The Problem Is Inside Part 3

The Problem Is Inside Part 3

June 19, 2023

Foundation Scripture: Luke 10:25-3

 1.     The “Good Samaritan” from the Bible is actually about the Kingdom of God and how much God loves us. 

a.     We are to “love our neighbors as ourselves.” (Mark 12:31)

b.     “…..And the second is like, namely this, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.”

2.     So the “Person in Need” has fallen and needs help. And consequently meets several passerby’s who offer to help. 

 Passerby #1. – Confucius: Confucianism teaches a system of ethical and political philosophy that emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, kindness, and sincerity. 

  The poor fellow in the ditch just needs to become more aware of how He can fit into society and then maybe somehow, someway, He can start His journey out of the Socialistic cesspool of the hole He has made for Himself. 

  Bottom line: He is still in the ditch and the 1st Passerby has gone on His way. 

 Passerby #2. – The teachings of Buddha are based on “Four Noble Truths.” 

These “Truths” describe the nature and cause of suffering and the way to escape it.

The way to end Your suffering is to follow the “Eightfold Noble Path”, which consists of ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom. 

The Buddha also emphasized the virtue of kindness, compassion, generosity, and patience. 

Bottom line: He is still in the ditch and trying to gather His thoughts while the Buddhist continues on His way.    

Passerby #3. – The Socratic method of teaching is a thought provoking dialogue between an   

Instructor and His student that will induce broad ideas and thought provoking  discussion.

Bottom line: The Instructor has closed the class and left; Leaving the poor man in the ditch and an even more confused state. 

Passerby #4. – Left leaning Politician. 

The Poor man needs a government program so that He can be lifted up and out of His predicament. However, due to His ethic group, government funds being spent elsewhere, or someone else receives the monetary help He was expecting. 

Bottom line: He is still in the ditch and deeper in debt. 

The left leaning Politician continues on down the road. 

Passerby #5. – Right leaning Politician.

The Poor man in the ditch just needs a “Hand Up.” If He will work a little harder, try a little harder, He can pull Himself up and even help someone else in the process. 

Bottom line: The Right leaning Politician continues down His road while the Poor Man in the ditch searches for work. 

Passerby #6. – Religious fanatic. 

He tells the man in the ditch, He must have sinned and this caused God to be unhappy or displeased with Him. 

He needs to repent; or maybe even perform penitence. How much or how sorry must He be for His disobedience is hard to define and may take some time to sort out. He may have to stay in His present situation awhile. 

Passerby #7. – The Charismatic. 

Name it and claim it is the way out. Start confessing and keep confessing until you have your desired result. 

Bottom line: The Charismatic travels on down the road, quoting, yelling, and singing, His up lifting songs while the Poor Man in the ditch remains. 

Bottom line: The man in the ditch is realizing His deliverance is going to require a higher power of authority than what He has been able to find in His ditch. 

Passerby #8. – Jesus Christ, Reach Down and Take His Hand Today

"He has shown you, O Man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8)