OBJECTS: A pair of jumper cables and a tow rope
SCRIPTURE:
Do you do what God wants you to do? Now don't everyone answer without letting me remind you of a familiar story that Jesus told.
One day he was asked by a young lawyer how to receive eternal life. You've heard us talk about that haven't you? Jesus replied by asking the lawyer what he thought God wanted him to do. The young man quoted a Bible verse, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your heart, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.
Jesus said, Fine! That's good, now go do it.
But that wasn't good enough for the lawyer, he had to find out the details. He asked Jesus who his neighbor was!
Jesus then told him the story of the Good Samaritan. You remember the story where a man was robbed and beat up and left in the ditch. Two men came by who were important in their church. They walked around the man who was hurt and didn't help. A third man came by and helped although he was from a different part of the country. He bandaged his wounds and carried him on his donkey to a place where he could rest and get help. We don't ride donkeys today, do we? What did you ride in to come to church today?
What are these (hold up the jumper cables and tow rope)? These are two ways we can be Good Samaritans today. If you have ever been in a car that won't run you know how frustrating and frightening that can be. These two things allow us to help people with car trouble.
Maybe you would want to help your parents decide if they would like to use these two things in helping others. If they do be sure these things stay in the car. (It doesn't help if they are at home in the garage!) We can help people when they are stranded and be modern Good Samaritans.
And just as we can share energy to start a car, we can also share the spiritual energy that Jesus gives us by sharing His love with our friends. (SNW)
