Making A Real Difference
The basis, or foundation of Christianity, is in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Christianity isn’t based in doing good things. It’s not based in knowing scriptures. It’s not based in going to church. It’s not even based in telling people about Jesus. That is not to say that those things aren’t good things, and it’s not to say that those things aren’t a part of the gospel, because they are. And it’s not to say that we shouldn’t do those things, because we should… but no matter how good those things are, and no matter how much we should be doing them, they are not the foundation of the gospel. The foundation of the gospel is and will always be, a relationship with Jesus! And it’s from that relational foundation in Christ, that everything else stems… like seeking the lost. If you don’t have a good relationship with Jesus, you won’t be faithful to the things of God, like going to church, and you certainly won’t be passionate about sharing the love of the Savior who humbly gave His life for our lives. Matthew 12:34, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Jesus first Taught His Disciples How To Become Disciples Themselves, then He Told them to Go and Be Disciples, by Going and Making Disciples. You can't become a disciple of Jesus, without having a relationship with Jesus, and you can't make disciples with having a relationship with people. The gospel is relational! In Matthew 7, Jesus spoke of several things that are extremely relevant for where we are today... and we are going to go over a few of those things today!
Jesus taught us to always minister to others from a position of humbleness and grace! Matthew 7:1-5
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
We can’t look down on anyone, because we all have issues, we all have shortcomings, and we all mess up. So, instead of looking down on people when they fall short, have compassion on them! Love and compassion will propel you into wanting to minister to people faster than anything else!
Several times in the scripture it says, Jesus had compassion on them and acted…
- Once it says He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd and he taught them
- And at other times it says He had compassion on them and healed them.
It doesn’t say, being led by the Spirit He healed them… No, it says He was led by His compassion! We need to stop waiting for a leading from the Spirit, and allow our love and compassion to lead us into helping people!
Jesus taught us to not force the gospel on people, but instead to allow the Spirit to lead you! Matthew 7:6
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. Don’t press people, sow what you can when you can, but don’t over seed, and don’t over water. Don’t feel like you have to sow the seed and reap the harvest in the same day.
Sow seed, and if that seed is received, continue to sow little by little. Jesus taught us that our prayers are always answered! Matthew 7:7-11 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! God wants you to know that your prayers are answered… even if you don’t believe it!
Your words are powerful… so be cautious at the words you speak!
2 Corinthians 1:20
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
Know that what you ask for, in line with the Father’s will, is always answered… if you believe!
1 John 3:21-23
21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.
22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
If we follow the Two Greatest Commandments as Jesus told us to do in Matthew 22:34-40, we will have confidence towards God (also called faith), and our heart won’t condemn us, and whatever we ask we will receive!
- Loving God and loving people (or being a Doer of the Word), causes us to have faith in God!
People think you have to have great first in order to do stuff, but I’m telling you that when you are obedient to His Word, you will have great faith!
Jesus taught us that doing the gospel is more than just doing what we are commanded to do! Matthew 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Do the Word… Love God and Love people in a practical way, even if you don’t feel it! Luke 17:5-10
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?
8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’?
9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.
10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
Notice that this passage starts off with the disciples asking Jesus to increase their faith.
And Jesus replies by telling them a story, that tells them, if they only do what is commanded of them (even if they do everything they are commanded to do), that they must say that they are unprofitable servants.
That is harsh… but what He is saying is, is even the Pharisees and Sadducees can do what is commanded of them, and still be far away from the heart of God. You don’t even have to be a Christian to do what is commanded of you…
But the heart of the Father, is for us to not just what we are commanded to do, but to know and do the will of the Father, even without being told to do it. To be so close to Jesus, you know His love for people, and we just serve and help people without being “led” to do it! - Maturity is when they do what they know needs to be done, without having to be told.
When we see something needs done, do it, or volunteer to help... both inside and outside the church! If we see someone in need, meet that need to the best of your ability.
Luke 6:30-31
30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.
31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
But Jesus is not just talking about meeting people’s physical needs like with finances, or helping people load groceries in their car, but also by praying for people that have physical or emotional needs!
Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Smith Wigglesworth was a great minister, who God used in a very powerful way, healing countless people, and raised 14 people from the dead. Here are two awesome Smith Wigglesworth quotes: - “First, read the Word of God. Second, consume the Word of God until it consumes you. Third believe the Word of God. Fourth, act on the Word."
- “If the Spirit does not move me, I move the Spirit.” Smith Wigglesworth got so consumed with God, that God flowed out of him. He never waited on the Spirit to "lead him" to do good, instead he saw someone in need, and met their need! That is the true gospel summed up!
Have A Blessed Day! Pastor George Finney New Life Church NewLifeKenefick@yahoo.com