SN - notes from 5/29/10
The Greatest Commandment
part 2
Mark 12:28-34
Recap -
Jealous of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes take turns trying to catch Jesus in His words - they all backfire and teach them and us some key lessons
To the Pharisees - Taxes to Caesar or not?
Jesus points out that we operate on 2 different planes (spiritual and physical). A follower of God will therefore have “kingdom duties” (for God) and “civic duties” (for Caesar) - see Col. 3:1 and Rom. 13:1
This enlightens us to the “plan of God”
To the Sadducees - is there really a resurrection?
Jesus points out that, despite their outlandish hypothetical situation, God is very much alive and heaven will be radically different than anything on earth.
This enlightens us to the “person of God” - very much alive!
To the scribe - what is really needed to be a true follower of God?
Jesus points out just 2 (ridiculously hard to accomplish) things - Love God with your all, and love people with your all.
This enlightens us to the “purpose of man”
Tonight, we look at the second aspect of the “purpose of man” - “to love your neighbor as yourself”.
Keep 3 questions in mind as we go through this:
1. What does this mean?
2. How do we do this wrong?
3. How can we do this right?
See Luke 10:25-37 for a similar scenario
observation 1 - The man was naked (aka - had nothing to offer) and a nobody
Beware of only feeling “called” to “lift the hands of Moses”
observation 2 - religious people did nothing for him b/c he was “unclean”
Beware of having a religious orientation and not a relational one
observation 3 - the Samaritan had other things to do
Beware of being either to busy for ministry or to busy in what you consider “ministry”
observation 4 - the samaritan went to “where he was”
Realize that you might have to exert some effort to be effective for Jesus - don’t expect Him to just do it for you.
observation 5 - the samaritan was moved with “compassion” - He was like Jesus
Mat 9:36 - But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
Mat 14:14 - And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved
with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
Mat 18:27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
Mar 1:41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out [His] hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
Mar 6:34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with
compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.
observation 6 - the samaritan “got dirty” - treated and bandaged his wounds
Beware of being so afraid of the world that you are never ever in it and therefore never effecting it - see John 17, Matt. 11, 1 Cor. 5:9-10, 1 Cor. 9:19-22
observation 7 - the samaritan put him on his own animal
Ministry is often a “personal” expression - it can be diverse! What moves and stirs you?
see Ephesians 4:11 - Abraham’s tamarisk tree, Paul’s tent making, Lydia’s selling of purple in Acts 16, etc.
observation 8 - the samaritan spent time with the man (at his own cost)
Ministry and discipleship making both require varying amounts of time - see Gal. 1:18 and 2:1
observation 9 - the samaritan still had a life and responsibility outside of “ministry” -
Christian -> spouse -> parent -> minister
observation 10 - the samaritan was going to come again to see the man and repay the inn keeper - the inn keeper would have seen everything.
This is kind of the main point. We love people because it crosses every barrier and language - Jesus love displayed on the cross needs no translation. We share that love, people see that love, want that love, and want to be able to offer that love - see 1 John 3:18
That’s why it’s called a “labor of love” in 1 Thes. 1:3 and Hebrews 6:10.
How we treat others (social compassion) is also indicative of whether or not we truly know Jesus - parable of the sheep and the goats (Matt. 25), true religion definition (James 1:27), etc.
Keep in mind this is NOT an optional Christian thing - it proves you know Christ! Social compassion does NOT save people, it verifies Christian people.
3. How can I do this?
1. Be close to Jesus - see 1 John 4:7, 1Th. 4:9
2. Be biblical - realize it is biblical to be socially concerned and active - see the whole study
3. Be pure - see 1 Peter 1:22
4. Be sincere in your faith - hypocrisy will not produce love. See 1 Tim. 1:5 -
5. Be active - not reactive to serving all people.
