The world is full of people who want eternal life. The world is full of people who want to make it to “Paradise” or heaven. But the truth is that most people want eternal life on their terms, and they want to determine not only how you get into Paradise, but they want to define what makes heaven, heaven. This seems very reasonable when all sorts of people get together and assert that they deserve heaven – but when we stop and realize that we are creature and that the Creator is the one who defines reality in the world. We see precisely this kind of rebellion by people in the famous parable of The Good Samaritan, when someone tries to test Jesus and to justify himself before God. But Jesus answers him and gives us a look into what it means to love the Lord and our neighbor. Jesus answers that most important question for us: “How Do I Inherit Eternal Life?” (Luke 10:25-37).

I. The Question (10:25)
A. The To-Do List
B. Seeking Affirmation

II. The Response (10:26-29)
A. The Real Source
B. The Real Standard
C. The Reaction

III. The Parable (10:30-37)
A. Radical Law
B. Radical Grace

Questions for consideration: (1) In what ways are you seeking to show that you deserve heaven? (2) What does it mean to love God truly? What does that look like? (3) What is it about this parable that is frightening (or should be)? What does it teach us about ourselves? About God?