Living a True Religion

by Reid Tait
Midland SDA Church  July 18, 2009 

1. According to Desire of Ages page 497 “He (Jesus) shows that it (true religion) consists not in systems, creeds, or rites, but in the performance of loving deeds, in bringing the greatest good to others in genuine goodness.

2. Am I my brother’s keeper? Genesis 4:9—The Living Bible puts the answer this way—“How should I know?” Cain retorted. “Am I supposed to keep track of him wherever he goes?”

3. To the Jews a brother or neighbor was a fellow Jew—excluded everyone else.

4. Read Luke 10:25-27. The Lawyer’s is quoting Lev. 19:18

5. Was the Lawyer correct? Verse 28

6. Why didn’t the lawyer stop with Jesus’ answer?

7. Pray

8. Who is my neighbor? The Lawyer asks.

9. When a person brings up quibbling questions to which he obviously knows , or could know, the answers, it is usually evident that he is under conviction and is casting about for some reason or excuse for not doing what conscience tells him he should do. In the thinking of the lawyer and Jewish leaders, heathen and Samaritans were excluded from the category of “neighbor”; their problem was to determine which of the fellow Israelites they should consider as “neighbors”. (Publican—money changer—the unlearned). Who is your neighbor? Who do you need to care for and watch over?

10. Our destiny is determined by our obedience to the whole law. Supreme love to God and impartial love to man. These are the principles to be brought in our lives.

11. Like us the Lawyer found himself a law breaker. He was convicted under Christ’s searching words. The righteousness of the law, which he claimed to understand, he had not practiced. He had not manifested love toward his fellow man. Repentance was needed—it was demanded; but instead of repenting, he tried to justify himself. Rather than acknowledge the truth, he sought to show how difficult of fulfillment the commandment is. Thus he hoped both to parry conviction and to vindicate himself in the eyes of the people that had gather to hear Jesus

12. Now the age old question? “Who is my neighbor?” verse 29.

13. Still asked today, but answered 2000 years ago.

14. The Samarian Story was about two of the people who were in the group of listeners. It was a true story.

a. Both men were of the class specially chosen to be representatives of God to the people. They were to “deal gently with those who are ignorant and on them that are going astray.” Heb. 5:2, that they (we) might lead men to understand God’s great love toward humanity.

b. We are to preach the gospel to the poor, we are to heal the broken hearted by showing love and concern, to preach deliverance to the captives, and to set at liberty them that are bruised. Should we do the same? Shouldn’t we have compassion! Aren’t we obligated to show God’s love to others.

c. When the story end, Jesus asks the question “Luke 10:36, 37 NIV “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” Even than the lawyer could not bring himself to say “the Samaritan”. So fellow believers—if we are living a true Christian life we will what” Perform loving deeds which will bringing the greatest good to others in genuine goodness. Genuine goodness comes from who? God! For God is Love!

15. The lesson is still needed in the world today than when it fell from the lips of Jesus. Selfishness and cold formality have almost extinguished the fire of love. Many who say they are followers of Christ and claim the name of Christian are not. We can be in church every Sabbath, give our tithe and offering, teach a Sabbath school class, even preach a sermon once in a while and not be a Christian. True Christians will sacrifice their time, their talents, and their means to relieve suffering, to help a lost person to find their way to the loving Jesus, to reclaim those who have lost their way, show love for the down trodden.

16. In the story of the good Samaritan, Jesus gave a picture of Himself and His mission. Man had been deceived, bruised, robbed, and ruined by Satan, and left to perish, but the Savior had compassion on our helpless condition. He left heaven to come and save us. He found us ready to die and He healed our wounds. He covered us with His robe of righteousness. He opened to us a refuge of safety, and made complete provision for us at His own expense. He died to redeem us. Now He says to us as He did His followers 2000 years ago. “This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:17 and John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another as I have loved you.”

17. Jesus when he sent out the twelve to witness to the lost sheep of Israel in Matthew 10 He reminded them in verse 8 “Freely you have received, freely give.” NIV—The RSV puts it this way ”You received without paying, give without pay.” The precious message of Christ’s love and His soon coming is our responsibility to give.

18. In DA on page 504 is the follow statement: “There are many who err, and who feel their shame and their folly. They are hungry for words of encouragement. They look upon their mistakes and errors, until they are driven almost to desperation. These souls we are not to neglect. If we are Christians, we shall not pass by on the other side, keeping as far as possible from the very ones who most need our help. When we see human beings in distress, whether through affliction or through sin, we shall never say. This does not concern me.”

19. Christians have another responsibility which is found in Paul’s letter to the Galatians in 6:1. RSV “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of GENTLENESS.” Brothers and sisters by faith and prayer fight the power of Satin. Speak words of faith and encouragement to those who are bruised and wounded. There are many who have become faint and discouraged in the great struggle of life. One word of kindly cheer can have a strengthening effect so they can overcome the Evil one.

20. DA 505: “Never should we pass by one suffering soul without seeking to impart to him of the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God.”

21. “If any one says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should love his brother also.” 1 John 4:20, 21 RSV. In Luke 10:27 Love our neighbor as yourself. Ask yourself do I really love my brother and sister in the church family, do I really care. Do I love my neighbor as myself? Remember love is action!

22. The Adventist Review had a cover article by Mark Kellner titled “Church Dropouts is there any Hope”. The following are a few statements and observations from his artical:

a. People feel cut off from the rest of the body of Christ. One example he gave was a dedicated church member, legally blind, stopped attending his church when promised weekly transportation fell through. Priorities—let someone else do it syndrome. Tell me brothers and sisters—no one cared enough to take the time to help.

b. In one case, according to Paul Richardson, the North American Davison’s coordinator for “reconnecting ministries, described the experience of a member who, when he tried to return to his Adventist congregation, received a bracing welcome from a “greeter” in the church’s lobby: quote—“You’re on the fast track to hell. What are you doing here?” Now how is that for a friendly greeting? Do you think the person came back? I doubt it.

c. There are some who stop coming due to personal crisis and fail to find help in their congregations. “They quit attending, hoping someone will call or knock on the door and give some emotional support.” Are you the one who should knock? The article went on to say “after a period of time, six weeks to three months, they say, ‘well, forget them,’ and emotionally cut ties and reinvest the time and energy into going somewhere else. I can speak to this one from a personal experience. When I was 6 years old, my father drown in a boating incident. My mother during the great depression of the 30s was left to raise two boys by herself. My mother set on the porch in Flint, Michigan doing nothing, but feeding and putting her two boys to bed. This behavior continued for more than two weeks. No-no one stopped or called from the church she attended. She ceased to be part of the church. When I talked with her years later I asked her why she did not attend church, she remarked “Why go to church? They did nothing for me when I needed them!” A Christian thinks, talks and acts with genuine goodness because he or she walks with Jesus. Jesus saw the needs of the people sinful as they were. Do we love the sinner and hate the sin? Do we act when we see the need. We need to walk the walk and talk the talk. Caring love is action.

23. Mark Finley, a general vice president of the General Conference is quoted as “Love does not wait for new members to return, it passionately pursues them. Care must replace complacency.” Friends love is active.

24. Among us are those who are lonely, many who are elderly, some are new to the faith, some have questions—do you have the answer—do we even care.

25. We will be having meetings starting in September. Will you be there? Some may ask what difference does it make if I attend. A lot! You may be the one that a new person can relate too, the one that speaks the kind word or will you be the priest or publican who went to the other side. Pastor Bentley needs your support. I hope all of us will be the Christian who cares, doesn’t worry about the question of who is my neighbor, and is a person who performs loving deeds to bring the greatest good to others in genuine goodness living a true Christ centered religion.