“This week we will think about giving expensively with
our open hands by studying the ways that Jesus calls us to die to
ourselves as we follow Him.”
STUDY THE SCRIPTURE
Click here to access the reading
from Luke 10:25-37
To view today’s sermon wait until 1 p.m. and go here. Use
these sermon notes for your family and/or small group discussions.
REFLECTION
I’ve Heard That One Before
by Elaine Pierce
How many sermons have you heard on this passage,
commonly known as the Good Samaritan? Sometimes it’s hard to read familiar
passages like this and see what God has in store for this at this season of our
life. Come, Holy Spirit, and help us find your truth as we walk through
2020 in the time of Corona-virus, racial unrest, and national and international
tensions.
The same God who breathed life into Adam and Eve is the
God who is with us in today’s world of turmoil and strife. Jesus walked on
this earth, and he told his disciples parables like the ones we read today, and
there was truth there for his disciples then and there is truth there for us
now.
Who do you identify with most in this story, the man
who was beaten and robbed? Or the Priest or the Levite, who passed by on
the other side and were too busy (or too prejudiced?) to help? What about
the Samaritan, who bound up his wounds, got him medical care (and paid for it)
and promised to return?
We want to be like that Good Samaritan, don’t we? But
at times, it’s just not convenient to show mercy.
In this season, have you
found yourself slowing down, and paying attention to those cries for help? Or
are we still too caught up in our own troubles to reach out and lend a hand? If
you are feeling beat up and abandoned, please reach out for help. Your
wounds might be physical; they might be emotional or spiritual, but the Lord
longs for you to experience healing and wholeness. And those of you who
are walking down the road – be on the lookout for ways to bind up wounds.
A small group is an excellent way to share your life
and struggles with other Christians. Go to www.ualc.org/smallgroups to
find out how to join a group.
And remember, the Lord is near to the brokenhearted,
and he saves those crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).
We started off by pointing out that it can be
challenging to find new insights into scripture we’ve read hundreds of times
before. Let me leave you with this encouragement from I Chronicles 16:11-12. “Every
good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the
heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows,”
God’s
word is faithful and true.
UALC’s CAMPAIGN
OF PRAYER
SUNDAY Pray the
scriptures. Some examples are Psalm 91:1-5 / Psalm 121:5-8 / John 14:27 /
Philippians 4:6-7 / 2 Timothy 1:7
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