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INTRO: famous story answers an important question – what must I do to inherit eternal life?
(Luke 10:25)
– Lawyer’s brilliant summary (Luke 10:27)
– Jesus’ response (Luke 10:28)
– Love God
– Love neighbour – what does this mean?
STORY:
⁃ Three characters: all on their way somewhere
⁃ Two knew the Law but didn’t stop
⁃ The Samaritan stopped
⁃ Why? (Luke 10:33)
⁃ Samaritan’s heart was moved enough to stop what he was doing
⁃ This is what he did: (Luke 10:34)
⁃ He paused his own agenda and made the other person’s need and agenda his own
KEY TO ETERNAL LIFE:
⁃ Not about what you know or say
⁃ It’s your heart
⁃ Is your heart moved by the suffering of a stranger?
⁃ Real test: when it’s inconvenient
⁃ Are you able to be inconvenienced for the needs of others?
⁃ Very difficult
CHALLENGE OF MODERN LIFE:
⁃ Slaves to our schedule and needs
⁃ It can be overwhelming
⁃ I’m tired at end of day from the demands placed on me – on my couch
⁃ Modern life: you become center of your life
ISSUE: only attending to your own needs shrinks your heart
⁃ Result: heart becomes more numb and indifferent to others
⁃ Not moved by suffering of others
PROBLEM:
⁃ Life driven by self, not concerned with others – can get by, maybe even be content
⁃ But something missing: real joy
⁃ Eg. Kollaboration after parties
JESUS’ PROMISE:
⁃ Why are we here at church?
⁃ Because I believe we want something more than life as it is now
⁃ We believe in Jesus’ promise
⁃ Jesus’ promise: eternal life
⁃ Looks like: (3 passages)
⁃ Life that’s overflowing
THE KEY TO ETERNAL LIFE:
⁃ Love God, love neighbour
⁃ Begins with heart that’s able to feel and be moved by needs of sometimes else
⁃ Compassion (definition): suffering with another
⁃ Heart willing and able to be inconvenienced by the needs of another
HEART NEEDS TO BE TRAINED:
⁃ Heart is a spiritual muscle
⁃ Needs to be trained
⁃ Needs to exercise
⁃ Eg. Hyung triathlon
⁃ How?
PUT SELF IN SITUATIONS WHERE NEEDS OF OTHERS TAKE CENTRE STAGE
⁃ Missions is clear example of this
⁃ Sioux Valley: completely adaptable to whatever the need or situation is
⁃ Summer camp is a mission: counsellors driven by needs of kids
⁃ Eg. Field trip to Centre Island – long trip, washroom needs at Union Station
⁃ (Lesson? Don’t go there if no funding)
⁃ Other ways: just serve – let the agenda of the community take first place, not your own agenda
⁃ Seminary trend: counselling – control of your serving; serving Church – you’re bound to it
⁃ Serving is tiring: but need to do it to go against life that shrinks the heart
SITUATIONS OF SERVING CREATE OPPORTUNITY TO LOVE GOD
⁃ Twofold commandment: love neighbour, love God
⁃ When trying to love neighbour, you’ll see the smallness of your heart
⁃ So difficult to put needs of others at forefront
⁃ At this point, two choices:
⁃ (1) give up trying to serve, leave burnt out and disillusioned; OR
⁃ (2) turn to God, seek God, give your heart to God, seek God’s power to change your heart
⁃ Seeking God becomes prayer
⁃ Luke 11:13 – Holy Spirit
TASTE OF ETERNAL LIFE
⁃ Week 2 of summer camp was great
⁃ It was hard work
⁃ I’m so thankful for all of our volunteer counsellors who gave themselves for the kids and allowed their needs to come first
⁃ Because they gave of themselves, everyone experienced and tasted joy of bonds with children
⁃ Joy that can’t be measured with dollars
⁃ Fullness in hearts
⁃ That’s what eternal life is about
⁃ Something deeper, more fulfilling
Jesus came to give us eternal life
⁃ Eternal quality of life here on earth
⁃ A life that will not perish once our mortal bodies pass away
⁃ A life that’s worth living
That is Jesus’ promise
The key to eternal life is your heart
Ask God to change it so you can live
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