THE LITTLE THINGS

This is the year of service and love (or good works and love)

motivation to serve

Jesus served Mt. 20:28 & John 13 where we have an example of Jesus washing feet (serving) that we are to follow. Our Savior served others so we too ought to serve others.

We realize that everyone we see or come in contact with should be treated as if they are Jesus Mt. 25:40 or we can even view others as angels for the Heb. 13:2 we might even entertain angels unaware.

We realize we are called to Phil. 2:3-4 put others above ourselves, we are to be good neighbors and follow the example of the Good Samaritan Lk. 10:25-37.

It’s not enough to just do a few good works:

Titus 2:14 NASB95

who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Titus 3:8 NASB95

This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

Titus 3:14 NASB95

Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

Are you zealous fro good deeds? How excited, pumped up, thrilled are you to do good works how motivated are you to do good works. Are you engaged in good deeds? As believers we are to be engaged in good deeds. Notice that Paul equated a lack of good deeds as being unfruitful. Think about your life right now. Are you being fruitful (good deeds)?

Important: we don’t do these good works to pat ourselves on the back and make ourselves look good

Matthew 5:16 NASB95

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

1 Peter 2:12 NASB95

Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Examples of Service

Jesus

John 10:32 Jesus showed many good works from the father. What did he do? He feed the poor and hungry, helped the sick and the needy, he showed compassion and care and concern for others. He touched and loved the unlovable. He gave his life in dedication and service to others. He spent himself and all his energy in serving others.

Acts 10:38

Little ways I can serve

Mt. 25 food, water, shelter, clothing, visit

Acts 9:36–39 NASB95

Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.

abounding in good works - she looked for opportunities and she jumped at them even excelled in them, she was obsessed with them. Normal do a good deed every now and then, bu the is supposed to be a part of our character our nature. It is who we are as Christians and followers of Christ, If he went about to doing good certainly we should too.

her good works were not weighty. The little things: cards, phone calls, paying for someones meal, taking a meal, helping someone with yard work, not of encouragement, gifts, hugs, smiles. When the last time you picked up your phone and called all our widows. there is no reason why a widow shouldn't be contacted by someone (really 2 or 3 someones every week) If you are retired or not working then you have the time to call and check up on people. listen, smile, volunteer, hold door, help someone reach their goals, mow their lawn,

the thing that jumps out the most to me is that she did not do her good woks via proxy. When a person acts “by proxy” he is doing something through another person or organization acting on his behalf. I think this is the way we prefer to do our good works. let me give my money so other s can do the work for me. I’ll let somebody else get their hands dirty and worry about getting the job done. But you’ll notice Dorcas did it herself she was personally involved in good works.

she performed her good works while she was with them. Gal. 6:10 we only have a little while to do good works. opportunities are fleeting. We are only here for a little while.

I’m not saying we should not give money to be used for good works but that should not be all that we do. Lets face it, the last time I checked none of us have become millionaires in the last week or two. So we have to be focused on the little things that each of us can do. Everyone has do their part.

Ephesians 4:28 NASB95

He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

James 1:27 NASB95

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Verse 1:  There is room in the kingdom of God, my brother, For the small things that you can do; Just a small, kindly deed that may cheer another Is the work God has planned for you. Verse 2:  Just a cup of cold water in His name given May the hope in some heart renew; Do not wait to be told, nor by sorrow driven To the work God has planned for you. Verse 3:  There’s a place in the service of God for workers Who are loyal to Him and true; Can’t you say to Him now, “I will leave the shirkers, And the work Thou hast planned I’ll do.” Chorus: Thee is room, there’s a place In the kingdom of God for you; There is room, there’s a place, There is work that we all can do.