30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
LUKE 19 1-10 SEEKING TO SAVE THE LOST 15 Blessing the people in our neighbourhood
📖 Luke 19:1-10
29Nov2020 - *Blessing the people in our neighbourhood* - _Luke 19:1-10_ - SEEKING TO SAVE THE LOST 15 – Bible reading: _Acts 2:44-47_
_Luke 19:8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "*Look, Lord*, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."_
Yesterday, we concluded by saying that the church must represent the character of God in giving. As I was so lovingly reminded, by a dear friend, even though there are weaknesses in the church, the church has served people, throughout history.
We are all products of the sacrifices of missionaries, sent by the church and mission agencies from across the globe.
Yet, there is much more that still needs to be done in each of our neighbourhoods. In every neighbourhood and community, there are people who need practical help and comfort. If we were to engage in the lives of people, in our own vicinity, each local church could become a wonderful blessing to her own neighbourhood.
Imagine, if every local church, every home Bible study group, every home prayer cell, every Christian home, instead of just looking after ourselves, would become those who care for others around us. How great the impact would be, on our ailing world, for the gospel of Jesus Christ?
There are people, who come into our lives, almost on an everyday basis. Do we make the effort to find out details about them? Or do we only benefit from the services that they provide us and then send them away?
That would be a good place to begin, by engaging with these people. The Lord would surely lead us to powerful and joyful opportunities to care and share with others.
This was the life of the early church that drew people around them and people were added to the church, every day.
_Act 2:44-46 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, (45) and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. (46) So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,_
_Act 4:34-35 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, (35) and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need._
This matter of giving and sharing is a matter of bearing fruit. Fruit-bearing is about being a blessing to others.
_Luke 3:8-13 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. (9) And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."_
_(10) So the people asked him, saying, "What shall we do then?" (11) He answered and said to them, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and *he who has food, let him do likewise*." (12) Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" (13) And he said to them, "Collect no more than what is appointed for you."_
In a time, such as this, when we are in a crisis, are you thinking of the needs of others and are you willing to share what you have to enrich the lives of others?
Is the Lord convicting you in this area? If so, repent and surrender to the lordship of God in this area and the Lord, the Holy Spirit, will enable you to share what you, your family, your home cell group and your local church have, with others.
*Thought to ponder*
```We are the hands and the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ.```