## Becoming a Caring Church (pt 2)

## Luke 10:25-37

Everyone wants to be part of a caring church. I suppose it is also true that every church wants to be a caring church. However, caring churches are made up of caring individuals. If we are going to be a caring church, the kind of church that makes an impact on the lives of other people, each of us must learn to care for others.

I. Characteristics of Caring People (vv.33-37).

A. Caring People Put Aside Prejudices v.33a.

1. Jesus tells us that the third man to come down the road was "a Samaritan."

a. Samaritans were half-breed Jews.

b. They were a race of people who had Jewish ancestry on one side and Canaanite on the other.

c. Because of the mixed blood, Jews hated Samaritans.

d. The feeling of hatred was mutual.

2. The fact that the wounded man was Jewish didn't seem to bother the "Samaritan" at all.

3. When someone is hurting, a caring person put his prejudices aside.

a. Jesus died for all men regardless of race, color, social or economic standards.

b. Like it or not, many of us still have some prejudices.

c. Some have gone to great lengths to biblically prove that it is acceptable.

d. Note: The KKK burn crosses!

B. Caring People Notice Other's Pain (v.33b).

1. Notice specifically that this verse says:

a. The Samaritan when he "came where he was... saw him."

b. Unlike the "priest" and the "Levite" it seems that he came over to inspect the man.

2. Imagine this Samaritan, carefully making his way down this desolate dirt road, constantly looking out for bandits when he hears a groaning along the roadside.

3. Disregarding his own safety, he went over to see what made the sound and there he found a beaten man, naked and "half dead."

4. The Samaritan is an example to us in that he took time to see what was wrong.

a. Too often we are like the "priest" and "Levite".

b. We are so caught up in our own plans that we don't even notice when someone else is hurting.

c. When they speak of their pain, we want to change the subject quickly.

d. Caring people are always looking for ways to serve others.

C. Caring People Take Time to be Compassionate (v.33c).

1. Notice a key phrase in this verse.

2. The Samaritan "had compassion."

a. "Compassion" literally means "a yearning within.

b. Jesus had that same "compassion" for the multitudes.

3. God's people need "compassion" today, a deep empathy, a lump-in-the-throat, I'll-do-anything-I-can feeling for others.

4. Are we willing to help the wife that lost her husband, the dad who lost his job, the single mother etc...

5. When we exercise compassion, we not only are a blessing to others, but it benefits us as well.

Two men were heading by dog sled to their outpost in Alaska. They were both in danger of freezing to death. As they were going along, they came upon someone who was apparently nearly frozen. One said to the other, "Let's stop and help him." The other said, "No, if we stop and help him, we will surely freeze to death and never make it." The one who wanted to help said, "Let me off here and you go ahead." He got off the dog sled as his companion continued. He tried to revive the dying man by massaging his arms and legs in order to get the blood circulating in his body. The effort he expended in massaging the man's limbs gave him the physical heat that he needed to keep from freezing to death. The snowstorm was soon over and the two were safe, but down the path was a dead man with a dog sled... all alone. We are never more like Jesus than when we exhibit compassion.

D. Caring People Get Involved (v.34).

1. The Samaritan "went to him." He didn't pass by.

2. He chose to involve himself.

3. He "bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine".

a. "Oil" probably olive oil, was widely used by people of this period as a medicine to sooth the pain of open wounds.

b. "Wine" was used as an antiseptic to keep wounds clean and prevent infection.

4. Next, the Samaritan "set him on his own animal."

a. We assume he traveled with a donkey.

b. Instead of riding, he allowed this Jew, his racial enemy to ride while he walked.

5. The Samaritan "brought him to an inn and took care of him."

a. There were no hospitals, no emergency rooms, no ambulances, no 911 as we know today.

b. There was no place to drop this victim off.

c. So, the Samaritan rented a room in an "inn" and cared for the man as best he could.

d. In our culture it is so easy to be isolated.

1) It's easy to look the other way when we see a homeless person with a sign.

2) It's easy to refer a person in need to a relief organization.

3) It's easy to forget to pray for or call or visit a fellow church member going through a difficult time.

4) But Jesus got involved in the lives of people.

E. Caring People are not Stingy (v.35).

1. Notice that on "the next day" when the Samaritan got ready to leave, he paid the innkeeper and said

2. "Take care of him and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you."

3. Note only did he care for the man, but he paid the bill!

4. Jesus is not stingy either; He is typified in this Samaritan.

a. He paid our sin debt with His own life.

b. Jesus paid it all! All to Him I owe! Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow!"

F. Jesus asks an Easy Question (vv.36-37).

1. Finishing the parable, Jesus turned to lawyer and asked, " Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?"

2. The lawyer answered, "And he said, He that shewed mercy on him."

3. Jesus responded, "Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."

4. If we want Jesus' blessing, if we want to be a caring church, we must go and do likewise."

III. Six Steps in Becoming a Caring Person.

A. Identify People who need your Care.

1. Sit down and make a list of the needs of people around you:

2. Consider your family, the church, your neighbors...

B. Second, Reach Out to Others, Don't Wait for Them to come to You.

1. In church you should shake their hand and introduce yourself.

2. Take time to get to know them.

3. Most people are private.

4. They will not ever bother you with their burdens until you take time to get involved with them.

C. Communicate Beyond the Superficial Level.

1. When we meet someone it okay to "talk about the weather."

2. However, as we develop a relationship, pursue depth by asking meaningful questions.

D. Fourth, Empathize with Them.

GALATIANS 6:2 "BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS, AND SO FULFIL THE LAW OF CHRIST."

1. Let them know that you are willing to help them.

2. Get under their load with them.

E. Fifth, Listen without Judging.

1. Good listening requires concentration, hearing what is not said as well as that which is said.

2. It involves eye contact and body language.

3. By trying to communicate in this way, we can hear a person's heart, needs, and anxieties.

F. Sixth, Respond with a Caring Gift.

1. Give something tangible that says, "I'm praying for you" or "I'm thinking of you."

2. It might be a card, a book, a bookmark... anything they can hold in their hands and be reminded they are not alone.

Everyone wants to be a part of a caring church. But I remind you that the church is made up of its individual members. This church is totally different from every other church in the world, because no other church in the world has the people that we have in this church. Grace Baptist Temple is merely a reflection of the membership.

Are we a caring church or a cold chuch? Do we comfort or condemn? Are we concerned with others or ourselves? Come tonight, whatever the need might be.