When Matthew records Jesus using the phrase "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear," it serves multiple functions: to call for careful, discerning listening, to highlight the importance of the teachings, to differentiate between those who truly understand from those who do not, and to prompt listeners to action based on the truths they have heard. This phrase encapsulates the active engagement that Jesus’s teachings demand from His followers.
[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