Bridge Builders – Reach Out

Joke:  There were some backwoods hillbillies living across the river from each other, who feuded constantly. John hated Clarence with a passion and never passed up a chance to throw rocks across the river at Clarence. This went on for years until one day the Corps of Engineers came to build a bridge across that river. John was elated; he told his wife that finally he was going to get the chance to cross over and whip Clarence.

He left the house and returned in a matter of minutes. His wife asked what was wrong, didn’t he intend to go over the bridge and whip Clarence? He replied that he never had really seen Clarence up close and didn’t realize his size until he started over the bridge and saw the sign: “CLEARANCE 8 FT 3 IN”

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Bridge Builders   Week 2 – Reach Out Your Hand

Today I want to share a story I’m sure all of you are familiar with it’s the story of the Good Samaritan I believe it’s as inspiring as it is tragic. Two individuals who pass by the man who is in need are religious folks who should have been willing to help. The only person to reach out their hand was a person who would have been unexpected because he was a Samaritan. Samaritans and Jews were divided in every way, but the hero is someone who breaks barriers to show compassion.

So glad that you came to worship with us today. Last week we kicked off a series called Bridge Builders and we discussed having the right blueprints that make all the difference in the process of forgiveness. And as I mentioned last week today we are going to to looking at making sure we have the right tools for the project.

Let’s get started with a story. . .

During the American Revolution, a man in civilian clothes rode past a group of soldiers repairing a small defensive barrier.  Their leader was shouting instructions, but making no attempt to help them. Asked why by the rider, he retorted with great dignity, “Sir, I am a corporal.” The stranger apologized, dismounted, and proceeded to help the exhausted soldiers.  When the job was done, he turned to the corporal and said, “Mr. Corporal, next time you have a job like this and not enough men to do it, go to your commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you again.”   For you see that stranger riding by was none other than George Washington.

There was a clear barrier between the Commander-In-Chief and these soldiers, but George Washington broke that barrier and bridged the gap to support his fellow soldiers in their struggle.

Luke 10:25–28 (NIV): On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “ ‘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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

During this deliberation between Jesus and the lawyer, I want to draw your attention to the first question asked by the lawyer, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

A lawyer (In this time) would be someone who was an expert in the law. As he approaches Jesus, the lawyer knows what the law says, so this question is actually testing Jesus.

Is it a good question? Sure, important as well,  but it has a bad motivation behind it because not only is this a test, but the lawyer is mistaken with his idea of what he needs to do to earn his way into heaven.

By then way how many of you are aware you can’t earn your way?

Ephesians 2:8–9 (TPT): For it was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in him. Nothing we did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ! 9 So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving.

So, Jesus challenges the lawyer’s knowledge with, “What does the law state?” knowing the lawyer knows what the law says. As the lawyer responds correctly, I love what Jesus replies with “Now go and do it.”

Like the story of George Washington and as Christians we have a choice to make. We can be like the corporal, and watch as others struggle or we can take action.

Last week we discussed the blueprints necessary for “bridge building.” And now that we have a plan, we need to take action.

Having the right tools can make or break the project, and as believers we’ve been given some divine tools to help us.

Galatians 5:22-23 defines the tools we are given by the Holy Spirit to build the perfect bridge.  We have received love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Christian character is not mere moral or legal correctness, but the possession and manifestation of these nine graces.

These “tools” are the foundation of our moral portrait of Christ, and if we want to bridge the gap and eliminate the chasm between others, we must ensure we have the right tools in our toolbox. And be willing to pick them up.

(Have an Allen wrench with you) As a parent, we know the joys of raising kids. But we also know the pains. And there is one distinct job as a parent that stands out as the worst in the world. Building those dreaded toys.

If you know this pain then you also know how frustrating it is when a 5 foot by 4 foot box shows up at the house filled with pieces, nuts, bolts, instruction manuals, (not always well written I might add) and only one small tool provided to complete the entire job.

If you were only to use the Allen wrench provided, it may take you 6-8 weeks to build the play kitchen that your kids have been waiting for. And at some point in the process, you realize you can simply go to the garage and get the power drill, a few bits, and you can knock out the build in a few hours.

You see, the instructions by themselves won’t get the job done. And insufficient tools may indefinitely prolong the project. Sometimes you simply need to grab a different – more precise and powerful tool to finish up.

Thankfully, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit we all have access to an amazing array of tools to use in the  kingdom projects we are called to be a part of.

So whether it’s reconciliation, evangelism, discipleship, or missions we must be willing to take advantage of the opportunities we’ve been given.

Look at John 4:35 says, “Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

We have the blueprints, we have the right tools, and as we continue to strive to love one another, we need to bridge those gaps. We have an opportunity to show the true character of Christ through love. The fields are ripe for harvest.

As Christians, we are called to be a reflection of Jesus, and what better way than to be a mirror to show grace and mercy to those in need.

The opportunities are all around us, every day.

Let’s get back to our story. . .

Luke 10:30–37 (NIV): In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

When the lawyer heard about the priest and Levite, he probably expected Jesus to say next that a common Jewish man came along and helped. But Jesus shocked the man by saying that the enemy, a Samaritan, was actually the one who helped.

Generally speaking, Jews and Samaritans despised each other both racially and religiously. The culture gave the Samaritan plenty of reasons to hate the Jewish man and pass right by him.

But instead of passing by, the Samaritan showed grace to the Jewish man, he didn’t wait to be asked, he just “Went and did.” The Samaritan gave freely both his time and resources. He took action.

Both time and sometimes we actually have a little extra money are tools in our lives and sometimes we use them well, other times well. . .not so much.

In the story of the Good Samaritan, neither the priest nor the Levite had the time to stop what they were doing and assess the situation. They both had an amazing opportunity to extend help to another human and they literally walked right past.

But, even if they had stopped, we aren’t sure if either of them would’ve had any excess money to give.  Or willing to.

The Samaritan shows us what can be done with a little extra time and money. He was able to help the “left for dead” traveler.

Are there opportunities you and I are missing out on?

Is it a matter of time? Finances? Ability? Maybe something else?

Now that we have the understanding of the blueprints, and we know the foundation of our tools, it’s time to start building. We can begin to bridge the gaps between cultures, friends, family, etc. through the power and help of the Holy Spirit.

So, where do we begin?

I would argue that you begin right you you are,  in your own circle of influence and the relationships you already have with others.

With the barista in your local coffee shop, with the UPS driver who always stops at your house, with the family member who you haven’t really talked to much this year because of that thing that happened last Christmas.

Bridge the gap. Be bold in prayer and intentional in action.

As we reflect Jesus to others around us, like the Samaritan did, it won’t always be easy. In fact, just like we saw in our story, it may even cost us. Time, money, energy, and yes even some mental real estate.

But, we must be willing to go the extra mile. We must be willing to take action on behalf of others.

This may sound a bit too melodramatic, but at the end of the day, We are all that we have. Your relationships with others, your ability to know and be known by those you are in community with. . .

These are things that add undeniable value to our lives. And unfortunately, the world around us is less and less a place that fosters healthy relationships.

As I mentioned last week, it’s all too easy to simply move on from relationships that are difficult or challenging. But, we can fight for unity and work to build bridges. . .

And with Christ as our example and leader we can trust that through Him we can accomplish anything!

Philippians 4:12–13 (TPT): I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.

As I wrap up our time today, let me briefly recap what we’ve discussed in this series so far.

Last week we talked about the divine blueprints we’ve been given and the power of forgiveness. If you haven’t been in the Bible lately, the blueprints of the kingdom, then it’s vitally important that you take inventory of whose blueprints you have been reading.

What’s your plan for forgiveness, unity, and reconciliation with others?

Once you’ve done that then it’s time, as we discussed today, to start putting together our tools and begin the building – or Rebuilding projects in our lives.

Through the Spirit, we have access to a powerful and divine toolset for every kingdom project that comes our way.

This week, take some time to consider what it means to have;

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-Control

Consider how these tools could be a benefit to you as you begin building bridges around you. Pray and ask God to help you identify your own blind spots and areas that could use some improvement.

Ask Him to empower you, to use you, and to give you a heart for the harvest that is all around you.

And lastly, maybe we need to be more like George Washington or the Good Samaritan.   Be a person of action. . .willing to step into situations as they are presented to you. Move beyond cultural taboos and barriers, move beyond societal hierarchies, move beyond your own bias.

Reach out your hand this week. Build a bridge.

Let’s pray together.

Join us again next week as we look at not wasting the opportunities we have been given.