6th Sunday after Pentecost ~ June 26, 2005

Jesus said, “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42, ESV) These words have been used many times to give us a reminder to serve our fellow man. We as Christians are called to serve in word and in action to the world as we proclaim the Gospel message. And this is good and proper for us to do. So I would like to focus for a few minutes on what does it mean to give of ourselves to the world.

First, as we give in the name of Jesus, we need to recognize that it is a twofold mission – word and action. We are called to share the Gospel, the message that God sent His Son into this world to be our Savior. He came to take on all our sin that separated us from God and be put to death on a cross in our place. Jesus not only died for us but He rose again victoriously to give us new life. The victory has been won in Jesus. That is the message we share in our words to the world. But we are also called to share with the world in action – “to give a cup of cold water.” Our action spring forth from the transformed life we live in Jesus. Our Lord calls us to love one another and to even love our enemy. Our love can be most effective in our actions of care and concern to others. In essence we become servants to the world.

Both word and action are important. If it is only the word then people will eventually think it very hollow if we don’t show more than words. And if we do only actions of service then how will the Gospel be heard. It is a both/and not and either/or mission. And each of us is called to be a part of both. Often action needs to come first to prepare the way for the words of the Gospel, but both are important and necessary.

Second, we need to recognize that we don’t “bring Jesus” to the world. I know that that sounds contradictory when I just told you to share the Gospel in word and action but it is true. Jesus is already ahead of us in the world and invites us to be a part of what He is doing. Jesus says later on in Matthew “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40, ESV) Jesus goes before us and prepares the way for our words and actions to open hearts and minds to the Gospel. He invites us to be a part of His mission. That takes the stress off of us and places it where it should be, in Jesus’ hands. We are His hands and feet as we go out and proclaim He love.

Third, our presence is vitally important. Often we get caught up in making sure we have the right words to say or are doing the right actions when most of the time it is our presence in the world and with people that is the most effective. Two books that our Stephen Ministers are familiar with, Christian Caregiving a Way of Life and Don’t Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart – How to Relate to those who are Suffering are excellent resources for helping us relate to others in need. They are full of practical advise of what to do and not to do in situations where people need the care of others. But the underlying message of both these books is presence. The most effective thing we can do is being present for people when they need it. Too often we wait for people to come to us when they are in need. We need to be out in the harvest field, present with the people of the world. And this leads to the second part of my message today.

If we take a closer look at the text we will see that there is actually another direction that Jesus is taking with His disciples. Not that our giving a “cup of cold water” to others isn’t appropriate or good, but do you see who Jesus is refereeing to receiving the “cup of cold water”? These “little ones” are His disciples. He is talking about us receiving the “cup of cold water” from others, even non-Christians. This text is not just an encouragement for Jesus disciples to be in action, it is a reminder that they are to receive the blessings God gives through others. We are to receive the “cup of cold water” from other people. This has some important implications for our witnessing to the Gospel.

First, we are not above help ourselves. Too often, and not always intentional, we as Christians believe that we have all the answers to life’s problems and can solve them for others. That places us in a position of superiority to others, which can often hurt our message. We don’t have the answers only God does. And we are in need of His help the same as anyone else. To be more effective in our witness we can put ourselves in a place of vulnerability – receiving help from others. When the world sees that we are just like them – we just know of the Savior – then we can open doors to the Gospel. When we make ourselves vulnerable and accept help from others, even non-Christians, we are saying that we are sinful humans who need help, who need a Savior. Being open to the help of others also shows care, that we are not all knowing, superior people, but humans who have been touched by the grace and mercy of God.

Second, we will face the crosses of life like everyone else and need to receive help from whatever source it comes from as if it came from God – because it does. Jesus tells His disciples in this text that they are to take up their crosses. I have in my collection of crosses one I purchased from Mexico last year. I like this cross because it reminds me of the “roughness” of the cross. It has a large piece of coarse rope representing Jesus with even small nails around the head to resemble the crown of thorns. And the cross itself is unfinished rough wood. It reminds me not only of the sacrifice that Christ paid but also of the “rough” nature of life because of sin. We all live in a sin fallen world that is broken and rough. We all need to be reminded that we all are capable of the worst of crimes because of our sinful nature. We all need to know that we can rely on each other for help – even those who are not a part of this church or not a part of a Christian community. God uses all aspects of life to bring us closer to Him.

Third, we are to be dependant on the hospitality of others, especially non- Christians. Jesus is encouraging His disciple to gladly and willingly shared in the hospitality of others. When Jesus sent out His disciples most of the places they were going either hadn’t heard of Christ yet or had little knowledge of what Jesus was all about. They were headed into non-Christian territory. And Jesus says to accept the hospitality, the cup of cold water, from anyone. Hospitality was an important part of the Jewish culture. To be accepted into ones home was a great honor and the host even became the protector for the guest. As the disciples went out they were to accept the hospitality of others and be welcomed into their homes. In this it would provide a way for the Gospel to be heard as they were served themselves.

And this being welcomed in was more that just a guest and host relationship. When a disciple is welcomed into a home they are not only welcomed as an individual but as a representative of the Sender – Jesus Christ. We are a part of the body of Christ. When we go out in action and words, we go out in Jesus name. When we are welcomed by others and receive gladly and willingly from their aid, we are sharing in the ministry of Jesus Christ. There really is no distinction in secular or sacred – all is the Lord’s. So when we receive the aid of others, even unbelievers, we are receiving Christ and His blessings.

One more illustration to help us see that all is the Lord’s and we willing accept His blessings. When we pray the Lord’s Prayer we say, “Give us this day our daily bread.” When we ask God to provide for us do we really think about what that means? Bread doesn’t magically appear on our tables each time we pray that prayer. How does God get us our “bread”? There is the seed planted by the farmer and raised until it is ripe. The farmer harvests the wheat with assistance. A truck driver then sends the grain to a mill. At the mill it is processed into flour. That flour is then sent again to a bakery where it is combined with other ingredients that arrived from other places and bread is made. The bread is then shipped to stores where we come in and purchase it from the clerk. Do you see how many people are involved in the process? Do you know if all of them are Christian? Does it matter? God works through His world to accomplish His will. We are all a part of that mission both in giving and receiving. We give of ourselves in word and deed as we share the Gospel. But we also receive God’s blessings, no matter the source, as also a part of God’s will. Give; receive – they both are important in God’s mission.

May we strive to share the Gospel but also receive, gladly and willingly, from all when we are in need. May we find ways to convey the Gospel that has so transformed us, to others who are just as in need as we are? And may be rely on Jesus to guide and lead us in our daily lives of giving and receiving in His name. Amen.