July 8, 2022

Dear Road Church Friends,

All of us had heroes growing up. I found mine on Saturday afternoon TV, as I eagerly watched weekly episodes of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Another favorite was the Lone Ranger and Tonto, a cross cultural duo that brought law and order to the old west. In High School Literature class I was introduced to the heroes of Greek mythology. A collection of unforgettable stories about larger than life heroes like Odyseus and Hercules who battled the forces of nature and mythical monsters to achieve immortal fame. Every age has had its heroes, knights in the Middle Ages, explorers in the age of Discovery, inventors in the age of Innovation, and astronauts in the Space age. Heroes are the embodiment of our highest ideals, and shining examples of our personal aspirations. All of us want to be heroes to ourselves and to those around us.

Jesus is a new kind of hero. He championed a new kind of heroism that doesn’t depend on bodily size, strength, height, or speed. His struggle was against the ever present spiritual forces of darkness that threaten us all. His belt was truth, his breastplate was righteousness, his helmet was salvation, his shield was faith, and his sword was the word of God which he delivered to the common people of Galilee in story form. His stories had heroes too, but they are a new kind of hero. The greatest them all is an unnamed  Samaritan who rescued a wounded, naked man on the Jericho Road. This new kind of heroism is the subject of the Sunday morning message. Please join us at our in person service at 10 am, or tune in later on our website or Facebook page.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:25-37          SERMON: A New Kind of Hero

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

A lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” The lawyer answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” But wanting to justify himself he said, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

GUILTY

I never cut my neighbor’s throat, my neighbor’s gold I never stole,

I never spoiled his house and land, but God have mercy on my soul!

For I am haunted night and day by all the deeds I have not done,

O unattended loveliness! O costly valor never won!

by Marguerite Wilkinson

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Norm Erlendson

Our worship service on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eiHHnnnu66E