Serving Christ Through Acts of Kindness and Compassion
Summary
The sermon explores the biblical narrative of the Son of Man separating people into sheep and goats based on their acts of kindness and compassion towards others. The sheep are commended for their service to the least of their brothers, which is equated to serving Christ himself, while the goats are condemned for their lack of compassion. The pastor emphasizes that serving God and others with our whole hearts is crucial, and that our actions in all areas of life are seen and valued by Jesus. The speaker references 1 Peter 3:5, which speaks of a new birth and a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and connects this to the parable of the sheep and the goats.
The sermon also discusses the gathering of the righteous and the unrighteous, drawing from the parable in Matthew 13 about the wheat and the weeds. The speaker reflects on the tendency to judge others rather than care for their needs and emphasizes the importance of focusing on one's own actions and responsibilities. The speaker expresses gratitude for God's blessings and encourages the congregation to honor and praise God in every situation. They highlight that salvation, which is through belief in Jesus Christ alone, leads to transformation and motivates individuals to participate in Kingdom work.
The transformative power of salvation is likened to the change in perspective brought about by marriage. The speaker references Ephesians 2:8-10 and Ephesians 3:20, emphasizing salvation by grace and the empowerment to fulfill one's calling. The importance of living a life of love, service, and surrender to Jesus Christ is underscored, with the speaker noting that the righteous may not even realize the good deeds they have done, suggesting that motive plays a role in service.
The speaker shares a personal story of connecting with neighborhood children and the significance of truly surrendering to the lordship of Jesus Christ and serving others. They also discuss the importance of remaining loyal to one's faith, comparing it to supporting a sports team through wins and losses. The speaker stresses that being a believer in Jesus Christ but not serving the kingdom goes against the character of the kingdom.
The sermon addresses the responsibility of the body of Christ to care for one another, referencing Galatians 6:10 and the expectation to do good to all people, especially those within the household of faith. The speaker encourages the audience to take risks and step into opportunities, sharing a story about a friend who started a Bible study with someone they previously criticized.
Finally, the speaker urges the audience to reflect on their relationships with others and to serve without expecting earthly benefits or recognition. They share personal experiences of being mindful of their motives when serving and caution against letting ego drive actions.
Key Takeaways:
- The acts of kindness and compassion we show towards others are not just good deeds but are seen as service to Christ himself. This perspective should motivate believers to actively seek out and care for those in need, recognizing that in doing so, they are serving Jesus. [34:49]
- True hope in Christ is not passive but manifests in a life transformed by salvation. This transformation leads to a commitment to Kingdom work, which is an outpouring of the living hope believers have through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. [50:47]
- The parable of the wheat and the weeds teaches that judgment is not our responsibility. Instead, we should focus on our own actions and responsibilities, caring for others' needs rather than being preoccupied with separating the righteous from the unrighteous. [40:22]
- The body of Christ has a specific responsibility to care for one another. This service is not limited to external missions but extends to ministry within the church family, providing support and care for fellow believers as an expression of serving Christ. [48:36]
- Serving others should be done without the expectation of recognition or earthly reward. Believers are called to check their motives and serve with humility, understanding that even unnoticed acts of kindness are significant in the Kingdom of God. [45:16]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 25:31-46 - The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
2. Ephesians 2:8-10 - Salvation by Grace and Good Works
3. Galatians 6:10 - Doing Good to All, Especially to the Household of Faith
#### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the sheep and the goats, what criteria does the Son of Man use to separate the people? ([33:14])
2. According to Ephesians 2:8-10, what is the relationship between grace, faith, and good works?
3. What does Galatians 6:10 say about our responsibility towards others, especially fellow believers?
4. How does the pastor describe the transformation that comes with salvation? ([29:07])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the righteous in the parable were unaware of the good deeds they had done? What does this suggest about their motives? ([42:34])
2. How does the concept of salvation by grace, as described in Ephesians 2:8-10, influence our understanding of good works and service?
3. What does the pastor mean when he says, "All who gather won't get it"? How does this relate to the parable of the wheat and the weeds? ([35:35])
4. How can the idea of serving without expecting recognition or earthly reward, as mentioned in the sermon, be applied in our daily lives? ([45:16])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you served someone without expecting anything in return. How did that experience impact you and your faith? ([45:16])
2. The pastor shared a personal story about connecting with neighborhood children. How can you create opportunities to serve and connect with those around you in your community? ([51:13])
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of checking our motives when serving. What steps can you take to ensure your service is driven by genuine compassion rather than a desire for recognition? ([45:16])
4. How can you apply the principle of doing good to all people, especially those within the household of faith, in your church or small group? ([48:00])
5. The pastor mentioned the transformative power of salvation. How has your perspective on service and Kingdom work changed since you became a believer? ([29:07])
6. Think about a specific person or group in need within your community. What practical steps can you take this week to serve them as if you were serving Christ himself? ([33:14])
7. The pastor encouraged the congregation to take risks and step into opportunities. What is one risk you can take this week to serve someone in need, and how will you overcome any fears or hesitations? ([01:04:50])
Devotional
Day 1: Service as Worship to Christ
Acts of kindness towards others are a direct form of worship to Jesus Christ, reflecting His love and compassion. By serving the least of our brothers and sisters, we serve Christ Himself, embodying the Gospel in our daily lives. [34:49]
Matthew 25:40 - "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"
Reflection: Who are the 'least of these' in your community, and how can you serve them this week as if you were serving Christ Himself?
Day 2: Transformation Through Living Hope
The hope found in Christ is transformative, leading to a life of action and service. This living hope, rooted in the resurrection, compels us to engage in Kingdom work, demonstrating our faith through our deeds. [50:47]
James 2:17 - "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Reflection: How has your hope in Christ transformed your actions, and what is one way you can demonstrate your faith through service today?
Day 3: Judgement Belongs to God
Focusing on personal responsibility and service, rather than judging others, aligns with Jesus' teachings. Caring for others' needs is a priority over trying to discern the righteous from the unrighteous, which is God's role, not ours. [40:22]
Romans 14:13 - "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from judging others to serving and meeting their needs this week?
Day 4: Caring for the Body of Christ
The Christian community is called to actively care for one another, serving fellow believers as an expression of Christ's love. This internal ministry is as crucial as our mission to the world outside the church. [48:36]
1 John 3:17-18 - "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can show love and support to a fellow believer in your church community this week?
Day 5: Humble Service Without Recognition
Serving others should stem from a heart of humility, without the desire for recognition or reward. True service in the Kingdom of God is often unseen but always significant to the Lord. [45:16]
Hebrews 6:10 - "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."
Reflection: Can you think of a way to serve someone this week without them knowing it was you, and without expecting anything in return?
Quotes
"Don't ask so many questions that you talk yourself out of what God and the Holy Spirit are trying to talk you into. It's easy to overthink, but sometimes action is what's needed to follow through on God's prompting." [01:04:07] (Download)
"When we think about serving, giving, or doing, how often do we really check our motives? We must be mindful not to shortchange our thinking about this." [44:07] (Download)
"We have to be careful of our ego and the desire to be recognized. It's about the motive behind our actions, not the accolades we may receive." [45:16] (Download)
"We spend a lot of time trying to do the separating, trying to be judgmental rather than being caring. We waste a lot of time paying attention to others' faults instead of looking for their needs." [39:04] (Download)
"Being a Believer and not serving the kingdom is counter Kingdom character. Hear me well, being a believer in Jesus Christ and not serving the kingdom is counter Kingdom character." [56:26] (Download)
"If Jesus is saying they didn't do it, then I believe there must be a suggestion that they had the opportunity to. He's like, 'I was naked, you didn't clothe me, but you could have. I was hungry, you didn't feed me, but you could have.'" [55:46] (Download)
"Salvation breeds transformation, and that transformation drives us to participate in Kingdom work. Once you understand that, it changes you and allows you to go in and want to do Kingdom work for the sake of what God has done for you." [30:19] (Download)
"We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. You have been saved by grace not of yourself, so you can't boast about that, but you have been created to do good works through Christ Jesus." [30:54] (Download)
"Jesus is paying attention to what we do not just with our worship but also with our work, that Jesus is paying attention not just with our lips but what we do with our lives and that he is wanting us to know that he knows what we're doing not just here at church but everywhere in the world as we go out and serve in our different capacities." [50:13] (Download)
"In his great Mercy he has given us a new birth into a new a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade, kept in heaven for you who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the Salvation that is ready to be revealed at the last time." [49:37] (Download)
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