“Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone--especially to those in the family of faith.” Galatians 6:10.
* Many things occupy our minds & take our time. There are demands that require our skills. Most of these things are for our own benefit and for the benefit of our families. Yes, there are times when we are busy with non-for-profit organizations & with church activities. But as I think about Jesus in the sermon of the mountain telling His followers to “let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” I cannot but wonder if we are doing enough shining in our community…
* We live in a world that does not see Jesus Christ very often… you know, does not experience acts of love or hears healing words that bring comfort on a continuous basis. There is a tremendous need for it. * If anybody has the capability to do that it is us! Yeah, we… believers in Jesus… We, the church! We have the resources given by God to take Jesus and His love in words and actions to the people around us. Small little actions can make all the difference…
* We are the ones who can really make the difference in the life of people who do not have Christ. “Oh, but I don’t have time… I don’t have the money… I don’t have the resources…” Really? Did you read the verse above? “Whenever we have the opportunity, we SHOULD DO GOOD TO EVERYONE…” Do you stand for Christ out there?
* I will say it in the simplest possible way: IF WE DO NOT TAKE THE SAVIOR INTO OUR COMMUNITY, WE ARE BEING UNFAITHFUL TO CHRIST. We are denying Christ if we are using our resources, gifts, & time to help those around us. * Here is a story I found the other day and shared at the Tuesday men’s Bible study: Miss Thompson taught Teddy Stallard in the fourth grade. He was a slow, unkempt student, a loner shunned by his classmates. The previous year his mother died, and what little motivation for school he may have once had was now gone.
* Miss Thompson did not particularly care for Teddy either, but at Christmas time he brought her a small present. Miss Thompson's desk was covered with well-wrapped presents from the other children, but Teddy's came in a brown sack.
* When she opened it there was a gaudy rhinestone bracelet with half the stones missing and a bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to snicker but Miss Thompson saw the importance of the moment. She quickly splashed on some perfume and put on the bracelet, pretending Teddy had given her something special. At the end of the day Teddy worked up enough courage to softly say, "Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother . . . and her bracelet looks real pretty on you too. I am glad you like my presents."
* After Teddy left, Miss Thompson got down on her knees and prayed for Gods forgiveness. She prayed for God to use her as she sought to not only teach these children but to love them as well. She became a new teacher. She lovingly helped students like Teddy and by the end of the year he had caught up with most of the students.
* Miss Thompson did not hear from Teddy for a long time. Then she received this note: "Dear Miss Thompson, I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class. Love, Teddy Stallard." * Four years later she got another note: "Dear Miss Thompson, They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be the first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it. Love, Teddy Stallard."
* Four years later: "Dear Miss Thompson, As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year. Love, Teddy Stallard." Miss Thompson went to the wedding and sat where Teddy's mother would have sat.
* She made a difference. She let God use her as an instrument of his love an instrument of encouragement.
* Will we, you & I, and St. John’s Lutheran go to the community, or are we just going to sit there happy with the status quo?... Remember, “The Church is the only institution that exists primarily for the benefit of those who are not its members.”
* Do something… with God’s blessings. Rev. Don Sonntag
* Many things occupy our minds & take our time. There are demands that require our skills. Most of these things are for our own benefit and for the benefit of our families. Yes, there are times when we are busy with non-for-profit organizations & with church activities. But as I think about Jesus in the sermon of the mountain telling His followers to “let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” I cannot but wonder if we are doing enough shining in our community…
* We live in a world that does not see Jesus Christ very often… you know, does not experience acts of love or hears healing words that bring comfort on a continuous basis. There is a tremendous need for it. * If anybody has the capability to do that it is us! Yeah, we… believers in Jesus… We, the church! We have the resources given by God to take Jesus and His love in words and actions to the people around us. Small little actions can make all the difference…
* We are the ones who can really make the difference in the life of people who do not have Christ. “Oh, but I don’t have time… I don’t have the money… I don’t have the resources…” Really? Did you read the verse above? “Whenever we have the opportunity, we SHOULD DO GOOD TO EVERYONE…” Do you stand for Christ out there?
* I will say it in the simplest possible way: IF WE DO NOT TAKE THE SAVIOR INTO OUR COMMUNITY, WE ARE BEING UNFAITHFUL TO CHRIST. We are denying Christ if we are using our resources, gifts, & time to help those around us. * Here is a story I found the other day and shared at the Tuesday men’s Bible study: Miss Thompson taught Teddy Stallard in the fourth grade. He was a slow, unkempt student, a loner shunned by his classmates. The previous year his mother died, and what little motivation for school he may have once had was now gone.
* Miss Thompson did not particularly care for Teddy either, but at Christmas time he brought her a small present. Miss Thompson's desk was covered with well-wrapped presents from the other children, but Teddy's came in a brown sack.
* When she opened it there was a gaudy rhinestone bracelet with half the stones missing and a bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to snicker but Miss Thompson saw the importance of the moment. She quickly splashed on some perfume and put on the bracelet, pretending Teddy had given her something special. At the end of the day Teddy worked up enough courage to softly say, "Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother . . . and her bracelet looks real pretty on you too. I am glad you like my presents."
* After Teddy left, Miss Thompson got down on her knees and prayed for Gods forgiveness. She prayed for God to use her as she sought to not only teach these children but to love them as well. She became a new teacher. She lovingly helped students like Teddy and by the end of the year he had caught up with most of the students.
* Miss Thompson did not hear from Teddy for a long time. Then she received this note: "Dear Miss Thompson, I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class. Love, Teddy Stallard." * Four years later she got another note: "Dear Miss Thompson, They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be the first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it. Love, Teddy Stallard."
* Four years later: "Dear Miss Thompson, As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year. Love, Teddy Stallard." Miss Thompson went to the wedding and sat where Teddy's mother would have sat.
* She made a difference. She let God use her as an instrument of his love an instrument of encouragement.
* Will we, you & I, and St. John’s Lutheran go to the community, or are we just going to sit there happy with the status quo?... Remember, “The Church is the only institution that exists primarily for the benefit of those who are not its members.”
* Do something… with God’s blessings. Rev. Don Sonntag