Help Up!
Focus Scripture: Matthew 25:37-40 – “Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Overview:
- It is not enough that we have an earnest, sincere love for our family.
- As Jesus said, we must love one another.
- What form does this love take?
- We could possibly classify these people as the “unlovable.” The undesirables in society. The homeless, the poor, the criminals, the junk man who walks up and down our alleys searching for something to sell for a few dollars; this is who Jesus is talking about.
- The alcoholic, the prostitute, the homosexual and even that neighbor who is so hard to get along with; Jesus is also talking about them.
- The pesky little kid who is always getting into our flowers, the ones who throw rocks in our pool, the little boys who can’t keep their football out of our yard; yes, Jesus means them too.
- And then there is the boss, the secretary and the employee who always has a knack for making our blood pressure rise; Jesus included them as well.
- The list could go on, and on, and on. We certainly have a way of identifying those whom we can’t love. But Jesus tells us to love them all. Not just love them, but care for them as well.
Helping People – Be A “Good Samaritan”
Luke 10:30-37 – “And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise
There are many ways that we can help those in need. Here are a few conditions that Christians and non-Christians experience where we may be able to help:
- There are many ways that we can help those in need. Here are a few conditions that Christians and non-Christians experience where we may be able to help:
- addiction which leads to alcoholism
- ruined marriages
- spouse and child abuse
- loss of employment
- wrecked autos
- loss of driver’s license
- rejection of God and His ways as well as His church
- loss of health
- stealing cheating
- gambling prostitution
Be Compassionate
Galatians 5:22, 23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
- If you are a Christian and have been faithful to the fellowship of the church, I am sure that you know many people who are devout Christians and are examples of compassion.
- Have you ever stopped to think about the nature of these fine people.
- The fruit of the Spirit as given in Galatians 5:22,23 is evident in their lives.
- We can see a love for the Lord which is boundless as well as a deep love for their fellow Christians and all who are outside of Christ.
- As the old song says, “There is joy unspeakable” in their lives.
- Through good times and bad, the joy of being a Christian is ever present in their daily Christian walk.
- We see peace, patience and kindness at every turn.
- Their goodness, gentleness and self-control is a part of everything that they do.
- And their faithfulness to Christ and the church are foremost in their lives.
- As we look at the example that these people have set for us, that message from God rings out, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
We Are Ambassadors for Christ
2 Corinthians 5:20 – “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
- As such, it is our desire to do goodness as we see the need.
- To do good deeds – to help others in need, to serve the local congregation, to help a neighbor, visit the sick, etc. – is to do the work of Christ.
- And we should not keep our goodness to ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus said, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matthew 5:44)
- Spread the goodness around. You may be surprised when you do something good to help someone whom you think (and perhaps they really do) hate you.
- Goodness and kindness has a way of softening even the hardest heart.
Action: Help others
- Show your love for Jesus by showing others that you love them.
- Show you love others by helping them.
