Unity in Service

Today is about

Love of our community

Serving well.

During the American Revolution a man in civilian clothes rode past a group of soldiers repairing a small defensive barrier.

Their leader was shouting instructions, but making no attempt to help them.

Asked why by the rider, he retorted with great dignity, "Sir, I am a corporal!"

The stranger apologized, dismounted, and proceeded to help the exhausted soldiers.

The job done, he turned to the corporal and said, "Mr. Corporal, next time you have a job like this and not enough men to do it, go to your commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you again."

It was none other than George Washington.

Today in the Word, March 6, 1991.

The highest position

in this world

is position of service

to those in need.

Unfortunately,

morality of this world

continues to degenerate.

If you asked people

is society improving

or getting worse.

You would get

different answers.

In my opinion,

society is not

improving.

Bible predicts

evil become

more evil!

2 Timothy 3:13 ESV

while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

When people realize

things getting worse

they question God...

OT Israel did the same:

Isaiah 58:3 (ESV)

‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not?

Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’

They complain against God.

we are seeking you

we are fasting

we are praying

you are not blessing!!!

God answers them.

Isaiah 58:3–4 (ESV)

Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.

--

Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist.

--

Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.

Ouch,

God answers them.

Not what they

wanted to hear.

God explains...

Why they are not

getting desired blessings…?

Their

religion

fasting

prayers

not sincere!

God talks to them about

difference between

false religion

true religion

false fasting

true fasting.

Isaiah 58:5 (ESV)

Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself?

--

Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?

Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord?

What was God displeased with?

They were performing

outward examples.

Forms of religion.

Not true sincerity.

God explains

what true religion is:

Isaiah 58:6–7 (ESV)

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?

--

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

God wants “fast.”

Not outward form.

Not religion we

claim to have...

How can we know

if we are experiencing

true religion?

By our

love

care

service

to those in need.

In case there is

a temptation to think

this is OT:

Here is NT...

James 1:27 ESV

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

True religion

Pure religion

connected with

service to those in need.

The Motto of Police

To Protect and Serve

veggie cop.

Not just police...

Motto of Christianity!!

Protect vulnerable

Serve the needy

Foundation of True Religion.

Purpose of this

very special day.

Recognize those

in our community

do that every day.

Remind ourselves

this calling

to protect and serve

is from God.

(not police academy)

Jesus himself said:

Matthew 25:31–34 (ESV)

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

--

Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.

--

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

First we notice

final judgement scene.

Connected with end of world.

God separates

righteous

wicked.

We all want to be

found righteous.

Let’s continue

see what basis for judgment.

Matthew 25:35–40 (ESV)

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

--

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?

--

And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Basis of Judgment?

Definition of righteousness

Loved the needy

Ministered to less fortunate.

Pity on those

not dealt same hand.

Conversely

Jesus goes on

to define wickedness:

Matthew 25:41–46 (ESV)

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

--

For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’

--

Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying,

--

‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Jesus described wickedness as...

Had the chance

to serve and love

refused to do it.

Selfishly hoarded blessings.

We are here today

celebrate those

given life to

give food to hungry

give water to thirsty

cloth the naked

visit the sick

love the incarcerated.

In many and various ways.

Also here today to:

Network about how

to do so more effectively.

Unity in Service

I titled the sermon

Unity in service...

Why???

In our society

people are calling for unity

on many different topics.

Differing groups

all have their agenda:

political groups,

social justice groups,

science based groups,

religious groups,

etc.

Unity in Diversity

missing something

Religious

worship

feel good?

God has called us

to unity

primarily for the purpose

of service.

---------

It is no secret

Auburn is poor

compared to

surrounding area

Dacula

Hamilton Mill

Bethlehem

Much of Gwinnette

God brought us together

For this time!

to reach our community

with love of Jesus.

Let us do that.

With whole heart

Complete Devotion

Close with a promise

Verse in Isaiah.

Not true religion

true fasting

Minister to poor.

God gives promise

if we do...

Isaiah 58:8–10 (ESV)

Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

--

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’

--

If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,

--

then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.

What a promise!!!

Blessings of God!

light of God

health and healing

righteousness of God

God’s protection

I want these blessings

don’t you?

Let us serve

with whole heart!

Close with this poem.

The Master was searching for a vessel to use; On the shelf there were many—which one would He choose?

-- Take me, cried the gold one, I’m shiny and bright, I’m of great value and I do things just right. My beauty and luster will outshine the rest And for someone like You, Master, gold would be the best!

--

Unheeding, the Master passed on to the brass, It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass. Here! Here! cried the vessel, I know I will do, Place me on Your table for all men to view.

--

Look at me, called the goblet of crystal so clear, My transparency shows my contents so dear, Though fragile am I, I will serve You with pride, And I’m sure I’ll be happy Your house to abide.

--

The Master came next to a vessel of wood, Polished and carved, it solidly stood. You may use me, dear Master, the wooden bowl said, But I’d rather You used me for fruit, not for bread!

--

Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay. Empty and broken it helplessly lay. No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose, To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

--

Ah! This is the vessel I’ve been hoping to find, I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.

--

I need not the vessel with pride of itself; Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf; Nor the one who is big-mouthed and shallow and loud; Nor one who displays his contents so proud; Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right; But this plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might.

--

Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay. Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day. Spoke to it kindly. “There’s work you must do, Just pour out to others as I pour into you.”

—Author Unknown

Appeal

Let us each be

simple vessel of clay

Just pour out to others

as master pour into us

to serve well.