What the World Needs is You!
Notes
Transcript
The healing of Jairus’ daughter
We face similar emotions to the people in this story. Grief, sadness, despair, isolation, anger, bitterness, fear and confusion.
The world is a mess right now. Riots, racial division and injustice, distrust, division and dissent.
Are we overwhelmed by in fear?
Are we growing bitter and resentful toward those with whom we disagree?
Are we stalled by the confusion around us?
What the World Needs is You! (Focused on walking with Jesus)
What the World Needs is You! (Focused on walking with Jesus)
Everything going on can leave us feeling shaken, BUT we aren’t! We are the church! We are the hope of the world, we are built on the solid rock of Jesus Christ and we have received the unshakable kingdom of God!
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
Today, I am issuing a call for us, the church, to simplify, refocus and act.
Sometimes we get so distraught over the big picture, all that is happening in the world. We have national and global news, media and more pouring information in to our lives, meanwhile, we overlook the people that God has placed in our lives to love.
I have a professor that put it this way, “I may not be able to change the world, but I can change my world.”
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Let’s take a closer look at the actions God requires of us.
Act Justly
Act Justly
“according to what is morally right or fair”
This is about how we treat those around us.
Jesus put it this way:
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Titus 3:1 says, “be ready to do whatever is good”
Another way to put it is that we are to have right relationships with others. The word often used in scripture for this is “righteousness”
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
It is easy to step away from righteousness when we are angry.
Act Justly, Love Mercy
Act Justly, Love Mercy
Mercy - compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
Outrageous love
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
But, it is easy to hold small things against one another and slide toward bitterness and resentment.
Story - Coffee Frother
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Church, it is time for us to set aside our differences, and to love one another with the outrageous love of Jesus Christ.
Act Justly, Love Mercy
Act Justly, Love Mercy
Treat your neighbors rightly and be more kind to others than they deserve.
Walk Humbly with Your God
Walk Humbly with Your God
Humbly - “In a way that is not proud or arrogant”
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Jesus invites us to walk beside him in his ways.
Stay in relationship with God. Setting aside your own agenda in pursuit of his will.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
The world and its systems are no longer our primary concern. Kings and governments have risen and fallen time and again across history, but the kingdom of God remains. Though we do our civic duties, our primary allegiance is to Jesus the King!
We need to stay focused on Walking with Jesus. When it comes down to it, we are called to live simple lives of love. Putting concern for others before ourselves and humbly following in the ways of Jesus.
What the World Needs Right Now is You ! (Focused on walking humbly with Jesus)
What the World Needs Right Now is You ! (Focused on walking humbly with Jesus)
We are living though some difficult times, but I am sure of this: We, the church, have the greatest opportunity to shine the brightest in dark times.
When the world does it's best to overwhelm us with fear, grief, bitterness, anger, frustration and confusion, we will stay focused on walking humbly with Jesus!
In our opening story, Jesus, undeterred by the crowds, focused on his mission and made his way through the confusion. He did not allow the chaos his surroundings distract him from loving the people he interacted with. The disciples who followed him had the opportunity to be a part of the healing of a little girl. Mark says, "They were completely astonished!" and Matthew reports that "News of this spread through all that region."
When we walk with Jesus and passionately love him and others, we can spread hope, peace and unity in a fearful and confused world.
We are the church. The world needs us.