If Only I Knew // Pastor Jon Larson

In the back of our minds, we often carry a quiet awareness of what we should be doing (acts of compassion, words of encouragement, moments to step in) but for one reason or another, we don’t act. It’s only when the opportunity has passed and consequences emerge that we find ourselves saying, “If I only knew.” This weekend, we turn to the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, where a wealthy man consistently ignores the suffering of someone right outside his gate. Only in hindsight does he recognize the depth of his neglect, but by then, it’s too late. As part of our Connected Lives series, this message invites us to consider: Who is sitting at your gate? Who might you be overlooking, even as God places a call on our hearts to respond with compassion and love? Don’t wait until later to realize what we already know to be true in our hearts today.