THE THIRD MAN SOCIETY

--Luke 10: 25-37

The third man society: Being there for others.This ad demonstrates the felt need for a community

of good friends

Luke 10:25-37 (Message Bible)

Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. "Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?" [26] He answered, "What's written in God's Law? How do you interpret it?" [27] He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself."

Luke 10:25-37 (continued)

[28] "Good answer!" said Jesus. "Do it and you'll live." [29] Looking for a loophole, he asked, "And just how would you define 'neighbor'?" [30] Jesus answered by telling a story. "There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. [31] Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. [32] Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.

Luke 10:25-37 (continued)

[33] "A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. [34] He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. [35] In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.'

Luke 10:25-37 (continued)

[36] "What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?" [37] "The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded. Jesus said, "Go and do the same."

TAKE HOME

• Selfless service (no search for applause or reward) is a mark of a genuine disciple of Jesus.

• Selfless service (no search for applause or reward) is a mark of a genuine disciple of Jesus.

• Loving service is beautiful to behold, convincing …as well of a blessing to the servant.

• Loving service is beautiful to behold, convincing …as well of a blessing to the servant.

• Looking to the interests of others is a form of ‘laying down my life and taking up my cross’.

• Looking to the interests of others is a form of ‘laying down my life and taking up my cross’.

Lord Jesus, help me Lord Jesus, help me to escape the to escape the inclination to look out inclination to look out for myself. I really for myself. I really want to be a Good want to be a Good Samaritan …and a Samaritan …and a member in good member in good standing of the Third standing of the Third Man Society.Man Society.

Lord Jesus, help me Lord Jesus, help me to escape the to escape the inclination to look out inclination to look out for myself. I really for myself. I really want to be a Good want to be a Good Samaritan …and a Samaritan …and a member in good member in good standing of the Third standing of the Third Man Society.Man Society.

Commitment:

ANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTS

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

A SEARCH OF FOR LASTING LIFE

…it’s common to all of us…good, bad and ugly.

A SEARCH OF FOR LASTING LIFE

…it’s common to all of us…good, bad and ugly.

A NEED FOR DEFINITIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

Who is my neighbor?And what is this thing called Love?

A NEED FOR DEFINITIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

Who is my neighbor?And what is this thing called Love?

STORY-TELLING…Mental Images that save a thousand

words.

STORY-TELLING…Mental Images that save a thousand

words.

• Captivating• Convicting• Compelling

JESUS GIVES NO ANSWER …JUST A GREAT STORY THAT HAS WITHSTOOD THE TEST OF TIME …A STORY OF THREE MEN

1. THE ORDINARY, NORMAL PERSON:“WHAT’S MINE IS MINE …IF I CAN JUST KEEP MY HANDS ON IT.”

2. THE EXPLOITERS, CONNIVERS: WHAT’S YOURS IS MINE …IF I CAN JUST GET MY HANDS ON IT

3. THE SPIRITUAL PERSON:WHAT’S MINE IS YOURS…IF YOU NEED IT (And there is more where that came from if you need it.)

OH, THE JOY OF A LIFE OF SERVICE!OH, THE JOY OF A LIFE OF SERVICE!

• What goes around comes around …overflowing. Luke 6: 37, 38 (Assurance)

• It is the good life…the best life. Acts 20: 32-35 (Nobility)

OH, THE JOY OF A LIFE OF SERVICE!OH, THE JOY OF A LIFE OF SERVICE!

•• Giving springs from an awareness of having received. Matthew 10: 8(Gratitude)

•• ‘Servant’ and ‘Slave’ are synonyms for Christian or Disciple of Jesus! Matthew 20:25, 28(Simple Obedience …the most noble motivation!)

AN INTIMATE COMMUNITY EVENT!

A MEAL WITH A STORY

Confession:I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus is my Lord Jesus is my Lord and Savoir.and Savoir.

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

BAPTISMINITIATION INTO THE THIRD MAN

SOCIETY

BAPTISMINITIATION INTO THE THIRD MAN

SOCIETY

•The 3rd Cross…Jesus (What’s mine is yours!)

•The 3rd Traveler…The Samaritan (What’s mine is yours!)

PAINT A PICTUREPAINT A PICTURE

• Visiting the homebound, lonely, sick …or for no reason at all• Babysitting for a busy family• Cleaning House• Helping Move• Yard Work• Listening

PAINT A PICTUREPAINT A PICTURE

• Sharing any load• Sharing our wealth• Giving good stuff to the needy, not just our leftovers• Helping neighbors with all sorts of tasks• May 27 Community Work Day• Other ideas:

HIS LEADING

We follow the lead of our leader who said:

“The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve.”

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

OFFERING

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

A powerful story of giving.

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

PRAYER & PRAISE

Let’s look for places to help, serve, minister, share the load, lift up the weary, encourage the downhearted!

TAKE HOME

• Selfless service (no search for applause or reward) is a mark of a genuine disciple of Jesus.

• Selfless service (no search for applause or reward) is a mark of a genuine disciple of Jesus.

• Loving service is beautiful to behold, convincing …as well of a blessing to the servant.

• Loving service is beautiful to behold, convincing …as well of a blessing to the servant.

• Looking to the interests of others is a form of ‘laying down my life and taking up my cross’.

• Looking to the interests of others is a form of ‘laying down my life and taking up my cross’.

Lord Jesus, help me Lord Jesus, help me to escape the to escape the inclination to look out inclination to look out for myself. I really for myself. I really want to be a Good want to be a Good Samaritan …and a Samaritan …and a member in good member in good standing of the Third standing of the Third Man Society.Man Society.

Lord Jesus, help me Lord Jesus, help me to escape the to escape the inclination to look out inclination to look out for myself. I really for myself. I really want to be a Good want to be a Good Samaritan …and a Samaritan …and a member in good member in good standing of the Third standing of the Third Man Society.Man Society.

Commitment:

Jesus said, "Go and do the same."