Helping those in need is sometimes an individual responsibility. Often we’re tempted to think, "That’s not my job. There are all kinds of organizations and government programs. They’re not my responsibility!" This may be true in some cases but not all.
”whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:31-40
Do you think maybe at times God puts individuals before us and expects us to help them? And when those opportunities come, we must be ready to help.
There are many reasons to help people in need, but for the Christian, none is higher than this: when we love those in need, we are loving Jesus. It is a mystery beyond science, a truth beyond statistics. But it is a message that Jesus made crystal clear: when we love them, we love him.
This is the theme of his final sermon. (Matthew 25:31-40). The message he saved until last. He must want this point imprinted on our conscience. He depicted the final judgment scene. The last day, the great Day of Judgment. On that day Jesus will issue an irresistible command. All will come. From sunken ships and forgotten cemeteries, they will come. From royal tombs and grassy battlefields, they will come. From Abel, the first to die, to the person being buried at the moment Jesus calls, every human in history will be present.
In this sermon Jesus says “…he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Matthew 25:32-33.
How can one envision this moment without thinking: What determines his choice? How does Jesus separate the people?
Jesus gives the answer in Matthew 25:34-36 ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. Those on the right, the sheep, will be those who fed him when he was hungry, brought him water when he was thirsty, gave him lodging when he was lonely, clothing when he was naked, and comfort when he was sick or imprisoned. The sign of the saved is their concern for those in need. Compassion does not save them—or us. Salvation is the work of Christ. Compassion is one of the results of salvation.
Then the “sheep” will react with a sincere question: when? When did we feed, visit, clothe, or comfort you? And Jesus gave the answer: ”whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Jesus will recount, one by one, all the acts of kindness. Every deed done to improve the lot of another person. Even the small ones. In fact, they all seem small. Giving water. Offering food. Sharing clothing. The works of mercy are simple deeds. And yet, in these simple deeds we serve Jesus. Astounding this truth: we serve Christ by serving needy people.
When you look closely at the history of the first church there in Jerusalem, you see an exciting and growing church. And as they grew, they became more and more concerned about helping those in need. Let’s look at one way in which they ministered to the people’s their material needs:
"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was with them all." Acts 4:32-33
This is the attitude the church in Jerusalem had. When they realized what God had done for them, and that everything they had came from Him, they became unselfish and generous.
"There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need." Acts 4:34
Now notice: First of all, the people were giving sacrificial gifts. They didn’t have a bazaar or bingo or a bake sale. They didn’t raffle off a camel. They just brought their gifts, and it was strictly voluntary. No one was telling them to do it.
But because of what God had done for them, and because they saw fellow Christians in need, they brought their gifts.
Secondly, the church didn’t keep the money. The church didn’t become wealthy, but distributed it among the people as they had need.
Do you think maybe it’s dangerous for a church to become rich? Is it unhealthy to have large bank balances? Don’t you think that God provides money to the church to be used in the building of His kingdom, not to draw interest?
As the church grows and people give generously, then the church has a responsibility to make sure that those funds are used wisely to fulfill the purpose of the church. And one result in the first church was that there weren’t any needy people among them whose needs weren’t being met.
Now the Bible does not teach that there has to be equal distribution of wealth. Nor does the Bible advocate a socialistic or communistic system. There have always been rich people and poor people, both in Bible times and today. Jesus said “You will always have the poor among you.” Matthew 26:11 and John 12:8
But If our brothers or sisters are in need, then we must take pity on them and do something in the name of Jesus Christ to help them in their need.
And as the church continued to grow in Jerusalem, we find out how they did that. “.. as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. Acts 6:1
Since the church in Jerusalem was growing rapidly some widows were being overlooked. So there was a murmuring (hey, it was a church!), and the apostles recognized that there was a problem.
”So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men (can we say Deacons?) who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” Acts 1:2-4
“Everyone liked this idea” ( )……. "So God’s message continued to spread”. Acts 1:5, 7
When you’re taking care of your own, that is something tangible that the world can see. It’s one thing to sit around and talk about what a great faith we have, and what a great church we are, and all the things we’re going to do.
But when you roll up your sleeves and do something, the world sits up and takes notice and sees that it is not just talk. It’s a way to express our faith. And when we do, many will notice and be attracted to Jesus.
But now before we all quit our jobs and start hanging around the church, there is another passages that we need to examine:
The Apostle Paul writes says, "Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”” 2 Thessalonians 3:10. This is a principle in scripture that we should not violate. If a person is physically able to work, and if the opportunity is there, and he or she refuses to work, we should not feel obligated to give them anything.
Galatians 6:10 says, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Now that teaches that we ought to be concerned about everybody, especially those who are a part of the church. We’re a family, and we need to watch out for each other.
You would be amazed to know how many people come by the church asking for help, and how often some dip into their pockets to help. All because they recognize that God has called us to minister to those in need.
There are people all over this world who are hurting. Maybe not quite that desperately, but many are waiting for someone to reach out and to touch.
None of us can help everyone. But all of us can help someone. And when we help them, we serve Jesus. Who would want to miss a chance to do that?
Monday, November 8, 2010
Reflections on 'I Can Only Imagine' by Mercy Me
This is a lesson that I did several years ago – actually in 2003. But it was brought to my attention this week and after reading it I felt that maybe God was leading me to do this again. And as we entered into our first night of the Judgment Day ministry and we try to “portray” what Heaven will be like, I felt that this is the lesson I am supposed to do today. So here it is again with some changes.
Reflection #1
"Look, Daddy, look what I learned today!" A four year-old girl, delighted that her father is finally home from work, motions for him to sit down on the living room couch. As her mother looks on with pride, a would-be ballerina gracefully lifts her arms and slowly spins on her tiptoes.
If you haven't experienced a scenario of this type firsthand, you can picture it. It doesn't take much of an imagination to see that little girl in your mind's eye. She's still dressed in her pink tutu and satin slippers. Her eyes are wide with excitement. Her face beams. As she looks into her father's smiling face, she senses his unconditional love. Knowing that, she longs to creatively express her love.
What a beautiful picture that impromptu dance recital is of a future homecoming. When we gather in the front room of heaven, the joy of being reunited with our Father will result in unlimited expressions of praise. Will we want to dance? Will we want to sing? Well, that's exactly what the group Mercy Me wants to explore with us as they sing "I Can Only Imagine."
At this point in lesson we played the entire song in class.
I am sure everyone reading this lesson has heard this song but you can listen to again as you read the read the lesson on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus, or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.
Who's to say what we will actually do once we get to heaven? No one knows for sure. We are certain of a couple of things. For one thing, the attractiveness of heaven will be mind-boggling. It will be the fulfillment of everything we've longed for. "No longer will there be a curse upon anything" (Revelation 22:3 NLT).
Just imagine. Sin and all its consequences will be absent--no death, disease, heartache, pain or loss. Injustice won't be found there; neither will there be a hint of terrorism or tragedy.
And another certainty we have about heaven is the fact that we will find appropriate ways to communicate our love as we see our Father face to face. "For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face" (Revelation 22:3-4 NLT). Can you imagine that? Seeing the face of the one we have waited our whole lives to see
Reflection #2
Fanny Crosby wasn't born blind. She was the victim of a tragic mistake. The family doctor inadvertently confused the chemicals he was mixing for a routine eye drop prescription. At six weeks, the infant girl's eyes were flushed with a toxic substance and she immediately lost her sight. That accident occurred early in the nineteenth century long before society would have insisted on lawsuits as a way of seeking retribution. The way Fanny responded to this unthinkable injustice was to write hymn lyrics.
When she died at the age of 95, Fanny had written over 9,000 hymns. Although sightless, Fanny had eyes of faith that allowed her amazing biblical insights. Because she knew she would one day see her Savior face to face, her vision of heaven was all the more keen. With pen in hand she wrote as she imagined heaven's splendor. In one of her best-loved hymns she celebrated the joyful assurance of her salvation while longingly anticipating the day she'd be with Jesus.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love
(Blessed Assurance).
Miss Crosby once surprised an admirer by saying, "Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I should be born blind?"
"Why?" her amazed fan asked.
"Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!"
Fanny's old-English way of talking is a bit outdated. But her delight imagining what it will be like to actually see the Lord is timeless. It's what Mercy Me sings about in "I Can Only Imagine." Perhaps their lyrics are a bit easier to relate to.
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine.
That's the very thing the apostle Paul whets our appetite for in the famous love chapter of the Bible. In 1 Corinthians 13 he calls us to imagine what it will be like to have perfect vision and perfect love. “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
Reflection #3
Why do so many babies die of Sudden Infant Death syndrome? Why do young mothers get cancer and leave school-age children to grow up with only a dad's love? Why didn't God intervene on September 11? Does God's perfect will for my life include a given career and a certain person for me to marry?
Can you imagine how often a pastor is approached by well-meaning people wondering why God allows certain circumstances or events or what He intends? Let's just say very often.
And well-meaning ministers do their best to respond. "When we get to heaven, we can ask God why Hitler was allowed to exterminate 6 million Jews, His chosen race. We'll be able to ask Him why innocent civilians are killed in combat. You can ask the Lord what He had in mind when He let that chain of events take place in your life."
Often people will ask “Will I see my mother, my father, my child, my best friend that went on to be Jesus before me?” We want to give comfort to those that have lost loved ones and so we say ‘Certainly”!
These are good responses. It just might be like that. But nowhere in Scripture is this kind of conversation with God hinted at. Nowhere does it imply that once in heaven we will have the need to know answers to those kinds of questions. In heaven earth-issues may not seem nearly as important. As the lyrics of an old Gospel song, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, speculate, the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. And God says in Isaiah 17, “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.
It's entirely possible that we will be so blown away by His majesty and splendor that questions of any kind will seem inconsequential in the Lord's presence. That's what Mercy Me gets at in their song.
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.
In Psalm 46 the Lord speaks. What He says suggests that extended seasons of reverential silence may be more the norm in heaven than non-stop singing. "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10 NIV). It's an invitation to quiet reflection in His presence while we can only imagine what heaven will be like.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
My personal belief is that the greatest words that we could ever experience would be to hear Jesus say to us as we enter into Heaven: “Well done, my good and faithful servant” as He said them to the faithful servant in the story of the “talents” in Matthew 25:21.
For prayer requests, comments or to be included in our email ministry, email us at: whosoever@cottagehillbaptist.org. Also, Check out our “blog” at: http://thewhosoevers.blogspot.com/
Reflection #1
"Look, Daddy, look what I learned today!" A four year-old girl, delighted that her father is finally home from work, motions for him to sit down on the living room couch. As her mother looks on with pride, a would-be ballerina gracefully lifts her arms and slowly spins on her tiptoes.
If you haven't experienced a scenario of this type firsthand, you can picture it. It doesn't take much of an imagination to see that little girl in your mind's eye. She's still dressed in her pink tutu and satin slippers. Her eyes are wide with excitement. Her face beams. As she looks into her father's smiling face, she senses his unconditional love. Knowing that, she longs to creatively express her love.
What a beautiful picture that impromptu dance recital is of a future homecoming. When we gather in the front room of heaven, the joy of being reunited with our Father will result in unlimited expressions of praise. Will we want to dance? Will we want to sing? Well, that's exactly what the group Mercy Me wants to explore with us as they sing "I Can Only Imagine."
At this point in lesson we played the entire song in class.
I am sure everyone reading this lesson has heard this song but you can listen to again as you read the read the lesson on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus, or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.
Who's to say what we will actually do once we get to heaven? No one knows for sure. We are certain of a couple of things. For one thing, the attractiveness of heaven will be mind-boggling. It will be the fulfillment of everything we've longed for. "No longer will there be a curse upon anything" (Revelation 22:3 NLT).
Just imagine. Sin and all its consequences will be absent--no death, disease, heartache, pain or loss. Injustice won't be found there; neither will there be a hint of terrorism or tragedy.
And another certainty we have about heaven is the fact that we will find appropriate ways to communicate our love as we see our Father face to face. "For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face" (Revelation 22:3-4 NLT). Can you imagine that? Seeing the face of the one we have waited our whole lives to see
Reflection #2
Fanny Crosby wasn't born blind. She was the victim of a tragic mistake. The family doctor inadvertently confused the chemicals he was mixing for a routine eye drop prescription. At six weeks, the infant girl's eyes were flushed with a toxic substance and she immediately lost her sight. That accident occurred early in the nineteenth century long before society would have insisted on lawsuits as a way of seeking retribution. The way Fanny responded to this unthinkable injustice was to write hymn lyrics.
When she died at the age of 95, Fanny had written over 9,000 hymns. Although sightless, Fanny had eyes of faith that allowed her amazing biblical insights. Because she knew she would one day see her Savior face to face, her vision of heaven was all the more keen. With pen in hand she wrote as she imagined heaven's splendor. In one of her best-loved hymns she celebrated the joyful assurance of her salvation while longingly anticipating the day she'd be with Jesus.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love
(Blessed Assurance).
Miss Crosby once surprised an admirer by saying, "Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I should be born blind?"
"Why?" her amazed fan asked.
"Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!"
Fanny's old-English way of talking is a bit outdated. But her delight imagining what it will be like to actually see the Lord is timeless. It's what Mercy Me sings about in "I Can Only Imagine." Perhaps their lyrics are a bit easier to relate to.
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine.
That's the very thing the apostle Paul whets our appetite for in the famous love chapter of the Bible. In 1 Corinthians 13 he calls us to imagine what it will be like to have perfect vision and perfect love. “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
Reflection #3
Why do so many babies die of Sudden Infant Death syndrome? Why do young mothers get cancer and leave school-age children to grow up with only a dad's love? Why didn't God intervene on September 11? Does God's perfect will for my life include a given career and a certain person for me to marry?
Can you imagine how often a pastor is approached by well-meaning people wondering why God allows certain circumstances or events or what He intends? Let's just say very often.
And well-meaning ministers do their best to respond. "When we get to heaven, we can ask God why Hitler was allowed to exterminate 6 million Jews, His chosen race. We'll be able to ask Him why innocent civilians are killed in combat. You can ask the Lord what He had in mind when He let that chain of events take place in your life."
Often people will ask “Will I see my mother, my father, my child, my best friend that went on to be Jesus before me?” We want to give comfort to those that have lost loved ones and so we say ‘Certainly”!
These are good responses. It just might be like that. But nowhere in Scripture is this kind of conversation with God hinted at. Nowhere does it imply that once in heaven we will have the need to know answers to those kinds of questions. In heaven earth-issues may not seem nearly as important. As the lyrics of an old Gospel song, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, speculate, the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. And God says in Isaiah 17, “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.
It's entirely possible that we will be so blown away by His majesty and splendor that questions of any kind will seem inconsequential in the Lord's presence. That's what Mercy Me gets at in their song.
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.
In Psalm 46 the Lord speaks. What He says suggests that extended seasons of reverential silence may be more the norm in heaven than non-stop singing. "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10 NIV). It's an invitation to quiet reflection in His presence while we can only imagine what heaven will be like.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
My personal belief is that the greatest words that we could ever experience would be to hear Jesus say to us as we enter into Heaven: “Well done, my good and faithful servant” as He said them to the faithful servant in the story of the “talents” in Matthew 25:21.
For prayer requests, comments or to be included in our email ministry, email us at: whosoever@cottagehillbaptist.org. Also, Check out our “blog” at: http://thewhosoevers.blogspot.com/
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