Theme: When we encounter suffering or wrongdoing, we are to take charge by expressing faith through love, which involves giving of ourselves.
Key words: Life, Law, Love, Low, Likewise
Introduction: Certified as a personal trainer. You are taught to tell a client how to do a particular exercise. Show them how to do it. Then let them do it. We first are introduced to a concept. Then our senses are exposed to the concept, so that we see the concept expressed in the flesh. Then we are invited to engage our whole being, our entire kinetic chain in the task. So it is with the Christian life. We our introduced to the concepts of the Christian life through Scripture and various types of readings and catechisms. We will see such a life that models these ideals. But, at the end of the day, if it is going to become realized in our own lives, we must do it ourselves. We must put what we say we believe into action. Our faith must be expressed in love if we are to know and experience the beautiful, liberating, joy-giving life that is in Christ Jesus.
Outline:
1. Question is posed to Jesus by the student of the Jewish law how to inherit life, specifically eternal life. Two meanings to the Greek word used in that verse, which is Aionian:
a. Eternal – Everlasting life
b. Aionian – Eon – Ages – Life here on earth
2. The answer is in the law – written on paper and in the heart
a. Law is written on paper in the Torah, Books of History, Poetic writings Prophets of Old Testament, but it also is written in our hearts
b. Jeremiah 31:33 – 33 – “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
c. Ezekiel 36:26 – 26 – “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
3. The law is love
a. Deuteronomy 6:5 – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
b. Leviticus 19:18 – “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.”
4. Love means to go low
a. Love is a verb, we here, and that is so true. As the great Cole Porter tells us in one of his songs, “Let’s do it. Let’s fall in love.” Love is about actively loving. Taking a risk and loving. Let’s do it. Means to take charge of the situation and introduce love into the equation, to the situation, and not just waiting for something good to happen.
b. Love is labor. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 – “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Love that is all talk is just a clanging symbol. 1 John 3:18 – “Dear children, let us love not only with word or with our tongue, but also in action and truth.”
c. Love is faith expressed through your work. You trust that doing the right thing brings life. What is doing the right thing? Sacrificing yourself for your another. Galatians 5:6b – “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” 13-15 – “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
d. Love is the lowest task for the highest good. See what the Good Samaritan did. “10:34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 10:35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’” Jesus us invites us to look at his example. John 13. Jesus washes disciples’ feet. John 13:12 – “12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.”
5. The Good Samaritan went low, we should do likewise.
a. Do not do as the Levite and the priest who crossed to the other side and hurried on
b. To take charge is to engage, assess the situation, and through faith expressed as love, go low, show mercy through giving to the one who is hurting.
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