Weekly Update – April 11th, 2024
In Luke 10:25-37, we find the popular account of what has traditionally been called, The Parable of the Good Samaritan. As the parable begins, there is a lawyer who comes up to Jesus and asks him what he needs to do to ensure that he has eternal life. Jesus masterfully turns the question around and asks lawyer what the Scriptures say. This lawyer replies in Luke 10:27, “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.” This lawyer has surely answered correctly. In fact Jesus gives this same exact answer in Matthew 22:37 when he is asked what the greatest commandment in Scripture is. But knowing that he cannot live up to these commands perfectly, the lawyer then asks a follow up question. He says in Luke 10:29, “And who is my neighbor?” In those days it was believed that those who were Jewish considered only other Jews to be their neighbors. In fact, the Pharisees even held that only other Pharisees were their neighbors. What this meant was, many knew the commands of God, but yet they found loopholes that allowed them to justify their sin. It is with this desire to find a loophole, that the lawyer asks this question.
From here many of us are familiar with the parable. Jesus says that a man is robbed, beaten and left for dead on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. A priest and a Levite both ignore this half-dead man and pass by him on the opposite side of the road. Two men, who would have been revered by society, fail to show compassion. But then, a Samaritan comes along. Not only does he stop, but he inconveniences himself, bandages up the man’s wounds, puts him on his own donkey, and pays for his care. The Samaritan showed the right response to a man who was in need.
Now here is the point that Jesus makes. In Luke 10:36, Jesus asks the lawyer, “Which of these do you think proved to be a neighbor?” The lawyer is without excuse. He replies, “The one who showed mercy.” Jesus then concludes, “Go and do the same.” Many would take this closing conversation and conclude that we should follow the example of the good Samaritan and help people on the side of the road and give people in need a place to stay. Yes we should do that, but there is more to this parable. Jesus here is teaching us that beyond serving those who are our neighbors, we should desire to show mercy and compassion to all people, regardless of who they are or what the circumstance is.
This lawyer wanted to justify himself so that he could pick and chose who he showed mercy too. He wanted to justify himself so that, in his own mind, he could live up to the standard of devotion to God and love for neighbor. But the truth is that none of us can live perfectly up to that standard. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says, “There is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.” So even if we could justify helping some and neglecting others, we would still fall short of perfect obedience. That is why God sent his son Jesus Christ who lived in perfect devotion to him and who perfectly loved his neighbor. Jesus Christ came, lived and died for our sin, and when we turn from our sin and follow Jesus Christ, we have the mercy of God extended to us in forgiveness. It is this mercy that motivates us to love all and show mercy to all. We shouldn’t seek to justify our lack of devotion to God, but instead we should remember the mercy of Jesus Christ who gave his life for those he came to save. And in remembering this mercy, we too show mercy like the Good Samaritan. Even more than that, we should show mercy just like Jesus showed mercy to us. That means, “Who is my neighbor?” is not the right question. Since we have been shown mercy, the question now is, “How can I show mercy?” Go and do the same.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 2:6-7
Announcements:
Women’s Craft + Brunch: All ladies of the church are invited to the Larson Home at 10am on Saturday, April 13th, for a potluck brunch and a time of crafting. Details can be found HERE.
Guest Preacher: Marshall Adkins will be preaching for us on Sunday (4/14). Marshall is an assistant professor of Biblical Counseling at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to his wife, Rachel and together they have three children. You can learn more about Marshall HERE.
Youth Dessert Auction: We will hold a Dessert Auction at 5pm on Sunday, April 14th. This auction will be a fundraiser to help send the youth to summer camp. Everyone is invited to bring a dessert to auction and to bid on a dessert. For more details, contact Dan Holsten.
Members’ Meeting: Following the morning service on Sunday, April 28th, we will have a potluck lunch and members’ meeting. Please sign up for the potluck on the sheet in the hall.
Harry’s Hay Days: On Saturday, May 4th, from 10:00am-4:00pm, First Baptist Church will be participating in the citywide festival called, “Harry’s Hay Days.” We will be hosting carnival games, face painters, balloon artists, Chick-fil-A, and more, right here in our parking lot. Put this date on your calendar and sign up in the hallway to help!
Annie Armstrong Easter Offering: Every year at this time, we raise funds to support missionaries all over North America who are serving with the North American Mission Board (NAMB). This year, our goal at First Baptist Church is to raise $8500. You can give on Sunday mornings through one of our offering boxes located in the foyer or the welcome center. Just mark your envelop as “missions” or “Annie.” Or you can give online HERE and choose “missions” under the Fund tab. You can find more information about this offering HERE.
Men’s Bible Study: This men’s study is based on the book, The Exemplary Husband. The study is held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday night of each month at 8:00pm in the library. If you are interested see Clint Blankenship.
Greeting Team: We are looking for volunteers to serve one week a month on this rotation. If you would like more information, connect with Matthew Klika.
Befriend a Student: If you are interested in befriending a student from Longview Community College this semester, connect with Matthew Klika. You can find more information about befriend a student HERE.
Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal. We are also in need of spaghetti-o’s, ravioli, dry pancake mix, and maple syrup.
Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Contact Betty for more information on how you can serve.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” meets in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of 1 Peter meets in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
Home Groups
Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.
Prayer
An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.
Prepare for Sunday
Guide for Worship can be found HERE.
Wednesday Evening Activities
Awana, Youth Group, and Biblical Counseling are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm.
Worship Service
Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-4 years is available during the worship hour.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
Facebook live: HERE.
YouTube: HERE.
Join us and invite a friend or family member to watch with you.
Sunday School
Children and Youth Sunday School take place at 9:15am on Sunday mornings.
Ages 0-2 and 3-pre-k meet in the nursery suite.
Grades 1st-3rd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 4th-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.
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