We look at the context of one of the most familiar Bible verses this weekend and what it means for us as a church as we seek the welfare of the city around us.

We looked this week at Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan. Through the story, Jesus tells us about something we all want, something we all have, something we all need, and something we first receive.

We are unified as a big-C Church through our common truth, our common identity in Christ, our common challenge, and our common bond.

"For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:19-20

"For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:19-20

"Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life." Isaiah 43:4

"He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob." Psalm 24:4-6

"...but he said to them, 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.'" Luke 4:43

"...but he said to them, 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.'" Luke 4:43

" Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation..." 2 Corinthians 5:17-18