15 September 2013 - ENCS

The "Price Tag" series was continued by the talented Arnie

On the big screen in front, Luke 10:25-37 we all did see

The Good Samaritan showed much mercy in the parable

While the priest and the Levite had acted rather terrible

"Hold-Up or Uphold" was the title of Arnie's sermon

That he was passionate was easy to determine

The definition of "hold up" is often linked to "impede"

Arnie reminded us of this before he did then proceed

 

Would we hold-up the blessing or uphold being a blessing?

The way Arnie put it, there was not much room for guessing

The priest and the Levite were supposed to serve the Lord

But they did not help the man, sticking instead to the word

They let their tradition outweigh compassion in this case

They relied on the law instead of letting its heart embrace

Arnie asked how often we ignore it when we see a need

He told us of two cases where he could do a good deed

In the first instance, the opportunity to help he did decline

He learned his lesson, so the second instance went fine

Arnie said that we can be generous even if we are not rich

As long as from God's ways and paths we do not switch

Remember that we will never know what God is able to do

Unless we are willing to let Him see His plan through

 

Arnie asked if we would hold up caring

Or if we would prefer to uphold sharing

Samaritans were considered outcasts by those outside

By taking action, he broke tradition and a cultural divide

His journey was interrupted but he did not go berserk

Even if we are interrupted, we can still do God's work

And we should remember that if we see someone in need

If we take actions, others will most assuredly follow our lead

Sometimes dirt on our hands must be seen

In order to help someone else become clean

 

Arnie's third was whether we would hold up inner strife

Or if it was not better to uphold God's will for our life

Between Jesus and the Samaritan, Arnie drew a parallel

And the inn represents the church, he went on to tell

Good works are the result of our faith

But God can use others, Arnie did saith

Remember that God wants to share His joy

With every woman and man, girl and boy

 

Arnie referred to Ephesians two verses eight to ten

Which talked about being saved by faith again

This is a gift from God in heaven above

We do not need to earn God's love

His love never changes, so said birthday boy Arnie

For God in this world, our feet and hands can be

Sharing God's gift of grace with others is of course nice

It is possible because Jesus paid the ultimate price

 

In conclusion, an acronym Arnie did dispense

That Grace is God's Riches At Christ's Expense