The Good Samaritan, continued

Returning tonight to Luke chapter 10.

I'm going to read the same passage that I read last Sunday morning, the parable of the good Samaritan.

It's interesting that in that they and in that culture. Nobody would've put that adjective with Samaritan unless you maybe were Samaritan Samaritans were despised Samaritans were of considered low and hated by the Jews. Nowhere in the story we told that the Samaritan when he's not given by Jesus. This name the good Samaritan that is been injected by those who have done the Bible translating our scriptures together so the headings are not inspired but this is the parable of the good Samaritan beginning to read in Luke chapter 10 beginning in verse 25 and behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him saying teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life.

He said to him what is written in the law, what is your reading of it, so he answered and said, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself. And he said to him you have answered rightly do this and you will live, but he wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, and who is my neighbor then Jesus answered and said, a certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among the who stripped him of his clothing wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead now by chance a certain priest came down that road and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked and passed by on the other side but a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was and when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, and he set him on his own animal brought him to an in and took care of him on the next day when he departed, he took out to do an area I gave them to the innkeeper and said to him, take care of him and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you. So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him fell among the thieves and he the lawyer said he who showed mercy on him. Then Jesus said to him, go and do likewise go and do likewise.

Well, there's one central theme in this section of Scripture and is centered in one central character. The good Samaritan and the spiritual message here one central message, Jesus focuses our attention and that of the lawyer on verse 36, after he tells the story the parable he asks this question. So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves. The question is not who is my neighbor is not the question. The question is which of these three do you think was a neighbor in the fact that a priest and a Levite passed by this man who was robbed and left half dead in the road they passed by. It not only shows what human nature is capable of. It also shows that being a religious leader is no guarantee that you will be moved with compassion to do the right thing. What motivated the Samaritan to help this man. What motivated him an answer the question is in verse 33, a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was and when he saw him, he had compassion. Often we think of compassion as a feeling or an attitude and it is that. But compassion moves the heart to do something so I didn't just have feelings toward this man in need. When he saw him, he had compassion verse 34 says so he went to him and bandaged his wounds and ministered to his knee who is a neighbor while a Christian is a neighbor, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is a neighbor and as such is always ready to serve those in need and what's important here is that this attitude is part of compassion does not save anyone. But it is the fruit of salvation. It does not earn eternal life, but it is the evidence that one possesses eternal life or do something a bit different tonight and that is to use this parable as an illustration parable teaches one basic lesson, namely that it is our responsibility as believers to be compassionate and loving neighbors to all men as God gives opportunity and as God gives ability, so I'd like to look at this parable as an illustration, I believe that it illustrates the desperate plight and condition of the unconverted notes not uncommon for us to do this, you remember the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, and there is that historical record that Jesus did go for days after Lazarus had died and stood at his grave and called him forth and in so doing demonstrated that he was exactly who he claimed to be. He was indeed the resurrection and the life. And here's the proof of it, but we often look at that story and that account of Jesus and Lazarus as an illustration is an illness as an illustration of regeneration. We look at it through the lens of so teary ologies here is an illustration of what happens in the heart and life of a man whose dead in his trespasses and sins, and is brought to life. So I want to do something similar tonight this parable, we want to look at it as an illustration of the desperate plight and condition of the unconverted and is illustrated and for obvious ways. I want us to look number one at the malicious Robert number to the deficit. Devastating wounds number three. His helpless condition number four is an eminent death, so let's begin the malicious robbers verse 30 says a certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. This is about us 15 to 17 mile journey and it's a dissent of about between three and 3500 feet of elevation so it's downhill, and it's rocky and there's there's caves and there's places for robbers to hide. It was an unsafe place to journey these robbers took advantage of this unsuspecting traveler. We have every reason to draw the conclusion that he's all alone were not told how many thieves attacked him, but says a certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves chloro so there were more than one he was alone, and therefore he was outnumbered and we pretty this man. We pretty this man who was abused in overpower, but again were considering this is an illustration so likewise the unconverted they have been abused they have been overpowered by a malicious one. Peter tells us that our adversary is like a roaring lion walking about, seeking home, he may devour.

Jesus said in John chapter 10 the thief does not come except to steal and kill and to destroy. I have come that they might have life and that they may have it abundantly. The evil one.

The devil has successfully done damaged entire human race.

The Bible tells us that the whole world lies in the grip of the evil one. The lost have been duped by the devil and his followers. Yes, they're guilty.

Yes, they're culpable.

Yes, they're responsible but they have been victimized. Satan is a powerful full just to illustrate that in the opening two chapters of the book of Job, we have exhibited the devil's power. He has power to kill people.

He has power under the sovereignty of God to control the weather. He has the power to afflict severe health problems on people he has the power to enrage and insight masses of people to attack and afflict others. He is incredibly powerful.

He is incredibly deceitful.

The Bible tells us that he can masquerade as a messenger of truth and righteousness, even even in the paradise of Eden. The devils deceitfulness.

His craftiness, his subtlety was such to deceive Eve to rebel against God, that in a world where there was no sin, the devil is incredibly cruel. Just as these thieves had no concern for this man's well-being first John chapter 5 in verse 19 says the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

According to acts 26 and verse 18.

Every person is under the power of Satan. Acts 26 and verse 18 Paul is giving his testimony, his conversion testimony and he says he recounts the encounter that he had on the Damascus Road so I said who are you, Lord, and he said I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise, and stand on your feet.

For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you to open their eyes in order to turn them from darkness to light and get this and from the power of Satan to God, and thus every conversion involves a deliverance from the power of Satan, so as believers we should pity. We should have compassion on the unconverted in that they are victims that the devil has exploited and attacked and abused and laid waste. That's our first point, as we consider how this parable illustrates the desperate plight and condition of the unconverted we've considered number one the malicious Robert. We should be moved with compassion toward the unconverted as we think of the womb afflicted upon them from the devil and his legions.

According to the parable.

These men were not simply content to rob the man they also wounded him and left him half dead. He fell among thieves who stripped him of his clothing wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. The Samaritan was moved with compassion saw him who had been maliciously beaten and left to die. I am setting before you, that we as believers should be likewise stored with compassion as we see and observe the devastating wounds the devil licks on the unbelieving. It's easy, it's easy to be self-justifying. It's easy to say well there in the mess therein because of the choices they made all and all the rest all to excuse ourselves of Christian compassion. The moves toward people in order to help speak to you, but for specific the devil has inflicted on all unconverted people. He did this to you before you were converted, number one. He has blinded the minds of the unbeliever. Second Corinthians chapter 4 verse three he keeps a heavy heavy veil over their spiritual senses so that they cannot see their need of Christ so they cannot see the glory of Christ or the availability of Christ that he stands to receive all that will come to him.

It's as though their house is burning down around them and there is a door of escape, but the devil has blinded them to the door.

The only way of escape, so he is number one blinded the minds of all unbelievers number two. He deceives the unconverted.

I'm glad for Rob bring me some water out of nowhere. Thank you. He deceives the on converted listen to with John the regulator says in John chapter in Revelation chapter 12 verse nine he says.

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him who deceives the whole world. Satan the deceiver. He tricks people.

He misleads people he lysed people. He powerfully works in people's thought processes whereby they think of reality in such a way that is not reality Satan tricks people in the believing that God cannot be trusted that his word is untrustworthy. He deceitfully convinces the unbeliever that the best guide of his life is himself despite the fact that the Bible says there is a way that up that is there.

There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof. His death, he deceitfully convinces them that they should not fear death, that they should not worry about this place called hell that it is safe to live as if there is no God, perhaps his greatest work of deception is with those who presume to be true Christians, but are not there is no one so blind than the one who is blind, but is convinced that he can see third the devil keeps the word of God from influencing the hearts of the unconverted your member the parable of the sower in Luke chapter 8 verse 12. Jesus is describing a scene like this people gathered around to hear the word of God the Word of God is being set forth cast forth as good. See people sitting under the teaching sitting under the preaching of the word in their devil is present, what is his purpose it is to snatch away the word of God. Much the way birds come and steal away good. See, so that the seed is prevented from taking root in the soil of the heart and influencing people what is he do that less they believe the word of God and be saved forth. He holds people captive to do his will. Second Timothy chapter 2 verse 25 and 26 the servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach patient in humility correcting those who are in opposition of God, perhaps, will grant them repentance so that they may know the truth and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will ensnared by the devil, taken captive by him to do his will, and apart from God granting those twin gifts of faith and repentance. No man can escape that entrapment. So the devil he does far more than bring in occasional temptation to people the devil as people ensnared. The devil has a hold on people he holds them captive. They are powerless to escape were told and given this explanation concerning Judas Iscariot's dark alliance with the religious leaders that resulted in the death of Christ.

Satan held Judas captive to do his will. Now listen, I'm not saying that sinners are without responsibility. Sinners are guilty. They're not innocent victims. They are culpable but the devil. The devil is an active agent he deceives people therefore is believers we should be stirred with compassion as we consider the plight condition of the unconverted in that they are deceived under the sway of the evil one is we consider further, this illustration this parable as it illustrates the condition, the plight of the unconverted, we should pity the unconverted because of their helpless condition their helpless condition is depicted in the story, the man was helpless. He could not bandage his own loans he had no strength. He was helpless.

We don't nobody very well could have been unconscious. There is no record that he said anything as these two men went by him walk by him. He was absolutely dependent on help from outside himself. He been rendered helpless.

He couldn't do anything for himself and we should likewise pity the condition of the unconverted their helpless there helpless to remedy their condition. Consider with me three ways in which the Bible depicts the unconverted's helplessness number one, they do not understand their need of Jesus Christ.

Romans chapter 3 verse 11 says there is none who understands the next verse, there are none who seek after God.

There are none who understands first Corinthians 2. In verse 14 the natural man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Satan again has blinded his mind man and his fallen condition is in a state of darkness is in a state of blindness. It is easy to be deceived by that a man might be a brilliant scientist.

He may have all manner of insight into the world of finance, but the Bible says he does not understand the ABCs of how to be reconciled to God and thus to be saved.

The unconverted or helpless. Number two, they do not desire, they do not desire a relationship with Jesus Christ. There none who seek after God.

Men loved darkness rather than light. According to John three in verse 19 and 20.

The thought of living under the Lordship of Jesus Christ is repugnant to the unregenerate he doesn't desire to know God. Third, were talking about how the condition of the unconverted is illustrated here in this man's helplessness. The unconverted are helpless there helpless in this way as well that they cannot repent and believe on Christ number one. They do not understand their need of Christ. Number two, they do not desire Christ. Nor can they repent and believe upon Christ. Romans chapter 8 verse seven says the carnal mind that is the natural mind the fleshly mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

Not subject to the law of God, and it cannot be subject to the law of God. I read to you. Second Timothy chapter 225 and 26. It speaks of the absolute need of God granting repentance to sinners.

John chapter 5 in verse 40, Jesus told the unbelieving Jews. You are not willing to come to me that you might have life. In other words, he was willing to have them. The problem was they were unwilling to have him and despite their hostility. He preached the gospel to them, but they would not they could not come to him. Apart from divine intervention of the unbeliever who does not repent, will perish if they do not believe in Christ.

They will be condemned.

They cannot believe and they cannot repent. Unless God sovereignly and effectually is pleased to give them the twin gifts of faith and repentance, so the unconverted or helpless as helpless, more helpless relay than this man, who was lying in the road because the Bible says he was half dead. The unconverted are dead in your trespasses and sins. So what is going to happen. Apart from divine intervention. They're going to die just as the fate awaiting this poor traveler is not explicitly stated but I believe it's implied that he died of his wounds. Apart from someone caring for him. The good Samaritan moved with compassion, because apart from 80 probably was going to die. So the situation was urgent and therefore we too should be stirred to urgency as we think of the situation and the condition and the helplessness of the unconverted, no man, no woman comes to Christ in a vacuum.

The people who prayed for us there people who have been burden for us are people who've come to us with the word of life for people of Boerner testimony to us and were grateful for those who had a sense of urgency and had compassion upon our unconverted soul and reached out to us in love and we need to be that way. We need to be stirred up to be more compassionate, more concerned is easy to be lulled to sleep about this matter, so we should be moved with compassion toward the unconverted as we consider number for their final destiny. We know what awaits the unconverted if they are not safe. Eternal death is not just that believers are going to live forever. Every man, woman, boy, girl is going to live forever. The issue is where will you spend eternity will you spend it in glory enjoying everlasting bliss or will you spend it separated from God for all eternity.

The unconverted will be cast into the lake of fire. There is a place where the fire is not quenched. There is a place where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth.

There is a pit that has no bottom to it. There is darkness that is utter darkness. The Bible says it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of a God who was a consuming fire. So as we come to the conclusion of this message.

Let me Mark three points of application. While the unconverted or not innocent's, they are nonetheless lost and should be pitied. We should have compassion on them.

They are blind, they are deceived they are helpless. They are easy prey and they are ensnared by the devil, and there is no hope for them apart from the good Shepherd intervening in their life. Recall in Luke chapter 15 contains three parables, the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, the parable of the lost son in each case, something precious was lost and found, in each case there is great joy in the recovery of that which was lost.

God has called us to the work of reconciliation.

He has enlisted us as ambassadors where to go forth with the word of life, bearing precious seed whether many concerns that should motivate us to be engaged in evangelism and being concerned and having compassion for the lost, the glory of God, the love of God constrains us. But what is set before us.

Here is the plight of the final destiny of the unconverted that to move us. That ought to cause us to be men and women with compassion. What moved Jesus to weep over Jerusalem what moved Paul to express an unceasing sorrow Romans chapter 9 was the plight the condition of the lost.

May God help us to have a growing compassion for the lost Romans nine verse one, Paul expresses there that he actually was willing to be cut off from Christ for the sake of his brother. And for the sake of his countrymen to be accursed from Christ forever if there was a way whereby in so doing, it would guarantee the salvation, the fellow Jew was the lostness of his own people that motivated Paul. He moved from city to city, being hated, bearing in his own body the marks of persecution is a messenger of Christ and then I think nothing will motivate us more than the consider our own former condition before God and sovereign mercy rescued us. What was our condition. Ephesians chapter 2 verses one through three sets it out pretty well. One of those things that you can't commit to memory. Therefore D's there in those first three verses that speak of the condition I think of that my daughter was ride with us in the car one day and she said that if you got asked to preach on the spot something to preach what is it you would turn to what would you preach again. I would depend on context and the circumstance I'm sure, but what came to my mind was Ephesians chapter 2 verses one through 10 because it's it encapsulates the gospel what we were what God did, and why God did it. Those three points make up an outline the skeletal outline verses one through 10. What we were what were we. We were number one dead dead in our trespasses and sins.

We were number two deceived. We walked according to the power where we walked according to the prince of the power of the air we were deceived we took our marching orders from the devil.

We were deceived by him. So we were dead were deceived.

We were disobedient sons of disobedience. Number four. We were doomed. We were doomed. We were by nature children of wrath pulses there. Verse three. Then he goes on to say, but God rich in mercy, God, who is rich in mercy, all grateful. We need to be for that because it's God in mercy, who comes to people in that condition dead in your trespasses and sins, deceived and held by the grips of the evil one sons of disobedience doomed the wrath of God hanging over them condemned.

Jesus did not pass us by.

He did not. He came to us. That's what I love about this this picture the Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was and when he saw him, he had compassion. So we went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine he said him on his own animal brought them to an EN and took care of him if were going to be moved with compassion for the needs of the souls of the unconverted, it's going to cost us is going to inconvenience us. It's going to disrupt our schedules going to have to go to people were going to have to engage people were going to have to be willing to be spent for the good of people. This man wasn't concerned about being robbed himself all the reasons that the other two who were really obligated by the law. The keepers of the law to have compassion excused themselves the Samaritan was moved with compassion, went out of his way. Went to was a great expense, inconvenienced himself took him to the sin cared for the man Bible tells us that he gave to do an area I that's enough wages to provide for that man's keeping food for 2 to 3 maybe four weeks and if he needed to be there longer. He said when I come back when I come back I will repay you. So there is a reconsideration of this great parable that Jesus told of the good Samaritan and may it stand as an illustration of the plight in the condition of the unconverted, may we like this good Samaritan be moved with compassion and be that neighbor because that not religion won't move your heart to help other people.

Who is going to have a concern for the, the, the soul of the unconverted, it's going to be those who been touched by the grace of God's going to be those who who are no longer deceived his eyes up and made wide open new understand what's at stake. We are to be a neighbor where to be moved with compassion were to be neighbors to the unconverted God help us God. May God move in our hearts. May we be. May we see the joy of those in our acquaintances brought to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. May God use us to that in for their everlasting good or his eternal glory, shall we pray father, thank you again for this time around your word. I pray that you would use it to stir our hearts and motivate us and move us to examine our hearts and if were cold and callous and indifferent to the condition of the unconverted old God, convict us rebuke us instruct us here in righteousness sake. Help us to see, then, way above all men who tasted and have known the grace of God should be the ones moved with compassion toward the plight of the condition of the unconverted doing us do for us what only you can do. We ask in Jesus name, amen. Let me conclude by reading the words of this this him. I don't know who I'm preaching to tonight. Perhaps I'm preaching to some unconverted person come, ye sinners, poor and needy week and wounded, sick and sore Jesus ready stands to save you full of pity, love, and power.

He is able he is able he is able he is willing doubt no more. He is willing doubt no more come you needy, and welcome God's free bounty glorify true belief and true repentance. Every grace that brings you nine without money, without money with out money come to Jesus Christ and by come to Jesus Christ and by let not conscience make you linger, nor of fitness.

Finally, dream all the fitness he required is to feel your need of him this, he gives you this, he gives you this, he gives you test the spirits glimmering being is the spirits glimmering being, ye weary and heavy laden, bruised and broken by the fall. If you cherry until your better. You will never, all not the righteous not the righteous not the righteous sinners. Jesus came to call sinners. Jesus came to call in the last stanza low. The incarnate God ascended pleads the merit of his blood venture on him venture holy, let no other trust intrude. None but Jesus none but Jesus none but Jesus can do helpless sinners.

Good can do helpless sinners could rebound receive the benediction now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen