THE NEED FOR INVOLVEMENT

INTRODUCTION
A. Isaiah 57:1
1. Isaiah is writing to God’s people during a time of gross idolatry and
rebellion
2. Righteous martyrs were being killed without just cause
3. An invasion from the north was forthcoming
4. Multitudes did not seem to care – They just did not want to get
involved
5. Herein we see:
a. A lack of involvement
b. A lack of attention given
c. A lack of caring and concern demonstrated
d. A lack of effort to remedy the situation

B. They had neglected their relationships with:
1. God – Vertical
2. Their fellowman – Horizontal

C. “No man is an island, entire of himself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in all of mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; the bell tolls for thee.” (17th Century Poet John Dunn)
1. Those words hold an emotional charge for many – and should for all
2. People are not isolated from one another, but rather are
interconnected. Each one of us is deeply involved in all of mankind

3. Everything that happens anywhere in the world that effects people
should be a matter of our concern, especially as it pertains to the
Lord’s church

a. Illustration: In the state of Israel, the Jewish Knesset, bowing to
the wishes of the Orthodox Jews, passed a law stating that anyone
attempting to “proselyte” a Jew is subject to spend 15 years in a
Jewish prison

b. Illustration: In Sweden, Swedish lawmakers approved a
constitutional amendment that would criminalize opposition to
homosexuality. Anyone caught preaching against homosexuality
or opposing it in any way is subject to spend six months to four
years in a Swedish jail. This is one of several attempts to
criminalize Christianity.

c. Illustration: As a result of a strong Hindu influence among Indian
authorities, the Indian province of Tamil Nadu, has handed down a
new law forbidding the practice of “Christian baptism.” Anyone
caught doing this would be sentenced to five years in jail.

4. What are your feelings about these? Shock-Anger-Concern … there
is nothing in the world that does not affect us in some way –
especially the brethren

D. Since the beginning of time people have trouble with concern and
involvement
1. God asked Cain where his brother was. Cain said, “A I my brother’s
keeper” (Gen. 4:9)
2. Cain soon learned the answer to his question
3. The first murder occurred when Cain slew Abel
4. As a result of a lack of concern for his brother, Cain received a curse
and became a fugitive and a wanderer
5. How unfortunate it is that so many today are cursed by their own
lack of concern for their own fellowman

DISCUSSION
A. Listen to what Jesus says about involvement – or a lack thereof
1. Matthew 25:41-46 … They were condemned for their lack
of involvement with others in a helping way
2. Luke 16:19-31
a. Notice that:
1) Two men lived
2) Two men died
3) The situation of those two men in the next life was exactly the
opposite of what it had been in this life
a) The rich man became a beggar in Hades
b) The poor man because a rich man in Paradise
b. Notice that the rich man here is not described as being a murder or
a thief
c. His sin was that he disregarded the beggar Lazarus, who lay at his
gate full of sores
d. He didn’t get involved in helping the needs of others

B. A classic example of real involvement – The Good Samaritan
1. Luke 10:30-37
a. A man had been robbed and beaten
b. Notice the travelers that ventured by…
2. A Priest
a. A man of God – a teacher of the people
b. Notice he “saw him” and “passed by on the other side”
3. A Levite
a. They cared for the Tabernacle/Temple as well as performing other
duties
b. Notice he “came and looked on him, and passed by on the other
side”
4. A Samaritan
a. A man the Jews looked down upon
b. Notice what true compassion looks like in verse 34:
1) “Went to him” – Activity
2) “Bound up his wounds” – Helped immediately
3) “Poured in oil and wine” – Giving
4) “Set Him on his beast” – Inconvenience
5) “Brought him to an inn” – Time consuming
6) “Took care of him” – Sacrifice
5. The Robber saw an object to abuse (10:30)
6. The Religious saw an obstacle to avoid (10:31-32)
7. The Righteous saw an opportunity to aid (10:33-35)

8. The Application:
a. When we see an erring brother will our actions be that of the Priest
and Levite – or the Good Samaritan?
b. When we see the lost will our actions be that of the Priest and
Levite – or the Good Samaritan?
c. When we see those in need will our actions be that of the Priest
and Levite – or the Good Samaritan?
9. The world does not care how much you know until they know how
much you care

C. Resisting Responsibility
1. We live in an age when more and more people are running away
from involvement
a. they are resisting responsibility and saying, “I don not want to get
involved.”
b. In our day there is a disturbing tendency away from being
involved in the need of others
2. Why are people reluctant to become involved?
a. Fear
1) This leads people to think, “I don’t know how; I can’t”
2) We need to rise about fear
3) 1 John 4:18
b. Selfishness
1) This must never be a part of Christianity
2) 1 John 3:16-18
3) Romans 5:8
4) Galatians 2:20
c. Indifference
1) Many are unconcerned and uninterested – many just
do not seem to care
2) What if God were this way toward us?
3) Sadly many are indifferent toward others and the
Lord’s work
4) Revelation 3:15-17

CONCLUSION
A. The Lord needs your help with:
1. Involvement in the lives of people
2. Involvement in the work of the local congregation
B. Notice these two great attitude found in the Bible:
1. “Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth” (1 Sam. 3:9)
2. “Here am I, send me” (Isa. 6:8)
C. These will be our attitudes if we will follow the instruction
found in Mark 12:30-31
D. Let’s get involved and make a difference in the world and
the Lord’s church