What must we do to live forever? Pharaohs building pyramids asked that question, so did Vikings dreaming of Valhalla, and so do we, swallowing yet another supplement. The sermon walks us through Luke 10: from Jesus’ conversation with an expert in the law, through the parable of the Good Samaritan, to the home of Martha and Mary, showing that eternity is born of a relationship of love for God and for people, even the most distant ones. And loving God sometimes simply means sitting down and listening to what he has to say. Listen, perhaps that is exactly what you need most today.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- Read Luke 10:25-42. How does the story of Mary and Martha connect with the lawyer's earlier question about eternal life and with the parable of the Good Samaritan?
- Why would Jesus' listeners have been so surprised that it was a Samaritan, and not the priest or the Levite, who helped the wounded man?
- The speaker stresses that, according to Jesus, eternal life comes not from tasks we perform but from a relationship of love for God and people. How does this change the way you think about faith?
- Who around you is the hardest neighbor for you to love, and what could love expressed in concrete action look like toward that person?
- Jesus tells Martha that she is worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. What most often keeps you from sitting down and listening to what God wants to say to you?
- What specific time and way can you set aside this week to stop and listen to Jesus through His word in the Bible?
