Meet simple needs

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Meet simple needs

 

Matt 25:31-40

41-45

46

 

When we get to heaven, the question will NOT be:

  • name the books of the Bible
  • stand on your head
  • wear a cross necklace or have a fish keyring

 

Not even if you learned all the stories we’re learning this year!

No, the important thing is:

  • Did you LEARN FROM the stories?
  • Did you do what God wanted?

 

Remember what we said about WORDS and ACTIONS

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

 

—review actions—

 

Personal care

For example, We’ve all been sick before. When you’re sick, what kind of contact do you want?

 

We want someone to come right up to us. To put their hand on our shoulder. Ask how we’re doing. Encourage you, pray with you, smile…

When you’re sick, what means the most? a card? A call? A visit?

Studies have shown that people in hospitals recover faster when their friends & family VISIT them.

 

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27 (NASB)

 

Again, not just know they’re cared for, but give them care! Take care of them!

Why orphans and widows? They have the hardest time meeting their needs. Remember the five basic needs: home, food, purpose, boundaries, and fellowship.

Now, what about this “unstained by the world”?

 

Whom do we serve?

Jesus said, “…Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

 

People have different ideas about what that means. Who are Jesus’ brothers?

  • Some say it’s just Christians.
  • Some say it’s Israel, that we’ll be judged for the way we treat Israelites or Jews.

 

Might start with God’s people, but woe to us if it stops there!

 

It’s this matter of keeping ourselves “unstained by the world.” We think it’s about withdrawing from the world. Stay away from that neighborhood! Stay away from those people!

 

9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 (ESV)

 

We should begin with God’s people, the church, and GO OUT FROM THERE.

 

—Fish and salt—

 

Don’t be conformed to the world, be transformed by God!

 

Jesus put it this way:

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16 (NIV)

 

The snake represents Satan!

The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Revelation 12:9 (NIV)

 

The dove, on the other hand, represents the Spirit of God

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. Matthew 3:16 (NIV)

 

Jesus also said:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, … Matthew 28:19 (NIV)

 

Now, “go” is not actually a command. It’s more like, “when you go.” The command is to make disciples. The GO is a given! We’re going! Going where? To our homes, to work, out on errands, to spend time with family and friends. We’re going back to the world.

Like Paul said, you can’t stay out of the world! But you don’t have to be like the world, either.

 

Physical v Spiritual

Another concern people have, looking at this passage in Matthew, is the difference between meeting physical needs or spiritual needs.

Visiting the sick – remember, to the sick, our visits and prayers are as important –maybe more – than the medications doctors can give.

We don’t just feed, clothe, invite, visit—we do it all in the name of Jesus Christ!

 

Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

 

So, when we do these things, we’re spreading God’s word, God’s message. We’re saying, this is the kind of God we call Father. This is the kind of person who is Christ, our Lord. This is what God’s love is like.

 

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18 (NIV)

 

Pick one thing. Finally, like we said in the beginning of this series, spot the ONE THING you can do.

The king on his throne will address the whole group at once, these people who have done these things. You alone cannot meet all of a person’s needs, but together we do.

 

See a need, and meet it.

 

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