Are You A Samaritan?

John 8:48

Background to the Samaritans Samaritans were a mixed breed of Jews and

Gentiles from the Assyrian captivity who practiced a mixed religion (2 K. 17:22-24, 29-33)

Samaritans were outcasts and rejects (Jn. 4:9)

Samaritans built their own temple in Mt. Gerizim (Jn. 4:20) and would not worship in Jerusalem (Ezra 4:1-3; Neh. 4:2)

Samaritans were lowly esteemed (Jn. 8:48), but they are held up in scripture as examples to follow!

A Truth-Seeking Samaritan The woman at the well was a confused, but

truth-seeking Samaritan (Jn. 4:5-29)

She was confused about many things: social interaction, water, marriage, worship, Messianic identity … but she accepted the truth of Jesus

In a post-modern world which denies truth, are you a truth-seeker (Prov. 23:23; Jn. 8:32; Acts 8:26ff; 1 Tim. 4:3; 2 Jn. 1)?

A Convinced Samaritan The Samaritans who were brought to Jesus

were convinced of the truth (Jn. 4:39-41)

They listened to eye-witness testimony and they came and investigated Jesus himself and were convinced of the truth

In an unbelieving world (2 Cor. 4:4), are you convinced of the truth based upon an investigation and examination of the evidence of God’s word (Lk. 1:1-4; Jn. 20:30-31; Acts 17:11-12; 1 Jn. 1:1-4; 4:1-6)?

A Neighborly Samaritan The Samaritan in the story of Jesus was

neighborly (Lk. 10:25-27)

He was selfless, compassionate and caring toward the needy when the others were not

In a selfish world (2 Tim. 3:2), are you neighborly (Gal. 6:10; Col. 3:12; Heb. 10:34; 1 Pet. 3:8; 1 Jn. 3:17)?

A Thankful Samaritan The Samaritan leper who was healed was

thankful (Lk. 17:11-19)

He returned to glorify God and thank Jesus when the others would not

In an ungrateful world (Rom. 1:21), are you thankful (Psa. 103; Eph. 5:4,20; Col. 3:15,17; 1 Thess. 5:18)?

A Obedient Samaritan The Samaritans who heard Philip preach

believed and obeyed the gospel (Acts 8:5-13,25; 9:31)

They believed and obeyed the powerful gospel even when they had been previously misled

In a disobedient world (Tit. 1:16), are you obedient after hearing the gospel (Acts 18:8; 1 Pet. 1:2,14,22)?

Are You A Samaritan?Truth-Seeking

Convinced

Neighborly

Thankful

Obedient