WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.159 You're going to remember, isn't that right? 00:00:02.200 --> 00:00:05.540 You're going to remember the different people who spoke, 00:00:06.540 --> 00:00:12.640 ! the different ministry facets that they represented and challenged you to think about. 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:18.519 ! And I trust that what happens as a result of our time today is not that you will go out of here saying, 00:00:18.519 --> 00:00:25.879 well, I was really encouraged by listening to what's going on around the world with Compassion Ministries 00:00:25.879 --> 00:00:32.140 or thinking about adoption and, wow, I am really excited with what John and Kristen are doing. 00:00:32.700 --> 00:00:34.219 That's not the purpose of it. 00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:39.859 The purpose is to bring you to a point of saying yes or no to God and saying, you know what? 00:00:39.859 --> 00:00:45.859 God wants me to step forward and be more actively involved in ministering to individuals 00:00:45.859 --> 00:00:50.000 who are challenged and have needs that God's put me here to meet. 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:56.179 So I want you to pray with me as we close off our time this morning with a brief focus 00:00:56.179 --> 00:01:01.780 on some underlying biblical truth that is the foundation upon which we rest. 00:01:01.880 --> 00:01:07.299 And so you pray that God would help me in the remaining 10 or 12 minutes. 00:01:07.299 --> 00:01:10.799 And some of you are looking at your watch and saying, I don't think he can do that. 00:01:11.879 --> 00:01:12.599 Trust me. 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:15.340 You're going to be praying for that. 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:17.260 So what we pray for, God helps with, right? 00:01:17.260 --> 00:01:22.640 And secondly, you'll be praying and say, all right, Lord, I don't want to walk out of here just saying, 00:01:22.960 --> 00:01:27.260 well, I heard something good, but you want to walk out saying, listen, God, 00:01:27.380 --> 00:01:31.740 you've got a part that you want me to play and you want me to step in and be involved. 00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:32.240 Let's pray. 00:01:34.260 --> 00:01:39.700 Our gracious God and Father, we are so very thankful that we can rely upon your spirit 00:01:39.700 --> 00:01:42.420 to work in the lives of your people. 00:01:42.420 --> 00:01:50.579 The scriptures come to mind where you explain to Zachariah the prophet, 00:01:50.840 --> 00:01:56.120 not by might nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord. 00:01:57.299 --> 00:02:04.659 And we want you to work in us that you who abide in heaven and enjoy the praises of angels 00:02:04.659 --> 00:02:12.659 would be praised here on earth in our own hearts and lives as we recognize that mercy has taken us 00:02:12.659 --> 00:02:17.560 from the bankruptcy and the hollowness and the selfishness of our past 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:22.159 and made us to be children of the King and examples of His grace. 00:02:22.859 --> 00:02:28.439 Work in us this morning that we might produce the peaceable fruit of righteousness. 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:31.699 We ask this in your precious name. 00:02:32.199 --> 00:02:32.479 Amen. 00:02:33.039 --> 00:02:37.079 Well, let me take just a minute and start at the outset by saying there's a reason for this Sunday 00:02:37.079 --> 00:02:38.800 and I want you to think about it. 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:44.819 I want you to have this idea fixed in your mind that a forgiven people are a generous people. 00:02:44.919 --> 00:02:46.000 Will that spot off for you? 00:02:46.340 --> 00:02:48.360 A forgiven people are a generous people. 00:02:48.419 --> 00:02:53.840 And when we recognize that we have been forgiven so richly as we think through the scriptures, 00:02:53.840 --> 00:02:58.400 we recognize that those who have been blessed and delivered from the bondage of their sin 00:02:58.400 --> 00:03:00.879 have a reason for being a generous people. 00:03:00.939 --> 00:03:03.580 And we want to think that way as a general rule. 00:03:04.060 --> 00:03:09.120 I do want you to recognize that this fellowship has a rich history of generosity. 00:03:09.819 --> 00:03:17.020 And I am fully aware of the giving and the generosity that is reflected in the way in which you go about 00:03:17.020 --> 00:03:19.020 the responsibilities of being part of this fellowship. 00:03:19.020 --> 00:03:24.860 But even more so than that, I recognize there are so many different ways in which you as God's people 00:03:24.860 --> 00:03:30.600 are actively involved in meeting needs personally that have nothing to do with what we do collectively. 00:03:31.460 --> 00:03:36.760 Individually, many, many times you are involved in meeting needs, whether it's a neighbor, 00:03:37.160 --> 00:03:38.620 an individual who you work with. 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:41.680 You respond to the need when you see it. 00:03:41.680 --> 00:03:48.140 At the same time, it follows that our desire is to be growing more generous 00:03:48.140 --> 00:03:53.140 and to keep on growing and being more effective, not only here but around the world. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:58.360 And so we want to think about that in a formal sense as a family of believers. 00:03:58.920 --> 00:04:01.480 And when we take a Sunday and we set it aside and say, 00:04:01.800 --> 00:04:06.300 all right, this Sunday is Mother's Day, guess what we're always going to focus on on Mother's Day? 00:04:06.379 --> 00:04:06.640 Guess. 00:04:07.740 --> 00:04:08.800 We're going to focus on Mother's Day. 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:11.620 And then Father's Day follows that, not too long behind that. 00:04:11.640 --> 00:04:12.380 And what are we going to do? 00:04:12.920 --> 00:04:14.219 We're going to focus on Father's. 00:04:14.480 --> 00:04:20.120 We want Compassion Sunday to be something that is woven into our fellowship. 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:24.100 And it's not the one Sunday in the year that we think about that, 00:04:24.100 --> 00:04:30.220 but it's the one Sunday that we remind each other that we want this to be part of our DNA, 00:04:30.500 --> 00:04:32.319 of the heart that we have as believers. 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:36.939 Well, let's think secondly about the reason for this Sunday from the Scriptures. 00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:41.040 And I want you to think, first of all, the most obvious thing that we come to is, 00:04:41.360 --> 00:04:42.759 so what was Jesus like? 00:04:43.300 --> 00:04:45.759 And when we think about a Sunday such as this, 00:04:45.819 --> 00:04:49.860 where we remind ourselves of the importance of compassion in the believer's life, 00:04:50.139 --> 00:04:52.220 we think about the model that Jesus set. 00:04:52.899 --> 00:04:56.000 And I'm going to have you look quickly at a couple different texts, 00:04:56.100 --> 00:04:58.819 because I made that statement that I can do this in 12 minutes, 00:04:59.220 --> 00:05:01.379 and some of you are counting down already. 00:05:01.459 --> 00:05:02.839 I have about 11 to go, right? 00:05:02.839 --> 00:05:07.459 But Acts 10, verse 13, or 38, let's just take a look at it quickly. 00:05:08.359 --> 00:05:13.919 Here in Acts 10, we find Peter preaching his sermon to Cornelius, 00:05:13.979 --> 00:05:19.219 who actually, subsequent to that ministry, became the first Gentile believer. 00:05:19.599 --> 00:05:21.719 And I want you to look there, if you will, at verse 38. 00:05:21.979 --> 00:05:26.659 But God appointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. 00:05:27.159 --> 00:05:32.019 He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil. 00:05:32.019 --> 00:05:37.039 The thing that I want you to mark in that passage here is that proof of God's anointing 00:05:37.039 --> 00:05:40.759 and his power in Christ was the fact that he did good. 00:05:41.379 --> 00:05:43.899 Now, when you stop and think about that connection, 00:05:44.339 --> 00:05:48.959 the ministry of God in the life of the believer should follow the same pattern. 00:05:49.019 --> 00:05:49.639 Isn't that right? 00:05:49.959 --> 00:05:55.180 And if the Spirit of God working in Christ produced goodness in his ministry, 00:05:55.419 --> 00:05:57.039 all different kinds of needs, 00:05:57.039 --> 00:06:01.959 it follows that if the Spirit of God is working in us, what's going to come about? 00:06:02.019 --> 00:06:04.620 We're going to be engaged in doing good as well. 00:06:05.120 --> 00:06:07.959 I want you to look at another passage in Luke chapter 7. 00:06:09.699 --> 00:06:13.919 And we're looking at the passage where John the Baptizer, 00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:17.740 John the Baptist, sent some of his disciples to Jesus. 00:06:18.399 --> 00:06:20.799 And they asked Jesus this question, 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:22.039 Are you the one? 00:06:22.459 --> 00:06:24.259 Now, what was John's concern? 00:06:24.779 --> 00:06:26.359 Are you actually the Messiah? 00:06:26.680 --> 00:06:28.219 Are you the one that was promised? 00:06:28.220 --> 00:06:35.800 Are you the one that we are looking forward to be the one who is the answer to the problem of the world? 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:41.460 And here in Luke chapter 7, verse 20 through 23, 00:06:41.700 --> 00:06:44.740 I think it's very interesting that here's what Jesus said. 00:06:44.740 --> 00:06:47.160 And he answered them, verse 22, 00:06:47.340 --> 00:06:49.600 Go and tell John what you have seen and heard. 00:06:50.240 --> 00:06:54.280 The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, 00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:56.720 and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, 00:06:56.920 --> 00:07:00.960 and the poor have good news preached to them. 00:07:01.400 --> 00:07:06.340 As John's disciples heard Jesus make this summary statement, 00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:10.160 I have no doubt that in the back of their mind they were thinking this, 00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:18.439 Ah, Jesus must be the one because he is referring to what we find over in Isaiah chapter 38, 00:07:18.660 --> 00:07:20.260 and you don't need to turn to that passage, 00:07:20.420 --> 00:07:23.660 but it's Isaiah chapter 35, verse 1 through 5. 00:07:23.860 --> 00:07:27.660 Here's what Isaiah the prophet foretold about the coming Messiah. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:30.940 He would do these kinds of works. 00:07:31.860 --> 00:07:35.060 You remember when Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:37.660 he said, Hey, listen, you've got to be somebody special. 00:07:37.660 --> 00:07:41.280 Why? Because if you weren't, you couldn't pull these things off. 00:07:41.340 --> 00:07:42.300 You wouldn't be doing them. 00:07:42.960 --> 00:07:46.620 There's another very interesting passage I want you to think with me just for a moment about, 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:49.240 and it's over in John chapter 10, verse 32. 00:07:50.120 --> 00:07:54.240 In John chapter 10, we find that Christ's public ministry 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:57.600 was an incredibly powerful testimony to his mission. 00:07:57.960 --> 00:08:01.080 When he did these miracles, when he healed individuals, 00:08:01.320 --> 00:08:04.020 when he took care of their desperate conditions, 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:10.139 he very clearly pointed to who he was and what he had been sent to accomplish. 00:08:11.099 --> 00:08:14.019 And we find in that passage in John chapter 10, verse 32, 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:15.459 he makes this statement, 00:08:15.620 --> 00:08:18.680 I've shown you many good works from the Father, 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:21.939 and for which of them are you going to stone me? 00:08:22.039 --> 00:08:24.319 Now, what had happened is, as usual, 00:08:24.419 --> 00:08:28.219 he'd ended up in conflict with the religious leaders of the day, 00:08:28.220 --> 00:08:31.300 and he had zinged them very good, very well. 00:08:31.720 --> 00:08:33.600 And they were responding against that. 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:34.800 They were angry with him. 00:08:35.300 --> 00:08:39.960 And, boy, he pointed out the frailty of their wicked heart, 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:41.899 and they really didn't take it well. 00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:44.860 But he says, Hey, listen, look at the things I've done. 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:47.580 For which of these things are you going to stone me? 00:08:47.680 --> 00:08:50.259 And they responded, Well, you've said you're God. 00:08:50.259 --> 00:08:58.220 But Jesus was very, very clear that his works were the evidence of his heart and his ministry. 00:08:59.159 --> 00:09:01.580 Over Christ's three years of public ministry, 00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:07.460 you will find that there were innumerable acts of mercy meeting people's individual needs. 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:11.159 And for the most part, many, many, many of those individuals 00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:14.159 who he blessed and met their practical physical needs, 00:09:14.279 --> 00:09:15.319 how did they respond? 00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:18.819 Remember the ten that he healed? 00:09:18.820 --> 00:09:19.620 How many? 00:09:20.620 --> 00:09:21.020 Ninety percent. 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:24.480 Nine of the ten turned and walked on and didn't pay any attention. 00:09:24.920 --> 00:09:28.879 And only one turned around and praised God for the blessing that he had. 00:09:29.220 --> 00:09:34.400 And I want you to recognize that when we, as Jesus' representatives in this world, 00:09:34.700 --> 00:09:35.860 go about doing good, 00:09:36.020 --> 00:09:39.560 we're not always kind of lifting the lid to just double check and see, 00:09:39.700 --> 00:09:40.960 Okay, how is this going to work out? 00:09:41.100 --> 00:09:43.460 We do it simply the way Christ did it. 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:45.820 I want you to recognize, secondly, 00:09:45.820 --> 00:09:48.980 that when we are involved in acts of mercy and kindness, 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:55.220 we're reminded of the fact that the early church, the apostles and the church, 00:09:55.300 --> 00:09:58.520 and also throughout history, have been involved in acts of kindness. 00:09:58.640 --> 00:10:02.379 It's part of what ministry and being Christ's child means. 00:10:03.040 --> 00:10:07.840 Look over, if you would, in Acts chapter 3, verse 3 through 26, 00:10:07.980 --> 00:10:09.300 and we're not going to look at all the passage. 00:10:09.299 --> 00:10:12.979 But here is Peter and John. 00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:14.740 They're walking into the temple. 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:17.899 And when they're there on Solomon's portico, 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:21.539 they end up seeing a man who is lame from birth. 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:22.599 And it says there in verse 2, 00:10:22.679 --> 00:10:24.959 A man lame from birth was being carried. 00:10:25.419 --> 00:10:26.879 He couldn't get there by himself. 00:10:27.419 --> 00:10:29.500 Several friends brought him and set him there 00:10:29.500 --> 00:10:32.259 because his daily occupation was begging. 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:34.539 And he would appeal for alms. 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:35.579 Give me something. 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:38.639 Give me something so I can care for myself today. 00:10:39.460 --> 00:10:41.860 And we find Peter and John show up there. 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:43.460 They look on him in verse 5. 00:10:43.879 --> 00:10:45.279 And they say to him, 00:10:45.419 --> 00:10:46.419 Look on us. 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:48.500 That's what Peter and John said. 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:50.000 And guess what that guy expected? 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:54.779 It's a little bit like when you stop at the stop sign 00:10:54.779 --> 00:10:56.299 and you begin to roll down your window. 00:10:56.519 --> 00:10:58.319 The guy holding that sign that says, 00:10:58.439 --> 00:10:59.299 We'll work for food. 00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:01.419 What does he do when you roll down your window? 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:03.399 This guy says, 00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:04.679 Well, I think I'm going to get something. 00:11:04.779 --> 00:11:05.539 He goes over there. 00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:07.139 And Peter and John say, 00:11:07.139 --> 00:11:08.919 Hey, listen, I don't have silver and gold, 00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:11.259 but what I do have I give to you. 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:12.480 And he heals him. 00:11:13.419 --> 00:11:14.379 Subsequent to that, 00:11:14.699 --> 00:11:16.199 we find that what took place 00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:18.159 is Peter and John took advantage 00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:21.279 of the attention that that miracle created. 00:11:21.799 --> 00:11:22.939 And they preached the gospel 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:24.000 and let people know that 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:26.120 the reason this healing had taken place 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:28.919 was because of the ministry of Christ 00:11:28.919 --> 00:11:31.419 who had come to redeem man from their sin. 00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:34.240 I think also of the fact 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:35.740 that when you look through the scriptures, 00:11:35.939 --> 00:11:39.399 you recognize that gospel and compassion 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:41.240 are inseparably linked. 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:43.479 Turn over in your Bible, if you would, 00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:45.139 to Ephesians chapter 2. 00:11:47.199 --> 00:11:48.559 Ephesians chapter 2. 00:11:49.620 --> 00:11:52.019 And mark what Paul has to say 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:54.279 in relationship to the matter of salvation. 00:11:55.219 --> 00:11:57.019 In Ephesians chapter 2, verse 8, 00:11:57.099 --> 00:11:57.839 it says this. 00:11:57.840 --> 00:11:58.700 It says, 00:11:58.840 --> 00:12:00.899 For by grace you have been saved through faith, 00:12:00.960 --> 00:12:02.180 and this is not of your own doing, 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:03.560 it's the gift of God. 00:12:05.060 --> 00:12:06.259 Not a result of works, 00:12:06.440 --> 00:12:08.120 so that no one may boast. 00:12:09.180 --> 00:12:11.840 For we are his workmanship. 00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:13.899 We've been created by him 00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:18.540 in Christ Jesus for good works. 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:20.720 Why did he save you? 00:12:21.300 --> 00:12:23.900 Just to give you fire insurance 00:12:23.900 --> 00:12:25.019 and to give you a future? 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:27.500 No, he saved you, among other reasons, 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:30.539 so that you would be an active witness 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:33.000 for him in this present world. 00:12:33.319 --> 00:12:35.879 And what way do you witness in particular 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:37.179 as is displayed here? 00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:39.779 It is more the way you live 00:12:39.779 --> 00:12:41.600 and the way you respond 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:42.899 to the challenges of life 00:12:42.899 --> 00:12:44.620 than anything else that's in play here. 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:47.059 I want you to think with me also 00:12:47.059 --> 00:12:48.779 another passage that I think 00:12:48.779 --> 00:12:49.799 has bearing on this, 00:12:50.079 --> 00:12:51.639 and turn over, if you would, 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:53.939 to Galatians chapter 2. 00:12:54.939 --> 00:12:57.799 Galatians chapter 2, verse 10. 00:12:59.559 --> 00:13:02.419 And here is Paul in Jerusalem 00:13:02.419 --> 00:13:04.699 giving an explanation 00:13:04.699 --> 00:13:06.159 of his gospel ministry 00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:07.679 to the apostles. 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:09.899 And at the conclusion 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:11.019 of his explanation 00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:12.340 of his gospel ministry, 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:14.580 they do two things. 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:15.319 Number one, 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:16.720 they affirm, 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:17.360 hey listen, 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:19.220 Paul, we really appreciate 00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:20.360 the gospel that you're preaching, 00:13:20.720 --> 00:13:22.019 and we respect the ministry 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:23.259 that God has called you to, 00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:24.460 but at the end of that, 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:25.940 they tag a little bit on, 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:26.899 and I want you to look at that. 00:13:27.220 --> 00:13:28.300 Only they ask us 00:13:28.300 --> 00:13:29.500 to remember the poor 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.620 the very thing 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:31.399 I was eager to do. 00:13:31.420 --> 00:13:32.259 Now, what were they saying? 00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:34.519 They hadn't heard Paul 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:36.080 in his explanation 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:37.620 of his gospel ministry 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:40.360 explain how gospel 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:41.500 was being played out 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:43.360 perhaps in practical terms. 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:44.720 And so they said, 00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:44.960 listen, 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:47.080 we appreciate your heart 00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:48.980 to share with clarity 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:50.519 the gospel message. 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:53.519 But we also want to remind you 00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:56.039 that attached to gospel ministry 00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:57.680 is gospel behavior, 00:13:57.680 --> 00:13:59.480 and that means meeting the needs 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:00.519 of those who are desperately 00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:02.100 in straits, 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:03.560 and they need your attention. 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:05.759 And Paul actually says, 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:07.500 which I was very eager to do. 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:08.320 He says, listen, 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:09.159 I'm doing that. 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:09.960 That's going on. 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:11.480 And if you stop and think 00:14:11.480 --> 00:14:12.879 about Paul's ministry 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:14.460 over and over again, 00:14:14.560 --> 00:14:15.440 wherever he went, 00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:17.340 as he ministered to individuals 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:20.879 early in his gospel ministry, 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:22.379 he called people 00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:24.279 to be involved in meeting needs. 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.899 I get the idea sometimes 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:27.860 when I listen to people 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:29.379 that being charitable 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:32.200 and kind and meeting needs 00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:34.620 is something that is only pertinent 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:36.360 or valuable for those 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:37.200 who are advanced 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:38.560 in their Christian education. 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:39.159 Do you follow me? 00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:41.460 When you're older in the faith, 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:43.259 and you've kind of figured out 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.440 all the P's and Q's, 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:46.120 then's when you get involved 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:47.200 in gospel ministry 00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:48.220 and meeting needs. 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:49.139 That's not it at all. 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:50.659 In fact, let me tell you something. 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:53.060 At the very beginning 00:14:53.060 --> 00:14:55.759 of coming to faith, 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:57.740 one of the indicators 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:59.600 that something genuine 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:01.259 has taken place in your life 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:03.580 is you stop being a grabber 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:04.539 and a getter, 00:15:04.680 --> 00:15:05.639 and you become a giver. 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:07.539 I want you to think with me 00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:08.200 just for a moment 00:15:08.200 --> 00:15:09.680 to a passage in Ephesians 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:11.459 where here's what the apostle says. 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:12.159 We'll come to it later 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:12.839 when we get there, 00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:14.019 but he says this, 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:16.199 let those who used to steal 00:15:16.199 --> 00:15:18.979 steal no longer, 00:15:19.459 --> 00:15:20.979 but work with their hands 00:15:20.979 --> 00:15:23.239 so they may have something 00:15:23.239 --> 00:15:25.839 to give to those who are in need. 00:15:25.959 --> 00:15:27.079 So why are you working? 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:29.620 I see that bumper sticker 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:30.080 that says, 00:15:30.300 --> 00:15:30.960 I owe, I owe, 00:15:31.020 --> 00:15:32.000 and off the work I go. 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:33.759 That's not a Bible answer. 00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:35.520 I am working to meet 00:15:35.520 --> 00:15:37.780 the needs of others. 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:39.580 That's what Ephesians tells us. 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:42.280 I want you to understand 00:15:42.280 --> 00:15:44.660 that the reason we are looking 00:15:44.660 --> 00:15:46.560 at this subject this morning 00:15:46.560 --> 00:15:48.620 and the reason that we did it 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.440 the way we did 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:52.620 was because we want you 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:54.919 to catch fire individually, 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:57.279 personally, privately, 00:15:57.639 --> 00:16:00.480 as families in being involved 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:02.320 in a wide variety 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:04.860 of opportunities to meet needs. 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:06.600 And you stop and think about 00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:07.179 the different ones 00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:08.279 we had up here this morning. 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.419 Compassion International, 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:12.179 many opportunities 00:16:12.179 --> 00:16:13.159 to meet needs, 00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:15.019 genuinely, honorable, 00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:17.799 responsible opportunities. 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:18.599 It's not something 00:16:18.599 --> 00:16:22.240 that takes off a large overhead 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:23.259 to do their service. 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:24.699 Compassion International 00:16:24.699 --> 00:16:26.479 has a genuine heart for ministry 00:16:26.479 --> 00:16:28.039 and they are responsible 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:28.779 with their funds. 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.399 We think about 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:30.479 the persecuted church. 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:32.939 We think about adoption. 00:16:33.219 --> 00:16:34.299 And each one of these, 00:16:34.579 --> 00:16:36.059 you got a chance to hear 00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:36.939 from individuals 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:38.219 actively involved. 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:39.879 And the reason that we put 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:40.740 those out for you 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.939 is we want to challenge you. 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:42.959 You're sitting here this morning 00:16:42.959 --> 00:16:43.519 saying, 00:16:43.599 --> 00:16:44.159 what can I do? 00:16:44.959 --> 00:16:45.939 We gave you just 00:16:45.939 --> 00:16:47.379 three practical choices. 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.039 Are there others? 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:49.620 The answer is undeniably so. 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:51.139 And here's what I want 00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:51.960 to challenge you to do. 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:52.700 We close with this. 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:53.360 Turn in your Bible 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:54.480 to James chapter 1. 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.939 James chapter 1, 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:59.019 looking at verse 22 through 25. 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:05.480 But he, 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:07.380 but be doers of the word 00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:08.940 and not hearers only. 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:10.039 Does that make sense? 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:12.400 But be doers of the word 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:13.359 and not hearers only. 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:14.220 So you write that down 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:14.700 in your mind. 00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:16.279 Sketch it out 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:16.960 on a piece of paper. 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:18.259 But be doers of the word 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:19.259 and not hearers only. 00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:22.140 There are innumerable opportunities 00:17:22.140 --> 00:17:23.039 to be involved 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:23.980 in meeting needs. 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:24.840 Two weeks ago, 00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.500 one of our small groups 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:29.079 was at the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:31.360 And that small group, 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.360 I don't know how many of us 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:33.180 were there that week, 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:33.620 that day, 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:35.579 but we were throwing food 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:36.140 in boxes. 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:38.299 We had 830 boxes 00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:38.980 that were packed. 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:39.900 Mid-Ohio, 00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:41.000 we were part of the team 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:41.600 that did that. 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:43.200 And that was shipped out 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:44.100 to elderly families 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:44.759 and individuals 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.639 who do not have 00:17:45.639 --> 00:17:46.619 the adequate resources 00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:47.879 to provide for food. 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.480 This last Saturday, 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.619 we had another one 00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:51.480 of our small groups 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:52.539 who was working 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:54.379 at the Homeless Family Foundation 00:17:54.379 --> 00:17:55.639 and moving them 00:17:55.639 --> 00:17:56.319 from the facilities 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:57.119 they'd been in 00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:58.279 into a new set. 00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:00.799 And we see that happening 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:02.399 week after week after week, 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:03.939 and we want to challenge you. 00:18:04.159 --> 00:18:05.559 If you're here this morning 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:07.799 and you are not involved 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.819 in meeting needs, 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.859 I want you to understand 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:12.059 that if you're a child of God, 00:18:12.439 --> 00:18:14.599 that's part of His plan. 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:17.899 Those who have received mercy 00:18:17.899 --> 00:18:19.839 are those who display mercy. 00:18:19.899 --> 00:18:20.399 Isn't that right? 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:22.139 That's the way it should be. 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:24.439 And if you are here this morning 00:18:24.439 --> 00:18:25.599 and you don't know Christ, 00:18:25.679 --> 00:18:26.659 I want to tell you this, 00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:29.139 works have nothing to do 00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:30.200 with your eternal destiny. 00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:31.500 You do not get to heaven 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:32.720 by working at the 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.960 Homeless Family Foundation 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:36.019 or at the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. 00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:37.339 Those things don't count. 00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:39.419 The thing that counts 00:18:39.419 --> 00:18:40.319 is coming to the point 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:41.039 of recognizing 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:43.039 that you stand condemned 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:44.439 before a holy God. 00:18:45.399 --> 00:18:47.399 And He, realizing the hopelessness 00:18:47.399 --> 00:18:48.159 of your condition, 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:49.619 sent His own Son, 00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:50.759 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:18:50.879 --> 00:18:52.500 to die in your place 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:55.559 that you, through faith in Him, 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:56.919 might have everlasting life. 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.759 And let's take a minute 00:18:58.759 --> 00:18:59.980 and bow our heads 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:01.799 and ask God to bring us 00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:03.799 to the point of not being 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:05.319 just hearers of the Word, 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:07.279 but doers also. 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:09.059 Let's pray.