• JERICHOJERICHO: – Destroyed by the LORD in Joshua’s day– Cursed the rebuilder (Josh 6:26; 1 Kgs 16:34)– Garden spot in Jesus’ day– Home to many Priests & Levites– Highway from Jerusalem: “The Way of Blood”

• JERICHOJERICHO• “A certain man … fell among thievesA certain man … fell among thieves” • “By chance a certain Priest … LeviteBy chance a certain Priest … Levite” • “A certain SamaritanA certain Samaritan” • “Which of these 3 were neighbor to himWhich of these 3 were neighbor to him?”– “He who showed mercy on him.” – “Go & do likewise.”

• Religious service (worship) does not replace Religious service (worship) does not replace our OTHER primary duty to Godour OTHER primary duty to God. . Matt 22:39; Lev 19:33-34; Deut 10:17-19; Heb 5:1-3

• Serving Christ is a voluntary matter requiring Serving Christ is a voluntary matter requiring spontaneous actionspontaneous action. Gal 6:10

• There is a difference between serving God & There is a difference between serving God & doing good deedsdoing good deeds. . Rom 10:1-4; Matt 6:3-4; Col 3:23-25; Matt 25:34ff

• Religious service (worship) does not replace our OTHER Religious service (worship) does not replace our OTHER primary duty to Godprimary duty to God. .

• Serving Christ is a voluntary matter requiring Serving Christ is a voluntary matter requiring spontaneous actionspontaneous action.

• There is a difference between serving God & doing good There is a difference between serving God & doing good deedsdeeds. .

• Spiritual needs are the greatest needsSpiritual needs are the greatest needs. Eph 2:1; Acts 19:1-7

• True religion is ALWAYS preparedprepared to serve• It is OFTEN personalpersonal• It is ALWAYS voluntaryvoluntary• It is SOMETIMES spontaneousspontaneous• It NEVER seeks a personalpersonal rewardreward• It is UNCONCERNED about personalpersonal costcost • It SEEKS the highesthighest goodgood of others

• ……teaches HOW to be a neighborteaches HOW to be a neighbor.

• ……did not represent any organizationdid not represent any organization.

• ……understood that serving God required understood that serving God required selfless personal responsibilityselfless personal responsibility.

– Use your abilities, resources & opportunities to Use your abilities, resources & opportunities to lead someone to the Great Physicianlead someone to the Great Physician!!