The 4 G's: God is Good

Recap from last week
• Head, Heart and Hands
• Behind every sin is a lie about God
• God is great – so I don’t have to be in control

God is Good (outline)
I. I Need…
a. What needs do all humans have?
b. Why did God give us needs?
i. To reveal his character (good)

ii. So that we would look to him to provide

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of heavenly lights” James 1:17

I Tim 6:17 “17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

Do you believe that everything good you have comes from God? Even the air you breathe? Does it create in us a posture of thankfulness? Every meal, every sip of water, every breath, is an opportunity to remember that God is good.

iii. To remind us of our need for him

“Ask and it will be given to you. Mt.7:7”
“You do not have because you do not ask God” James 4:2

iv. Our physical needs are signposts to a deeper spiritual need. Let’s read a story that illustrates this truth for us.

II. Samaritan woman (John 4)
a. Read story
b. Questions
i. Where was this woman going to for satisfaction? What was she looking for?
ii. What was the result?
iii. Where did Jesus point her to? (to himself, to worship the true God)
iv. What does this teach us about God? (That he gives true satisfaction through Jesus) Jesus is the ultimate demonstration of God’s goodness. We have a need. God satisfies it.
v. (God’s Spirit)

III. God is Good, so we don’t need to look elsewhere for satisfaction.
a. Idolatry is when we turn a good thing into an ultimate thing

1st Commandment: “Do not have any other God’s before me…You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.” Ex. 20:3, 5. (Same Slide)

i. Sin arises when we desire something else more than we desire God.
ii. In our hearts we worship what we desire rather than worshiping God
iii. God is good VS What I desire is bigger and better than God, I believe it offers more than God offers
iv. What is your “if only” statement? If only… I would be happy. Again, not all desires are bad, but when we turn a good thing into an ultimate thing, it becomes sin.

What are some things we look to for satisfaction instead of believing that God is good, going to him and trusting his provision?

What is the result?

Why do we keep going back to those things?

What would our lives look like if we truly believed that God is good, so we don’t have to look elsewhere for satisfaction?


God desired so much to be our satisfaction that Jesus sacrificed himself so that we could be brought near to God, and sent his very Spirit to live in us. Jesus Christ himself lives in us through his spirit. What else do we need?

IV. God is good, but he is not a divine waiter…
a. True needs vs perceived needs (you do not receive because you do not ask rightly)
b. If I do not have this, God is not good. If this happens, God is not good…
i. “God is not the key to the good life, he IS the good life… God must be desired for his own sake, not as the secret of worldly success.” – Tim Chester
1. Jesus says: I am the way the truth and the life.
2. Jesus says: I have come to give life, abundantly
ii. Paul
2 Cor. 11:23-29 "23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?"

If we look in the following chapter, Paul continues on saying that in order that he wouldn't begin to think too highly of himself for persevering through all these trials, God gave him "a messenger from Satan"and, though Paul asked, God would not take it away. God's response was: 9"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." [And Paul Says] “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”

God's goodness was not dependent on his willingness to alleviate Paul's suffering, but was proved in his grace and his provision of strength to enable Paul to persevere. God did not offer Paul a comfortable life; he offered him Himself.

iii. “God always seeks the best for his people, and that best is himself. Famine, thirst, plagues and conflict are acts of divine love when their aim is to bring us back to God.”
1. Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest.
2. I am the bread of life, the living water
Do you really believe that God Himself is Good? That He alone can truly satisfy the deepest longings of your soul?
Can you say with the psalmist, “As the dear pants for water, so my soul longs after you, Oh, Lord.”

Are you drinking out of the toilet or out of the spring of living water?


V. God created us with needs so that we would look to him to fulfill them and so that he can show his goodness by satisfying those needs. His creation is a part of that provision, and he gives us good gifts to satisfy those needs. But ultimately, those physical needs and provision point us to our deeper need for God himself. Do you believe that God is good? That he has given you everything you need for life and godliness, as his word says? Or are you believing that his provision is not enough? That if you only had that boyfriend, that drug, that new TV, that perfect family, that prestigious job, you would be satisfied?

What do you habitually go to in your life for satisfaction? Where is my discontent showing my lack of belief in the goodness of God?

How do we change? I begin by confessing to God that I have not believed that he is good, but have believed that something else is better than he is and that he has not provided what I need.

Repent in your heart and remind yourself that God is good. When that puff of marijuana is calling, when you are tempted to relieve your heartache through food, sex, money or alcohol, talk to yourself. Tell yourself that God is good, and that you don’t have to look elsewhere for satisfaction. And then do it! Go to him. And the more you do, the more you will be satisfied in him.

Change is about enjoying the freedom from sin and delight in God that God gives to us through Jesus.

Our Dreams

Church can get boring. Jesus never really did. He was fun. His message was simple. He told stories even children could understand, yet somehow The most intellectual people were still challenged by him. He was the only one of his kind and his message changed the world. We dream to put that simple message back into the audio-range of people who want to hear it. There are plenty who are interested in him, and even curious about Christian spirituality, who would never go to a "church." That's why we are here. We believe it is God's purpose to bring change to lives and culture by the simplicity of His Gospel. This Gospel is not a man-made, dry & boring, traditional religion. This Gospel is the message of his saving love for all mankind that was exhibited in the life of Jesus, and is now echoed through the lives of his followers. We want to peel away any beliefs, ideals, or traditions of man that tend to make this gospel more complex than we believe it was meant to be. We want to find the Christ in Christ-ianity. We want to celebrate him and his powerful work just as the early 'apostolic' church did. We believe that there are many out there who feel this way also. if you do, come join us this Thursday, or give us a call/e-mail and let us know what you're thinking. We would love to hear from you.

Wikipedia

Anchor Gaslamp is now on Wikipedia!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchor_Gaslamp

Podcasts

Our Podcasts are back up and running!!!! Oh yeah! Simply go on our main page to the "podbean" player to listen or link to the website. You can also subscribe for free on iTunes. Go to the iTunes Store and type "anchor gaslamp" in the search bar. from there you may listen or download our most recent podcasts for free. You can even put them on your iPod... Anchor-Gaslamp-on-the-go. Let us know what you think.
-Vince

Update as of 07/2008

The Last 2 months here @ Anchor Gaslamp have been eventful to say the least. Exciting. Challenging. Rewarding.

At the Beginning of March we were busy with our weekly Bible Studies ("Word Alive"), which were being held at Westin Horton Plaza. We were at the end of our expository series on the Life of Christ through Luke. We were able to articulate a lot of our core values, mission, and doctrinal stances during this exciting series.

We did a number of group activities that brought us together even more as a group during this time, like attending King of Kings, a local church passion play, hanging out together, and even joining with our friends from Epikos Church for a Good Friday Event @ Gamer's Universe. (Gamer's is a local hotspot owned by our friends Scott and Rowie, who have been attending off and on for a couple of months). On St Patrick's Day (Monday 3/17), We Joined in the Gaslamp Festivities…One of the largest block parties of the year, and passed out a few thousand flyers about who we are, what we are trying to do, and info on our 1st service. We had several good responses.

As we geared up for our 1st "preview" service that would launch on Easter (3/23), we received a surprise-call from the senior Editor of Religion and Ethics for San Diego's Largest Newspaper, The Union Tribune. Sandi Dolbee was her name, and she had read a free classified we had posted about our launch service…which was being held in a Nightclub. For some reason this peaked her interest and she asked for an interview with our co-pastor's, Karlton Edison and Vince Larson. The article was a great way for San Diego to see what we were doing, not to mention an incredible source of free advertising. It came out in Saturday's edition, the day before our launch. If you would like to read the article and people's responses go to: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20080322-9999-1c22church.html

Our First Service went unbelievably well. The Nightclub Staff @ Minus-1 was a joy to work with and the atmosphere/ ambience was nothing short of perfect. Nancy Larson set up a nursery in the back. With the absence of a stage/ focal point we arranged the music to the side and the "platform" just across from the bar. Our good friend and multi-talented musician Tony from a neighboring church volunteered to do the music. Everything was set… Then 3 minutes before we started service, Tony somehow sliced his 3 middle fingers on his left hand so deep he should have gotten stitches. With blood gushing, he was down for the count! Vince jumped up on the guitar in a moment's notice (with no power-point since he couldn't play Tony's songs) and led us in worship. Then he rushed from the Music area, with the music stand in hand, and over to the "platform area." There Vince Preached a sermon on Free Grace entitled "Open Bar: It's on the House!"

After Service we went out to the Pacific Ocean and baptized Kashema, our 1st convert, in the Name of Jesus!

We had a number of visitors who have returned to our second service and many other events. At first we planned on having one service a month, but we are planning on adding a second monthly service because of the overwhelming response.

On our Off Sundays We have been doing community BBQ's, which we advertise well in advance, bring lots of food and games to (Like Volleyball, Horseshoes, and Bocci). The BBQ's have been an incredible success, but our last BBQ was shut down by the police. Apparently we attracted too may of our Homeless friends with the free food. Unbeknownst to us there is a city ordinance against feeding the homeless in public. Some people who lived across the street were unhappy with the large amount of homeless in their park and called the cops. The Police were very nice and told us we could stay, just not to serve food. We obeyed and thanked them for their understanding. A woman in the Park saw all of this and was moved by what we were trying to do, so she came and talked to us for over an hour. After she left she returned with a check for $250 to fund further ventures of the kind…then she picked up a homeless couple we had been talking to and took them to her house to clean out her garage and give them a little work. We wept because of the love and compassion in that woman.

We had our first brainstorming session with our core group in early April. This week, for our Bible Studies, we are beginning our new 10-week series on the Book of Acts called "You Too can be an Action Hero." We are moving from our present location in the Hotel, which costs us $200 a week, and are adding 2 more nights and locations for Bible Studies. We'll meet Tuesday's in Little Italy in Princess Pub & Grille, Wednesday's in Gaslamp @ Starbucks on 5th & F, and Thursdays down in Eastlake. We hop to add a 4th in the next couple of months in North County.

Also this week begins our Bi-weekly Sunday Services in the Gaslamp @ the same Nightclub. Please continue to support us in prayer and finances, as starting a church never falls short in the problems department. There is always a rent or print job to be paid, or a truly lost soul to be loved into Christ.

We Are Learning, Loving, And pressing Forward. We are so excited for what the future holds. God Bless you and thank you for your friendship.

Vince Larson & Karlton Edison
Anchor Gaslamp

Our 1st Service - Easter 2008

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Our 1st service! We had our 1st service today on easter sunday. It was a success, with some interesting happenings. We had about 25-30 people in attendance. Our Superstar Musician and good friend Tony had an accident where his fingertips got sliced up pretty badly 5 minutes before our gathering began. Our teaching pastor, Vince Larson, who was also preaching today had to pinch-hit and do the music as well. he tried his best (God bless him). The sermon was great. Vince spoke on Grace and titled his sermon "Open Bar, It’s on the House," which was fitting because we were in a bar/ nightclub. the feeling and energy in the place was great! we had people from 5-55 years old in attendance from every walk of life. Various ethnic backgrounds, various walks of life. Our good friends from Invisible Children graced us with their presence and set up a table about their cause, for which we feel a great burden. Thanks Lisa! All in all today was a success. This Wed, we begin a new 6-week series entitled "They like Jesus, but not the church." Next Sunday, we are throwing a Big FREE Community BBQ. Pray for us that God will use us to bring many people to the truth of Who God is, what he’s done for us, and how that can change our lives! God Bless! -The Anchor Church

Union Tribune does article on Anchor Gaslamp

Would you like to view the union tribunes article on us? copy the link below and paste it in your browser.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20080322-9999-1c22church.html

Excerpt from the Luke Series 6 months ago

How Far Is Heaven... Expository series...Luke 10
Category: Religion and Philosophy

"How Far Is Heaven?"
There's this song that Los Lonely boys wrote and recorded and it simply asks, "How far is Heaven?" Good question. How far is heaven? The answer is it's as close as you want it to be…. that will make a whole lot more sense to you after I'm finished today

The Work of the Seventy-Two Followers

Last week Ben Talked about what it takes to be a disciple…the Cost of Discipleship and so forth.

Now that Jesus has trained and lived with these disciples for some time, He sends them out on a quest to "Proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven"

Not Necessarily "How to go to heaven when you die"
(Do you notice a lot of people view the church as a scam, selling insurance for the afterlife?)
Rather, "The Kingdom of Heaven is now close!"
We see this over and over
What is this Kingdom of heaven?
Heaven is Both present reality and afterlife

The Bible Says in Ps 115:16- The Highest heavens belong to the Lord But the earth God has given to man (collective "man" meaning human beings male & female- So the earth he's given to us)

In the Hebraic way of thinking, Heaven is a place where things are exactly as God wants them…

Jesus Preaches about heaven a lot more as a present reality than he does as an eternal destination…
- So earth is the realm we have been given control or dominion over.
- In Heaven things go God's way
- On earth, things go the way we choose
- With every decision we can choose to do God's will or our own…Live God's Way or some other way
- In Jewish mindset, God's way is heaven- Brings "peace" or "shalom" of God upon the earth.
- When We choose to live selfishly, our choices bring destruction…Hell, upon the earth
- With every decision we are choosing heaven or hell in our lives and those connected to us…
- As Christians it's our part to Preach the Kingdom of Heaven… by placing food in someone's mouth who is starving… by clothing the Naked… visiting the persecuted…

Mt 25:35 When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, 36and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me."

37Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, "When did we give you something to eat or drink? 38When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear 39or visit you while you were sick or in jail?"

40The king will answer, "Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me."

In fact, Jesus prays (in the prayer we refer to as the Lord's prayer) "Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done down here as it is up there…"

For Jesus, this new kind of life in Him is not about just escaping this world, but also about making it a better place While we are here, right here and right now.

A Large part of the kingdom message was about us making the world a reflection of heaven.

For every one time Jesus talks about the afterlife, he talks ten times about some social issue (foreigner, fatherless, widow… taking care of those around us who are in need…Instead of living lives that are centered on ourselves )
He refers to this profound shift in thinking as the Kingdom way of doing things
Like I said it's both a present reality and a future destination
He sends them out to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven
To heal broken people,
To set free the spiritually oppressed,
To teach love
To let people know that there is a New Kingdom on it's way
A new Way of doing things, new life

Reading on…

Verse 3 Now go, but remember, I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves. Don't take along a moneybag or a traveling bag or sandals. And don't waste time greeting people on the road. As soon as you enter a home, say, "God bless this home with peace." If the people living there are peace-loving, your prayer for peace will bless them. But if they are not peace-loving, your prayer will return to you. Stay with the same family, eating and drinking whatever they give you, because workers are worth what they earn. Don't move around from house to house. If the people of a town welcome you, eat whatever they offer.
Heal their sick and say, "God's kingdom will soon be here!"


Jesus is sending these 72 out as like the 1st missionaries and he's giving them instructions on how to do it…

Go to your place of ministry
Bless the people there,
Eat what they eat,
stay where they stay
proclaim the gospel with words and action (teaching & Healing).

Application:

Now our church (the Anchor Gaslamp) we are starting is a missional/ church…

What does that mean for us?

- We are not Just trying to start another church!
- This city doesn't just need more churches
- We want to become a community of believers who feel it is our calling to reach this city, love this city, and help transform this city by the power of God, starting right here in the heart of Downtown San Diego

1st let's talk about our city…that's the context of the mission we have been Given by God if we are true disciples…


We have many different cultures in our area:

Hispanic 891,442 29%
White 1,577,029 51%
Black 163,766 5%
American Indian 15,942 < 1% Asian 298,740 10% Hawaiian & Pacific Islander 13,046 < 1% Other 7,893 < 1% Besides different cultures based on racial backgrounds, there are many subcultures. We have: - indie–rockers - rap culture - skaters - techies - nerds - surfers - balers - subcultures based on religion, sexual preference, occupation, socio-economic standing… etc. We need to reach these cultures and subcultures! www.sandiego.areaconnect.com 54% under age of 34 70.4% under age 44 median age= 32.5 about 50 % between 20-40 Young City. Focused on professionalism, health and success. Most of these young business professionals are single… 39.8% single/non-family households…we're full of singles almost 40% Other Facts… www.sandiego.gov SD= 7th largest city in USA/ 2nd in CA 4th least segregated city in USA median household income = $47,067 USC.EDU Evangelical Groups % of of of % of Churches People Pop. Adherants S. Baptist Conv. 104 27,228 1 2.2 Presbyterian USA 31 24,008 0.9 2 United Methodist 43 20,799 0.7 1.7 Evangelical Lutheran Ch.Amer. 39 17,873 0.6 1.5 Assembly of God 72 16,770 0.6 1.4 Episcopal 38 16,284 0.6 1.3 Independent Non-charismatic 16 15,580 0.6 1.3 Total Evangelical Christians = 5% 11.4% Jesus tells his disciples in this passage to look at the fields that are ready to be harvested, but they need laborers… We call those people missionaries and we normally think of them as people who go to other countries (AKA Mission Field) to preach the gospel. BUT… …America is a mission field San Diego County is at highest estimates, about 11.4 % evangelical Christian Mainland Communist China is about 8% evangelical Christian! We are only 3.4% more "Christian" than they are! We need to talk about doing missions there as well as places like China If I said we are taking a special offering today to send missionaries to Communist China to convert all the communists, you would say, "YAAAY!" San Diego is not far behind China folks! San Diego has some weird religions, perverted lifestyles, and people hungry for something their not getting: Jesus Question: how does Jesus reach them? The Answer: If We are true disciples of Christ, he has sent us. Say "I am a missionary" Who are we reaching for? Let's look @ most San Diegans

- They don't want church

- They don't want customs, traditions, or dry religion

- They are hungry for social justice

- They are hungry for the spiritual (Kabala, scientology, Buddhism)

- What they do not realize is that they are searching for what Jesus brought 2,000 years ago… What did Jesus Do? Jesus came from eternity, entered time, and dwelt among a people, ministering to them. He took up his Cross. He died, was buried, and rose again. That's the Gospel. (We identify with that backwards. We identify with his death, burial, and resurrection in the new birth experience – we then learn to take up our cross- and then we learn to live as he lived…in a culture ministering to people. "to live is Christ," Paul said. We need to observe how he lived!) Jesus was born into a culture. He participated in all the cultural customs of his day. He went to the parties. He ate the food. He sang the songs. He dressed like them. He talked like them. He incarnated (that doesn't just mean he came in flesh. It means he came to us through a people and a culture). I know it's a funny way to think about it, but God became a missionary! (I Tim 3:16) What does a missionary do when they go to a country? They do what Jesus instructs the 72 to do in our scripture tonight. They stay where the people are. They learn the language and cultural customs of the group of people they have been called to. They eat their food. They often wear their clothes. They take the Gospel message and contextualize it for that culture in terms people can understand. None of us have a problem with that. We say, "Well sure…They're going to China." Well same thing if they're going to Indie-Rock Culture, or Hip Hop Culture, or Techie Culture. If they're going out into the Suburbs with families, or into the city with all of us crazies, we have to find a way to speak and live that contextualizes the gospel where they can relate to it without leaving their culture. (We don't try to make them fit our mold. I got news for you. Jesus never wore a suit and tie…. In fact, Jesus had a beard and wore sandals to church. That's preposterous in some churches! I think it was CS Lewis who said "If Jesus returned to this world today, would he even associate himself with Christians. OR Would we be the Pharisees…. would we want to crucify him?" … Many Christians want people to get saved and fit into Their church's culture. "They'll learn to like hymnals." BUT, Jesus went to their culture. He hung out with the low-lifes of his society…. the religious people were the ones having a cow). Paul was also a master @ this. Read the scripture sometime in the book of Acts and how he wins the Athenian Greeks @ Mars Hill. This Passage demonstrates what it means to be a missionary Paul sought to understand the people he was reaching and relate to them in their cultural context. His approach was controversial then, and still is. What did he say to churches @ Corinth… "To the Jews I became like a Jew to win the Jews…to those who are without the law I became like a person who is without the law… to those who are weak I became weak so I could win the weak. I have become all things to all people so I could save some of them in any way possible. I do all this because of the Good News and so I can share in its blessings." 1 Cor. 9:20-23 (NCV) "…Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him. I do this to get the Gospel to them and also for the blessing I myself receive when I see them come to Christ." 1 Cor. 9:22b-23 (LB) Just as Jesus Christ came to live among us, we dwell with the people around us. In many ways we are like them. BUT We are also changed and transformed, and because of that we seek to change and transform. God has blessed us, so we seek to bless others. God gave everything to us, so we seek to give everything to him…including our ideas… our will, our way of doing things. "Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done!" That should always be our attitude! However many religious people have a cow @ this… as they did in Jesus day…He even addresses it when he says… Verse 10 But if the people of a town refuse to welcome you, go out into the street and say, "We are shaking the dust from our feet [d] as a warning to you. And you can be sure that God's kingdom will soon be here!" I tell you that on the day of judgment the people of Sodom will get off easier than the people of that town! The Unbelieving Towns So he points to Sodom (Sodom & Gomorrah), then he goes on this tirade against cities that have rejected truth! 13You people of Chorazin are in for trouble! You people of Bethsaida are also in for trouble! If the miracles that took place in your towns had happened in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have turned to God long ago. They would have dressed in sackcloth and put ashes on their heads. [f] 14On the day of judgment the people of Tyre and Sidon will get off easier than you will. Throughout history, God has dealt with many cities, and a number of these have had their destiny foretold Babylon Egypt Rome Petra Jerusalem TYRE, the island city in the Mediterranean Sea, (which is THE CITY CAST INTO THE SEA…by Alexander the Great…) had been prophesied about in the OT by prophets such as Joel, Amos, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah, because it was a city that never listened to the voice of God Fascinating study done @ http://preacherstudy.com/tyre.htm Of Course Jesus also mentions Sodom and Gomorrah, the twin cities destroyed by Fire raining Down from the Heavens…Literally judged by God…But maybe not because of the reasons we jump to… Ezekiel 16:49 " 'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant (stuck on them selves), overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. 50 They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen. Apparently, Jesus lists their arrogance and total indifference to those around them in need right up there with their other more notorious sins The Return of the Seventy-Two 17When the seventy-two followers returned, they were excited and said, "Lord, even the demons obeyed when we spoke in your name!" 18Jesus told them: I saw Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19I have given you the power to trample on snakes and scorpions and to defeat the power of your enemy Satan. Nothing can harm you. But don't be happy because evil spirits obey you. Be happy that your names are written in heaven! Then Jesus prays and tells everyone how lucky they are to be witnessing all they have seen…every great prophet throughout history wished they could see this day … Moving on… The Good Samaritan 25An expert in the Law of Moses stood up and asked Jesus a question to see what he would say. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to have eternal life?" 26Jesus answered, "What is written in the Scriptures? How do you understand them?" 27The man replied, "The Scriptures say, `Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.' They also say, `Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.' " And we see another place in scripture when Jesus is asked "which is the greatest commandment?", this is his response.. he even says on these 2 commandments hang ALL the LAW and the Prophets… so since this is bulk of Jesus message… …28Jesus said, "You have given the right answer. If you do this, you will have eternal life." 29But the man wanted to show that he knew what he was talking about. So he asked Jesus, "Who are my neighbors?" And this is the part that messed everybody up… 30Jesus replied: As a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, robbers attacked him and grabbed everything he had. They beat him up and ran off, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road. But when he saw the man, he walked by on the other side. 32Later a temple helper [i] came to the same place. But when he saw the man who had been beaten up, he also went by on the other side. 33A man from Samaria then came traveling along that road. When he saw the man, he felt sorry for him 34and went over to him. He treated his wounds with olive oil and wine [j] and bandaged them. Then he put him on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35The next morning he gave the innkeeper two silver coins and said, "Please take care of the man. If you spend more than this on him, I will pay you when I return." 36Then Jesus asked, "Which one of these three people was a real neighbor to the man who was beaten up by robbers?" 37The teacher answered, "The one who showed pity." Jesus said, "Go and do the same!" Now I'm gonna mess with your theology for a moment, because - We are always taught to be good Christians - Turn the other cheek When someone strikes you - Love your Enemy Many Christians I know can't even seem to get along with other Christians… Some churches today view non-Christians as outsiders So who is my neighbor?? Everybody!!! Let me explain something about this passage: Jesus was a Jew. He saw himself as one of Abraham's descendants. Abraham's original contact with God involved a kind of purpose or mission statement: " I will bless you," God said, "And I will make you a blessing to others. I will make your name and nation great," God said, "and through you all nations will be blessed" One of the greatest heresies (false destructive, divisive belief) in monotheism results from taking the first half of God's call to Abraham (I will bless you, and make your name and nation great) and neglecting or rejecting the second half (I will make you a blessing, and all nations will be blessed through you). Do you see the difference? It's tragic! If we take the 1st part of God's call to Abraham more seriously than the second part, we are not carrying out God's true mission. One scholar says, "Remember, in a pluralistic world (world with many different beliefs), a religion is valued based on the benefits it brings to it's non-adherents." In other words… To the people we are reaching, our gospel only matters if it helps others… especially those who do not believe like us. Are you nice to Muslims? Do you go out of your way to help them and show the love of Christ? How about people struggling with lifestyles you don't agree with? How about people who are not from our country…what about homeless? What about ex-cons? What about rich people? Do you go the extra mile to show them God's love? The Gospel should bring blessing to all…adherents and non-adherents alike. In our world, which is basically "flat," if you've read the book by Thomas L Friedman, everyone is our neighbor… Martha and Mary 38The Lord and his disciples were traveling along and came to a village. When they got there, a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat down in front of the Lord and was listening to what he said. 40Martha was worried about all that had to be done. Finally, she went to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it bother you that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!" 41The Lord answered, "Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, 42but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her." Mary Chose the better part not because she was a slacker, but because she knew how to have hang time with God… What good is it to live for God and do all kinds of things for God and not even know him… It's not about religion (things we do for God) but it's about relationship (…After just about every great miracle session, we see Jesus get alone with God and pray) None of this stuff we have talked about tonight matters if you don't take time alone with God -vince larson