Samaritan's Call

(RING, RING)

Is that my cell phone? That's strange. Everybody that knows me knows not to call while I'm at church.

(RING, RING)

I guess it could be an emergency. Let me see who is calling. It's a 777 number. I'd better get it.

(Answer Phone)

Hello. Why am I at church? Who is this! God?

Yes, Sir. I am listening, but can you call me later? I am in the middle of a children's sermon.

Did I see my neighbour with car trouble on the side of the road? Yes, Sir.

Why didn't I stop? Well, I had to get to church early to fill the Big Church Bags for the kids. (Or you can insert whatever you do to get ready for the service.)

Don't I know someone else can do that? Yes, sir.

Well and I had to get the memory verse ready for the children's sermon.

Do I think I am the only one that can do that? No, Sir.

And I had to be here to get everybody ready for the Fall Festival. (Or you can insert VBS, etc) As you know it is really important so we can get our friends and neighbours to come to church.

Did I know my neighbour was on their way to church when their car broke down? No Sir...sorry Sir...

I'll do better next time. Thank you, Sir.

You kids know that phone call wasn't really from God, but it reminds me of a story in the book of Luke about the Good Samaritan. Do you remember that story? A man had been robbed and beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. Two people passed him by without helping him; one was a priest (probably on his way to church, huh). Finally a Samaritan man came by and had pity on him, bandaged him, took him to an inn and even paid an innkeeper to take care of him. Jesus asked this question to those listening to this story, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" Which one do you think?

Our verse today tells us what we should do.