Pastor Patrick Owens
Luke 10:2 :25-29 29 “ 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Luke 10:2 :25-29 29 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
Luke 10:2 :25-29 29 27 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.’ ”
Luke 10:2 :25-29 29 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
Luke 10:2 :25-29 29 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
• Who qualifies to be my neighbor? To justify himself, he asks…
• Who is clean, worthy of my association? To justify himself, he asks…
• What about “non - jews ,” foreigners, other races, people who look different, have “strange” customs, different skin, different clothing/apparel, different habits, different music To justify himself, he asks… styles…?
Luke 10:33-34 34 “33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
Luke 10:33-34 34 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him .”
• Jesus does not answer “who” but “how.”
• Jesus answers with a story. • A Samaritan • Went to him • He took care of him
“The first question the priest and Levite asked was, “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me? But the Good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop and help this man, what will happen to him?’” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ~Heart of gospel is loving people — even those different — especially those different!
Racism, Bigotry, Partiality, Preju judice • Taught not born with it. • No gene for it. • Not a SKIN issue, but a SIN issue. • “But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.” (James 2:9 NLT)
1. Recognize any Prejudice • Prejudice – (Pre-judging) Pre-conceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience with a person. • Rich people are snobs. • Heavy people are lazy. • Younger generation does not work. • Mega pastors are crooks. • Older/Younger people can’t teach me. • White guys cannot jump. • Men/Women cannot/always _________.
2. Seek To Understand • “He saw him… He went to him.” • Don’t be afraid to connect with people who are different. • You don’t have to agree or “copy” to understand!
3. . Love Those Different From You • 1996 – 18 y/o Keisha Thomas, KKK rally in Michigan. • "I knew what it was like to be hurt. The many times that that happened, I wish someone would have stood up for me.“ • She crossed the street to help someone different, even hostile to her. • She believes still that we can daily do small things that break down stereotypes. • "The biggest thing you can do is just be kind to another human being. It can come down to eye contact, or a smile. It doesn't have to be a huge monumental act.”
Racism • Racism – not just the presence of hatred. It is also the absence of love. • “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28) • “...There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb...10And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Rev 7:9 -10)
Romans 10:12-13 13 “12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Growth Group Questions • What is the hardest thing about connecting with people different than me? • How important is it to God that I do this? • How important is it to me? • What steps can I take to connect with and love my “near ones” or “neighbors?” • Could you show love to an “enemy” or person who is otherwise “repulsive” to you?
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