March 31, 2011 Are You A Good Guy? 4

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him', 'he said, and when I return', I will reimburse you for your extra expense you may have.'" Good Thursday Morning, my dear brothers and sisters. It is Thursday and the day we pray for our schools and our families, so please do just that. This morning my message is going to be different, different in the fact that I have a guest writer this morning and the guest does not know he is doing this. Yesterday I had a response from one of the readers of the line and a very dear friend of mine and, well,, all need to look at it. I am sure this gentleman will not mind me sharing his word about Jesus with all of you. Who is my guest writer today? He is Neil Enloe, long time lead singer with one of the greatest gospel groups of all times, The Couriers. Now singing under the names of Dave, Duane and Neil, and often referred to as The Original Couriers and after all these years, these men still have that gift, and still use it to bring in the lost. Neil is a gifted (gifts from God) singer, song writer and pianist. He is one of about ten people who follow this line that I can call on for advice. One of his songs is "The Cross is My Statue of Liberty". Neil, thanks for sharing with me, and it is just too good not to share with the hundreds on this line. And now, word for word from Mr. Neil Enloe... Quote "Good word today, Dan. I’ve preached this parable and let me give you my angle on it. The parable of the Good Samaritan gives in great detail the plan of redemption. There are characters in this parable that represent factors in God’s great scheme to redeem. This certain man went down from Jerusalem unto Jericho. CERTAIN MAN: Adam, who represents all of humanity. Us. JERUSALEM: Represents Heaven. A city high in elevation. A place of authority, even unto today. Geographical location of the Temple and the Holy of Holies; the very presence of God. JERICHO: Represents Hell; a place of alienation from God. Lowest place on the face of the earth (1,200 feet below sea level). Hot. Forbidding. Site of the DEAD Sea where there is no living creature whatsoever. INN: A place of restoration and recovery. INNKEEPER: The Holy Ghost. In the parable this “Certain Man”, this Adam, this “us” was being removed from the perfect presence of God because of his sin. He fell among thieves (the “fall” of man): Jerusalem (God) must have seen mankind on his way to Hell and had him arrested on his downward journey. Beaten, robbed and left for half dead, he lay on the byway dying. Hopeless. Three people came along. PRIEST: Pastor, man of God, leader. Passed by. Not the uncaring, bad guy he has been erroneously represented to be, but he knew that he didn’t have the appropriate cure for the poor Adam who was alienated from God. Your pastor can do some wonderful things to aid and assist you on your journey with God, but he can’t save you. So the priest passed by on the other side of the road. LEVITE: Levites cared for and tended the Temple. An organization set up by God Himself. Angels? Again, the Levite knew he didn’t have the appropriate cure (salvation) for the pour soul on the ground, so he didn’t bother to stop. SAMARITAN: Represents Jesus Himself, who spoke the very parable. Samaritans openly hated the Jews and the man on the ground knew it. But the Samaritan (Jesus) knew full well that He had the appropriate cure; salvation. So he “came to where he was” stooped down and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil (healing) and wine (celebration). He then put him on His own beast and took him to an inn (a place of renewal, healing, rest and recovery. The Samaritan (Jesus) said to the innkeeper (Holy Spirit), “Here’s some money; take care of this poor man. I have to go away but I’m coming back, and if he has spent more (sinned again) I’ll pay for that too.” And the most glorious part of the story is that when Jesus returns He’ll take us back to Jerusalem to be in His very presence again. Because of the sacrifice of Calvary, our debt for sin has been paid in full and we don’t have to continue our journey toward Hell and alienation from God. Redemption is a perfect, and perfectly played out, plan. And this parable pretty much explains it all in great detail. Neil" End Quote Dear Father in Heaven: Thanks for your gifts that You bless all of us with, and thanks for Neil and all his work for You. Thanks for blessing men and women who really like to share those gifts You have given them. Lord, please be with our families today and please be in our schools. Lord, most of all help all of us work to help Your church grow by working to bring in the lost to Your feet to be saved. In the name of Jesus, Amen. Now my dear brothers and sisters, go forth and share the gifts our Lord has given unto you. My Brothers and sisters, we are truly "BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING" (Pastor, Dr. Richard Denison). Truthfully, what good is a blessing if you just keep it to yourself? Go and share... Love ya, Pastor Dan.