The Works and Words of Jesus

Spend any time in the Gospels of the New Testament and you will discover a basic template used by Jesus over and over during His mission trip to Earth.  Jesus regularly met people’s physical needs as a means to get their attention for the opportunity to speak about something more important – their spiritual needs.  His method is unmistakable.  We have even seen this in our previous three sermons on John 6.  Jesus miraculously provided food for at least 5000 people who were following Him and were hungry.  Doing so gathered their attention.  When you provide for someone’s physical, earthly needs, you demonstrate that you love them and that you care about their well-being.  Such an act respects a person’s human dignity.  Once a person understands that you actually do care about them, they are much more likely to listen to what you may have to say.  Of course, we do not have the ability to heal or otherwise perform miracles, but if ask a person in need who is on the receiving end of such a gift they may indeed consider the provisions as a miracle from God.

After a need has been met, we often have an appropriate opportunity to share our reasoning for kindness.  It is not to build up an organization.  It is not to get press or news coverage.  It is not even to receive a “thank you.”  We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19), and He commands us to share His words with all whom we encounter (Matthew 28:18-20).  And although physical, earthly needs are important, they are not the most important need which humans have.  Above all, we share the good news that Jesus lived and died to save sinners (we’re all sinners – Romans 3:23), and a right relationship with Him provides the perfect hope we have for an eternity in communion with God.

We share of our possessions and we share of our faith.  This is the way of Christ, it is the way of the first church in Acts, it is the way of the Apostles in all of the New Testament.  Give, expecting nothing in return, but share your faith, expecting a bountiful harvest in His name. 

Blessings, 

Pastor Bruce

bruce.cullom@gmail.com