This week we look at the story of the Good Samaritan and ask two questions: What does the kingdom of God look like? And how does this work itself out in my life? We find that the kingdom of God manifests itself through love – the love of God and love of neighbor. The story of the Good Samaritan proves that the love of neighbor is a disposition of the heart expressed through tangible behaviors. But what we need to know is that it is not a matter of trying harder or doing compassion through our own strength – the love of God and compassion for others flows from a transformed heart.

Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: Luke 15:11-32, Rom 5:6-8.

In response to the complaint of the religious leaders that he associated too closely with sinners, Jesus told three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost sons.

In the third parable, commonly called the Prodigal Son, we see the lostnessof both the younger son (who left home) and the older son (who stayed at home).  To both sons the father, against cultural expectations, is surprisingly gracious and compassionate.

You can also listen to the sermon and take a look at the application questions via our mobile app.

Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Randy Forrester ([email protected])

The outline and application questions are intended for your further reflection and action upon the weekend message. They are also designed to facilitate discussion and accountability within your LifeGroup.

Jesus came teaching the “kingdom of God.” He sent out the 12 and the 72 to do the same: proclaim the kingdom of God. What is the kingdom of God? How does attention to the reign of God make any difference in this world? Why would the kingly reign of God be considered good news? It is the gospel precisely because only through the reign of Jesus will salvation be made possible.

We have a high view of Scripture.  We believe that Scripture contains all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is to be required of anyone, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: Matthew 5.1-2, 13; Philippians 2.12-16

In his last sermon Steve quoted Carl Henry who said, “The early Christians did not say, ‘look what the world is coming to!’ but ‘look what has come into the world!'” The point being, Christ, having entered and overcome this world continues His work in this world through His people. Describing the ethic of His kingdom Jesus uses the metaphor of salt to describe the effect of the Christian’s life in this world.

Michael Green, The Message of Matthew (BST)

Bill Hybels, Honest to God

Martin Lloyd Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount

Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew (Pillar New Testament Commentary)

John Stott, The Message of the Sermon on the Mount

To be a disciple means accepting Jesus’ invitation to experience new life through a relationship with him. We are to follow him –

Jesus makes a bold, provocative and penetrating statement about what it takes to be his disciple.

What do these three things mean? What do they look like? Why would anyone want to do them in the first place?

Jesus invites us to lose ourselves in him and find the life we were created to live.