Who Is My Neighbor?

When you are accused of something or confronted with your sin, do you get defensive? Do you feel unjustly accused? What if you feel the conviction of sin in light of the holiness of God? Do you try to justify your sin?
Where do you go with your guilt and shame?

The parable of the Good Samaritan is very well known. People inside and outside of the church know it, so it is easy to gloss over its message. While this parable challenges us to care for others, that is not the main point. The point of the parable is to give bad news to people who think they are good. It is meant to show that we have not loved as we should have loved and that we cannot love like we should in and of ourselves. 

The context of the parable is the lawyer’s question – “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The bigger context is Jesus’ response to the seventy He sent to share the good news. They came back rejoicing. Jesus
told them to rejoice that their names are written in Heaven. The gospel had been revealed to them, and they believed. God hides the gospel message of the proud, but He reveals the gospel to those who come in
humility. (Luke 10:1-24)

Sermon Outline
1. Take an honest look in the mirror. Vs. 25 - 29
2. Look to God’s mercy to make you a loving neighbor. Vs. 30-37