Living for God's Kingdom Part 1

Joe Carey

Palmy 2022 • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

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An Authentic spiritual life is defined not by ethnic heritage but by love for God and for others.

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Am I living life right?

Hi, my name is Joe Carey, and goodness me What a time it is to be alive, you see it gets me wondering, seeing as I am alive, I ask myself am I living life right?

What a blessed time we live in that now everyone seems to be thinking about this question. Both Christians and non Christians. Am I living life right? My wife and I live in New Plymouth, however, we’ve come from spending Christmas in Auckland as we were reconnecting with our family.

Generally speaking, conversation was great, so long as you don’t mention the elephant in the room. That is, don’t mention, mandates, Covid, vaccines or the government, just avoid those topics, and you are sure to have a pleasant conversation. Did you find it the same? maybe not so much your family, but is it like that with your church family? Simply don’t speak about the uncomfortable. Hopefully it’s not like that, however...

This morning and next week, I’m going to preach to you about living for God’s kingdom. It’s related to Covid and our political climate, insofar as Jesus teaches us how to conduct ourselves in society, for any and all societies. So as you listen along, consider how this might impact or shape the way you engage with others around you, regardless of their political view point or vaccination stance. I’m preaching this morning about how we are to first and foremost love God and then love our neighbour. These two commands will ensure you navigate your conduct through this new year in a way that will bring glory to God, and help you to know if you are living life right.

We will walk through the passage of Luke 10:25-49 this morning and next week Luke 18:9-14, we will see that there were those who love God and thought they were living life right, and how they were challenged by Jesus gaining a valuable life lesson.

Our parable this morning is fairly common to many people. Most people, including non Christians, will have an understanding of what it means to be a ‘Good Samaritan.’ Which on one level is great, people understand and generally appreciate those who show compassion. However, many people miss the depth of what Jesus is saying.

So let’s not miss the depth this morning, rather let us work through the passage together to understand how Jesus’ teaching impacts us today.

First we consider what is happening before it. We should always ask ourselves, What is the context of Jesus’ words? This scene is set during the time of Jesus’ ministry where he has resolved to reach Jerusalem. This means that he is on his journey to fulfill his goal of dying on the cross. The end of Chapter 9 tells us the mindset of Jesus, that he is prepared to be delivered into the hands of men. Therefore his teaching here is contextually focused on his work on the Cross. But more on that soon.

This sermon is split into three parts: The Law, the Neighbor and God.

The Law

Luke 10:25-28

Part 1: The lawyer and Jesus (Love of God and Neighbor)

Verse 25: And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Putting Jesus to the test is not so uncommon, God occasionally invites man and Satan to test Jesus in order that his faithfulness and sovereignty may be displayed. In this case it is through a lawyer who might otherwise be known as a scribe. That is basically someone who is well knowledgeable of the Old Testament law. Through this man, God displays his faithfulness and sovereignty through the laws of Moses. Let’s have a look at how God uses this discussion to do so.

The man asks: What shall I do to inherit eternal life?

The concern for the lawyer is in regards to his spiritual life, his eternal well-being, that is the defining issue of the passage. We must keep that in mind as we read Jesus’ response to that question.

Jesus says: What is written in the Law? How do you read it?

Quoting from Deuteronomy and Leviticus our lawyer says:

“You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself.”

This is the text book answer. The lawyer has spoken the truth when he says these words. For we see in both the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, Jesus is recorded to have said the same words when asked “What is the greatest commandment”. Jesus says in Matthew 22:37-40 and similarly in Mark 12:29-31

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

So Jesus says to our lawyer: “You have answered correctly, do this and you will live”

Now our lesson could have ended there, however for the benefit of everyone, our lawyer does not leave it there. In fact he asks a question that leads to the famous parable where Jesus reveals much about the kingdom of God. The lawyer asks “Who is my neighbor?” A question asked by a man who knew the right answer to ultimate question of what must I do to inherit eternal life. Trying to justify himself as we know much about the self righteous attitudes of the Jewish leaders and scribes. An attitude that Jesus addresses in his response to the neighbor question.

So our first point of this passage is that it’s not difficult to understand the “what” of inheriting eternal life is about. That it is entirely possible for someone to define in simple terms what is to be done to inherit eternal life. It is also clear in this first part that the “how” that is practiced is causing confusion.

Which bring us to the next main heading, Loving the neighbor. In a simple illustration Jesus gives an example of what loving a neighbor looks like in practice.

Loving the Neighbor

Luke 10:29-37

Part 2: The Samaritan does what is written in the law (Loving the Neighbor)

Setting the scene, Jesus depicts a very real scenario that is likely a familiar scene to the audience. Half dead man on the side of the road beaten by robbers, not a far fetched idea. Then using the example of two generic religious men a priest and a Levite, men who would be have been especially familiar with the law as the lawyer understands it, sees this half dead man but do not lend any help.

Jesus’ use of a Samaritan here has much undertone in it. Samaritans are a Hebrew religious group that lived according to Old testament law . However, they are seen as outsiders to the Jewish community for a variety of reasons, one being their intermarriage of outsiders long before Jesus’ day, an act which renders them unrighteous according to Jewish custom. In fact, there’s lots to learn of the history of Samaritans but for our purposes today it helpful to know that our Samaritan is an outcast in the eyes of the lawyer.

The actions of our Samaritan described by Jesus show a generous level of care. Moved by the compassion he had for this stranger in his trouble. Our Samaritan bounds his wounds, pours oil and wine, sets him on his animal and financially provides for his care. All of this done with no mention of requesting a return. More so, he leaves our half dead man with an open check book, “whatever more you spend” That’s a lot of attention and resources given to the stranger. That’s a lot of sacrifice for the sake of another.

Jesus then throws it back on the lawyer, after describing the actions of loving a neighbor, he asks “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”

We can notice here, the depth of our lawyers issue with what he’s heard. The lawyer can’t even bring himself to say it was the Samaritan. He says instead, “The one who showed him mercy.” That’s a rather striking attitude. And Jesus doesn’t leave it there, he instructs the lawyer to emulate the example of the Samaritan. That’s a heavy blow to the lawyer, who began his dialogue confidently trying to put Jesus to the test.

So, Jesus teaches us much about the attitudes to which a Christian life should display, no less in this parable we get a clear indication of how one should live. That is, by sacrificially loving our neighbor as ourselves. That all seems clear and easy to understand, be a good Samaritan. That’s a good conclusion of the lesson, but have you ever tried? Maybe once or twice you’ve helped a neighbour, and that’s fantastic. But I guarantee that you have not always done so. In fact I bet you’ve walked passed a person in need and failed to give them a dollar or some form of help because for what ever reason, you didn’t have time, you weren’t able to stop, whatever it may be, you have been the passing priest and Levite.

but do you know why? Have you considered what makes this lesson so profound? Do you see what makes this good Samaritan worthy of Jesus to say “go and do likewise.”

This parable is not about you or me with a simple here’s a model for how to live, therefor go live it. Rather this is a parable about Jesus and the kingdom of God. We can in no way live as the good Samaritan without first understanding who we are in this story, you know how we always like to place ourselves in the story like. We might think, yea I’m pretty compassionate, I’m a Good Samaritan or mate, I’m the priest or Levite I’ve definitely walked past helpless people.

Let me explain that we are in fact the left for dead man on the side of the road. Beaten and broken, unable to save ourselves, longing for hope. This parable started with the first question of what must I do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds to this by asking about the law. A law that is summed up in two sentences. But also a law that is fulfilled by one man’s death on a cross.

Jesus’ death on the cross is the ultimate act of compassion and love for his neighbors, the ultimate act of love for God. Jesus dies to make the sacrifice for all sin. A loving act that no one else could ever do. He does this for his heavenly father to restore the relationship between God and man broken with Adam and Eve. Jesus’ death needed to happen. Following that his Resurrection proves it all to be true. He took our sin and died the death we deserve, but he didn’t stay dead. No he defeated death and rose again.

You see the good Samaritan in this story is Jesus. It is Jesus who shows compassion and lays down the payment for us. It is Jesus who provides the comfort and hope of rescue. The unlikely hero who no one would expect to save the day, Jesus saves the weak, the broken, the beaten. Jesus goes out of his way to do it, he sacrifices that which is rightfully his and gives it for us.

You see, Luke is recording the events that happen on the way to Jerusalem. Jesus is about to be delivered into the hands of men, for the rescue of all mankind. This parable was spoken while Jesus was alive so of course the focus is on the existing law because Jesus had not fulfilled it yet. However, we read this on the other side of the resurrection.

Hold on Joe, so what are you saying about the parable? Should we live as the Good Samaritan? Yes, yes of course we should. Because we have been rescued by Jesus, we have been saved by his compassion for us, therefore we should emulate the compassion of the Samaritan who is showing the Christ-like sacrificial love for his neighbors. For we must remember that it is not us who can save a dead man for eternal life. It is only God who can do that. Our job is to love others as God has loved us. The good Samaritan is an example of Christ’s love for others that we should emulate. For it is the Samaritan who does what is written in the law.

But wait there’s more. Luke doesn’t end the thought train there. You see at some point they decided to put these little heading in the bibles, they are both helpful and distracting. Because Luke’s next paragraph about Mary and Martha is not a random moment, rather the example for the first part of the lawyers answer to the eternal life question. Love the Lord your God.

Loving God

Luke 10:38-42

Part 3: Mary does what is written in the law (Loving God)

Luke records for us a moment where Jesus is invited into the home of Martha during one of his preaching tours. Martha’s sister Mary is also home and she listens to Jesus as he is teaching. Luke writes that “Martha was distracted with much serving.” Martha was not listening to Jesus, rather she was serving the guests. Similar to today, hosts of the house would be expected to serve their guests, in this time it was predominately the women who would take on that role while the men would be expected to remain in the presence of their guest.

So Mary here is doing something that is not culturally accepted as a norm. Martha is clearly upset by this so she interrupts Jesus to say “Lord do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” Typically Martha’s response to Mary’s actions would be warranted because Mary has left Martha to do the work alone. However Jesus’ response, as he typically does in many situations, Jesus gives a culturally reverse response:

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus acknowledges Martha’s feelings but shows her that Mary’s desire to listen to his teaching is more important than attending to whatever Martha is doing. Remember the context of this moment. What must I do to inherit eternal life? The answer is Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul. Mary provides an example of Loving God by listening to him. Hearing his word. Not being distracted by cultural expectations, rather being present with God.

So what does loving God look like? This is an example that loving God looks like listening to his word. For us today that is reading his written word. Not being distracted by all that society expects you to do as cultural custom, rather prioritize God’s word. Make that more important than doing what others expect of you. In this scene it is Mary who does what is written in the law.

Remember this is one recorded example in a list of many. God wanted us to read and learn about what it means to inherit eternal life through the story of the Good Samaritan and Martha and Mary’s moment.

To summarize the lesson of this passage, Understand that an Authentic Christian life is defined not by what we able to say about God, that is what you post on social media or things you might tell others. But rather an authentic Christian life is defined by a love for God and for others.

My encouragement here for you regarding politics and Covid is to read Jesus’ words to Martha and lay aside your anxieties and worries, and spend time with Jesus. Read your bible, pray, love others. Do this and live.

Look it’s the start of a new year, maybe you have big plans that are new, maybe you’re three years into a five year plan or maybe you’re just winging it. However you start your year off, whatever plans you make or don’t make, you must remember one thing. Live for God’s kingdom not this world. Live for God

And how might I do that you ask?

“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 your neighbor as yourself.”