VISION 2011 A Call To Loving Service

1. VISION 2011A Call To Loving Service Matt.25:31-40

2. Introduction

4. In the countryside, sheep and goats mingle during the day. • At night, they were separated. • Sheep tolerated cooler air; goats herded together for warmth.

7. The righteous (sheep) are identified in two ways. • 1. The Righteous did simple acts of kindness. • Notice the simple responses God noted in the actions of the righteous. • Giving someone a drink, something to eat, clothes to wear and a visit.

8. Simple and basic things. • God’s followers are not identified by saying “Lord, Lord”. • Or repeating verbal expressions of their faith. • They were noted for numerous acts of self-sacrificing service, rendered to their fellow men.

9. Story • Warden Lewis Lawes and Sing Sing Prison. • A tough prison. • But 20 years later, it became a humanitarian institution. • Credit went to his wife – Catherine. • A blind prisoner – taught him Braille. • Deaf-mute prisoner – learnt sign language. • She was the body of Jesus in the prison.

10. Died in a car accident. • Acting warden shocked to see tough criminals crying. • Walked three quarters mile without guards for the funeral. • Everyone returned to the prison.

11. 2. The Righteous used their resources to be a blessing. • Unusual part of this judgment is how those on the left hand try to excuse themselves. • Their grounds – no opportunity. • Matt. 25:44 – Tone of innocence. • Note the King’s response • Matt.25:45- “To the least of these”

12. It is not the wrong doing that brings the severest censure. • But the failure to do good. • The sin of omission is seen as more serious as the sin of commission. • They fail to notice the many opportunities for showing kindness which had been given to them.

13. God blesses us so that we may be a blessing to others. • All of us have been given somethig we can share with others. • If we fail to use the opportunities, it will be taken from us. • How do we become rich toward God? • By passing blessings on to others.

16. The sheep are surprised at the place the King assigns them. • They are surprised at the reason. • v. 40 – “Did to the least of these” • The sheep did not show love to gain heaven. • It was their righteousness from their heart.

18. CONCLUSION • We are Jesus’ ambassadors to others here on this earth. • We are His hands and His feet to be a blessing to others. • Recognize this. • Ask God for a heart of compassion and desire to serve others.

19. VISION 2011A Caring CHURCH Acts 3:1-10

20. Introduction

21. There is no indication what those miraculous signs and wonders were • But Luke selects one – the story of the lame man healed at the Beautiful Gate

22. Why? • Two possible reasons: • It was just before Peter’s second sermon • It was the cause of the first persecution / tension of the early church. • On the Day of Pentecost, power from heaven came down • This power turned despairing doubters into dynamic disciples

24. Here we see people who have been touched by the power of God, touching others • Today’s passage reveals human tragedy: • It speaks of a man who was crippled from birth • Never been able to stand, walk, run or play like others • Everyday, his friends carried him to the Temple to beg.

25. The story of this man reminds us of the tragedy of the human condition: • If we look around, we see people hurting, suffering some form of tragedy • This man was physically crippled, but there are many who emotionally crippled

26. People appear to doing OK outwardly, yet inwardly they are struggling • People need a heavenly touch from God • Who will bring a heavenly touch to hurting people?

27. 1.A CARING CHURCH IMPARTS EXPECTANCY : verse 3-5 • It was the hour of prayer for the Jews (3.00pm) • A special significance to the Christians • It was the hour Jesus died on the cross – John 19:30) • Verse 5 – This man expected to receive something from Peter and John

28. He thought it would be money • If you want to receive anything from God , you must expect something from Him • Our lives remain the samebecause we neverexpect to receivefrom God • We switch off our minds when we come to a church service • We can sit here for years and never be changed

29. 2.A CARING CHURCH IMPARTS HEALING : verse 6-7 • The minute Peter had the man’s attention, he did two things: A. He admits his bankruptcy in material things • They could not give what they did not possess B. Demonstrates his adequacy in the spiritual realm • They were “partakers of the divine nature”

30. 1 Peter 1:4 – they could impart the power of Christ because they were full of Christ • If we do not possess a living relationship with Jesus Christ, we will never be able to impart a heavenly touch to others. • We need to develop our spiritual life in order to impart spiritual life to others

31. What we need are not possessions but power • Power to touch people’s lives with the presence of the living God • Power to reach out to people and lift them up • Give them hope, healing, friendship and fellowship This must be our ministry

32. 3. A CARING CHURCH IMPARTS JOY : verse 8 • This man who never walked, stood up and could not stop leaping. • Because of the miracle, there was a change in his life. • He was not only healed but joy filled his life • Someone cared enough to reach out to him in the name of Jesus

33. His life had been transformed • Someone cared and made a choice to reach out • It meant God loved him

34. There was a two fold effect: • People were convinced God was at work. B. They were prepared to listen to the explanation • That was Peter’s second sermon.

35. CONCLUSION • What this man needed was a heavenly touch from God. • He needed the power of the Holy Spirit to be made available to him. • That is what many are longing for today

36. Which is easier – to share the Gospel to an upwardly mobile, self-sufficient society or • To those who seem to be in desperate need? • The truth is – both are human and both have deep needs • People have unmet personal needs • They need a touch from God

37. True witnessing follows a pattern. • First – God Works. • God changes a life. • God does something that only God can do. • Let God do something to you.

38. Secondly, let people see what God did. • Let them ask you what happened. • Listen to what Peter says: 1 Peter 3:15 • Is there anyone like the lame man looking for help? • All that God has is wrapped up in one amazing Name. • The Name of Jesus.