It Takes Love

By:  Matt Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

96047 - Cyclone, KY

 

I.     Introduction:

A.   We mentioned in a sermon last week that love is an essential part of our lives as Christians.

1.    Without love, we cannot function as Christians.  Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 13:1-3 that faith - love = nothing.  He meant we could engage in all the religious acts possible and without love they would be for nothing.

B.   We also mentioned that love would solve a great many of the problems in the church today.

1.    Because of this lack of love, there are brethren who:

a.     do not speak to each other.

b.    slander each other behind the others back while pretending to be friendly to them.

c.     stir up strife among the members of the church by enacting the “party system.”

2.    the “party system” is getting a big group on your side to stand up against the other group.

3.    True brotherly love which we read about in the Scriptures if it were practices right here in Monroe county would solve many problems.

a.     it is a shame to see brethren who have know one another for years, know each others children, bro. & sisters, etc., not to be able to worship with one another in spirit and in truth.

b.    Brethren, these things ought not to be.

C.   Today, we are going to examine a parable in which we all need to learn some lessons from.

1.    A parable in which a person put away his differences, and helped another fellow human being who was in need.

2.    A parable in which someone gave up some money, precious time, and risked his own life to give aid to someone who needed it greatly.

3.    It is found in Luke 10:25-37.

a.     it is from this text we will base our lesson today.

b.    it is our intention from the start that the things we learn from this lesson will strengthen our lives as Christians.

c.     for those who aren’t Christians, we want you to see how love functions as an essential part of the lives as Christians.

 

II.   Introduction of the Text & The Character of the Levite.

A.   In the beginning of Luke 10, Jesus has sent out the 70 to spread the word about Jesus.  Later in chapter 10, he pronounces woes upon those who were going to reject Him.

1.    Later, the 70 return with joy.

B.   Then we find a certain lawyer comes to Him and asks what he should do to gain eternal life.

1.    We don’t know this persons name, in fact we know nothing else about him except the fact that he was a lawyer or a scribe, perhaps a member of one of the sects of the day.

2.    v. 25 - 29

a.     from what we’ve read it becomes evident that this man was trying to “trip up” Jesus.  Was intent on making Jesus look bad.

b.    we know there was a group of people who constantly tagged behind Jesus doing their best to find anything they possibly could to make Jesus mess up.

C.   Imagine the scene here:  a man, a lawyer, probably well dressed, someone who was well respected by his peers, well knowledged in the law, surrounded by a group of his supporters, stands up to this “blasphemer” Jesus and asks in a sarcastic voice:

1.    What must I do to inherit eternal life?

2.    Surely we can read here of his attitude of self righteousness

a.     what can you tell me that I don’t already know, Jesus?

3.    Jesus simply answers him, “What does the law say?”

a.     the man quotes 1st - Deut. 6:5 and then Lev. 19:18.

b.    Jesus answers and says - do this & you shall live.

1.    since they were still living under the old law, these were the commandments that needed to be fulfilled at that time.

D.   V. 29 - Embarrassed by the simple logic of the Lord, the “Highly Educated” lawyer then tries to justify himself.  Wanted to make the question in this verse look like the real reason why he asked Jesus the first question.

1.    Jesus then recites a parable which we will focus intently upon today.

2.    Luke 10:30-37 - Jesus focuses upon a story which would bring forth great understanding not only to the people of His day, but to ours also.

a.     wants to not only point out “who is my neighbor,” but at the same time wants to show “to whom shall I be a neighbor to?”

b.    Jesus also further exemplifies the great law of love which the lawyer had quoted to Jesus.

3.    It is from these things we want to see today that “It Takes Love.”

 

III. It Takes Love:

A.   To Look Out For Others.

1.    V. 30 - Road to Jericho very treacherous.  Not in the way we use treacherous today (to describe condition of the road) but was t. in the way that there were robbers on hand.

a.. situated in rocky, mountainous country - perfect for hideouts of robbers.

b.    scholars tell us it was a remotely populated area. 

c.     was a heavily traveled road.  Jericho was a high population center.  Jeru. Religious capital and economic center for business and commerce, making the road profitable for robbers.

d.    adding to the fact that it was during this time that Herod, the king, had laid off 40,000 men from the temple, and not a few of these men became robbers that lurked in the hills above the road.

2.    The man in v. 30 is from Jerusalem - a Jew!

a.     notice v. 31 - a priest passes by.  Sees him, ignores him by passing along to the other side.

1.    ever wonder why the Master Teacher uses a priest as a character here?

a.     history tells us that over 12,000 priest lived in Jericho - worked in Jerusalem.  Commuted along this road daily.

b.    thence, it would be common to see them on this road.

c.     v. 32 - A Levite comes up to him, but then goes away.  Levites helped in the worship of their day.  Their job was to give aid to the priests.

d.    Both the men knew the law.  No doubt had read many times Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18

1.    Here was one of their own country men lying on the ground half dead

2.    sounds like they were really applying the 1st and 2nd great commandments!

e.     It was one thing if ordinary man had walked by & not helped, but here are two people who we expect to have know better.

1.    who had devoted themselves to the service of God.

2.    but ignored the presence of him altogether or just didn’t care enough to help.

3.    It’s very easy to see the short coming of these men, but often it is so much harder to see the same problem in our own lives.  Do we realize that we may be doing the same thing as the priest & Levite?

a.     It takes love to look out for others.

4.    what do we overlook?

a.     The needs of others to be with fellow Christians.  Some wait around for others to come knocking on your door before any relations are made. 

1.  Need to take the initiative.  Heb. Writer in Heb. 13:1

b.    The needs of others spiritual well being.  For example - non Christians.

1.    How will they know that they are in danger of hell fire if we don’t get the gospel to them?

2.    They need to understand # 1, that you are coming to them because you love and care about their soul.

a.     they also need to understand that if they don’t obey the gospel, they are danger of hell fire

1.    1 Thess. 1:7-9

c.     the needs of spiritual well being of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

1.    many of us content with leaving bro. & sis. Alone who are slack in their service to God.

2.    use the excuse:  Afraid they’ll run away from God.

3.    He’s my aunt’s son;  I don’t want to upset the family.

4.    Gal. 6:1  many brethren don’t do this &:

5.    ignore the problem just like the priest did.  Or we may acknowledge the prob. Then pretend nothing is wrong. Just like the Levite in v. 32.

6.    Why do we do this?

a.     we sometimes feel justified by the good works we are doing and feel we’re doing enough - let someone else do the work.

1.  the priest and Levite could have used this for an excuse.

b.    we just don’t want to.  have other things to do we think are more important.

1.    too busy w/yardwork

2.    too tired

3.    got our own problems

4.    engaging in our own hobby

7.  Look at the Samaritan in v. 33-35.

a.     Had compassion upon this man.

b.    compassion defined as:  an active feeling of sympathetic concern for the suffering of another;mercy.

c.     He cared enough to come over, not just merely acknowledge the presence of the man, but took him and cared for him.

8.    Are you following in the act of the Samaritan or in the way of the Levites and priest?

 

B.   To Sacrifice Ones Well Being & Material Possessions for Others.

1.    we have already mentioned the fact that the road in which they were traveling was dangerous and filled with robbers.

a.     again thing about the priest & Levite here.  Back to 31-32

b.    imagine their situation:  here is a man laying on the side of the road, beaten,  bleeding, maybe part. Clothed, unable to defend himself

c.     Jesus paints the picture that it has just happened.  The same bandits who had done this terrible thing could still be in the area!

d.    imagine their rationalization:  we don’t want to put ourselves in harms way!    They could have reasoned, and thus justified their actions.

1.    He’s going to die anyway, one of them could have thought.

2.    It takes love to put one’s well being at risk or sacrifice personal gain to help others.  This is exactly what the Samaritan did.

a.     focus upon v. 34-35.  Notice that:

1.    takes risk of impending danger upon himself to help a total stranger!

2.    takes time to pour on oil & wine (would cleanse wounds) and bandage him right there on the spot.

3.    brings him to an inn - and took care of Him. - v. 34

a.     didn’t just drop him off & go on his way - he took tome out and spent the night with him.

b.    gave the inn keeper 2 denerai. - .27.  Prob. Enough to pay the bill, and offered to pay for as long as the man needed to recover.

3.    How many Christians would sacrifice for others like this Samaritan did?  Would you?

a.     how can we expect Christians to care for others when they don’t care enough to sacrifice for the Lord?

b.    some won’t sacrifice time for others b/c they won’t sac. Time for the Lord.

c.     some won’t sacrifice spending money for others in need because they won’t sacrifice giving back a portion to the Lord.

d.    some won’t sacrifice because they don’t have the love that is necessary.

4.    Other Christians willing to sacrifice, but hold it against the one they are doing it for.

a.     keep running tally & let others know about it.

b.    some expect others to repay them with some act before they will help again.  I’ve done all this for Him, but what has he done for me lately?

c.     Where is there a spirit of love in an attitude like this?

5.    Was this the attitude of Jesus?  Did he have the attitude of look what I’m doing for you?

a.     Christ showed through the sacrifice of his life on the cruel cross the greatest act of love and compassion man has ever know.

1.    attitude revealed in Luke 23:34 -

6.  Do we love others enough to sacrifice for them?

 

C.   To Put Away Prejudice and Hate.

1.    Back to v. 29  Who is my neighbor?

a.     the Jews had strict rules as to who they associated with.  Jews only.

1.    Gentiles were unclean people, who didn’t believe in the one true God and were uncircumcised.

b.    Samaritans on the other hand were regarded by the Jews as the worst of the worst.  The Samaritans looked at the Jews in the same way.  Why?

1.    Samaria was a hideout for the lawbreakers of Judea.

2.    Samaritans rejected the writings of the prophets and all the Jewish traditions.

3.    The Jews regarded them as the worst of the human race.  John 4:9

c.     The priest and Levite in v. 31-32 refuse to help a man who was a Jew - their own countryman.

3.    Notice the Samaritan who puts all the animosity away and helps a man in need.

a.     the need to help a man who was dying becomes more important than the problems between the Jews and his people. 

b.    thus he saves this man’s life.

4.    We still have to deal with this today. We need to rid ourselves of prejudice and hate.  Many in our land today pride themselves that they are prejudice against other races of people. 

a.     But we need to realize that we can be prejudice in other areas.

b.    social status,  education, preachers, etc.

c.     James 2:1-6

5.    Another thing which needs to be pointed out…..listen carefully…

a.     we need to put away prejudice against people who are in denominations.

b.    too many have come to concentrate so much on the error that denominations teach & preach that they forget that there are real people that believe what they teach.

1.    Real people with feelings, & cares, & concerns just like you and me.

2.    Real people who are honest & sincere in what they believe & teach!  They are logical human beings.

c.     Some of our bro. And sis.  Have turned this into a personal campaign of hate and prejudice.

1.    some people have been turned away 4 ever because of the hateful attitude and comments made about people.

d.    Are denominations in error?  Certainly.  Please don’t mistake me.  We don’t want to condone their error.  But should we treat people in them in a spiteful manner?

e.     We have the truth.  We are members of the Lord’s church.  It is our job to teach & preach the gospel in a spirit of love, concern, patience, and compassion.

1.    Paul 1 Cor. 13:1-3 rel. acts -love = nothing.  We need to follow in the example of the Good Samaritan.

 

D.   It takes Love to Admit to Others When We are Wrong.

1.    Jesus closes the parable in Luke 10:36-37.

a.     asks the lawyer a question.  Puts him on the spot.

b.    remember his haughty attitude we mentioned before.  Remember how he asked Jesus to tell him something he didn’t already know.

c.     See here how Jesus has answered the question who is my neighbor in a way so simple, so straightforward, and easy to see.  He answered it in away the lawyer never dreamed he would.

1.    In asking the question, the lawyer has just condemned himself.  He has just shown his own short coming.

2.    He has shown his lack of love and compassion for others.

3.    He has shown that the way he is currently living will not cause him to inherit eternal life.

2.  And look how he answers our Lord -0 v. 36-37

a.     will not acknowledge the Sam. Personally instead He (the man) who showed mercy upon Him.

b.    instead of admitting he was wrong,  instead of admitting that he might have learned something (no doubt he did) he still exhibits a lack of love in his heart by refusing to acknowledge this man as a Samaritan.

1.    he wasn’t after all of this, going to recognize a Sam. As his neighbor.

3.  Some today unwilling to admit they are wrong.  Stems from a lack of love.  Not only for God, but for others also.  We often see people of this sort:

a.     do what ever is possible to keep the spotlight away from themselves.

b.    look at themselves as some parents do their children:  Me?  I’d Never do that!

c.     go to any bounds necessary before admitting they were wrong.  Surely many divisions of the Lord’s people are because of this.

 

IV. Conclusion.

A.   Some today are unwilling to admit they are lost.

1.    May know it personally, but won’t go forward and submit to the gospel.

2.    some unwilling to make commitment to the Lord.

B.   This attitude stems from a lack of love  A lack of love and respect for Jesus Christ and what he did for you!

1.    it takes love to be a child of God!  We must love the Lord enough to become pleasing to Him.

2.    He loved us!  Enough to die on the cross for you!

3.    You may say you love Christ, but it is for nothing until you obey His word!

4.    Come today!  Come demonstrate your love for Christ!

C.   It takes love to remain a Christian.

1.    Have you love in your life?  Have you neglected others?  Have you behaved as the priest and Levite in Luke 10:31-32?

2.    We said at the beginning love is an essential part of the foundation as a Christian.  Is your foundation crumbling out from under you because of a lack of love?

3.    why not come today!