The Best of Jesus

Questions 

Pastor Terry Fulks

April 21, 2024

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” 

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” 

Luke 10:25–37 ESV

Here are two insights into the pattern Jesus established of responding with questions and affirmation to people’s questions. 

• Jesus responds to the lawyer’s first question. 

How to receive eternal life? 

1. Jesus responded with a question.
2. Jesus responds with affirmation and command.

2. Jesus’ response to the second question. 

Who is my neighbor? 

1. Jesus responds with a parable.

• The victim
• The religious men
• The Samaritan  

1. Jesus asks a question.
2. Jesus responds with affirmation and command. 

Points to ponder: 

• Jesus’ answer to – “how do I inherit eternal life?” – would be very different today, post-cross. 
• The question of “how to gain eternal life and who is my neighbor?” is very relevant for today.
• The psychological makeup of the lawyer of wanting to justify himself is very much in play today. 
• What question do you have for Jesus? 
• Jesus’ teaching is very clear that one must be born from above in order to gain eternal life. 
• Would you like to receive the free gift of eternal life? 

Connection Prayer:  Thank you God that you can give me life and eternal life as a free gift. I now, with what faith I have, confess that you Jesus died on the cross for my sins, were buried, and rose from the dead on the third day. I take you as my Savior, Lord, and Leader. Please forgive me of my sins and thank you for your forgiveness. Help me to follow you all the days of my life. Amen.  

Next steps for the new believer: 

1. If you prayed the connection prayer with me:
   1. Pick up a new believer pack as you leave.
   2. Read John 3, three times before you go to bed tonight. 
   3. Read the gospel of John all the way through by reading about ten verses a day. 

Next steps for the follower of Christ:

1. Who do you need to show mercy to?  
2. God was a good neighbor to you by giving you mercy, therefore give thanks to God for being a merciful God. 
3. Review the sermon notes twice this week. 
4. Pray that God will continue to give you a merciful heart. 

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