The Bible Speaks - Words of Inspiration - – I am my brothers’ keeper

[00:00:00] Let us pray, bread together on our knees

[00:00:07] Let us pray, bread together on our knees

[00:00:14] When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun

[00:00:21] Oh Lord, never see all the knees

[00:00:27] Welcome to the Bible Speaks with Elgin Carelock

[00:00:30] The Bible Speaks is a weekly ministry of Harvest International

[00:00:33] Our prayer is that the Bible Speaks will encourage you in your study of God's word

[00:00:38] You will be able to contact Elgin at the address given at the end of this broadcast

[00:00:44] And now, here's Elgin

[00:00:46] My son, keep thy father's commandment and forsake not the law of thy mother

[00:00:52] Find them continually upon thine heart and tie them about thy neck

[00:00:57] When thou goest, it shall lead thee

[00:01:01] When thou sleepest, it shall keep thee

[00:01:04] And when thou awakeest, it shall talk with thee

[00:01:08] Proverbs 6, verses 20 through 22

[00:01:13] Brothers and sisters, I welcome you once again in the name of Yeshua Hamashiyah

[00:01:21] To another edition of Words of Inspiration

[00:01:25] And today we're going to discuss a very familiar story

[00:01:30] And the implications therein

[00:01:33] And our subject matter is, I am my brother's keeper

[00:01:39] Our scriptural inspiration comes from Luke 10 verses 30 through 35

[00:01:48] Which reads, In reply, Jesus said, A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho

[00:01:56] When he was attacked by robbers

[00:01:59] They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead

[00:02:06] A priest happened to be going down the same road

[00:02:09] And when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side

[00:02:14] Pro too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side

[00:02:21] But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was

[00:02:26] And when he saw him, he took pity on him

[00:02:30] He went to him and bandaged his wounds, poured oil and wine

[00:02:35] Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him

[00:02:41] The next day he took out two denerols and gave them to the innkeeper

[00:02:46] Look after him, he said, And when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have

[00:02:54] The story of the Good Samaritan is a famous parable

[00:02:59] But do we take it to heart?

[00:03:02] When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandments were

[00:03:06] He responded, The first and greatest commandment is

[00:03:10] Hero Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one

[00:03:16] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength

[00:03:25] The second is this, love your neighbor as yourself

[00:03:30] So what does it mean to truly love your neighbor?

[00:03:34] To truly love your neighbor biblically means embracing a deep and active concern for the well-being of others as illustrated through Scripture

[00:03:45] Biblical love for one's neighbor is meant to be unconditional and selfless, mirroring the love that God shows to humanity

[00:03:55] It is not based on what one might gain from the relationship but on a genuine desire to do good for another person

[00:04:06] This type of love is best exemplified by Jesus's sacrificial love on the cross

[00:04:13] Loving your neighbor involves seeking justice for them, especially those who are oppressed, marginalized or unable to defend themselves

[00:04:23] How am I my brother's keeper? Being your brother's keeper involves active involvement in the lives of others

[00:04:30] It means not only wishing well for others but also taking concrete steps to assist, support and uplift them

[00:04:39] This could be through emotional support, practical help or some sort of advocacy

[00:04:46] I'll share a story with you. I was going to a retail store to pick up some decorations for our Christmas set when I saw an older woman standing by a car with a flat

[00:04:57] Since she was on the phone, I assumed she was calling her auto insurance or someone else to help her

[00:05:04] When I came out of the store, she was still standing there

[00:05:08] So I walked over to her and asked if she had called someone to help

[00:05:12] She told me she did not have roadside with her insurance and she had not been able to reach her son

[00:05:20] I told her I would change the tire for her but she objected because I was wearing a suit

[00:05:26] I told her not to worry because I was not going to leave her stranded

[00:05:31] So I changed the tire and she went on. She tried to pay me for it but I wouldn't accept it

[00:05:38] Even though I have had challenges in my life, God has been too good to me and my family

[00:05:45] So there's no way I would have left her there without rendering help that I could

[00:05:51] Being your brother's keeper also includes sharing in the burdens of others

[00:05:57] Helping lighten their load, whether through physical assistance like me changing that tire, emotional support or spiritual guidance

[00:06:06] This sharing of burdens strengthens relationships and fosters a sense of belonging and community

[00:06:13] You don't have to know someone to show the love of God

[00:06:17] Remember we are blessed to be a blessing

[00:06:21] And as we discussed last week, you reap what you sow

[00:06:25] If you sow sparingly, you will reap sparingly

[00:06:29] So brothers and sisters to be your brother's keeper is to embody the values and responsibilities as dictated in the word of God

[00:06:41] It calls on individuals to extend beyond self-concern to the active care and protection of others

[00:06:49] Reflecting a deep understanding of and commitment to the interconnectedness of human relationships

[00:06:57] Thereby fulfilling the will of God

[00:07:01] Brothers and sisters, I thank you once again for joining me

[00:07:05] And I look forward to our discussion on tomorrow

[00:07:08] And until then, God bless

[00:07:32] And invite you to write us at Harvest International

[00:07:35] Post Office Box 6690 Ocala, Florida 34478

[00:07:41] Again, that's Harvest International

[00:07:44] Post Office Box 6690 Ocala, Florida 34478

[00:08:24] Thank you