You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.
Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us.
I'm really excited to get to start a study of the Gospel of John with you next Sunday.
That's going to last a few weeks, I think.
But next Sunday, the greatest prologue to any book written in the history of the world.
I guarantee you, don't miss the prologue at the beginning of the Gospel of John.
Looking forward to that.
But today, we're going to finish exploring our mission here at Southwood that we started talking about last week.
Last week, we talked about our need to continue experiencing Jesus' grace every day.
To keep breathing in that grace.
That there's nothing more valuable, more life-giving than living with Jesus.
That relationship is so worthwhile.
It's so vital.
That relationship is why we are, for example, reading through the Bible together on a two-year reading plan.
So that we can know God more.
That is why teenagers wake up early on the only day of the week that they have to sleep in.
To gather here in this place.
To worship God.
To have our hearts revived.
Because He's worthy.
And we need to remember that.
It's why, among other things, we prioritize gathering in grace groups.
Talking and praying together.
That we would learn from others' experiences what it means to trust God and to follow Jesus every day.
You see how important that relationship is?
How much we need to experience His grace?
I said experiencing grace is remembering how desperately I need Jesus to rescue me.
And how completely Jesus rescues me.
It's constant needs constantly met in Christ.
Grace is the air we breathe in constantly.
In fact, y'all did so well last week with the breathing exercise.
That I thought we'd try it again this morning.
I know you're excited.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Now this time I want you to keep breathing in until I tell you to stop, okay?
Breathe in.
Keep breathing in.
I'm the only one who can breathe out.
Hold it.
Isn't that oxygen?
All that oxygen, great.
It is rushing to your blood, meaning they keep breathing in.
What happens if you never breathe out?
You don't know.
Oh, some of you are finding.
You can breathe now.
Eventually, if you just keep breathing in, you're going to explode.
Right, kids?
Eventually, you just have to let it out.
It doesn't work.
What happens if you never breathe out grace?
If you just love soaking in the undeserved blessing of God?
If it's just the delight of your heart, how much God loves you and all the favor he shows
to you even though you don't deserve it, but you never share it, it doesn't work.
That's not the way God designed us or the way God designed grace.
So this week, we're going to talk about the second half of that eternity impacting mission statement.
To do that, I want us to look at part of a passage in the Gospel of Matthew.
Matthew, we'll read the end of chapter 9, beginning at verse 35, and then skip ahead to just a couple
verses in chapter 8.
This is God's Word, Matthew 9 at verse 35.
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and
proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and affliction.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
And then what happens immediately is that the Lord of the harvest, Jesus, starts
sending out laborers.
Jesus sends his disciples, apostles, out two by two.
He gives them power and authority and he sends them out.
And then he says this, skipping down to verse 7 of chapter 10.
He says this to them as he sends them.
Proclaim as you go, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Heal the sick.
Raise the dead.
Cleanse lepers.
Cast out demons.
You received without paying.
Give without pay.
Usually translated, freely you have received.
Freely give.
This is God's word.
Let's ask for his help.
God, we thank you for your grace that you have poured out freely on us.
We acknowledge before you by the grace of God, I am what I am.
Nothing else, Father.
We're so dependent on you.
And we pray this morning that your grace to us would not be in vain.
That it would not stop with us.
That it would do its work in our hearts.
So by your spirit, do that now.
For your glory and our good.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
I got a phone call a few weeks ago from a local Way FM Christian radio station calling
to congratulate me that Southwood had won free lunch Fridays.
lunch for 10 at our office this was really exciting for me I very rarely win these sorts of things
and and I've heard since I was in high school that there is no such thing as a free lunch
and yet free lunch Fridays was ours the only issue with that is that the church office is closed on
Fridays so when they showed up a couple days later on that Friday with 10 delicious boxed lunches
there were only four of us around 10 big lunches for four people we had way more than we needed
we were able to get a couple of our spouses to come and together we ate six of the 10 lunches
and had four then left kids that was your math review over the weekend
I knew they weren't going to keep until Monday these were easily 10 lunches right already packaged
in a box I could have gone out front of that restaurant and made 40 dollars just like that
with those left don't think it didn't cross my mind you know how cheap I am
but we had received them for free that didn't seem right
but neither did keeping extra good food that we weren't going to eat
so I thought of who would appreciate them I remembered a homeless camp that I go by sometimes
drove over there briefly and was able to share free lunch Friday with a couple of men who were really
really excited I said hey someone gave these to me and it's more than I need I want to give them to you
what a joy that was right
listen y'all that is our story with God's grace isn't it he has dumped his grace on to us his blessings
over and over freely he has given them to us way beyond what any of us can contain you can't eat it all
and we get the joy not merely of soaking all that grace up although it's wonderful
but really of sharing his grace as freely as we receive it it is free grace every day
it never runs out one of the things I love about this passage is that Jesus tells us to pray
to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest and then immediately he seems to hear
an answer I don't know the prayers aren't recorded but but all of a sudden Jesus Jesus starts sending
right here are some of those very people Jesus has healed has forgiven has given his grace to and
now they're going to get to pass it along themselves that is the design of grace y'all or as you might say
that is how the kingdom of heaven works how do you know that the kingdom of heaven is at hand
how do you know that you're touching the the king of grace the edges of his influence you get for free
what you could never afford you get for free what you could never afford that's what Jesus has been
doing for these people right proclaiming the good news of the kingdom that they didn't know
and healing every disease and affliction that they couldn't handle as we continually breathe in
Jesus's grace we pray for his help to breathe it out where he sends us right now I will admit we are not
the 12 disciples given unique power and a unique mission here but the scriptures are very clear in many
places Jesus sends all of his followers into the world doesn't he John 17 for example they're very
clear that we are to be ambassadors of the king 2nd Corinthians 5 that we are in fact to go make
disciples where of all nations Matthew 28 and we do that as we see in verse 8 by giving freely
what we receive what we receive freely because that's how Jesus graces us it's really easy isn't it just to
live for ourselves anybody good at that doesn't take a lot of practice we're naturally good at living life
for ourselves my priorities my success my comfort and if by the way somebody else happens to
fit in nicely and easily to that then fine great I'll be nice to them
it requires grace to think of someone else first to love our neighbor as ourselves
in the midst of our very busy lives we need God's help to express grace particularly to do it the way
that he has called us to so we pray then we pray to the Lord of the harvest to send us out right the
very people Jesus tells to pray that he would have laborers to send out he starts sending out
and this passage helps guide just some of how we can pray if you're not sure where to start in that
prayer I just want to give us three simple ways this morning three simple prayers that we can all pray
toward the end of expressing God's grace in our lives first simple prayer is one we've already heard sung
Jesus give me your eyes and your heart for the people around me each day look at verse 36
when Jesus saw the crowds he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless like
sheep without a shepherd we talked last week about having an awareness of our own desperate need
but sometimes we overlook our own need don't we we think we're okay and sometimes we see people
around us and we think man she's she's really got it all together I mean he's really successful
they're what I want to be what I wish my family looked like and and we assume no need
in them how crazy that we think that we know better don't we this room is full of need
every person you meet is needy in some way so this city is is full of need Jesus give me your eyes
that see people that then all of a sudden your heart is moved with compassion he looks out and sees them
harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd
it's not good is it it's not good to be a sheep without a shepherd but but what an apt description
of so many in our day yes constantly being told to achieve more
challenged to come up with your own identity it's up to you you need to figure it out
bombarded along the way with images of others lives that you're supposed to keep up with if you really
want to be good enough or successful harassed and helpless for sure many feeling isolated and alone
an epidemic of anxiety in our society shame driving suicide rates to an all-time record high people crying
out in many different ways where can I turn where's a shepherd to guide me they're not using those words
but that's what we're asking for that's what we're longing for is that what you see
when you see people around you are you more quickly moved with compassion
or do you more quickly feel frustration
exasperation oh there they go again
are these people and their needs
honestly a bother to you
or are they a harvest field
for grace
to move it oh look at all the the grace that's needed
don't you love the heart of god that jesus embodies so beautifully here
god is near
he heals the brokenhearted
the god who reigns on high dwells also where
with the lowly
god hears and delivers
the needy
i loved hearing many of our leaders
tuesday night talk about what what god might do if his kingdom came in a new and fresh way in our hearts
if more and more we longed for what he longed for that that we talked about longing to be present
with lonely people
to provide healing for those who are abused and broken
we talked about longing for the the church of jesus christ to be recognized as a place of refuge and restoration
rather than of hurt and hate
there's a hurting world that we long to minister god's grace to
we long that that people would experience the kingdom of grace
because they would get for free what they could never afford
do you long for that for the people that are around you is that what you want them to taste
or if you're honest do you just long for a calm week
for for a college scholarship
for for a better vacation for the schedule to go the way it's supposed to for your world to go the way you want it
as the grace of jesus grips your heart
as as his spirit
breathes life into you pray for his eyes
for the people who are around you each day
now which people
i want to be very practical
this morning
jesus sends us
to people
so as you ask for his eyes say jesus show me the people
that you've sent me into relationship with
so that i can pray for them and point them to you
who are those people
isn't it interesting that jesus himself heals only
so many people while he's here on earth
he forgives some people's sins
he teaches to crowds in many places
but many other places he never visits
his grace
spreads
one relationship at a time doesn't it
it's not
always
straight from him
he sends disciples out on his behalf
to announce
the king is here
there are many people who will hear
that message
not from the mouth of jesus himself
who will experience that healing
not at the hands of jesus himself
but
from those jesus sins
aren't there
i want to encourage you this morning
if you don't have something like this already
to make a relationship
inventory
you do it according to your personality
not mine
it doesn't have to be a chart
it doesn't have to be electronic
it doesn't have to be a list
that you mark stuff
on
but this is an important part
of being on mission
with king jesus
because he has most certainly sent you
to express grace
to
people
okay
that starts with the people you're sitting with
this morning
family
and church family
see i start mine at home
and with my grace groups
we've got to start there
we
we need
grace
sometimes the people
closest
to us
get skipped right over
when they need
god's grace the most
don't forget how many lonely
anxious
ashamed
confused
overwhelmed
people
are right
here
in this family
this morning
we just said last week
we are a family
desperately in need
of god's
grace
it's part of why
you jump into a grace group
it's part of why
you're needed to be there
you need it
and the other people
there need you
you need god's grace
from them
they need god's grace
from you
that's
why we live that way
in relationship
it's all sorts of relationships
you're in
co-workers
friends
but i especially
want you to think about your neighbors
over here on the left side of this
i didn't use names
on this one
people beyond the walls of your church family
who
who may well
not trust jesus
yet
you may know them from
any number of
places
if you've been here
we've been encouraging you
to pray for three people
right
just
just three
people
that we want to point to jesus
we've been talking about this since january
i hope you've gotten to three
okay
the relationships that impact eternity
are not only with one another
but also with
our neighbors
people you live near
people you eat with
people you study with
people you work with
you play with
exercise with
think of names
i promise that if you pray
for jesus to show you the relationships
that he is sending you into
some of them will be people who don't know him yet
that's the way he is
he wants them to
he may well be sending you into relationship
for that purpose
so you can introduce him to your mutual friend
what a privilege then
if he's sending you
to actually be able to pray
to him
to ask for his help
in showing his heart
of compassion to them
to be depending on him
for the love that you know you're called
to show to your neighbor
but many days you just don't feel like you have
pray
pray that he would show you
them and give you
that heart
i encourage you
even right now
maybe this afternoon
take some time
take stock of your relationships
i don't know how you'll use it
maybe as a prayer list
maybe you'll consider some people
you want to invest in getting to know better
maybe you're never going to write anything like this down
but just thinking of people by name
will grow your compassion for them
great
maybe as you think through it
you'll think of areas where you realize
God is calling you into
relationships
and you need to add some names
expressing grace
happens
in relationships
and as you ponder those names
as you're praying through your own
pray
Jesus
help me express your grace
in specific words and deeds
that point to the one who truly meets
our needs
it's not ultimately you
right
it's him
it's really interesting in this passage
that Jesus sends his followers
to do for others
what he has already done
for them
we mentioned that's the design of grace
freely received
freely give
it happens once again
with what they're told to do
Jesus
verse 35
is proclaiming
and healing
word
and deed
the good news
of the kingdom of grace
is always
both of those things together
by the way
and in verse 8
when
they bring the kingdom
they are told to
guess what
proclaim
and
heal
the exact same
two words
that Jesus was doing
the kingdom is at hand
is the message
right
hear it
and
feel it
you're gonna know
what this kingdom is
see the followers of Jesus
were not sent out
to attract people
to themselves
to their own styles
their own powers
their own abilities
they were
and are
to point people
to the king
of grace
doing it his way
if you're an ambassador
of king Jesus
he sends you
to declare
his king
and to demonstrate
what it's like
to be touched
by his kingdom
where you
freely receive
what you could
never afford
that's what you're
sent to do
and I want to think
about that
specifically
with some of the needs
that you'll come
across often
both in this church
and in this community
as you're in those
relationships
you think of
specific names
on your relationship
list
and what words
or deeds
might express
God's grace
to them
okay
that's what I want
you doing
for the next
couple minutes
it is both
of those
by the way
we are sent
to speak
and act
not necessarily
both in every
interaction
but certainly
both in every
relationship
right
proclaim the good
news of Jesus
meet tangible
needs like Jesus
so many needs
how could you
express grace
to someone
who is lonely
you know someone
lonely
I bet you do
isn't a piece
of helping them
receive what they
can't afford
being present
with them
that's not
complicated right
that's part of it
giving time
to listen to them
entering into
their world
but when you
do leave
when you
aren't
there
don't they
need to
hear the
good news
of a God
who will
never leave
them or
forsake
them
don't
don't they
need that
too
don't they
need to
know of a
savior who
is always
listening and
hears their
cries even
when no one
else is around
don't they
need to know
of a community
of people
who will be
together
with this
father and
a family
forever
they need to
hear that from
you too
how could you
express grace to
someone who's
guilty
that's all of us
before God
who need to hear
the good news
of forgiveness
that we could
never earn
but it is given
as a gift
that is grace
we need that
but perhaps
someone on your
list is tormented
by something they
have done
or said
to you
maybe they
know that
you're not
ready to
forgive them
and
and maybe
you can
extend
forgiveness
yourself
when they
least expect
it
and know
they don't
deserve it
and they
get for
free
from you
what they
could never
afford
themselves
and it
begins
in that
moment
to point
them to
Jesus
to someone
who gives
like that
over and
over
that he's
real
and he
gives grace
to them
like that
how could you
express grace
to someone
who is
confused
perhaps
searching
for identity
feeling
lost
in the
process
not really
sure
where they
fit in
in the
world
at school
in
relationships
maybe God
has put you
in relationship
with them
to see the
image of God
in them
that they
really can't
find anymore
to value
them as
they are
more than
they can
value
themselves
and perhaps
even
then
to tell
them of
the God
who made
them
fearfully
and wonderfully
and for
himself
forever
to embrace
them
and never
reject them
giving them
significance
and purpose
just because
they're his
because the
king of
grace
came for
them
last one
how could
you express
grace
to someone
who is
hopeless
you know
hopeless
people
more
and more
every day
nowhere to
turn
don't know
why to
keep
living
you can
share the
reason
for the
hope that
you have
because it's
not you
a hope
outside
yourself
a hope
in the
savior
who
redeems
brokenness
of all
sorts
a hope
in a
king
who will
set
all
things
right
one day
no matter
what it
is they're
going
through
and along
the way
if that's
going to be
more than
just words
to them
if they're
going to
entertain
the prospect
of hope
again
they'll
probably
need you
to show
them
to show
confidence
in them
when they
don't have
it
to give
them a
job
beyond
their
resume
to stand
with them
against
injustice
to show
them there's
someone who
fights for
them
you won't
be able to
fight every
time but
king jesus
will
and you
can give
him a
taste of
what he's
like
word and
deed
deed and
word
what
specific
things
can you
do for
someone you're
in relationship
with to
give them
for free
what they
could never
afford
what they
don't have
access to
outside of
you
what they
will never
know if
they don't
know the
king
so they
taste the
kingdom of
grace
so they
will recognize
the king
of grace
grace
I hope
some ideas
are coming
to mind
I want to
be honest
with you
about one
thing as
we prepare
to come to
this table
together
when you
do that
in word
and deed
moving to
give people
something they
can't afford
themselves
you should
know that
it's not
merely grace
shared for
free
although isn't
that wonderful
often expressing
grace means
grace that you
share at
great cost
yes
freely receive
freely give
sounds easy
right
I'll just
pass it along
no big deal
you keep
giving me grace
God I'm going
to keep
sharing it
but then in
John chapter
20 the risen
Jesus appears
to his
disciples
it's one of
those amazing
encounters where
the God who
saves is the
God who
sins
the God who
saves us and
brings us into
relationship is
sending us out
into relationships
and once again
Jesus says to
them as the
father sent me
so I am
sending you
just like that
I had never
noticed the
context of that
comment Jesus
makes until
this week
he says you
go out like
me after
reminding them
of what
verse 20
he showed
them his
hands
and his
side
what
happened to
Jesus when
he was sent
he says let
me remind you
of who I am
these are
emblems of
my death
these are
reminders of
the cost
that the
father sent
me to pay
to give
you grace
upon grace
for free
friends you
and I have
received that
kind of grace
from him
gifts for free
that we could
never afford
but they were
at great cost
to the one who
gives them to
us weren't
they that is
the kind of
gracious savior
that we want
to point people
to in all of
our relationships
so we should
expect that it
will cost us
to share grace
like his
freely
and even at
great cost
to ourselves
as we consider
that pray
that we would
not
selfishly
or distractedly
even
fearfully
hold our
collective
breath
but that we
would breathe
out
the grace
that is giving
us life
I don't know
what it will
cost you
to breathe
out
but let's
together decide
right now
that there is
no price
too high
there's no
price that
could keep us
from sharing
in word
and in deed
with anyone
we're in
relationship with
as our hearts
fill with
compassion for
them
the glory
and grace
of Jesus
nothing could
keep me
from that
right
may God
make us
willing
and eager
to express
that costly
free
grace
Jesus
fully aware
of what it
would cost
him
to give
that grace
to his
followers
to bring
forgiveness
and hope
and life
to them
on the night
that one of
them betrayed
him
took bread
and he
broke it
and he
gave it
to his
disciples
as I
ministering
in his
name
give this
bread
to you
he said
take
eat
this is
my body
given for
you
do this
in remembrance
of me
in the same
way after
supper
he took
the cup
and said
this cup
is the
new covenant
in my
blood
which is
shed
for many
for the
forgiveness
of sins
it's the
only way
to have
sins
forgiven
so I'm
going to
give my
blood
drink
from it
all of
you
as often
as you
eat this
bread
and drink
this cup
you proclaim
the Lord's
death
it's what
he's called
you to
it's what
he sent
you for
until
he comes
you need
to hear
it
so it's
being
proclaimed
to us
this morning
isn't it
we need
it
and we
need to
remember
it
because
we're
sent
to
proclaim
the same
hope
this is
the
Lord's
table
and he
invites
all of
you
who by
faith
are his
have
trusted
in
Jesus
for your
salvation
through
baptism
have been
united
not only
to Jesus
but to
a church
a body
of Christ
that preaches
the good
news
of salvation
through faith
in Christ
alone
he invites
you to
come
to come
again
and feast
on his
saving
and sustaining
grace
if you
don't yet
place your
hope
in Jesus
if that's
not where
you are
then
first of all
thanks for
being here
we're so
glad that
you're here
to consider
Jesus
with us
we would
ask you
not to
come
take
these
elements
and do
outwardly
something
that is
not true
for you
inwardly
right
but we
would
invite you
to come
even to
come to
these tables
to observe
to pray
with us
we'd love
to pray
with you
but especially
to come
and consider
the free
offer of
Jesus
a gift
of grace
that will
give you
something
you could
never afford
for yourself
any other
way
he offers
it to
you this
morning
would you
no matter
how else
you participate
in these
next few
minutes
would you
consider
the grace
of Jesus
offered
to you
in his
word
let's pray
and we'll
come together
Jesus
thank you
that you've
given us
this reminder
this sign
this meal
to share
with you
to strengthen
us
would you
take
common
elements
and would
you use
them
because by
your spirit
you're with
us
to strengthen
our hearts
to give us
hope
to remind
us we're
loved
would you
do that
even in
this time
we ask
in Jesus
name
amen
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at
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