What does it take to be a good Samaritan?

Luke 10:25-37
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

I.  Condition of the stranger


A.  He had been assaulted.
B.  He was naked.
C.  He was wounded.
D. He was left half-dead.
E.  He was abandoned.


Evangelist Farrell reminded us -- no one ever gets saved until they realize they are lost.


II.  How to have compassion of the Good Samaritan


A. Be willing to stop for the emergencies of others.
  ~ Mark 5:30-43 - Realize every day you are on a mission of mercy.


B.  Be on the lookout.
  ~ The first two men (the priest and the Levite) saw danger and how they could be hurt; the Samaritan saw a dying man.


C.  Sense other people's needs
  ~ Jude 22 - Evangelist Farrell said "Compassion is your pain in my heart."


D.  Be willing to sacrifice....
     1) time 

     2) toil * You have to work at evangelism.  Don't be a casual Christian.

     3) treasure * Two pence (in the story) was two (2) days wages.