Tabernacle Baptist Church

In this parable, a man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho and he was robbed. They stripped him, beat him, and left him for dead. It was terrible. The Priest and the Levite pass by and they do nothing, but then a Samaritan comes by, and he feels Compassion for the half-dead man. He cared for him. He was not too busy to feel compassion. He immediately stops and helps. The Good Samaritan bandages his wounds with oil and wine, which were both expensive. The Samaritan picks the dying man up, puts the man on his own donkey, takes him to an inn, and cares for him. The next day the Samaritan takes two days' wages and gives it to the innkeeper and says “Please, take care of him while I am gone and whatever more you spend above what I have given you. I will repay you when I return.” What Compassion!

Jesus’ point must have been well received because when Jesus asks the lawyer “Which of these men proved to be a neighbor to the man who was robbed?” The expert of the law can’t even bring himself to say the word Samaritan, so he says “The one who showed mercy.” And he was correct. Jesus finishes the parable with the command “Go and do the same.” This command applied to the Jewish expert in the law and it applies to us today as well. The overarching point is: “Love your Neighbor, even if they are your enemy.” Love your neighbor even if you feel hatred toward them. The radical command to love your neighbor applies even to those you might consider an enemy.

What are you imaging? Who are you reflecting?

Reflecting Jesus’ image is accessible for you today. Reflect His image in its entire purpose.

Jesus is not telling us exactly what Heaven and Hell will look like but is contrasting the life a believer lives and the life an unbeliever lives on this earth while expressing the eternal consequences of both. The rich man lived the life of luxury on this earth while Lazarus struggled his whole life long. Lazarus lived his faith despite the suffering and abject poverty that was his life. He loved God and did not complain. The rich, like the Pharisees, assumed he was blessed by God because he was rich. The rich man is not to be admired but pitied. He was not even given a name. The contrast is not just economic but spiritual. The point Jesus is making is “don’t put your hope in earthly things because Heaven is not based on your earthly status.”

In this parable, we also learn that:

- Hell is REAL

- Hell is PAINFUL

- Hell is ETERNAL

- Hell is LONELY

Hell is a real place for those who don’t repent and that lack of repentance is often seen in a lack of obedience. For the rich man was too late, but you still have time to repent of your sins and turn your eyes upon Christ. Take the first step today.

As servants of Christ we must forgive because we have been forgiven.

1. God’s Forgiveness is Extravagant and Knows No Bounds - In the parable, the first servant owed what he could not pay. What was the master's response? Mercy motivated by compassion. The king forgave the debt and set him free, and this is what God has done for you and me. We owe a sin-debt that we have no capacity to pay.

2. God’s Forgiveness is Based on His Mercy, not our Ability to Earn it - The servant came to his king with nothing to offer. All he had was an immense amount of debt. The king would have been justified in taking action against his servant to have the debt paid, but the king forgave him. God’s forgiveness is based upon His own love for you and mercy toward you.

3. Because God’s Forgiveness is Limitless, a True Follower Always Forgives - How easily we forget the mercy we have been shown when we are expected to show mercy. This is what it means to be human. We are naturally vengeful and selfish. But as a servant of the king, we are expected to be different. We are expected to show forgiveness as we have been forgiven.

4. The Choice of Forgiveness is Yours - As a Follower of Christ, there is only one choice to make: forgive. Release yourself from the burden of holding in the hate and contempt. You will be the only one to be hurt if you do not forgive. Turn to Christ and forgive. Take the first step today.

While the world is ever changing and volatile, God is never changing and stable, so refrain from worry and seek first His Kingdom. We can refrain from worry because:

1. There is more to life than material needs (v. 23) - Life is more than food and the body is more than clothing. Life is more than material needs, and it is more than just surviving. Jesus came to give you an abundant life.

2. We trust God to provide for our needs (v. 24) - Have faith that God knows what you need and ask Him to provide, then trust Him to do it the way eE sees fit. God created you, He called you, He saved you and He loves you.

3. Worry is Ineffective (v. 25) - God knows you and He got you. Stop worrying, because it does not give anything good to you.

4. Seek God first and let Him worry about you (v. 31) - Trust God in life’s uncertainty, and do not let uncertainty cause you anxiety. The only way this will happen is daily focus on him. It is that simple.

God gives us all abilities to be used for the Glory of His name. When He comes again, may He find you faithful.

1. True followers multiply what has been entrusted to them: The first two servants show that they were true followers because they were good stewards of the master’s money. They trusted him, obeyed him, and invested that which he had given them. They produced fruit. The third servant was not a true follower, because he did not multiply that which was given him, instead he buried his talent. He was crippled by fear and was lazy. Therefore, he received no praise, but he was thrown out of the master’s presence.

2. The desire of a true servant of the LORD should be to hear “well done good and faithful servant.” - What is your talent? You need to understand that the talents belong to the Master. It’s not yours. You do not have the right to bury it. The only thing you can do with what you have been given is to invest it for the Master’s glory. It all belongs to the Master. Multiply your talent. Don’t lose the blessing for good stewardship.

There are many people who want to claim Jesus, but only those who produce fruit show themselves as true followers. There are 3 examples that Jesus talks in this parable:

1. The Seed: it is the one thing that does not change from yesterday to today. The seed is the Word of God. 2000 years ago, the Word became flesh and made its dwelling among the people.

2. The Soil: The different types of soil in this parable represent 4 different types of hearers and how they respond to the message.

3. The Sower: You are the sower, and sowers cast the message of God everywhere they go. Your job is to sow. God’s job is to bring the harvest.

Desperate times call for desperate measures so let us pray with desperation.

1. The Call to and Cause of a Desperate Prayer (v. 13-14) - When life is good, when we are full of joy and are cheerful, we should give Him praise. And when life is hard, or you are in trouble, we MUST pray. The call is to pray. He holds the power that you want access to.

2. Prayer is Effective (v. 15-18) - James is very strong here. He says the prayer offered in faith will restore the sick, the LORD will raise them up and they will be forgiven. He goes on to say that the prayer of a righteous man will accomplish much. Your call to action is PRAYER, and if you have not yet sought God in desperate prayer, start today and don’t stop til you get your answer.

As followers of Christ, integrity should define our lives in both word and deed.

1. Let integrity guide your words (let your words be true) - When we speak, we should speak with integrity. We should not have to swear against heaven or earth or make some kind of binding oath on your loved one's grave to get people to believe what you are saying. You should stand by your word. That’s it.

2. Let the integrity of your words be seen in your life - Let your “yes” verbally be a “yes” in action. Let your actions affirm the Christian words that you say. Not only is it a false witness to lie, but also it’s a false witness to say one thing and then do another.

James teaches us at least three points in this text.

1. Be Patient (v. 7- 8) - Patience carries the idea long-suffering, and having a tranquil spirit while waiting. A lack of patience often leads to a situation worse or it strains the relationship that you are in. So James gives us a clear command: “Be patient and wait on the LORD.”

2. Complain Less and Love More (v. 9) - Don’t become Dr. Complains-a-lot. Instead, be like Paul and find contentment in Christ through every life situation.

3. Be The Change (v. 10) - Be the example of contentment by not complaining. Follow the example of Jesus Christ.