Alva Baptist Church

Paul writes in his Second Letter to Corinth about the Power of the Holy Spirit at work in the believer.  Jesus finishes today with a similar encouragement that the Holy Spirit is present and involved with our witness to the Power of God at work in us, moment by moment.

Many groups mistake this teaching to mean that we need to undertake magnificent work, or some extensive achievement, in order prove devotion, to be accepted.

The subtlety isn't 'reward for work', It is 'recognition of faithful witness'

if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us...

Jesus teaches on the corrupting influence of hypocrisy.

Is the motivation to hypocrisy fear, ultimately, of death?

Jesus teaches how special a person is to God and warns against blasphemy.

The Good Samaritan is not a parable about doing good deeds for people.  

It is about the absolute nature of mercy and justice
and the high standard for the gift of eternal life.

A Levite scribe asks Jesus a question to test Him.  
But he doesn't realise the depth of the water he is now wimming-in.  
As we deal with sin and death; and the high standard of eternal life.

The Levite asks Jesus 'What must I do to inherit eternal life?'
Jesus answers by asking him.  
And he answers with what are the two greatest failures of anyone on earth:
You must love the Lord your God with all your heart mind soul snd strength;
and love your neighbour as yourself.