Living a Life of Love and Service

What makes for a well-lived life? Reflecting on the story of a man who lived 105 years, the answer emerges not in the accumulation of wealth, status, or comfort, but in a life spent engaging the world for good. This man’s legacy was not about being a “do-gooder” for recognition, but about doing good with the time and resources he had, out of a deep sense of responsibility and faith. His story echoes the call that Jesus gives in the Gospel of Luke: to love God and to love our neighbors. These two commands, simple yet profound, form the foundation of a life that is truly well-lived.

The vision for our church over the next three years is to be “force multipliers for kingdom good”—to connect more people to God, develop authentic followers of Jesus, and engage our world for good in ever-increasing ways. We’ve already seen this vision taking root, as individuals and groups have responded to needs both locally and beyond, multiplying the impact of our collective efforts. But the heart of this vision is not about earning God’s favor or justifying ourselves through good works. Instead, it’s about responding to the grace we’ve already received in Jesus, who alone has cleared the bar of loving God and neighbor perfectly.

The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to move beyond asking, “Who is my neighbor?” and instead become neighbors to those in need. The religious men in the story saw the wounded man but did nothing; the Samaritan, moved by compassion, saw with his heart and acted. This is the paradigm shift Jesus invites us into: to see, to be moved, and to engage for good—not out of obligation, but out of love. Sometimes, being a neighbor means simply noticing those we’ve overlooked. Other times, it means matching our abilities to someone’s need, or partnering with others for long-term good without burning out. In all of this, we are called to act not alone, but in partnership with Jesus, letting our love for God overflow into love for others.

Key Takeaways

• 1. A well-lived life is measured not by what we accumulate, but by how we engage our world for good. The story of the 105-year-old man reminds us that a legacy of service, compassion, and faithfulness outlasts any personal achievement or comfort. Our calling is to use whatever we have—time, resources, skills—to bless others, not for recognition, but because we have been blessed. [02:25]
• 2. The commands to love God and love our neighbor are not just religious ideals, but the very framework for a meaningful life. Jesus affirms that these two loves are inseparable and foundational, inviting us to examine how much of our daily living is truly connected to them. When we align our lives with these priorities, we find purpose and direction that transcends cultural definitions of success. [09:20]
• 3. The human impulse to justify ourselves—to prove we are “good enough”—is a burden we were never meant to carry. Jesus shifts the conversation from earning eternal life to responding to the gift of life he freely offers. Our acts of love and service are not means to earn God’s favor, but grateful responses to grace, freeing us from striving and enabling us to multiply good in the world. [14:48]
• 4. Being a neighbor begins with seeing—truly noticing those around us, especially those in need. The Good Samaritan didn’t just see with his eyes, but with his heart, allowing compassion to move him to action. We are invited to ask God to open our eyes and hearts to those we might otherwise overlook, and to let our awareness lead to meaningful engagement. [23:50]
• 5. Sustainable engagement for good requires both compassion and wisdom. The Samaritan invested in the wounded man’s long-term recovery without taking on more than he could handle, partnering with others to meet the need. We are called to steward our resources and energy well, setting healthy boundaries so that our service is both effective and enduring, and always done in partnership with Jesus. [26:34]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:38] - Remembering a Life Well-Lived
• [01:29] - A Legacy of Service and Faith
• [02:25] - Doing Good vs. Being a “Do-Gooder”
• [04:00] - Our Three-Year Vision: Force Multipliers for Kingdom Good
• [05:11] - Real Stories of Community Engagement
• [07:08] - The Question: What Makes for a Life Well-Lived?
• [09:20] - Jesus’ Timeless Answer: Love God, Love Neighbor
• [10:22] - The Desire to Justify Ourselves
• [13:14] - Jesus Clears the Bar for Us
• [14:48] - Responding to Grace, Not Earning It
• [17:00] - The Good Samaritan: A Paradigm Shift
• [20:09] - When Religion Fails to See
• [22:24] - The Power of Being Seen
• [23:50] - Compassion that Moves to Action
• [25:52] - Matching Needs with Abilities
• [26:34] - Sustainable, Shared Engagement
• [29:28] - Next Steps: Seeing, Connecting, Engaging
• [31:19] - Love in Action: Our Ongoing Call

Bible Reading

Luke 10:25-37 (ESV) – The Parable of the Good Samaritan —
> And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he 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.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
> But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
> Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, 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, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’
> Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”
> He said, “The one who showed him mercy.”
> And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Observation Questions

1. What question does the lawyer ask Jesus at the beginning of the passage, and what is his motivation for asking it? ([07:08])
2. How do the priest and the Levite respond to the wounded man, and what reasons might they have had for passing by? ([20:09])
3. What actions does the Samaritan take that set him apart from the other two men in the story? ([23:50])
4. According to the sermon, what is the difference between “seeing with your eyes” and “seeing with your heart”? ([23:50])

Interpretation Questions

1. The lawyer wanted to “justify himself” by asking, “Who is my neighbor?” What does this reveal about his understanding of God’s commands and his own heart? ([10:22])
2. The sermon says that Jesus “clears the bar” for us when it comes to loving God and neighbor. How does this change the way we approach doing good in the world? ([14:48])
3. The religious leaders in the parable failed to help the wounded man. What might this suggest about the dangers of letting religious routines or cultural norms shape our response to people in need? ([20:09])
4. The Samaritan not only helps in the moment but also arranges for the man’s long-term care. What does this teach about sustainable and shared engagement in serving others? ([26:34])

Application Questions

1. The sermon described a 105-year-old man whose legacy was not wealth or status, but a life spent engaging the world for good. If someone were to summarize your life today, what would they say you are known for? What would you want your legacy to be? ([02:25])
2. Jesus says the greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor. Looking at your daily routines, what percentage of your time, energy, or resources would you say is actually connected to these two priorities? What is one area you’d like to realign? ([09:20])
3. The sermon challenged the impulse to “justify ourselves” or prove we are good enough. Are there ways you find yourself trying to earn God’s favor or prove your worth through good works? How might you shift your motivation to serving out of gratitude for grace instead? ([14:48])
4. The parable highlights the importance of truly seeing those around us, especially those in need. Who in your life or community might you be overlooking? What is one practical step you can take this week to notice and engage with someone you might usually pass by? ([23:50])
5. The Samaritan matched his abilities to the man’s needs and partnered with others for long-term help. What are some skills, resources, or connections you have that could be used to bless others? Is there a need you’ve noticed that matches what you can offer? ([25:52])
6. The sermon warned about burnout and encouraged setting healthy boundaries in serving others. Have you ever felt overwhelmed or burned out by helping? What boundaries or partnerships could help you serve more sustainably? ([26:34])
7. The vision for the church is to be “force multipliers for kingdom good.” What is one next step you feel God is inviting you to take—whether it’s seeing, connecting, or engaging with someone in need? How can the group support you in this? ([29:28])