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Biblical Authority of Direct Command, Approved Example, and Necessary Inference:


Proof Text: Luke 10:25-37

Luke 10 25:37, “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

Outline of Argument

I. What did Jesus do and teach to inherit eternal life?

A. He gives an answer to a question

1. Jesus knows this is to trip Him up in doctrine but loves the man anyways

a. He knows this guy wants to see Him fail and prove Himself false

b. He knows he is a lawyer and does not want to change but for things to stay the same

c. Jesus realizes there is hope and so loves this lawyer trying to destroy his influence

2. He is asked, not out of sincerity but the man wanted to justify himself

a. The man gives and receives all the right answers but then carries the conversation to a different level by justifying himself with this question who is my neighbor

b. He takes care of those he knows or that take care of him (as all men do)

c. Jesus tells a story to illustrate it is not about teaching the law but doing the law that matters if you seriously want to inherit eternal life you will have to love your neighbor as yourself.

3. Jesus loves the man as himself and teaches him a higher truth

a. He gave an example of loving your neighbor and asks a question to check understanding.

b. Justifying himself, he learned to help the needy,

c. Jesus tells a lawyer to practice the law and not teach the law. His neighbor may be the vilest thing but if he has need then love him.

B. He gives an example to lay alongside the higher truth

1. He tells a story of a man beaten and robbed of every thing except the life he clings to

a. He gave an example of a man (real or unreal), perhaps this had happened earlier that day, but this man had been beaten robbed of everything but his life that he was clinging on to.

b. These thieves don’t check pedigree, or status other than if you have money. They have seriously injured a man and overtook him and his possessions.

c. Illustration.

2. He tells of a priest, Levite, and a Samaritan half breed meet the injured man

a. The Priest, in that day your connection to God, walks by an ignores the robbed man.

b. The Levite, the modern minister deacon, etc. take care of the church duty keeper, walks by and ignores the situation.

c. A half breed less than human, walks by and helps supply everything he needs.

3. The less than human, loves the man and saves him from further destruction

a. Picks him up- he has personal contact with a sinful man God did not protect

b. Pours in Oil – he bandaged this guy up best he could an takes him to a place of comfort.

c. Anything more – he says help to the inn keeper, he may need a few more days, if he stays any longer or needs anything else I will repay. He bore another’s burden.

C. He gives a direct command to obey an approved example

1. He gives a direct command to go and do likewise.

a. He had to love his neighbor as himself to inherit eternal life to the level of the example of helping a half human back to health.

b. He used a “sinner” example of the Samaritan, to teach a lawyer how to love the “undesirables”.

c. This lawyer must help sinners in need if he wants to inherit eternal life, not teach law.

2. The example of Jesus proves the direct command, necessary inference, and approved example doctrine as true here in this parable and example of Jesus.

a. Jesus commanded to obey an approved example (Approved Example)

b. Jesus gave a direct command expecting obedience (Direct Command)

c. Jesus inferred he would have to supply another needs from what he has (Necessary Inference)

3. What did Jesus make binding on this insincere man, in order to answer his original question What must I do to inherit eternal life?

A direct command

An approved example

A Necessary inference

Please respond with questions and comments...

Father, we pray you would confirm this truth to us and remove anything that hinders us from obeying the Author of salvation Jesus of Nazareth, your son may it be so.


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Mathew 20:25-28, “but Jesus called them unto him and said you know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them and they that are great exercise authority upon them, but it shall not be so among you, but whosever will be great among you let him be your minister and whosever will be chief among you let him be your servant. Even as the Son of man came to be ministered unto but to minister and give his life a ransom for many.”

Mathew 25:21, “His lord said unto him, well done you good and faithful servant you have been faithful over a few things I will make you ruler over many things enter you into the joys of your lord”

1 Cor 7:23, “you are bought with a price be you not the servants of men”

Gal 1:10, “for do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet please men, I should not be the servant of Christ”

What does it mean, when you hear in the name of Jesus? It means that Jesus will perform this thing because it is His will being ask for by his servant. Listen to the Apostle of Christ, John, “and this is the confidence that we have in him, that if ask anything according to His will He hears us and if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him”. John tells us that having access and authority through Christ only works if we ask in accordance with His will. Many people want to have the prestige and authority knowledge and law can have, but few people want to be a servant of the people. Jesus warned the Pharisees and scribes, they had a position of authority and giving of the law but they were teaching their ideas and not the commands of God. In fact, they had made void the commands of God. Brothers and sisters we should take joy in the fact that we have a Good Shepard name Jesus to help us and guide us, but let us never get lost in the usurping of His authority. Let us abide under His words and commands. Let us not get so caught up in loving our brethren or fellow man that we violate the commands of Christ. It is good to be faithful over a little, because Jesus said to him that has more will be given. The more faithful we are to Christ will the more we will be given to do. Dear Father in Heaven, we pray that you would change and keep our hearts from being led astray by the laws and teaching of men, but to do justice, love mercy, and abide in your will. Help us to know the truth and laws but apply it with your mercy as you did. May it be so In Christ name.

Father forgive us your unprofitable servants and help us become and remain faithful servants, in Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen.


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