WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.660 Over the last few weeks, we've been looking at different aspects of the ministry of mercy. 00:00:08.900 --> 00:00:18.500 It's been a little bit like looking at a beautiful diamond that has different facets and different sides to that diamond, 00:00:18.699 --> 00:00:27.560 each showing something really very beautiful and each side essential for the whole diamond to be what it is. 00:00:27.559 --> 00:00:29.859 And today is no different. 00:00:30.259 --> 00:00:40.379 We're going to look at another side of the ministries of mercy that is essential for us to tackle and to understand. 00:00:41.500 --> 00:00:47.799 Now, hopefully so far, you have gotten a handle on the fact that as Christians, 00:00:48.359 --> 00:00:55.739 we are to be involved in helping the poor, the marginalised, the widow, the orphan, the oppressed, the immigrant. 00:00:55.740 --> 00:00:59.280 It's mandated that we do that. 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:04.740 We have seen this by looking at the call of mercy, at the character of mercy. 00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:08.680 Last week, we looked at the motivation of mercy. 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:18.740 And yet there's another facet that might have been niggling at you, at your heart and mind, right from the very beginning. 00:01:18.739 --> 00:01:28.419 And that is, how do I determine who I help and how do I help them? 00:01:28.420 --> 00:01:41.579 Now, I'm pretty sure if I took a survey of everybody here, we would get very, very different answers to that question of who do I help and how do I help? 00:01:41.579 --> 00:01:49.079 Now, depending on your family background and your view of helping people, how you've been brought up, 00:01:49.500 --> 00:01:54.980 depending on your theology and what you think is the place of evangelism, 00:01:55.519 --> 00:02:04.579 whether evangelism was presented as the number one thing that we have to concentrate all efforts on as a church, 00:02:04.579 --> 00:02:11.300 depending on your personal views as to whether a person deserves help or doesn't deserve help, 00:02:11.800 --> 00:02:16.979 will depend on your personal efforts of how you might show mercy. 00:02:18.039 --> 00:02:21.960 All of these will influence how you respond. 00:02:22.819 --> 00:02:26.740 I mentioned all of this might be niggling at your heart and mind, 00:02:26.740 --> 00:02:30.100 and that is a good thing if it has been, 00:02:30.460 --> 00:02:35.260 because both need to be engaged in the area of mercy ministry. 00:02:36.020 --> 00:02:39.360 It isn't easy to determine who we help. 00:02:40.780 --> 00:02:46.560 Now, we saw in the parable of the Good Samaritan that we need to love our neighbours. 00:02:46.700 --> 00:02:48.580 I think that we're getting there. 00:02:48.580 --> 00:02:53.260 We put it in front of you all the time that we need to love our neighbours. 00:02:53.259 --> 00:02:59.419 But the Samaritan really went way beyond his comfort zone, didn't he? 00:02:59.739 --> 00:03:04.000 He actually got his hands dirty, we might say. 00:03:04.259 --> 00:03:05.879 He sacrificed time. 00:03:06.060 --> 00:03:09.219 He sacrificed his own personal safety, his own money. 00:03:09.859 --> 00:03:16.000 He looked after the medical, the social, the financial needs of the chap on the road. 00:03:16.859 --> 00:03:19.799 Did he expect to get something in return? 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:22.599 No, he didn't. 00:03:22.599 --> 00:03:28.500 Did he place conditions on whether he would help or not help? 00:03:29.359 --> 00:03:31.359 No, he didn't. 00:03:32.120 --> 00:03:37.419 He saw a need and he had the resources to help that need. 00:03:38.359 --> 00:03:44.719 Now, obviously, we might have limitations on what our resources are. 00:03:45.060 --> 00:03:49.939 We might not be able to do exactly what the Samaritan did. 00:03:49.939 --> 00:03:54.979 But that is no excuse for not helping those in need. 00:03:55.699 --> 00:04:04.400 I was brought up with a very negative view about helping the poor and the marginalised. 00:04:04.400 --> 00:04:14.360 Only some, this is what I was taught, only some deserved a coin or two into a charity box, but definitely not all. 00:04:14.920 --> 00:04:23.639 I was brought up to believe that charity starts at home and that there are many who are in a destitute situation, 00:04:23.639 --> 00:04:29.539 but they're there because they chose to be there and so we leave them alone. 00:04:29.540 --> 00:04:37.100 The really strange part of all of that in having that upbringing is that our family, my family, 00:04:37.300 --> 00:04:40.600 were recipients of the mercy of neighbours. 00:04:40.600 --> 00:04:46.420 When my parents, who had gambled money away and had no money to feed four children, 00:04:46.920 --> 00:04:53.860 the neighbours actually showed mercy to us by giving us money for bread and for milk. 00:04:54.600 --> 00:05:01.900 So there is a weirdness that in my upbringing of don't help but receive it. 00:05:01.899 --> 00:05:08.739 Now, Scripture does tell us that we do need to look after our families first. 00:05:09.439 --> 00:05:11.019 In 1 Timothy 5, it says, 00:05:11.259 --> 00:05:15.179 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 00:05:15.599 --> 00:05:18.139 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, 00:05:18.699 --> 00:05:26.319 they should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:31.620 and so repaying their parents and grandparents for this is pleasing to God. 00:05:31.740 --> 00:05:34.439 Might I mention, that's actually what Candida is doing. 00:05:35.339 --> 00:05:41.500 So there is a condition in Scripture that we do support our family first. 00:05:42.560 --> 00:05:46.620 But the Scripture, there's another condition that Scripture puts on us 00:05:46.620 --> 00:05:49.199 and that is that we need to work. 00:05:50.019 --> 00:05:51.939 That's a mandate that has been given. 00:05:51.939 --> 00:05:53.219 And the fourth commandment says, 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:57.199 Six days shall you labour and then we rest on the seventh day. 00:05:57.279 --> 00:05:59.319 There's an expectation that we work. 00:06:00.100 --> 00:06:02.500 Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 3, 00:06:03.019 --> 00:06:05.899 If a man will not work, he shall not eat. 00:06:06.420 --> 00:06:12.040 That particular verse is about just continues not to work, 00:06:12.199 --> 00:06:13.860 does not have any desire to work. 00:06:14.779 --> 00:06:19.500 And he has no incentive to actually make a living for himself. 00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:24.959 And the thing is, I mean, I knew a person who failed to work 00:06:24.959 --> 00:06:30.139 because he was given a financial allowance. 00:06:30.259 --> 00:06:31.920 He was given housing actually also. 00:06:32.600 --> 00:06:35.300 He was given housing, very lovely housing. 00:06:35.579 --> 00:06:38.660 He was also given financial assistance every week. 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:42.040 And so there was no desire for him to go and work. 00:06:42.139 --> 00:06:44.680 Why would you work when you're living in a very plush house 00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:46.319 and you're being given an allowance? 00:06:46.720 --> 00:06:48.220 There are no bills to pay. 00:06:48.220 --> 00:06:49.700 Why would you not work? 00:06:49.960 --> 00:06:55.980 This wasn't actually mercy in that scenario. 00:06:56.600 --> 00:06:59.060 What it was, was foolishness. 00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:01.860 It was foolishness on behalf of the person 00:07:01.860 --> 00:07:03.720 who was giving the financial allowance 00:07:03.720 --> 00:07:07.640 with no expectation of doing anything, any work. 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:11.420 And it was foolishness on behalf of the person receiving the money 00:07:11.420 --> 00:07:15.600 because he was just taking the easy road out. 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:21.560 Now, we can only understand the seeming contradictions in Scripture 00:07:21.560 --> 00:07:24.600 about there are some conditions that are given 00:07:24.600 --> 00:07:27.980 on how, what people have to do. 00:07:28.360 --> 00:07:30.160 And yet we look at the Good Samaritan 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:31.760 and that was totally unconditional. 00:07:32.379 --> 00:07:35.360 And so we've got this contradiction that is happening. 00:07:35.760 --> 00:07:39.420 But we need to actually look at the grace and the mercy of God 00:07:39.420 --> 00:07:44.180 to understand and put those two into some form of balance. 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:48.060 God's mercy to us, we've already said, 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:50.520 was totally unconditional. 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:55.180 We had no desire for God of our own being. 00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:57.420 We were enemies of God, 00:07:57.639 --> 00:08:01.040 and yet God loved us and reached out to us. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:03.780 That's what the Romans 3 passage is saying. 00:08:03.779 --> 00:08:07.799 There was nothing in our words, in our eyes, in our deeds, 00:08:08.059 --> 00:08:11.179 nothing we did deserve God's love. 00:08:11.659 --> 00:08:14.399 And yet he still loved us unconditionally. 00:08:17.599 --> 00:08:23.779 God's mercy comes to us freely and without condition, 00:08:24.359 --> 00:08:30.779 and yet it proceeds, it moves forward with some conditions 00:08:30.779 --> 00:08:33.439 because we need to grow. 00:08:34.039 --> 00:08:37.120 Once we receive this mercy and love from God, 00:08:37.480 --> 00:08:38.959 God is wanting us to grow. 00:08:39.139 --> 00:08:42.419 He doesn't want to keep us in the condition 00:08:42.419 --> 00:08:44.360 that he has found us in. 00:08:45.059 --> 00:08:48.240 He therefore demands us to cooperate 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:51.419 with the mercy that he's actually given us. 00:08:52.759 --> 00:08:55.879 This, you will know, is called sanctification, 00:08:56.059 --> 00:08:58.439 if you want a big word to give it. 00:08:58.440 --> 00:09:04.960 But we grow day by day to be more and more Christ-like 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:06.440 until Jesus returns. 00:09:06.640 --> 00:09:10.340 We never arrive at that position until Jesus returns. 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:14.380 But we are active in that process. 00:09:15.320 --> 00:09:18.400 We gather for worship together like we're doing today. 00:09:18.560 --> 00:09:21.080 We read our Bible, we pray, we serve, 00:09:21.200 --> 00:09:22.380 we encourage each other. 00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:27.160 We are very active in moving forward in the process 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:29.019 once we've received love and mercy. 00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:33.480 So too it is with showing mercy. 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:40.500 The goal isn't to provide spot relief or stop suffering. 00:09:41.419 --> 00:09:46.959 Our real purpose must be to restore the whole person. 00:09:48.079 --> 00:09:54.100 Mercy must have the purpose of seeing God's lordship realised 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:56.639 in the lives of those that we help. 00:09:57.800 --> 00:10:00.759 Scripture supports this principle of restoration. 00:10:01.420 --> 00:10:03.480 In Deuteronomy 15, we read, 00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:07.060 If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, 00:10:07.259 --> 00:10:10.680 sells himself to you and serves you six years, 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:13.159 in the seventh year you must let him go. 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:16.560 And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. 00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:19.560 Supply him liberally from your flock, 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:22.659 your threshing floor, threshing floor, 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:24.539 and your winepress. 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:28.580 Give to him as the Lord your God has blessed you. 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:31.220 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt 00:10:31.220 --> 00:10:33.120 and the Lord your God redeemed you. 00:10:33.480 --> 00:10:35.879 That is why I give you this command today. 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:40.940 For us today, we don't have slaves, 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:44.220 but this might mean something like 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:47.420 we provide for those that we are actually helping 00:10:47.420 --> 00:10:49.100 or where we are putting our money, 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:53.639 something like counselling or encouragement or education, 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:56.060 or it might be job training, 00:10:56.059 --> 00:11:01.079 or it might be grants to start a little business for somebody 00:11:01.079 --> 00:11:04.479 so that they can move out of the scenario that they're in. 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:10.399 All these are ways in which we can help and develop the poor. 00:11:11.239 --> 00:11:14.739 Our mercy must have as its goal 00:11:14.739 --> 00:11:19.699 the rehabilitation of the whole person. 00:11:19.700 --> 00:11:23.340 Now, working here at the church office, 00:11:23.520 --> 00:11:27.080 we often get people who come asking for money. 00:11:27.460 --> 00:11:30.560 Generally speaking, the money is for train tickets, 00:11:31.220 --> 00:11:33.800 and so it's just a little bit of money 00:11:33.800 --> 00:11:37.580 that people wish to actually collect from us. 00:11:37.680 --> 00:11:40.240 Now, over the years, and I've been here a long time now, 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:42.680 over the years, we've done lots of different things. 00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:46.140 We have actually given the train ticket money sometimes. 00:11:46.139 --> 00:11:50.539 Other times, we've gone down to the station and bought tickets, 00:11:50.659 --> 00:11:52.960 and I remember ever so clearly one woman, 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:55.980 I walked down to the station and I bought the ticket, 00:11:56.139 --> 00:12:01.039 and she was furious with me that I bought her a train ticket. 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:05.939 So that didn't go down so well, that situation. 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:09.600 And Dave Lawrence, who used to be on our team, 00:12:09.699 --> 00:12:12.000 the general manager for St Paul's at one stage, 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:15.779 there was one chap who would regularly come here to St Paul's. 00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:16.860 His name was Mark. 00:12:17.399 --> 00:12:20.899 And over time, we did give him little bits of money. 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:27.039 And so Dave decided that what would be a really good thing to do 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:28.919 is to spend more time with Mark. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:31.179 So he would spend time with Mark. 00:12:31.319 --> 00:12:32.240 He'd chat to him. 00:12:32.919 --> 00:12:35.120 Sometimes he'd read God's word to him. 00:12:35.419 --> 00:12:36.959 He prayed with him. 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:40.519 And he said to him, because Mark always said, 00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:41.860 I'm wanting to get a job. 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:46.659 And so in the end, Dave decided that what would be a really good idea 00:12:46.659 --> 00:12:50.879 is to give him some odd jobs around here, just little jobs. 00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:54.379 And then he would give him his train ticket money, 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:59.480 and that would actually be a great thing to do. 00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:03.779 It's happened once, and we never saw Mark again. 00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:11.279 You see, many people are rebellious against what the Lord wants, 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:16.679 and of their own volition, they will stop asking or stop coming 00:13:16.679 --> 00:13:21.259 if we are not giving in the way that they are wanting. 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:23.039 So that's actually very tricky, 00:13:23.179 --> 00:13:26.159 but it was the right thing that Dave actually did, I believe, 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:33.059 to try and put worth into this chap who didn't wish for that to happen. 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:37.219 So we must give mercy, and we give it unconditionally. 00:13:37.419 --> 00:13:39.919 That is what we keep repeating. 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:43.980 But eventually, we have to call the whole person to Christ. 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:47.559 This might take a long time to do that, 00:13:47.559 --> 00:13:51.339 to get to the point where we can share the gospel with somebody. 00:13:51.340 --> 00:13:56.480 But it is our aim in showing love to our neighbour. 00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:59.000 That must always be the overarching. 00:13:59.280 --> 00:14:01.440 Paul actually mentioned it with Anglicare, 00:14:01.920 --> 00:14:04.960 that that's the overall arching aim. 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:08.379 You see, if we truly understand the gospel, 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:12.940 we will know that Jesus is going to return, 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:15.680 and there is a heaven, and there is a hell. 00:14:15.680 --> 00:14:20.900 And when we die, there is only two choices, heaven or hell. 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:27.180 So if we are actually only giving a Band-Aid solution 00:14:27.180 --> 00:14:33.840 to help somebody that is not going to actually speak life words 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:37.740 of salvation and the gospel into a person, 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:41.379 then we are not loving them at all. 00:14:42.280 --> 00:14:43.820 Really hard thing. 00:14:44.580 --> 00:14:50.460 But we want to actually think of the bigger picture. 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:56.100 More thought needs to go into any situation that we come across. 00:14:56.800 --> 00:14:58.800 And that's where our mind has to come into it. 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:03.440 There are times when we may need to stop giving aid. 00:15:04.060 --> 00:15:07.280 So it's not an unending task. 00:15:07.800 --> 00:15:12.620 We can cut off aid if it is unmerciful to continue. 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:19.220 Sometimes a person needs to feel the full consequences 00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:23.639 of his own irresponsible actions, if there are some. 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:26.960 I would call this tough love. 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:32.960 It's more loving to stop than to continue. 00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:36.879 Sometimes the mercy needs to be withdrawn, 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:40.919 and we set new guidelines. 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:46.639 Maybe you can talk to, if it's an individual that you're talking to, 00:15:46.980 --> 00:15:49.799 talk to a person and try and encourage them 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:51.580 to actually change their position. 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:55.740 Maybe do something that is going to move them 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:59.799 towards changing their position, taking some responsibility. 00:15:59.799 --> 00:16:03.759 And until such times they take some responsibility, 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:06.359 that's when you can actually assist again. 00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:10.000 But you might continue to meet with them, to pray with them. 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:12.240 You might meet with them and just chat with them 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:13.279 and be a listening ear. 00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:18.219 But sometimes withdrawing aid is a good thing 00:16:18.219 --> 00:16:20.559 and a right thing to do. 00:16:20.559 --> 00:16:25.339 We had a situation of a pastor friend in the Philippines one time 00:16:25.339 --> 00:16:27.579 when we were over there on mission, 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:30.479 and the pastor was very poor. 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:33.699 I have to say most pastors in the Philippines are poor. 00:16:34.479 --> 00:16:35.979 But he was very poor. 00:16:36.119 --> 00:16:36.899 He had children. 00:16:37.099 --> 00:16:39.679 He wasn't succeeding in feeding his children, 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:43.319 and yet he was trying to grow a church as well. 00:16:43.699 --> 00:16:46.819 So we decided that we would actually send him a bit of money. 00:16:46.819 --> 00:16:49.219 Now, $20 to us is not much, 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:51.840 but in the Philippines it's a massive amount of money. 00:16:52.300 --> 00:16:53.620 And so we sent some money over. 00:16:53.700 --> 00:16:54.759 I can't remember how much. 00:16:55.540 --> 00:16:58.639 And that was specifically for him to look after his family. 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:03.680 And then a little while later we get an email to say, 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:07.940 with the money that you sent, praise God, 00:17:08.100 --> 00:17:12.420 I was able to go and get a loan and buy a motorbike 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:16.299 because in the Philippines for a pastor to have a motorbike, 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:17.440 it's very prestigious. 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:21.480 And it looks as if you've arrived, so to speak. 00:17:22.360 --> 00:17:25.700 I've been up to buy a motorbike, get a loan, get a motorbike, 00:17:25.820 --> 00:17:28.580 but unfortunately I'm unable to pay the repayments. 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:32.840 Can you send some more money so that we can pay, 00:17:33.320 --> 00:17:35.220 you know, sort of to pay the repayments? 00:17:35.580 --> 00:17:40.820 Well, of course, I got the job of contacting this particular pastor 00:17:40.819 --> 00:17:44.299 to say that money was to feed your family 00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:49.539 because your first call from God is to actually feed your family, 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:51.439 to look after your family first. 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:56.960 And so the money that we are sending will be stopped 00:17:56.960 --> 00:18:03.039 and you need to take that motorbike back to whoever you bought it from 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:06.240 and until such times we know that has happened, 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.539 there will be no more support. 00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:13.559 Now, that was a tough thing to do, but that was tough love. 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:17.659 That actually had to happen because even then his family were not being cared for. 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:22.899 That is not unusual, I have to say, unfortunately. 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:30.380 Now, the Bible is very, very clear about the different causes of poverty 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:34.740 and we need to get a handle on this so that we don't make a mistake 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:36.600 in making different assumptions. 00:18:37.560 --> 00:18:42.700 One cause of poverty is oppression or injustice 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:46.120 and there's lots of Bible verses that go with all of this. 00:18:46.120 --> 00:18:52.320 But oppression is any social condition or unfair treatment 00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:56.379 that brings or keeps somebody in poverty. 00:18:57.500 --> 00:19:01.659 It also includes, oppression includes delaying wages 00:19:01.659 --> 00:19:06.559 or giving unjust low wages 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:11.579 or it might be a court or a government system 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:15.099 that is weighted towards the wealthy 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:20.019 and the Australian government is in question at this moment in time 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:22.519 in exactly that sort of thing. 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:31.220 Or it might be high interest loans that are an example of oppression. 00:19:32.379 --> 00:19:37.420 Number two, cause is natural disaster or calamity. 00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:39.839 Scripture shares many of those things. 00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:44.519 It might be crop failures, especially with our farmers. 00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:46.019 It might be disabling injuries. 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:49.059 It might be victimisation by criminals. 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:51.099 It might be floods, storms, fires. 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:53.279 All of those sorts of things are natural things 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:56.539 that can come upon a family or a person 00:19:56.539 --> 00:20:02.139 and they have had nothing to do with all those things happening. 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:07.500 And the third, poverty can be caused by personal sin. 00:20:08.059 --> 00:20:10.220 It might be a life of laziness. 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:12.900 It might be problems with self-discipline. 00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:17.420 It might be expensive tastes and luxury seeking 00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:20.420 can be a reason for economic trouble. 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:23.579 Now, it's important to see the differences 00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:25.980 within these three categories 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:30.839 so that you do not treat all situations the same. 00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:34.220 It's equally important to see that many situations 00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:37.960 may encounter all three together. 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:41.319 You do not want to be trapped 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:45.299 into thinking that all poor are oppressed 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:50.700 and therefore you don't see the importance 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:54.860 of setting any conditions on caring and showing mercy. 00:20:55.340 --> 00:20:58.980 But equally, you don't actually want to think 00:20:58.980 --> 00:21:01.360 that all poor are irresponsible 00:21:01.360 --> 00:21:03.660 because that's not right either. 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:08.019 If we're to help, then we need to try and understand 00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:11.800 what the root cause of any situation is 00:21:11.800 --> 00:21:14.080 and discern what is really needed. 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:15.279 What is needed? 00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.340 Is it food? 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.000 Is it money? 00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:17.920 Is it counselling? 00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:19.140 Is it education? 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:21.420 Various types of aids? 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.600 Is it respect? 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:24.040 Is it loving concern? 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:27.000 Or maybe it's just a listening ear. 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:30.359 Now, in community groups this week, 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:33.359 I'll give you a number of case studies 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:35.000 for you to examine 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:37.460 and for you to determine 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:41.880 what type of help would be needed 00:21:41.880 --> 00:21:43.059 in these case studies. 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:44.539 And I didn't bring it up, 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:47.660 but in this month's Eternity magazine, 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:50.420 there is a fabulous example 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:54.320 of a woman who was living in a car 00:21:54.320 --> 00:21:56.880 and she was shown mercy 00:21:56.880 --> 00:21:59.980 and just the transformation in that woman's life. 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:01.080 It's a great article. 00:22:01.320 --> 00:22:05.019 So it's out in the atrium if you wish to get it. 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:08.300 What we need to remember in all of this 00:22:08.300 --> 00:22:10.820 is that grace is free, 00:22:11.320 --> 00:22:12.800 but it's not cheap. 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:17.120 Grace costs Jesus his life. 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:20.479 Grace comes to the undeserving, 00:22:20.939 --> 00:22:23.839 you and me and everybody else, 00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:27.299 but its goal is to intercept 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:30.359 self-destructive behaviour. 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:33.259 Our love is not mere sentiment. 00:22:34.159 --> 00:22:38.419 It is active and it longs to bring about healing 00:22:38.419 --> 00:22:40.939 and change in the lives of the recipient 00:22:40.939 --> 00:22:44.279 under the kingship of Jesus. 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:47.960 Nothing less will satisfy it. 00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:50.759 Matthew 5.16 says, 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.279 In the same way, 00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:54.160 let your light shine before men 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:56.039 that they may see your good deeds 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:57.960 and praise your Father in heaven. 00:22:58.680 --> 00:23:00.160 Mercy has impact. 00:23:00.639 --> 00:23:02.259 It melts hearts. 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:04.559 It removes objections. 00:23:05.139 --> 00:23:08.619 It forces respect out of those 00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:11.240 who are even hostile to the gospel. 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:15.480 By this all men will know 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:18.440 that you are my disciples 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:20.140 if you love one another. 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:22.920 The ministry of mercy 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:25.160 within the Christian community 00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:29.359 is perhaps the most startling 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:32.640 display of love for one another 00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:34.180 that is seen by the world. 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:37.579 The Roman Emperor Julian 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:40.439 tried in the fourth century 00:23:40.439 --> 00:23:42.980 to revive paganism 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:46.179 because paganism was dying 00:23:46.179 --> 00:23:49.179 because of the spread of Christianity. 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:52.000 And as part of his plan, 00:23:52.439 --> 00:23:54.879 he ordered that hospices, 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:57.339 hospitals for want of another word, 00:23:57.740 --> 00:24:00.639 must be established in every town 00:24:00.639 --> 00:24:03.519 to help the poor and give relief. 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.579 He said, 00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:06.980 it is disgraceful 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:10.079 that while impious Galileans, 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.619 that is the Christians, 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:13.420 it's disgraceful 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:14.359 that the Christians 00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:18.220 support their own poor 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:20.900 and they support ours as well. 00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:23.940 All men see 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:26.220 that they lack aid from us, 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:26.940 he says. 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:30.279 So he wanted more hospitals set up. 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:32.980 Christians in the early church, 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:34.960 they were promiscuous. 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:37.000 I never thought I'd say that word in here 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:38.099 and think it was a good thing. 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:40.620 But Christians were promiscuous 00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:42.000 with their charity 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:44.860 and the world paid attention. 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:49.519 Can that be said of us today? 00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:55.059 Let's return to the comment 00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:58.140 about ministry of the word and deed. 00:24:58.140 --> 00:25:00.340 It is inappropriate 00:25:00.340 --> 00:25:02.800 to ask whether evangelism 00:25:02.800 --> 00:25:04.960 or social concern 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:06.300 is more important. 00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:08.240 They go together 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:10.700 and should not be divided. 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:14.700 They are both necessary ministries. 00:25:15.520 --> 00:25:17.580 Jesus went everywhere teaching and healing. 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.800 He came to speak 00:25:18.800 --> 00:25:20.300 and to serve. 00:25:20.600 --> 00:25:21.860 So the church is gifted 00:25:21.860 --> 00:25:24.060 to both speak and to serve. 00:25:24.560 --> 00:25:25.580 In 1 Peter it says, 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.599 if anyone speaks 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:27.480 he should do it 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.519 as one speaking 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.639 the very words of God. 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:31.159 If anyone serves 00:25:31.159 --> 00:25:32.240 he must do it 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.859 with the strength God provides 00:25:33.859 --> 00:25:35.539 so that in all things 00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:37.399 God may be praised 00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:38.859 through Jesus Christ. 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:41.379 There are many, many different 00:25:41.379 --> 00:25:42.699 there are many different 00:25:42.699 --> 00:25:43.559 points of view 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:45.159 when we come to word 00:25:45.159 --> 00:25:46.460 and deed ministry. 00:25:46.919 --> 00:25:47.819 And all of us 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.859 will fit into 00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:50.679 one or a couple 00:25:50.679 --> 00:25:52.179 of these mixing. 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:55.759 Peter Wagner discerns 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:57.779 that there are five views 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:59.320 concerning whether 00:25:59.320 --> 00:26:01.480 you do word or deed 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.799 or evangelism 00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:03.980 and social concern. 00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:05.340 One is 00:26:05.340 --> 00:26:06.500 number A 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.519 teaches that 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:09.140 the ministry of mercy 00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:10.880 and social justice 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:12.799 is the only 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:14.259 legitimate function 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.560 of the church. 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:17.899 B 00:26:17.899 --> 00:26:18.819 holds that 00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:20.079 social concern 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:22.460 is the most 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.379 important function 00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:24.539 but evangelism 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.859 is part of the mission 00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.619 so we have to do 00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:27.619 a bit of that on the side. 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:28.399 C 00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:29.500 social concern 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.440 and evangelism 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.759 go hand in hand 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:33.159 and deed and word 00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:34.019 are absolutely 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.779 equal 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.700 in importance. 00:26:36.879 --> 00:26:37.200 D 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.419 evangelism 00:26:38.419 --> 00:26:39.720 is the 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.659 primary function 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:41.259 of the church 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.159 and the ministry 00:26:42.159 --> 00:26:43.119 of deed 00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:44.599 is a ministry 00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:46.179 but it's secondary. 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.539 So let's put it 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:48.159 to the side. 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:49.079 And E 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:50.619 states flatly 00:26:50.619 --> 00:26:52.539 that social concern 00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:54.379 is not the job 00:26:54.379 --> 00:26:55.339 of the church 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:56.679 at all 00:26:56.679 --> 00:26:57.359 in the world. 00:26:57.739 --> 00:26:58.639 We carry on 00:26:58.639 --> 00:26:59.859 only the ministry 00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.919 of the word. 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.719 Now 00:27:03.719 --> 00:27:04.879 all churches 00:27:04.879 --> 00:27:05.819 will fit into 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:06.379 one of them 00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:07.539 or 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.539 they might 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.259 mix over 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:09.899 sometimes. 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:11.500 Even we 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.579 as individuals 00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:13.679 if I really 00:27:13.679 --> 00:27:14.439 pushed you 00:27:14.439 --> 00:27:15.619 you will have 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.319 a view 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:17.099 of which one 00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:18.000 you think 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.679 is right. 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:20.740 So let me 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.139 repeat 00:27:21.139 --> 00:27:22.939 it is inappropriate 00:27:22.939 --> 00:27:24.439 to ask 00:27:24.439 --> 00:27:25.559 whether evangelism 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.779 or social concern 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.899 is more important. 00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:28.799 They constitute 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:29.639 a whole 00:27:29.639 --> 00:27:30.599 that should 00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:31.599 not be 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:32.119 divided. 00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:33.480 Remember 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.599 deed ministry 00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:35.599 like grace 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:36.119 ministry 00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:37.819 is unmerited 00:27:37.819 --> 00:27:38.379 favour. 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.119 Our motive 00:27:40.119 --> 00:27:41.279 for any 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:41.899 ministry 00:27:41.899 --> 00:27:42.720 must 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.660 always 00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:44.619 be love. 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:46.019 Where does 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.539 that leave 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.099 us then 00:27:47.099 --> 00:27:48.259 when thinking 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.359 as a church 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:50.019 and as 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:50.680 individuals? 00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:51.980 Well 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.500 God 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.879 commands 00:27:53.879 --> 00:27:54.980 both 00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:55.460 mercy 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:55.960 ministry 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:56.759 and word 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.339 ministry. 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.259 They 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:59.039 are not 00:27:59.039 --> 00:27:59.680 options 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.440 my friends. 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:01.539 Both 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:03.000 evangelism 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:04.099 and mercy 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:04.639 ministry 00:28:04.639 --> 00:28:05.319 both 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:05.859 we are 00:28:05.859 --> 00:28:06.460 commanded 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.500 as individuals 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.359 and we are 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:08.799 commanded 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.480 as a church 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:10.200 to be involved 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:10.740 in both. 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:11.559 You might 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:12.000 like to 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.420 question 00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:13.539 if you 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:14.200 are doing 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.180 both of 00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:15.380 them. 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.660 We cannot 00:28:16.660 --> 00:28:17.599 get away 00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:18.880 with saying 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:19.259 that we 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.019 can't afford 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.539 to help 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.120 the poor 00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:22.500 because Paul 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.019 says in 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:24.000 Ephesians 4 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.920 28 00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:26.019 we work 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.759 so that we 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.299 have something 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:27.920 to share 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:28.539 with those 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:29.460 in need. 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:30.380 Now 00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:31.440 our work 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:32.220 and our 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:33.099 pay packet 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:34.740 surprisingly 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:36.359 is not 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:37.180 for us 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:37.740 to plan 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.400 holidays 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:38.960 build 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.500 houses 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.220 and do 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:40.839 extensions 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:42.120 and buy 00:28:42.120 --> 00:28:42.559 lovely 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.099 material 00:28:43.099 --> 00:28:43.579 possessions 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:44.180 first. 00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:44.819 That is 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.200 not why 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:45.500 we get 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:45.819 a pay 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.120 packet. 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:47.099 It's 00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:47.700 fascinating 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.299 I found 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:48.859 it fascinating 00:28:48.859 --> 00:28:49.599 that the 00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:50.180 Bible even 00:28:50.180 --> 00:28:50.940 addresses this. 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:51.799 It is to 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:52.400 support 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:53.720 our families 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.240 first 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:55.059 give to 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:55.599 our local 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.019 church 00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:56.559 and to 00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.039 support 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:57.920 the needy 00:28:57.920 --> 00:28:59.200 and after 00:28:59.200 --> 00:28:59.759 we've done 00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:00.900 those three 00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:02.180 then luxuries 00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:03.440 like holidays 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.460 and material 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.039 possessions 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.799 come into 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.100 play. 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:07.960 Now 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:08.539 we just 00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:09.580 might need 00:29:09.580 --> 00:29:10.600 to adjust 00:29:10.600 --> 00:29:11.440 our personal 00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:11.900 giving 00:29:11.900 --> 00:29:13.299 so that it 00:29:13.299 --> 00:29:13.759 is in 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.180 better 00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:15.039 biblical 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:16.160 priority 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:17.160 because 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:18.140 that's not 00:29:18.140 --> 00:29:18.779 Debbie Gould 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.640 just speaking 00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:20.940 that is 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:21.500 what the 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.360 Bible says 00:29:22.360 --> 00:29:23.460 the order 00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:24.080 of how 00:29:24.080 --> 00:29:24.880 money should 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.539 be used. 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.220 And we 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:27.660 must do 00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:28.320 the same 00:29:28.320 --> 00:29:29.820 as a 00:29:29.820 --> 00:29:30.279 church 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:31.799 with what 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.500 we support 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.220 in the 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.659 way that 00:29:33.659 --> 00:29:34.299 we minister. 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:35.440 We must 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:36.059 see that 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.980 word and 00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:37.759 deed are 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:39.059 inextricably 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:40.659 united and 00:29:40.659 --> 00:29:41.419 inseparable. 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.659 We must 00:29:43.659 --> 00:29:44.319 minister to 00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:44.740 the whole 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:46.019 person and 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.659 depending on 00:29:46.659 --> 00:29:47.339 the situation 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:47.819 at hand 00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:48.379 it might 00:29:48.379 --> 00:29:49.519 be meeting 00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:51.359 needs first 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:52.000 and word 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:52.480 later. 00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:53.879 Who knows? 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.339 Every 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:55.039 circumstance 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:56.279 must be 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:57.259 treated on 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:58.059 its own 00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:59.159 base and 00:29:59.159 --> 00:30:00.559 merit and 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:01.240 there is no 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:02.099 set pattern 00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:02.839 in how we 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:03.380 do this 00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:03.839 and that's 00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:04.380 what makes 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:04.859 it so 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:05.359 tricky. 00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:07.180 But we 00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:07.660 must be 00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:08.180 doing it. 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.799 You may 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:11.259 need to 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:11.839 reconsider 00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:12.539 or do 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:12.839 some 00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:13.740 exploring 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:15.000 into the 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:15.579 ministries 00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.059 that you 00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:16.920 might already 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.779 be supporting 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:19.099 to see 00:30:19.099 --> 00:30:19.620 where they 00:30:19.620 --> 00:30:20.960 fit with 00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:21.900 deed and 00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:22.339 word. 00:30:23.339 --> 00:30:23.880 You may 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:24.640 also like 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.140 to think 00:30:25.140 --> 00:30:25.680 long and 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:27.259 hard as 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:27.740 to what 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.420 you support 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:29.060 and how 00:30:29.060 --> 00:30:30.000 you support 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.779 a need 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.340 ministry. 00:30:32.360 --> 00:30:33.019 We've 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:33.360 mentioned 00:30:33.360 --> 00:30:34.519 before our 00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:35.620 mission giving 00:30:35.620 --> 00:30:36.460 this month 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.480 is for 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:38.740 ropes crossing 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:40.740 and whatever 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:41.720 is over 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:43.060 the $10,000 00:30:43.060 --> 00:30:43.779 mark will 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:44.440 go towards 00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:45.420 grace ministry 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:46.519 and ESL 00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:47.019 ministry. 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.400 These 00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:49.160 ministries 00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:50.600 are desiring 00:30:50.600 --> 00:30:51.400 to combine 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:52.400 deed and 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:53.600 word in 00:30:53.600 --> 00:30:54.600 different ways 00:30:54.600 --> 00:30:55.340 and in 00:30:55.340 --> 00:30:56.340 different timing 00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:58.319 ministries 00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:58.899 are all 00:30:58.899 --> 00:30:59.299 about. 00:30:59.459 --> 00:31:00.079 It fits 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:00.740 the mandate 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:01.279 that God 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:01.720 has given 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.059 us. 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:03.419 And you 00:31:03.419 --> 00:31:04.079 might also 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:04.759 be thinking 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.899 I cannot 00:31:05.899 --> 00:31:06.959 help every 00:31:06.959 --> 00:31:07.659 person that 00:31:07.659 --> 00:31:08.139 I see 00:31:08.139 --> 00:31:08.799 who is in 00:31:08.799 --> 00:31:09.279 need. 00:31:09.679 --> 00:31:10.139 Well guess 00:31:10.139 --> 00:31:10.599 what? 00:31:11.059 --> 00:31:11.480 You don't 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.220 have to. 00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:13.639 God 00:31:13.639 --> 00:31:14.699 actually says 00:31:14.699 --> 00:31:15.220 go and 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:16.339 preach the 00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:16.839 good news 00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:17.419 to every 00:31:17.419 --> 00:31:17.959 person in 00:31:17.959 --> 00:31:18.419 the world. 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.119 Do we 00:31:19.119 --> 00:31:19.559 do that? 00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:20.379 No because 00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:21.079 it's impossible 00:31:21.079 --> 00:31:21.839 for us to 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:22.279 do that. 00:31:22.619 --> 00:31:22.919 But we 00:31:22.919 --> 00:31:23.480 can do a 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.639 little bit 00:31:24.639 --> 00:31:25.759 in how 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.240 we show 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:26.680 mercy. 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:27.740 What we 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:27.940 are to 00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:29.180 have is 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:29.759 to have 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.519 a heart 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:31.819 after mercy 00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:33.000 to help 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.920 where we 00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:34.859 can and 00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:35.220 to be 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:36.279 purposeful 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:37.640 in what 00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:38.240 we say 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.000 and do. 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.319 That is 00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:41.559 you cannot 00:31:41.559 --> 00:31:42.799 feed every 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:43.359 homeless 00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:44.759 person that 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.440 you might 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:46.359 pass by 00:31:46.359 --> 00:31:46.839 on the 00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:47.240 street. 00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:48.240 But you 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:48.859 might be 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:49.799 able to 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.379 help one 00:31:50.379 --> 00:31:50.799 of them. 00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:51.720 You might 00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:52.619 be able to 00:31:52.619 --> 00:31:53.740 maybe give 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.619 a little bit 00:31:54.619 --> 00:31:55.259 of money or 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:55.960 maybe give 00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:56.859 a salad 00:31:56.859 --> 00:31:57.400 sandwich. 00:31:57.660 --> 00:31:58.059 You might 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.779 be able to 00:31:58.779 --> 00:32:00.319 say hi 00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:01.019 one day 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:01.420 and the 00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:02.119 next day 00:32:02.119 --> 00:32:03.059 make eye 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.460 contact. 00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:04.460 There may 00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:04.980 be a 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.559 progression 00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:06.299 of how 00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:06.759 you help 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.440 that person 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.259 and who 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:09.240 knows the 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:09.720 Lord might 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.519 just open 00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:11.339 up a 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.740 whole avenue 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.819 of something 00:32:13.819 --> 00:32:14.680 fantastic 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:16.200 in sharing 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:17.359 about Jesus 00:32:17.359 --> 00:32:18.039 with them. 00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:19.200 It starts 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:19.960 with a very 00:32:19.960 --> 00:32:21.200 small effort. 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:23.140 mercy and 00:32:23.140 --> 00:32:24.019 evangelism 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:25.160 are like 00:32:25.160 --> 00:32:26.580 smoke and 00:32:26.580 --> 00:32:27.080 fire. 00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:28.640 Where one 00:32:28.640 --> 00:32:30.000 is, the 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:31.340 other must 00:32:31.340 --> 00:32:32.100 be near. 00:32:33.160 --> 00:32:33.920 Only when 00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:34.559 both are 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:36.180 occurring will 00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:37.519 actual growth 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:37.980 in the 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.559 kingdom of 00:32:38.559 --> 00:32:39.819 God occur. 00:32:40.580 --> 00:32:41.000 And that 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:41.840 diamond that 00:32:41.840 --> 00:32:42.539 we saw 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.700 mentioned at 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:44.240 the beginning, 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.559 that's when 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:46.759 we'll see the 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.880 diamond shining 00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:49.019 very, very 00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:49.539 brightly. 00:32:49.539 --> 00:32:51.099 bless you 00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:51.639 all in 00:32:51.639 --> 00:32:51.839 your 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.399 endeavours.