VISION 2011

A Call To Loving Service

Matt.25:31-40

As a Church we are

preparing for the

End Times.

How can we prepare

ourselves?

Jesus takes a common

activity and applies deep symbolism.

Introduction

“Greatness in the kingdom of

heaven

Is measured by small acts of

kindness.

In the countryside, sheep and goats mingle during the day.At night, they were separated.Sheep tolerated cooler air; goats herded together for warmth.

All men fall into on of two classes.

They are either sheep or goats.

The Sheep• Identified as the righteous.

Given the right hand•Which was the place of power and honor.

The righteous (sheep) are identified in two ways.

1. The Righteous did simple acts of kindness.

Notice the simple responses God noted in the actions of the righteous.

Giving someone a drink, something to eat, clothes to wear and a visit.

Simple and basic things.God’s followers are not identified by saying

“Lord, Lord”.Or repeating verbal expressions of their faith.They were noted for numerous acts of self-

sacrificing service, rendered to their fellow men.

StoryWarden Lewis Lawes and Sing Sing Prison.A tough prison.But 20 years later, it became a humanitarian

institution.Credit went to his wife – Catherine.A blind prisoner – taught him Braille.Deaf-mute prisoner – learnt sign language.She was the body of Jesus in the prison.

Died in a car accident.Acting warden shocked to see tough criminals

crying.Walked three quarters mile without guards for

the funeral.Everyone returned to the prison.

2. The Righteous used their resources to be a blessing. Unusual part of this judgment is how those

on the left hand try to excuse themselves.Their grounds – no opportunity. Matt. 25:44 – Tone of innocence.Note the King’s responseMatt.25:45- “To the least of these”

It is not the wrong doing that brings the severest censure.

But the failure to do good.The sin of omission is seen as more serious as

the sin of commission.They fail to notice the many opportunities for

showing kindness which had been given to them.

God blesses us so that we may be a blessing to others. All of us have been given somethig we can

share with others. If we fail to use the opportunities, it will be

taken from us. How do we become rich toward God?By passing blessings on to others.

Do you desire genuine vitality in your spiritual walk with God?

Take time to provide acts of kindness for others.

Our spiritual energy is drained when we focus on self and our own problems.

Serving others lights up a spark in our spiritual life.

To be vibrant in Lord – we need to take action James 2:20.

3. Surprise by the significance of their actions.

The sheep are surprised at the place the King assigns them.

They are surprised at the reason.v. 40 – “Did to the least of these”The sheep did not show love to gain heaven.It was their righteousness from their heart.

True disciples will love one another and

serve the least brother

with compassion.

In so doing, they are

serving Christ unconsciously

.

When we respond to others, we

are responding to

Christ.

We are the bearers of His

presence.

CONCLUSION We are Jesus’ ambassadors to others here on

this earth.We are His hands and His feet to be a blessing

to others.Recognize this.Ask God for a heart of compassion and desire to serve others.

VISION 2011

A Caring CHURCH

Acts 3:1-10

We have entered into a

New Year 2011

Part of our vision is that we

become a more Caring Church

Luke describes the early church

Acts 2:43

Introduction

There is no indication what those miraculous signs and wonders were

But Luke selects one – the story of the lame man healed at the Beautiful Gate

Why?

Two possible reasons: a. It was just before Peter’s second sermonb. It was the cause of the first persecution / tension of the early church.

On the Day of Pentecost, power from heaven came downThis power turned despairing doubters into dynamic disciples

The power was to enable the disciples to reach out and touch

human need

This power energized

them to be witnesses for

Jesus in a secular society

To share the liberating

truth of the Gospel of

Christ

It is about personal caring for

people

To enable us to reach out and touch

others

Here we see people who have been touched by the power of God, touching others

Today’s passage reveals human tragedy: It speaks of a man who was crippled from birth Never been able to stand, walk, run or play like

others Everyday, his friends carried him to the Temple to

beg.

The story of this man reminds us of the tragedy of the human condition: If we look around, we see people hurting, suffering

some form of tragedy This man was physically crippled, but there are

many who emotionally crippled

People appear to doing OK outwardly, yet inwardly they are struggling

People need a heavenly touch from GodWho will bring a heavenly touch to hurting

people?

1. A CARING CHURCH IMPARTS EXPECTANCY : verse 3-5

It was the hour of prayer for the Jews (3.00pm)A special significance to the ChristiansIt was the hour Jesus died on the cross – John 19:30)Verse 5 – This man expected to receive something from Peter and John

He thought it would be moneyIf you want to receive anything from God ,

you must expect something from HimOur lives remain the same because we never

expect to receive from GodWe switch off our minds when we come to a

church serviceWe can sit here for years and never be

changed

2. A CARING CHURCH IMPARTS HEALING : verse 6-7

The minute Peter had the man’s attention, he did two things:A. He admits his bankruptcy in material things They could not give what they did not

possessB. Demonstrates his adequacy in the spiritual realm They were “partakers of the divine nature”

1 Peter 1:4 – they could impart the power of Christ because they were full of Christ

If we do not possess a living relationship with Jesus Christ, we will never be able to impart a heavenly touch to others.

We need to develop our spiritual life in order to impart spiritual life to others

What we need are not possessions but powerPower to touch people’s lives with the

presence of the living GodPower to reach out to people and lift them upGive them hope, healing, friendship and

fellowshipThis must be our ministry

3. A CARING CHURCH IMPARTS JOY : verse 8

This man who never walked, stood up and could not stop leaping.

Because of the miracle, there was a change in his life.

He was not only healed but joy filled his lifeSomeone cared enough to reach out to him in

the name of Jesus

His life had been transformed

Someone cared and made a choice to reach out

It meant God loved him

There was a two fold effect:A. People were convinced God was at work.

B. They were prepared to listen to the explanation

That was Peter’s second sermon.

CONCLUSIONWhat this man needed was a heavenly touch

from God.He needed the power of the Holy Spirit to be

made available to him.That is what many are longing for today

Which is easier – to share the Gospel to an upwardly mobile, self-sufficient society

orTo those who seem to be in desperate need?The truth is – both are human and both have

deep needsPeople have unmet personal needsThey need a touch from God

True witnessing follows a pattern.

First – God Works.

God changes a life.

God does something that only God can do.

Let God do something to you.

Secondly, let people see what God did.Let them ask you what happened.Listen to what Peter says: 1 Peter 3:15Is there anyone like the lame man looking for

help?All that God has is wrapped up in one amazing Name.The Name of Jesus.