Deliver the Hope of Christ

In this time of Thanksgiving, we have a lot we ought to be thankful for. Even in strange times like we are in right now there is so much to be thankful for. When we reflect all that has happened, we can find something to be thankful for. There is something that every believer has in common to be thankful for. That is our saving faith in Jesus Christ. But what about all of those who do not have this faith. Today we are going to see that we are not called to sit still with our living hope, but instead we are to go out and deliver this hope that has given us this salvation for which we are all thankful for. But before we dig into this passage let us go to the Lord in prayer.

Dear Lord, we thank you for this saving hope we all have in common. Today we come before your throne and praise your name. We pray today that you show us what you have called us to, and you show us your truth and not mine. Now may the words of my mouth and meditation of our hearts be pleasing in your sight, o Lord our rock and our redeemer, amen.

[Point 1: We are called to help care for the needs of those around us]

We will be looking at various passages, but the central text will come from Matthew 25:31-40.

Matthew 25:31–40 ESV

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 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. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 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. 35 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, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 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.’

[Point 1 Slide: We are called to help care for the needs of those around us]

Here we are given a clear command. As believers we are not supposed to find comfort in our possessions and isolate ourselves. No, we are called to go out and help those in need. We must look for the needs around us. This will sometimes be sharing with the homeless family on the corner, it could be by giving a coat to someone who has lost theirs. Maybe we are called to give our extra water bottle to someone who forgot theirs on the beach. These needs can range depending on the time and circumstance.

Not only are we told to help those in need, but we are told that whatever we do to the least of these we do to God. We ought not look down on anyone in a difficult spot. It is not our place to judge them for the position that they find themselves. Scripture does not say help them if they deserve it or help them if its not their own doing. No, it says to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, and welcome the stranger.

All of us who have faith in Christ have his salvation, we have his hope. It is an amazing thing this hope. It can comfort that matches no other. When those we pass by in our lives are struggling what more comfort can we give than Christ. We need to help meet the needs as we are able, but we should look for how we can meet the needs of those we pass by. We are not only called to meet those needs, but also to deliver that aid with the hope that is found in Christ alone. This is not something we do of our own power, but something we are empowered to do through the working of the Holy Spirit.

This is an idea we see not only in the New Testament, but the Old as well. We see this in Isaiah 58:6-7, which reads:

Isaiah 58:6–7 ESV

6 “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? 7 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 has always called his people to care for those in need. This will look different in different contexts, but it is present none the less. Each of us are called to help those in need in different ways, but let us reflect and be sure we are going out to help those around us.

Application: We are called to help those in need

Illustration: Southern Baptist Disaster Relief go into difficult situations to help those who are suffering to supply a need. They have been doing this since the Texas Baptists went to help those who were struck by Hurricane Beulah in 1968.

[Point 2: We must not grow weary and give up]

Galatians 6:9–10 ESV

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

[Point 2 Slide: We must not grow weary and give up]

In our ministering, we can become worn. There are times when we do not see fruit. We must persist. This does not mean we cannot have a rest, but we need to continue forward. In ministry, in the Christian life we must remember that we do not succeed based on our strength. We rely on the empowering of the Holy Spirit to continue on. It is through his power alone.

Application: We must not grow weary in our own power, but seek power in the Holy Spirit

Illustration: Missionaries sometimes give and give to an unreached people and may never see any real movement, but God blesses the faithful. Sometimes we will not see the ripple our pebble makes this side of heaven, but we are called to throw it regardless. We are promised if we persist there will be a harvest, but sometimes it will be those who follow us that will reap the field.

[Point 3: More blessed to give than to receive]

Acts 20:35 ESV

35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

[Point 3 Slide: More blessed to give than to receive]

Here we also see that it is more of a blessing to give than to receive. This is not refering to a physical reward, but simply that it is a blessing, a glimpse of the good life grated by God to help those in need. We should look for ways we can help others. One of our questions should be how we can bless this person. Sometimes this will be with a physical gift. Other times it is with a spiritual or emotional gift. In any case we are told it is a great blessing to give to others.

This can be a difficult lesson and one that took me many years to learn. I am still learning, but it is an important lesson. When it comes to the faith the question should not be what am I going to get out of this, but how can I glorify God in this situation.

Application: More blessed to give, or to help, than to receive

Illustration: As a child, we only see joy when we receive gifts, but as we grow older to start to see the joy of giving gifts.

[Concluding Point: Let your light shine so that the world may see the glory of God]

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

[Concluding Point Slide: Let your light shine so that the world may see the glory of God]

We must go out and help those that are in need to let the light of Christ shine of those in need. Not so that they can see our works, but so that the works can glorify God.

Application: We are called to share our light with those around us.

In some circumstances that may be simple behavior in others its caring for significant needs.

Illustration: The goal of disaster relief is of course to see those around us to come to faith, but they do not try and force it when people are going through a tragedy. Instead, they are there to care for the physical needs of those who are going through something unimaginable by most. But, they are there. They make sure it is known they are believers; they are there to witness when an opportunity presents itself. This may be something small, but they plant a seed, however small, and gives the opportunity for the churches in the area to water it. On my recent trip we prayed for multiple families but did not have the opportunity in that moment to share the gospel, but we spoke with local churches that will follow up. We planted a seed that those believers will water. Our team may never know what will come from that trip, but we did what we are called to do.

As we leave from here today, let us look for the opportunities to plant seeds by caring for physical needs. There is a major opportunity right now to share in this way. Let us be guided by God to those in need whether it is near or far and be the light to those lost in the darkness of an unpredictable world.