St James, Westgate.
Gospel : Luke 10:25-37 THE GOOD SAMARITAN
Christ our Good Samaritan (despised and rejected, John 4:9; 8:48)
1. WE SEE HOW CHRIST CURES US
Satan has attacked us and robbed us (of eternal life) and left us half dead
(only physically alive). Christ alone can save us:
a. He pours in Wine. (antiseptic)
The Wine represents His blood shed for our sins when He died on the Cross,
forgiving us and restoring us to eternal life. Are you saved by the Blood?
b. He pours in Oil. (emollient)
The Oil represents the unction of the Holy Spirit, soothing and sanctifying
our traumatised souls. Are you sanctified by the Spirit?
2. WE SEE HOW CHRIST CARRIES US
Christ's own beast was a donkey, when He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to
die for us.
a. He Saves Stricken Souls.
The cross on the animal's back was a visual reminder of the purpose of His
journey.
b. He Sanctifies Saved Souls.
He does not save us and then leave us to flounder. He bears us up on the wings
of the Holy Spirit, to have fellowship with him and with his people in his
church.
3. WE SEE HOW CHRIST CARES FOR US [Take care of him...]
He sets us in a caring Church fellowship:
a. This provides a Hotel for Converted sinners.
Is our church a place which welcomes newly-saved sinners?
b. This provides a Hotelier for Convalescent Christians.
Are our church members people who can minister to the new members' needs? The
ministry of encouragement is a most important ministry which we all can engage
in.
4. WE SEE HOW CHRIST WILL CALL FOR US [When I come...]
a. Christ is no man's Debtor.
He has already given the wherewithal (his 2 denarii) to provide for the care
of casualties; but whatsoever we spend more, He will repay!
b. Christ is no man's Forgetter.
He promises to repay the hotelier "when I return". No-one serves God for
nothing. Job didn't (Job 1:9); nor shall we!
____________________________________________________________________________
In Christ,
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick, BA CF
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
