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Speaker: Rev. Shine Thomas
Posted on: 2011-06-05
Series: CHAG Purpose

Introduction

In a Special Olympics competition handicapped children were competing in a running race. The children lined up at the starting line, and at the signal, started running as fast as they could. One boy by the name of Andrew quickly took the lead, and was soon about 50 yards ahead of everybody else. As he approached the final turn he looked back and saw that his best friend had fallen and hurt himself on the track. Andrew stopped and looked at the finish line. Then he looked back at his friend. People were hollering, "Run, Andrew, run!" But he didn’t. He went back and got his friend, helped him up, brushed off the mud. And hand in hand, they crossed the finish line dead last. But as they did, the people cheered, because there are some things more important than finishing first. We all do fall or get knocked down at times in life. And how wonderful it is when we have a friend who cares enough to lift us up, dust us off, and help us move on.

This morning I am going to speak to you about the purpose our church.

The primary purpose of our church is to Reach Out. Reach Out – With Love, With Care, With the Gospel, and With Missions. Remember we can reach out only if we care. We care for every one of you and together we are to care for the lost world. I want to tell you today the purpose of our church is not to make a big building, not to make money or to become famous. We are here to care for every one of you – We Care.

Illustration: Years ago a woman drowned in a lake. As she was drowning she cried for help, and three able, well-built men heard her cries - but they just stood there and watched her drown. Well, someone called the rescue squad, and when they dug her lifeless body out of the lake, they asked these three men, "Why didn’t you help her?" Their response was shocking. They said, "The water was ice cold." They knew the need was to save the woman but they were insensitive. Many times we know what others need and are insensitive to their needs. "Why are we so insensitive?" "Why are there so many people who really don’t seem to be caring at all about what happens to others?"

Luke 9:2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Our task is to proclaim the good news about Jesus and His love. Then, as a result of that love, we will heal the sick and care for their physical needs. Love and gospel always go together.

Helping those in need is sometimes an individual responsibility. Many of us may think, "That’s not my job. But listen to what Jesus said about the judgment day: Matthew 25:31-40 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 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.’

On judgment day Jesus will ask us how we treated the poor. On that day he is not going to ask you theological questions. He is not going to ask you – virgin birth – Strongly agree, agree, disagree. It is going to be: I was hungry did you feed me? I was thirsty did you give me something to drink? I was a stranger, did you invite me in? I was naked did you clothe me? I was in prison did you come to see me?

Sometimes God puts individuals before us and expects us to help them. And when those opportunities come, we must be ready to help. Last Sunday we saw from the word of God that we are to work to share with others in need. Ephesians 4:28 Those who have been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. We work not only for our own sustenance but also to share with people in times of need.

How are we to care, help, and support others?

1. Help materialistically

When we look closely at the history of the first church in Jerusalem, we see an exciting and growing church. And as they grew, they became more and more concerned about helping those in need. They ministered to each others material needs. Acts 4:32-33 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them.

In the New Testament church people shared everything they had. In other terms there was car pooling, they were sharing snacks, clothes etc. It is interesting to note that there were no needy persons among them. People brought everything they had to the apostle’s feet and shared.

Joke: Once a regular roadside vendor outside a church saw two men were walking out of church after service. He was amazed at them because both of them went into the church wearing a 3-piece suit but now they are walking out without their suit and shoes. The vendor was curious as to why they were without their suit and shoes and was about to ask them when he overheard one say to the other, "Oh! Boy, that’s the most powerful sermon on giving I’ve ever heard!"

I think that’s the attitude the church in Jerusalem had. When they realized what God had done for them, and that everything they had came from Him, they became unselfish and generous. Now notice: First of all, the people were giving sacrificial gifts. They didn’t have a bazaar or a mission sale. They just brought their gifts, and it was strictly voluntary. No one was telling them to do it. But because of what God had done for them, and because they saw fellow Christians in need, they brought their gifts.

Now here is the point. The money or the gifts were brought to the church not to add to the church’s account. The gifts were brought to help people in need not for the church to be rich. If money was brought the church didn’t keep the money, but distributed it among the people as they had need.

Acts 4:34-35 34 For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

I heard of a church where they take gold offering every now and then for repayment of the church loan. The believers got so fed up and tired of giving their gold ornaments that one Sunday when the pastor announced a gold offering Sunday, there was a man who had come with a daughter and wife wearing gold bangles. Someone overheard the man whispering to his daughter and wife,” cover your hands, fast cover your hands.”

I think God gives the church money not to be used only in big flashy buildings or for the pastors to lead a lavish kingly lifestyle. God gives us money to be used in the building of His kingdom. The Kingdom of God is not in this building, the Kingdom of God is in us and in the people who are lost outside. So when I am teaching you to bring your gifts to the church it is in mind to help the kingdom grown and help the needy and not to make money.

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Now that teaches that we ought to be concerned about everybody, especially those who are a part of the church. We’re a family, and we need to watch out for each other’s needs.

1 John 3:17 If any one of you 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 you? I don’t know about you, but this passage weighs heavily on my heart because I have material possessions, and so do you. We all have material possessions and we all can help others. Some people who are a little poorer and in the low-income group have a feeling, “I am poor and everyone has to help me.” Whatever our condition, how much ever bad you feel your conditions are, you will still find people who are less privileged than you. So there is always room for you to help.

This is the school opening time and many of you paid your children’s fees, some the entire year’s fees, you spent for books, uniforms, bags, transport, rain coat, Tiffin box and the list goes on. But when you bought all things for your children did you consider for a child or a parent who cannot afford all these things? We eat 3 times a day, sometimes even 4. Our children have snacks anytime they want. Do you think about others who do not have even a single meal a day in our church and outside in the society? Who will help them, it is our responsibility.

When Jesus went to the house of Zacchaeus and had dinner with him. Zacchaeus said, "Half of everything I have I will give to the poor." Now, it’s interesting to note what Jesus didn’t say. He did not say to Zacchaeus, "That’s too much. You only have to give 10%." Nor did He say, "That’s not enough. You’re still richer than most of the others." He didn’t say either of those things. He simply said, "Today, salvation has come to your house." God does not want to put a limit to your giving. Do not limit your giving by 10%, you have to come up with a measure based on how God has blessed you and start giving to God.

I do not want anyone to make an emotional giving today. If you want to give go back home, think and pray about it. Then give to the Lord. Remember all giving has to come through the church.

But who really deserves help?

1. Orphans and widows in their distress

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

2. People who are unable to work

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “Anyone who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

God’s servants who are genuine

Philippians 4:15-18 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.

How do you give and help others in need?

First of all – There is Tithe and offering. Tithe is one tenth of your entire income. Offering is what you give out of your love to God. You say God, “You have blessed me so much, so this is my love offering to you.” Your offering is your value for how much God has blessed you.

And for those of you who want to go ahead and help the kingdom and give more we have started something called the I Care program.

1. Poor Fund – Mostly pulses or Money given to widows, orphans, and poor people who cannot afford daily food at City Harvest.
2. Child Education Fund – School fees support for the same category children.
3. Mission – Support missionaries and pastors who are ministering in remote and unreached places.

Remember this principle when you give.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2. Help emotionally

The early church not only ministered to material needs, but they also met emotional needs. They comforted one another.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

God is a God of comfort. God’s word is filled with comfort and God has equipped the church with the ministry of comfort, helping those who are hurt. If anyone here is broken, emotionally down this is your place. God wants to comfort you and we are here to comfort one another. I am always willing to spend time with you in need.

I long for the day when more of you will catch the vision of helping those broken in heart, emotionally down and comfort them. I praise God that we do have people in our congregation able to give effective counseling to those experiencing emotional traumas. Many of you have gone through difficult times and you can definitely talk and counsel people who are going through the same difficulty. God uses people who’ve dealt with difficulties in their own life to share and lift others up with the same burden.

Tony Campolo, the spiritual advisor to Ex. President Bill Clinton tells about the time his mother called and told him that a neighbour of his childhood home had died. So on the day of the funeral he went to the funeral home. Arriving a few minutes late, he rushed through the door, sat down and then saw that he was the only one there, except for one little woman in front of him. Then he looked at the coffin and suddenly realized that the man inside the coffin was not his neighbour. He was in the wrong chapel. He said that just as he was about to stand up and leave, the woman turned around, touched him on the hand and asked, "Did you know him?" Tony Campolo asks, "What would you do if you were in a situation like that? If you were the only one who came to the funeral of this grieving woman’s husband, what would you say?" He said, "I stayed there for the whole funeral service." "Then, since I was the only one there, I even felt compelled to go to the graveside service and stand there with the widow. When that was over and we were riding back together, I turned to her and said, ’Mrs. King, I want to be your friend, but I must be honest with you, I really didn’t know your husband.’" He said, "She reached out for my hand and gripped it tightly, and speaking softly and slowly, said, ’That doesn’t matter. You’ll never know what your being here has meant to me.’"

Conclusion

There are people here who are hurting and in need. There are people in our influence who are hurting. City Harvest cares for you. I want you to stand up if you are in need and hurting we are going to pray for you. Then there are many of you here who have the gift of giving but not exercising your gift, you have the gift of comfort but not using it. God is calling you to commit your lives to him. I dream of a church that will reach out and meet material needs, meet physical needs, meet emotional needs of the people. It is time we respond and said, "It is something to me. I care because He cares for me. I love, because He first loved me." Today I would like to pray for you.