Sermon Cloud

The IT Factor That Impresses God and Guards Your Rear

Scripture: Isaiah 58; Matthew 25

When we meet, is it present? How can we tell?

Do first time attenders experience it ?  Can it be programmed into our gatherings? Where can I buy it ? If it doesn’t show …well, why not? WHAT is it anyhow?

If any of you see a brother or sister in need and you have material possessions to do   something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love?  It disappears.  And you made it disappear.  (1John 3:17)  Message Bible

George Barna’s research poll:

1.  Only 14 % of Bible-believing Christians believe that poverty is an issue that           the church should address.

The complexity of ministering to the poor in today’s culture

1.  Who are the poor?

2.  Who are the “shake down” artists? (John 6:26)

3.  Who are the lazy and irresponsible? (2 Th. 3:10-12)

4.  Who will use you and disrespect you? (Matthew 7:6)

5.  Who are the ones trapped in a cycle of poverty and hopelessness?

Four actions that impress God  (Isaiah 58:7, 8)

1.  Share your food with the hungry

2.  Provide shelter for the poor

3.  Supply clothing for those who need it

4.  Don’t turn away from helping your relatives

You do these and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard!

God rewards and indicts the global Church on the basis of its actions to the poor. (Matthew 25:31-46)

Reward-  “Come you blessed of My Father inherit the kingdom”

Indictment-  “Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire...

The sins of omission are the most serious with the outcome of eternal punishment

Observations:

We will encounter Jesus in the final judgment and one of the determining factors will be our actions toward the poor.

Both sides seem unaware of the impact of their behavior

Christ identifies with the poor so completely that these deeds of love done to “the least of these” are the same as if done to Him.