INTRODUCTION: Jesus used these words to encourage a Pharisees to show mercy. (Luke 10:37) There are several examples found in the New Testament that we could admonish each other with the exact word, "Go, and do likewise."

BODY

I. AN EXAMPLE OF SELF-SACRIFICE.

A. The brethren of the churches of Macedonia.

1. II Corinthians 8:1-5

2. They were willing to give themselves to the Lord.

3. Once that was accomplished they had no problem determining the amount of their financial commitment to the Lord.

B. We are told to put the Lord first in our lives.

1. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

C. Our Lord Jesus Christ controls the lives of his children.

1. Romans 14:8 - For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

2. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20- For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

A. Simon the Sorcerer.

1. Acts 8:18-25

2. While some may look down on this man for this sin, how many of us if we would be truthful to ourselves, would not have sinned in the past that caused us to be ashamed.

3. He showed a penitent attitude.

4. He sought the prayers of other Christians that he might to be lost.

B. When Christians become unfaithful they need to repent and seek forgiveness.

1. James 4:4-10

2. James 5:19-20 "Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20- let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."

A. The Bereans.

1. Acts 17:11 - These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

2. Notice several important truths that Luke reveals.

a. Searching the scriptures in noble. (a commendable trait)

b. They received the preaching of Paul readily.

c. They proved the preaching of Paul by searching the Scriptures.

d. They studied on a regular basis.

B. The Scriptures should be searched regularly:

1. Because it is the only means of salvation.

a. Romans 1:16

b. Romans 10:17

c. James 1:21 - Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

d. 1 Peter 1:23 - having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

2. Because it is the only thing that will enable us to grow as Christians.

a. 1 Peter 2:2 - as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

3. Because it furnishes us completely.

a. II Timothy 3:16,17

4. Because it will judge us on the last day.

a. John 12:48 - "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.

b. Revelation 20:12 - And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

A. The Corinthians.

1. Acts 18:8 - Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

2. They responded in the God approved way to the preaching of Paul.

3. This was in spite of some who opposed the word of God.

a. Acts 18:5-6 "When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6- But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

B. This is the proper way to respond to the word when it is preached.

1. There is "danger and death in delay."

2. 2 Corinthians 6:2 - For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

3. Acts 22:16

a. Acts 9:18 - Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

A. Barnabas, the son of Consolation. (Acts 4:36)

1. Acts 11:22-24

2. When Barnabas saw good work going on he encouraged it to continue, not seeking to discourage the brethren.

B. We need exhorters, what we commonly call encouragers.

1. Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25- not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

A. The apostle Paul.

1. Philippians 4:11-12 "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12- I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."

2. How did he do this?

a. He learned to trust in the Lord.

b. Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

B. We, too, can be content if we realize that we have the greatest riches in the world-the Lord being with us.

1. Hebrews 13:5 - Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

2. Psalms 37:25 - I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.