SCRIPTURE
: MATTHEW 6:1-4SUBJECT/TITLE: NEED & PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH
"GOOD DEEDS TO THOSE IN NEED!"
As shared by Rev. Don Schink, Pastor-Evangelist, (C) 2003
INTRODUCTION
ILLUS: Former astronaut, Wally Shirra, used to do a commercial in which he would ask, "The railroads…who needs them?" Then he would answer, "YOU do. We ALL do." He may have been the only person asking that question about railroads. By the obvious decline of rail-trade across the country there are many that would have disagreed with him.
Now in a day that we live in, it seems that there are all too many who have that attitude about the Lord and about His Church. Either verbally or by their actions and attitudes, there are those who seem to inquire, "The Lord, - the Church - Who needs them?" Well, Scripture and the test of time have truly proven that "WE do. I do! YOU do! We ALL do."
All to many, today, aren’t convinced, though. They go to the theaters, the ball games, concerts, and all sorts of other activities, but not the Church.
Seldom in its long history has the Christian Church come under more fire, been questioned more critically, suffered such losses in numbers, and even had its very existence threatened or challenged by more diverse segments of society than at the present time.
Why would people even question their need for the Lord and their need for the Church? We live in a day where all too many are hardened and damaged by sin. There is a spiritual blindness that can only be removed by the love and grace of God as an individual or a people will earnestly admit their sinful condition, believe in the Lord’s ability and willingness to save to the uttermost, and confess their need and accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord. As long as people are walking around in spiritual blindness, many such ones have the basic attitude of "The Church,…who needs it?"
Actually, no-one needs it, if the Church is merely another secular institution as some people view it, - competing with other such institutions on the basis of size or finances or prestige or secular power or social action.
No one needs the Church if it is merely a religious club reflecting the mores and morals and manners of the world around it.
No needs the Church if it is nothing more than an entertainment hall. In some circles, that is how it is viewed. No, if those things were all that the Church is about, then we really wouldn’t need it. I wouldn’t even be interested.
But, praise God, that is not the Church! When these things that I’ve mentioned creep into a church, it ceases to be a true church. But, that’s not what true seekers want. When the Church is operating as it was meant to be we all want and need it! You see, when the Church is really operating as the Church is meant to be,:
As such, the Church is a place where men are confronted with God’s Word in both judgment and in love. It is a place where Jesus Christ is lifted up as Savior and Lord! The Church of a fellowship where those who accept Christ can develop their relationship and, in turn, under the anointing of God’s Spirit, go out to influence others to accept Christ.
As we research today’s Scripture passage, I believe that we can clearly see Jesus telling us that it goes a lot farther than mere empty words. It involves putting our faith into action!
It is clearly assumed that, from the start, you and I will be compelled by the love of Jesus, as our Savior and Lord, to give assistance to those in need. Now, I clearly realize that there is a difference between the truly needy and the truly greedy but it really doesn’t take too long to find out how needy that one really is or is not.
It has been said that a hungry man can’t hear a word we say over the growling of his stomach. So, we take care of his physical need to bring him to the point as to where we have the opportunity to meet his spiritual need. Jesus did warn,
"Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen of them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."Jesus didn’t say that one is not to let others see his/her good deeds. In fact, He had already admonished His disciples, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Here, Jesus deals with the deeper issues of the heart! WHY do we do it? For our own glory? Or do we do it for the glory of God? We are to do nothing to receive personal acclaim. If we do, we sin. We are to seek God’s glory, not our own. Not only was the Church meant to be a redemptive agency,:
We need to remember that the Church is people and not merely a building.
"So," we read, "when you give to the needy, do not announce it in the synagogues and on the streets to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full."Jesus warns His disciples against trumpeting their giving, as the hypocrites (play actors) did in public places. In those days, such a person may have actually sounded a trumpet to call the poor together to receive whatever he had to give them! In reality, such a one wanted everyone to see the proofs of his liberality and piety. "Just look at me! Aren’t I great? If you don’t believe me, just ask. I’ll let you know!" L
Actually, it feels good to do nice things for others. We all enjoy doing that. However, Jesus wants us to weigh the motives of our hearts. Why do we do what we do? Jesus cautions us that there is to be no reward if nice things are done only so others can see us doing them.
NOTE: When people crave and capture the praise of men, they virtually give a receipt, "Paid in full." There will be nu further reward awaiting them in heaven. Thirdly,Fulfilling one’s physical needs, for example, often results in such a one’s salvation as he or she responds to Christ’s love in action through His servants. Both the witness and the newly saved one benefits spiritually.
We don’t want to embarrass anyone. So, as we minister, we do so without drawing undo attention to ourselves or their situation.
Jesus went on to say,
"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving may be done in secret. Then, your Father, Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."To give charitably in secrfet is pleasing to God. He will see it, no matter how secretly that it may be and will reward openly. If the reward is not realized in this life, it will be in the life to come. In many cases, however, alms to the poor are "lent (loaned) to the Lord" (Prov. 19:17) And will be repaid in this life. Rarely, if ever, has it been found that one who is generous to the poor has ever suffered by it in his worldly circumstances. You simply cannot outgive the Lord!
Why do we do so? We do so out of love. It is redeemed people who will redeem society. We do so only by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are absolutely worthless by ourselves. We can do nothing without Him. Thus, the Lord receives the glory!
No amount of money or hand-outs or guns or bombs or missiles or welfare programs or education will do it. It is when men and women and boys and girls are transformed by the loving, living Christ that they will transform society.
Science can make our world a neighborhood. Only a church, producing men and women, boys and girls, - can make it a brotherhood.
The Church - who needs it? You do. I do. We all do! For the Church is the only institution in our civilization whose primary purpose is to keep alive the moral and spiritual principles without which a decent world is impossible.
Not only do we need it. But, also the world needs the Church, also. The world needs it…for continuous exposure, - then to the possibility and provision of salvation through Christ; for fellowship that enriches and dignifies; - for redemptive activity that makes for better lives and a better world.
We all need to continue to walk in Jesus’ footsteps, - to follow the example of Jesus Christ, Himself, - to lovingly share with those in need, whether it is ministering to physical or their spiritual needs.
Then He Who sees what is done with proper attitudes and intentions will reward openly. We’ll be blessed as we see the needs of those aorund us being met - and as they come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord because we took the time to care and to share.
Are you transformed by the power of the love of God? Is He Savior and Lord of your life, - your home, etc.?
If so, do you love Him enough to share Him with others?
Many all around us are lost in sin, - going out into eternity without Jesus Christ as their Savior everyday! Do we sense the urgency? If so, we need to be prayerfully asking, "Lord, what would you have me to do?"
(STAND - PRAY, SING "TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE" PRAYER OF COMMITMENT & DISMISSAL)
Please note that you are welcome to share this sermon in your local churches, but I suggest that you personalize it. Also, please give credit where credit is due. You do not have permission to publicize it or to make money from it in any form. May God richly bless you as you minister for Him with rich spiritual rewards of seeing many souls saved and sanctified for all eternity! Please let me know whatever helpful results that you may get from this!
With Warm Sincerity In Jesus’ Love,
Rev. Don Schink, Pastor
Sonlight Ministries
Tijeras, NM
Pastor Don's Home Page
Scripture quoted is from the: New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
