Sermon Notes...Saved People SOW (3 of 3)

Scriptural Text... Luke 10:30-37 (New Living Translation)  Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. ³¹ “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. ³² A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. ³³ “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. ³⁴ Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ ³⁶ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. ³⁷ The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Introduction: Everybody that's talking about heaven, isn't going there! Saved People do much more than talk about heaven; they live on earth with the quality of a citizen of heaven. Our actions are predicated on the law of sowing (planting) and reaping (harvesting). We believe that if we do good things, that God will be pleased with the way we live and that our well will never run dry.

Transition: This familiar story is told by Jesus, in response to a question from a biblical expert about how to get to heaven. Jesus sets the scene by telling us about a group of people that talked about heaven but wasn't going there; one person who lived like he was already in heaven and was going there and one person who was in need of life-saving ministry.

Exposition: Our text exposes in the least, two powerful principles about how and where Saved People SOW...

1) SOW from our possessions generously
-Ministry done in excellence, requires kind hearts, willing minds and open wallets!
-You shouldn't talk about what could and should be done, if you won't invest in your interest.
-We give to men (innkeeper) for men (victim)...Men in this context isn't masculine but speaks of humanity.

2) SOW into other people selflessly
-The good Samaritan is such a serious sower, that he stopped what he was doing (passion), got off of his beast (common ground), and he sows good seeds by offering a harsh solution (wine that burns) and then a healing salve (oil that soothes).

Conclusion: Who are you sowing into and what ministry is operable because of your investment?