Reach Out Your Hand

Last week we started a series called bridge builders. We learned that it takes the right blueprints to build a bridge and that bridge be successful. Today we want to look at the next process and that is having the right tools for the project.

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.” It 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

25 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.”

Look at the first question asked by the lawyer in this conversation, “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? Certainly, but it has a bad motivation behind it because not only is this a test, but the lawyer is mistaken with the idea of what he needs to do to earn his way into heaven. Even as an expert of the law, the lawyer was still mistaken for what it takes to have eternal life.

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 this opening portion of our text, 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 I told you about the blueprints that are necessary for “bridge building.” And now that we have a plan, we need to take action. In the case of building a bridge that means gathering the right tools together and starting the work.

If I want to cut some wood, the first tool I reach for is not my hammer. Sure it’s a good hammer. It does fine for what it was meant for, but if I want to cut wood I reach for my saw. And depending on what type of job I’m doing, I have to get the right saw.

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

Look Inside Your Spiritual Toolbox

Galatians 5:22–23 NIV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

This defines the tools we are given by the Holy Spirit to build the perfect bridge. 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 today, we must ensure we have the right tools in our toolbox.

(Hold up an Allen wrench)

Does anyone know what this is? It is one of the most hated tools of any parent. If you have ever bought your kids an item like a toy or bed that requires you to put it together, it’s a safe bet that you got one of these allen wrenches with that item. And they are a pain in the you know what.

We have all felt the pain of seeing that 5 foot by 4 foot box coming to our house with pieces, nuts, bolts, instruction manual, and only one small tool provided to do the 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. 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 various kingdom projects we may be a part of. So whether it’s reconciliation, evangelism, discipleship, or missions we must all be willing to take advantage of the opportunities we’ve been given.

We All Have Opportunity

John 4:35 NIV

35 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.

Go back to our text in Luke 10 verse 30.

Luke 10:30–37 NIV

30 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 hero.

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 money are tools in our lives and sometimes we use them well, other times we use them poorly.

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.

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

Are there opportunities you and I are missing out on?

Is it a matter of time? Finances? Ability? Something else? What is it?

Reach Out Your Hand

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, through the empowerment and enablement of the Holy Spirit.

So, where do we begin?

I would argue that you begin in your own home, in your own circle of influence and relationships. Start where you have proximity to others on a regular basis. 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, 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 in week 1, 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… In fact, this is a core message of the New Testament as evidenced by the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross.

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

Philippians 4:13 NIV

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

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.

Here’s Your Homework for this week.

Make plans to come back next Sunday. We are going to looking at how we can bridge the gap with our family members.

I want you to consider what it means to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. How do these tools benefit you as you begin building bridges around. Pray and ask God to help you find your own blind spots in your life. And ask him to empower you and give you a heart for the harvest that is around you.

Strive to be more like the Good Samaritan. Be a person of action. Move beyond the cultural barriers. Move beyond your own bias. Build a bridge.