Sunday Sermon

Love in the Ditch Dave Shaner October 17, 2004

Introduction: Luke 10:25-37; I Corinthians 13:4

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Patience and kindness are indispensable to loving your neighbor as yourself.

I. Patient & kind. What does that mean?

A. It demands a willingness to practice ____________ love.

B. You can't love people without ________________.

II. Love will find ...

A. and greet people ______________________________.

1. Acts 3-4

2. Mercy sees people not as problems but people with problems.

B. and meet people ______________________________.

1. Matthew 12:7

If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.

2. Ephesians 4:2,32

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ... Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

3. Mercy people regularly ask:

a. What's the story behind the ditch?

b. What can I do to help?

C. and treat people ____________________________.

1. Love always comes with a price tag.

2. I Thessalonians 5:14

And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

3. Proverbs 11:17

A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.

III. Keep in mind _____________________________.

A. Titus 3:4-8

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

B. II Peter

C. Luke 6:35-36

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

D. Matthew 18:33

Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?

Conclusion: Romans 2:4

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

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