:06.480 to make a difference? 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:07.640 You know, 00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.339 the Samaritan 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:09.240 in the New Testament 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:09.839 times were 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:10.339 looked down 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:10.660 upon. 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:11.460 You know, 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:11.920 think about, 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:12.819 when talking about 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.720 those of Samaria, 00:22:13.860 --> 00:22:14.539 this is not like 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.559 the popular person. 00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:18.519 This wasn't the guy 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:18.880 that said, 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:19.019 well, 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:19.519 I'm going to gain 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.579 favor with everybody. 00:22:21.860 --> 00:22:22.700 He was already 00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:23.279 at the bottom. 00:22:23.360 --> 00:22:23.920 He wasn't looking 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.460 to see what he 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:25.220 could get out of it. 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:26.940 In society, 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:27.819 the Samaritans 00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:28.620 were looked down 00:22:28.620 --> 00:22:28.960 upon. 00:22:29.120 --> 00:22:29.240 You know, 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:30.079 think about 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:31.160 when Jesus 00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:32.079 speaks about 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:32.880 the Samaritan 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:33.740 woman at the well 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.900 in John chapter 4. 00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:36.740 This statement 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:37.340 is made 00:22:37.340 --> 00:22:38.060 in verse 9. 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:38.360 It says, 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:39.259 Then saith the woman 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:39.680 of Samaria, 00:22:39.800 --> 00:22:41.000 How is it that thou 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.560 being a Jew 00:22:41.560 --> 00:22:42.160 askedest, 00:22:42.280 --> 00:22:43.040 drink of me 00:22:43.040 --> 00:22:44.340 which am a woman 00:22:44.340 --> 00:22:45.100 of Samaria? 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.340 For the Jews 00:22:46.340 --> 00:22:47.360 have no dealings 00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:48.360 with the Samaritans. 00:22:48.580 --> 00:22:49.040 This man 00:22:49.040 --> 00:22:50.040 alongside the road 00:22:50.040 --> 00:22:50.720 most likely 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.300 was Jewish. 00:22:51.580 --> 00:22:52.640 And here's a Samaritan 00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:54.540 that had no responsibility 00:22:54.540 --> 00:22:55.940 you may say directly 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:58.420 stopped and took care 00:22:58.420 --> 00:22:58.620 of him, 00:22:58.620 --> 00:22:59.360 even though he knew 00:22:59.360 --> 00:22:59.980 the guy probably 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:00.820 didn't even like him. 00:23:01.060 --> 00:23:01.920 He was a doubtful 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.420 candidate, 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:03.240 you might say, 00:23:03.320 --> 00:23:04.300 because a Samaritan 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:05.059 man in Jesus' 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:05.940 story was not 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:07.339 a likely choice 00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:08.039 to help out 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:08.659 this wounded 00:23:08.659 --> 00:23:10.220 and hurting man, 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:10.579 you know. 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:12.000 He would have been, 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:12.859 most would have 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:13.700 never thought anything 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.279 if he would have 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.279 passed on by. 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:16.419 If he just chose 00:23:16.419 --> 00:23:17.159 to go his own 00:23:17.159 --> 00:23:17.659 direction. 00:23:18.139 --> 00:23:18.680 We see he's a 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.559 doubtful candidate, 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.559 but he also had 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:21.819 a determined compassion. 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:24.079 Because the Samaritan's 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:25.119 humility made him 00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:26.339 alert to the victim's 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:26.779 need. 00:23:27.379 --> 00:23:27.539 You know, 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:28.099 the Samaritan 00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:29.440 saw the wounded man, 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:32.139 he had compassion 00:23:32.139 --> 00:23:32.740 on him. 00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.839 Look at verse 33. 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:34.899 What it says, 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.959 but a certain Samaritan 00:23:35.959 --> 00:23:36.779 as he journeyed 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:38.199 came where he was 00:23:38.199 --> 00:23:39.019 and when he saw him 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:39.659 he had what? 00:23:41.159 --> 00:23:42.699 Compassion on him. 00:23:42.919 --> 00:23:43.199 You know, 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:44.259 the reality is 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:44.740 if you're going to 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:45.459 help somebody 00:23:45.459 --> 00:23:46.579 and truly be able 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:46.919 to help, 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.919 it starts in here. 00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.799 Of looking at somebody 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.879 and says there's a need. 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:54.220 There's something 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:56.279 that needs to be met. 00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:57.339 He had compassion 00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:58.619 on him. 00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.419 Because, 00:23:59.539 --> 00:23:59.759 you know, 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.859 it doesn't start 00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:01.519 with the doing, 00:24:01.639 --> 00:24:02.759 it starts with the heart. 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.599 Because you know what? 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.879 If your heart's in it, 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:05.859 your hands are going to follow. 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:07.660 Your hands will do 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:09.339 what's on your heart to do. 00:24:10.339 --> 00:24:11.440 You'll find time, 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:13.039 you'll find the energy 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:14.440 to do that. 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:15.279 And if you, 00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:15.619 you know, 00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:16.420 you figure out 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:18.839 why you would serve 00:24:18.839 --> 00:24:20.339 and you'll figure out how. 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:20.720 You know, 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:22.180 when you want to do something, 00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:23.839 you figure out the how behind it. 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:27.139 Because it becomes a priority. 00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:29.039 You know, 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.980 because compassion 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:31.000 is a decision 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:33.639 that also drives us 00:24:33.639 --> 00:24:34.839 and compassion 00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:35.559 is what helps us 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.359 make a difference. 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:40.859 Look over in Jude 22. 00:24:42.159 --> 00:24:43.500 22nd verse of Jude. 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.399 Notice what it says, 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:47.980 and on some having compassion, 00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:48.619 doing what? 00:24:49.459 --> 00:24:51.859 Making a difference. 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:53.819 You know, 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:56.199 Psalm 126 says, 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:57.359 they that sow in tears 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:58.379 shall reap in joy. 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.399 He that goeth forth 00:24:59.399 --> 00:25:00.479 and weepeth 00:25:00.479 --> 00:25:01.519 bearing precious seeds 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.659 shall doubtly come again 00:25:02.659 --> 00:25:03.419 with rejoicing, 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:05.059 bringing his sheaves 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:06.219 with him. 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.119 You know, 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.659 that connection 00:25:08.659 --> 00:25:09.859 of the determined compassion 00:25:10.479 --> 00:25:11.619 for others 00:25:11.619 --> 00:25:12.519 of what God 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.719 would have. 00:25:14.199 --> 00:25:15.279 But while compassion 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.079 drives us 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.139 to choose to help 00:25:17.139 --> 00:25:18.359 others in need, 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.459 compassion alone 00:25:19.459 --> 00:25:20.279 is not enough. 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:22.079 You know, 00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:23.119 compassion alone 00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:24.019 is not enough 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:25.339 because you actually 00:25:25.339 --> 00:25:26.200 need courage 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:27.099 to step in 00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:28.319 to the life 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:29.240 of another person. 00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:31.399 A devoted courage 00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:32.720 to step out, 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:34.119 put yourself out there 00:25:34.119 --> 00:25:35.519 to another person 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.139 to minister 00:25:36.139 --> 00:25:37.019 to their need. 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:37.660 You know, 00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:38.619 the Bible records 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.420 the Samaritan 00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:40.720 didn't just see 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:42.000 the wounded man needs, 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.220 he went to him. 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.359 Look there in verse 34. 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.119 He didn't just do 00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:45.980 what the others did. 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:49.240 He didn't just gawk, 00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:51.140 he didn't just stop 00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:51.779 and look and say, 00:25:51.860 --> 00:25:52.019 man, 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:53.220 that guy's have problems. 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:56.559 It says that he took 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.240 a step, 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.640 he went to him, 00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.440 you know, 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.460 and the reality 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.400 of going 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:02.380 and doing 00:26:02.380 --> 00:26:03.000 what God 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.779 would have for us 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:04.019 to do, 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:04.940 it takes courage 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:05.539 to go, 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:06.960 to speak to people 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.759 about their need, 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.559 to reach out 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.640 to meet the needs 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.700 of others. 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.039 You know, 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:13.019 the reality 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:14.480 we need to be bold 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.680 for the Lord. 00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:16.019 You know, 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:18.180 Proverbs 28 verse 1 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:19.059 says that the righteous 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:21.279 are bold as a lion. 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:22.259 You know, 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:23.420 we can be bold 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:25.180 in the things of God, 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.119 but sometimes 00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:27.019 we'll let fear 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:28.220 keep you from going 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:29.720 on those paths 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:32.480 to help others 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.339 for Christ. 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:33.639 You know, 00:26:33.659 --> 00:26:34.339 to realize that 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.359 God is with us. 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.399 God's the one 00:26:36.399 --> 00:26:37.440 that's going to provide 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.299 what is needed 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:39.799 along the way. 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:40.680 You know, 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:42.019 to realize Isaiah 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.259 41 10 says, 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.079 Fear thou not 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.940 for I am with thee. 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.879 Be not dismayed 00:26:45.879 --> 00:26:47.160 for I am thy God. 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:48.940 I will strengthen thee. 00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:49.180 Yea, 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:49.879 I'll help thee. 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:50.460 Yea, 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.000 I'll uphold thee 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:51.980 with my right hand 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:53.160 of my righteousness. 00:26:53.819 --> 00:26:54.039 You know, 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:54.599 when it comes 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:55.240 to the greatest 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:55.900 single need 00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:57.079 every person has 00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:58.000 is that of what? 00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:59.839 What's every individual's 00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:00.879 need that we meet? 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:02.720 Well, 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:05.079 what's the general need 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:05.900 that every person 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.359 you meet, 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:06.980 what's the need 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.579 that they have? 00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:08.279 Salvation. 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.160 Think about that. 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:10.460 There's nobody you meet 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.720 that you ever talk to 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.720 that you ever interact 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.339 with that doesn't 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:14.279 have a need of salvation. 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.500 Every one of them 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:17.900 has the same need. 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:19.079 But what keeps us 00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:19.759 from doing that 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.519 probably is what? 00:27:21.100 --> 00:27:22.180 That great four-letter word. 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:22.700 What keeps you 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.860 from speaking out sometimes? 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.440 Fear. 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:26.740 You know, 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:28.680 it's an obstacle 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.960 that Satan tempts us 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:31.039 with to try to keep us 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.700 from sharing 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:33.460 the truth of the Gospels 00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:34.059 with others. 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.059 You know, 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:37.200 to overcome that 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:39.079 is to rely upon him 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:40.480 and to be intentional 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.720 about doing it, 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.799 preparing yourself 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.220 to do it. 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:43.899 Because you know what? 00:27:43.919 --> 00:27:44.799 You fail to do things 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.659 you don't prepare to do. 00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:48.440 If you're not thinking 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:48.879 about it, 00:27:48.899 --> 00:27:49.759 you'll pass on by. 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.700 Because we see 00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.839 a deliberate charity 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:53.119 that this man had. 00:27:53.879 --> 00:27:55.000 A good Samaritan, 00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:56.279 the good Samaritan 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:57.220 had compassion, 00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:58.059 he had courage, 00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:59.740 he chose to minister 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:02.059 charity to the wounded man 00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:03.220 by the side of the road. 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:04.440 And notice what it says 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:05.319 in verse 34. 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:05.700 It says, 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.799 And he went to him 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:07.900 and bound up his wounds, 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:09.200 pouring in oil and wine 00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:09.720 and setting him 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.420 on his own beast, 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:12.519 and brought him to an inn 00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:13.339 and took care of him. 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:14.039 And on the morrow 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:14.600 he departed 00:28:14.600 --> 00:28:15.799 and took out two pence 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:17.200 and gave them to the host 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:17.819 and said unto him, 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:18.539 Take care of him 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:20.059 and whatsoever thou spendest more, 00:28:20.360 --> 00:28:21.220 when I come again 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.500 I will repay thee. 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:24.079 You know, 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:26.160 the one thing about serving 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.400 and being able to help 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:28.600 is it going to cost you something. 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:29.079 You know, 00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:30.100 we live in a day and age, 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.539 everybody likes everything for free. 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:35.000 The reality in life is 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.779 nothing is free. 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:36.339 You know, 00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:40.400 the only thing that you have 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:41.420 that we say is free 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.120 is salvation. 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.519 Salvation isn't even free. 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:46.920 It doesn't cost you anything 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:48.519 because God already paid the price. 00:28:48.860 --> 00:28:50.240 Something that's free to you 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:51.420 means somebody else 00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:53.500 took care of the expense. 00:28:53.660 --> 00:28:55.059 If you get it for nothing 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:58.279 means somebody else paid. 00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.500 But we live in a culture 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.680 that we like the idea of free. 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:03.519 But free doesn't exist. 00:29:03.620 --> 00:29:04.660 It's just a matter of who's paying. 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:07.299 Who's putting up the resource 00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:09.000 for that to happen. 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.620 This Samaritan, 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:12.299 it cost him to minister 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:13.320 to the injured man 00:29:13.320 --> 00:29:15.700 and he chose to pay the price. 00:29:16.860 --> 00:29:17.019 You know, 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.279 you think about, 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:18.960 you know, 00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:19.779 to ask ourselves, 00:29:19.880 --> 00:29:21.640 are we willing to invest our time 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:23.120 and our treasure to help others? 00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:23.519 You know, 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.519 we need to really consider 00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:26.980 how are we using those things? 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:28.480 You know, 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.660 Philippians chapter 2 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.559 and verse 4 says, 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:31.460 look not every man 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:32.200 on his own things 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:33.039 but every man also 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:34.900 on the things of others. 00:29:35.860 --> 00:29:36.099 You know, 00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:37.519 what are we paying attention 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:37.980 to others? 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.299 You know, 00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:40.460 even as a church family 00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:41.960 those things ought to be. 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:43.279 But even outside the church 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:43.940 we ought to be. 00:29:44.839 --> 00:29:45.140 You know, 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.039 what are the needs? 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:47.660 How can we meet that? 00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:48.380 Do we, 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:50.700 as God provided 00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:51.519 what is needed, 00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:53.279 are we using those things properly? 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:54.640 You know, 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:56.400 because we find here also 00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:58.759 a divine commendation 00:29:58.759 --> 00:30:00.640 because when we see here 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:02.720 that God reveals, 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:04.960 Jesus reveals something to him 00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:05.620 because, 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.620 think about it, 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:07.620 did the good Samaritan 00:30:07.620 --> 00:30:08.780 receive a reward 00:30:08.780 --> 00:30:09.560 for his ministry 00:30:09.560 --> 00:30:10.660 to the half-dead man? 00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.700 He didn't get a medal. 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:13.920 You know, 00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:15.140 they didn't make a big ceremony. 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:18.340 Nobody showed up to celebrate. 00:30:18.560 --> 00:30:18.740 You know, 00:30:18.800 --> 00:30:19.620 you'll see that a lot. 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.560 Somebody does something, 00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:21.960 it might say, 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.820 above and beyond 00:30:22.820 --> 00:30:23.700 to help somebody 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.920 and we'll give them a medal 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:26.160 or we'll make recognition 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:27.539 of what they did. 00:30:27.580 --> 00:30:28.240 But you know what? 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.600 Some of the most 00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:31.860 helpful things 00:30:31.860 --> 00:30:32.700 are things you'll never 00:30:32.700 --> 00:30:33.259 get a medal 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:34.279 or recognition for. 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:35.940 If you're seeking recognition 00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:36.559 you're doing it 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.340 for the wrong reason. 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:37.860 You know, 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.580 we don't know 00:30:38.580 --> 00:30:39.420 if anyone actually 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:41.360 even saw what he did 00:30:41.360 --> 00:30:42.860 other than the innkeeper. 00:30:43.340 --> 00:30:43.539 You know, 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:44.360 we don't have any record 00:30:44.360 --> 00:30:45.759 of anybody else 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:46.900 that even made note of it 00:30:46.900 --> 00:30:47.700 except for Jesus 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:50.340 and the innkeeper. 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:51.279 How'd the innkeeper know? 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:51.500 Well, 00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:51.980 he's the one 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.759 that saw it happening. 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:55.279 He saw him bring the man in 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:56.480 and bind up his wounds 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.519 and to take care of him 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:59.600 and to give resource 00:30:59.600 --> 00:31:00.559 to make sure he was 00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:02.779 continued to have that. 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:03.640 This innkeeper 00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:05.019 was aware of 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:06.080 the benevolence 00:31:06.080 --> 00:31:06.840 of this man. 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.100 You know, 00:31:07.140 --> 00:31:07.799 we do not know 00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:08.480 whether or not 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:08.980 the man 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:10.180 who was helped 00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:11.259 ever even expressed 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:12.400 gratitude in return. 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:15.220 We know nothing 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:16.000 about the guy 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:17.220 who fell by the way 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:18.920 that was beaten 00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:19.420 and robbed. 00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:20.240 Nobody ever says 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:20.860 he came back 00:31:20.860 --> 00:31:21.600 and thanked the guy. 00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:22.659 We do know 00:31:22.659 --> 00:31:23.500 how much more 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.519 was spent 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.219 on the man's 00:31:25.219 --> 00:31:25.839 well-being 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:28.439 and was later 00:31:28.439 --> 00:31:29.959 repaid by the Samaritan. 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:30.419 We don't know 00:31:30.419 --> 00:31:31.000 how much more. 00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:31.240 He says, 00:31:31.299 --> 00:31:32.059 he has two pence, 00:31:32.139 --> 00:31:32.399 but he says, 00:31:32.459 --> 00:31:32.619 hey, 00:31:32.699 --> 00:31:33.559 if he runs up 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.439 any bigger bill, 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.439 just let me know. 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.339 Next time I come through, 00:31:36.399 --> 00:31:36.919 I'll pay it. 00:31:37.159 --> 00:31:39.059 While there's no doubt 00:31:39.059 --> 00:31:40.639 many more facts 00:31:40.639 --> 00:31:41.319 of the story 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:42.219 aren't given to us, 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:43.139 but the Lord knew 00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:44.939 the minute details 00:31:44.939 --> 00:31:45.839 of this event 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.980 and this unnamed man 00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:48.559 with compassion. 00:31:49.400 --> 00:31:49.599 You know, 00:31:49.900 --> 00:31:53.140 Jesus sees what's happening. 00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:55.000 God sees what's going on 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:56.559 and how we're responding 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.660 to others. 00:31:57.799 --> 00:31:57.920 You know, 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:59.880 Proverbs 15, 3 says, 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.839 the eyes of the Lord 00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:01.720 are in every place 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.880 beholding the evil 00:32:02.880 --> 00:32:04.660 and the good. 00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:06.500 You know, 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:07.740 God sees what we do. 00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:10.640 He sees what's taking place. 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:10.900 You know, 00:32:10.940 --> 00:32:11.480 this is another one 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:12.160 of them stories 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:14.200 that Jesus is speaking 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:14.880 a parable 00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:16.480 in this format. 00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:18.059 But it makes me wonder 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:19.220 if Jesus is drawing 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:20.579 from things that God saw 00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:21.720 because the story 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.640 is so connected 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:23.519 to reality 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.799 that it's very likely 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.279 it's something 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:25.819 that may have 00:32:25.819 --> 00:32:26.640 actually happened. 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.720 Nobody else saw it. 00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:30.539 They passed by 00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:31.500 and it just went away. 00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:34.299 But God took note. 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:36.720 Because I want you 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.779 to understand ministry 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.640 and how we minister 00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:39.140 to people 00:32:39.140 --> 00:32:40.420 is not always public. 00:32:42.099 --> 00:32:42.240 You know, 00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:42.799 sometimes people 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.700 like to do things 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:44.420 because other people 00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:44.839 see it. 00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:47.459 sometimes they 00:32:47.459 --> 00:32:48.339 do things 00:32:48.339 --> 00:32:49.279 because they're 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:49.619 going to get 00:32:49.619 --> 00:32:50.299 praised for. 00:32:50.379 --> 00:32:50.839 But you know what? 00:32:50.939 --> 00:32:51.579 Ministry is 00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:52.379 you don't always 00:32:52.379 --> 00:32:53.079 get praised. 00:32:54.119 --> 00:32:54.980 You don't always 00:32:54.980 --> 00:32:56.480 get a round of applause. 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.619 Many times 00:32:58.619 --> 00:32:59.339 it goes without 00:32:59.339 --> 00:33:00.119 appreciation. 00:33:00.379 --> 00:33:00.959 But you know what? 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:01.939 God always 00:33:01.939 --> 00:33:03.059 is aware. 00:33:04.619 --> 00:33:05.359 We ought not 00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:05.799 to do it 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:06.399 because of what 00:33:06.399 --> 00:33:07.039 somebody else 00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:08.119 sees or does. 00:33:08.659 --> 00:33:09.619 But knowing that 00:33:09.619 --> 00:33:11.019 God is the one 00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:11.659 paying attention. 00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:12.600 look in the book 00:33:12.600 --> 00:33:13.019 of Hebrews 00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:13.480 for a moment. 00:33:13.600 --> 00:33:14.680 Hebrews chapter 6 00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:15.940 in verse 10 00:33:15.940 --> 00:33:16.259 it says, 00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:17.100 For God is not 00:33:17.100 --> 00:33:18.100 unrighteous to forget 00:33:18.100 --> 00:33:19.140 your works and labor 00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:20.160 of love which 00:33:20.160 --> 00:33:20.700 ye have showed 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:22.120 towards his name 00:33:22.120 --> 00:33:22.740 and that ye have 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.560 ministered to the 00:33:23.560 --> 00:33:24.700 saints and do 00:33:24.700 --> 00:33:25.779 minister. 00:33:26.820 --> 00:33:27.160 You know? 00:33:27.540 --> 00:33:28.140 I want you to 00:33:28.140 --> 00:33:28.800 understand when we 00:33:28.800 --> 00:33:29.580 minister we ought 00:33:29.580 --> 00:33:30.420 not to be ministered 00:33:30.420 --> 00:33:31.080 for what others 00:33:31.080 --> 00:33:32.400 see but minister 00:33:32.400 --> 00:33:33.180 for what God 00:33:33.180 --> 00:33:33.540 sees. 00:33:34.640 --> 00:33:35.420 What's God 00:33:35.420 --> 00:33:36.080 see that you're 00:33:36.080 --> 00:33:36.420 doing? 00:33:37.080 --> 00:33:37.320 You know? 00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:39.340 To understand 00:33:39.340 --> 00:33:40.140 the importance 00:33:40.140 --> 00:33:40.840 that we want 00:33:40.840 --> 00:33:41.820 God to say 00:33:41.820 --> 00:33:42.920 that we did 00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:43.320 well. 00:33:44.080 --> 00:33:44.280 You know? 00:33:44.900 --> 00:33:45.920 His approval 00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:46.700 is far more 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:48.060 valuable than 00:33:48.060 --> 00:33:48.600 what you could 00:33:48.600 --> 00:33:49.220 get here for 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:50.320 praise or reward 00:33:50.320 --> 00:33:50.900 here upon the 00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:51.100 earth. 00:33:51.800 --> 00:33:52.660 When we stand 00:33:52.660 --> 00:33:53.320 before him 00:33:53.320 --> 00:33:53.740 and he says 00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:54.320 well done 00:33:54.320 --> 00:33:54.940 thou good 00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:56.300 and faithful 00:33:56.300 --> 00:33:56.720 servant. 00:33:58.540 --> 00:33:59.280 That ought to 00:33:59.280 --> 00:33:59.980 be our objective 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:01.940 of serving 00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:03.220 because of what 00:34:03.220 --> 00:34:04.580 God would have 00:34:04.580 --> 00:34:05.100 for us. 00:34:05.140 --> 00:34:05.680 And we're often 00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:07.040 aware that God 00:34:07.040 --> 00:34:08.099 is aware of 00:34:08.099 --> 00:34:08.880 our sin but 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.619 forget the fact 00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:10.199 that God's 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:10.839 also aware 00:34:10.839 --> 00:34:11.119 of your 00:34:11.119 --> 00:34:11.559 service. 00:34:13.259 --> 00:34:14.339 God sees 00:34:14.339 --> 00:34:14.719 what you're 00:34:14.719 --> 00:34:15.059 doing. 00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:15.980 The little 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:16.380 things. 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:16.619 You know 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:16.900 throughout 00:34:16.900 --> 00:34:17.599 this week 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.319 you know 00:34:18.319 --> 00:34:18.759 purposely 00:34:18.759 --> 00:34:19.500 notice the 00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:20.059 times you 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.400 took an 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.199 opportunity to 00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:22.480 serve someone 00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.299 else even if 00:34:23.299 --> 00:34:23.859 no one else 00:34:23.859 --> 00:34:24.299 noticed. 00:34:25.339 --> 00:34:25.579 You know? 00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:27.000 I want you to 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:27.639 understand that 00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:28.279 might be 00:34:28.279 --> 00:34:29.380 something simple 00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:30.119 just to help 00:34:30.119 --> 00:34:31.380 others along 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:32.159 the way to 00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:33.179 understand the 00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:34.079 importance of 00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:35.759 ministry and 00:34:35.759 --> 00:34:36.719 it's not always 00:34:36.719 --> 00:34:37.319 what everybody 00:34:37.319 --> 00:34:38.179 sees but it's 00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:39.079 what takes place 00:34:39.079 --> 00:34:40.380 in caring for 00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:41.139 somebody else. 00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:42.199 You know 00:34:42.199 --> 00:34:43.059 it's stepping up 00:34:43.059 --> 00:34:43.659 and meeting a 00:34:43.659 --> 00:34:44.940 need and as 00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:46.559 God's people we 00:34:46.559 --> 00:34:47.380 often don't see 00:34:47.380 --> 00:34:48.299 people as God 00:34:48.299 --> 00:34:48.719 does. 00:34:49.860 --> 00:34:50.059 You know have 00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:50.480 you ever noticed 00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.239 it's easy to see 00:34:51.239 --> 00:34:52.319 people as a threat 00:34:52.319 --> 00:34:53.219 see people as a 00:34:53.219 --> 00:34:54.619 bother see people 00:34:54.619 --> 00:34:55.440 as insignificant 00:34:55.440 --> 00:34:57.539 but Jesus here 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:58.539 brings this parable 00:34:58.539 --> 00:34:59.420 to teach us to 00:34:59.420 --> 00:35:00.799 set aside our 00:35:00.799 --> 00:35:02.179 preconceived things 00:35:02.179 --> 00:35:03.440 and to demonstrate 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:04.579 the love of Christ 00:35:04.579 --> 00:35:05.960 to others just 00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:06.579 as he did to 00:35:06.579 --> 00:35:06.880 us. 00:35:07.539 --> 00:35:08.539 To set forth 00:35:08.539 --> 00:35:09.199 those things 00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:10.259 because often 00:35:10.259 --> 00:35:11.199 times we operate 00:35:11.199 --> 00:35:11.980 like the priest 00:35:11.980 --> 00:35:12.719 and the Levite 00:35:12.719 --> 00:35:13.819 looking at the 00:35:13.819 --> 00:35:14.420 man and saying 00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:15.039 that's too much 00:35:15.039 --> 00:35:15.759 trouble or it's 00:35:15.759 --> 00:35:16.440 inconvenient or 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:16.819 I have other 00:35:16.819 --> 00:35:18.239 responsibilities 00:35:18.239 --> 00:35:20.719 instead of 00:35:20.719 --> 00:35:21.559 stopping to say 00:35:21.559 --> 00:35:22.500 this is where I 00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:23.000 need to be 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:24.980 this is what God 00:35:24.980 --> 00:35:26.239 would have for 00:35:26.239 --> 00:35:26.900 me to do 00:35:26.900 --> 00:35:28.099 to help. 00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:29.759 You know it's 00:35:29.759 --> 00:35:30.599 not one thing 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:31.440 about serving 00:35:31.440 --> 00:35:32.779 others it's not 00:35:32.780 --> 00:35:33.680 easy it's not 00:35:33.680 --> 00:35:35.180 convenient you 00:35:35.180 --> 00:35:36.060 know it doesn't 00:35:36.060 --> 00:35:36.660 happen at the 00:35:36.660 --> 00:35:37.560 most convenient 00:35:37.560 --> 00:35:39.180 times you know 00:35:39.180 --> 00:35:40.540 ministry and 00:35:40.540 --> 00:35:41.260 serving God 00:35:41.260 --> 00:35:42.040 isn't on a time 00:35:42.040 --> 00:35:42.380 clock. 00:35:43.700 --> 00:35:44.460 Sometimes it's 00:35:44.460 --> 00:35:44.960 inconvenient. 00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:47.100 Sometimes it 00:35:47.100 --> 00:35:47.900 costs us something 00:35:47.900 --> 00:35:48.640 but we need to be 00:35:48.640 --> 00:35:50.500 intentional in our 00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:51.019 service. 00:35:52.340 --> 00:35:53.240 You know when we 00:35:53.240 --> 00:35:54.080 understand the 00:35:54.080 --> 00:35:55.740 importance and 00:35:55.740 --> 00:35:56.800 ask the question 00:35:56.800 --> 00:35:57.500 and answer the 00:35:57.500 --> 00:35:58.420 question that Jesus 00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:59.740 asked here of 00:35:59.740 --> 00:36:01.320 who is your 00:36:01.320 --> 00:36:01.620 neighbor? 00:36:02.780 --> 00:36:03.740 He gives an 00:36:03.740 --> 00:36:04.380 illustration. 00:36:05.820 --> 00:36:06.560 Your neighbor is 00:36:06.560 --> 00:36:08.560 the one that has 00:36:08.560 --> 00:36:08.880 need. 00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:11.380 Something to keep 00:36:11.380 --> 00:36:12.420 in mind this week 00:36:12.420 --> 00:36:13.680 to understand the 00:36:13.680 --> 00:36:14.560 balance as even as 00:36:14.560 --> 00:36:16.160 we help not only 00:36:16.160 --> 00:36:16.960 one another but 00:36:16.960 --> 00:36:18.680 help others also 00:36:18.680 --> 00:36:20.660 because compassion 00:36:20.660 --> 00:36:21.960 is just not inside 00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:24.540 a church family and 00:36:24.540 --> 00:36:25.160 I believe a church 00:36:25.160 --> 00:36:25.800 family ought to have 00:36:25.800 --> 00:36:26.780 compassion one for 00:36:26.780 --> 00:36:27.120 another. 00:36:28.820 --> 00:36:29.880 We ought to care. 00:36:30.100 --> 00:36:30.400 We ought to do 00:36:30.400 --> 00:36:31.260 what we can to help 00:36:31.260 --> 00:36:32.320 one another but also 00:36:32.320 --> 00:36:33.820 outside also. 00:36:35.120 --> 00:36:36.280 What things can we 00:36:36.280 --> 00:36:36.400 do? 00:36:36.440 --> 00:36:37.140 How can we make an 00:36:37.140 --> 00:36:39.160 impact in the 00:36:39.160 --> 00:36:40.059 place that God 00:36:40.059 --> 00:36:42.660 has us? 00:36:43.360 --> 00:36:44.200 Where can you make 00:36:44.200 --> 00:36:45.120 an impact where God 00:36:45.120 --> 00:36:46.480 has you? 00:36:47.880 --> 00:36:48.539 Because you're 00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:48.840 going to come 00:36:48.840 --> 00:36:49.960 across people each 00:36:49.960 --> 00:36:50.740 day that somebody 00:36:50.740 --> 00:36:51.400 else in here isn't 00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:51.720 going to come 00:36:51.720 --> 00:36:52.140 across. 00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:53.100 They're people God 00:36:53.100 --> 00:36:55.240 has put in your 00:36:55.240 --> 00:36:57.380 path saying what 00:36:57.380 --> 00:36:57.960 are you going to 00:36:57.960 --> 00:36:58.740 do at that 00:36:58.740 --> 00:36:59.059 moment? 00:36:59.059 --> 00:37:01.239 Is your heart 00:37:01.239 --> 00:37:04.259 prepared to be a 00:37:04.259 --> 00:37:05.099 good neighbor to 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:05.920 those around us? 00:37:06.920 --> 00:37:07.340 Let's pray. 00:37:07.460 --> 00:37:07.960 Heavenly Father, 00:37:08.099 --> 00:37:09.139 as we come before 00:37:09.139 --> 00:37:09.559 you this morning,