I SEE YOU, JESUS
Matt 25: 31-46 (p 702) Oct. 24, 2010
INTRODUCTION:
When I was growing up my Mom and Dad always got their gas at the same service station. Moore's Ammoco--He not only sold us our gas, but when something needed to be done to one of our cars John either worked on it himself, or one of his mechanics fixed it. When I started driving I always got my gas at Moore's Ammoco -He came out, washed my windows, checked my tires and oil, gas was 42 cents a gallon - so with my little car I handed him a five dollar bill for a fill-up (Boy those days are gone, huh?)
I loved talking with Mr. Moore about cars…he was a great guy and my first car was a '65 mustang. He could fix anything. He only had two pumps…and there was no such thing as self-service. It was pull up…ding…ding when you drove over the little black hose and he'd go to work. He was full service all the way.
I'm not sure, but I haven't seen a gas station like that for a long time---I'm not sure they exist at all…if they do they are few and far between.
There was a time for many of us…and maybe still for many where church was a place we went to be served. We want o hear an inspiring message, we went looking forward to singing our favorite hymns, to listen to a well trained choir, to have the pastor pray for us, to have our children taught, our teenagers entertained, our faith encouraged and then having been "well-served" we went home. We wanted full-service.
Don’t get me wrong…I believe church should meet the needs of its people, church should be a time of worship, celebration and Joy, but if we're honest we all have to admit we have that mental check list of things we need the church to be and do for us. When people come to visit Fern Creek or any other church families want to know…what do you offer? How well you provide the full-service I'm looking for?
"Is there a traditional Sunday School? Do I like the music? Are the seats comfortable? Are there stained glass windows, or a large enough youth
1.
group? Is the nursery clean and well staffed? There are enough churches in Louisville that eventually people find what they're looking for…or as close as possible.
But you know somewhere in our faith journey a transition has to happen. At some point as we grow in Christ we have to move from a "Serve Us" to a Service" attitude…where the church is no longer a place we go "to be served" but a community of God's people who serve others. Eventually the church becomes a place where I put food on the table for starving people instead of a place where I sit and get fat because I only eat what I like while others pass it to me.
The N.T. describes what happens to a church that begins to focus on its past accomplishments and becomes complacent. It happens gradually, sacrifice and service build a very healthy congregation, but then that congregation starts to focus on making its people happy and fat instead of focusing on exercising its faith in the world. Instead of focusing forward and outward it's focus becomes inward…prevent defense…lets not lose anybody…lets make sure everyone is happy with our service….and instead of doing the things that created a healthy body…you create a self pleasing body.
When Jesus speaks to all 7 churches in the providence of Asia in Revelation 2 and 3 he deals with this issue over and over again. And to the first church, Ephesus he says "I hold this against you, you have forsaken you first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen. Repent and do the things you did at first…" (Rev. 2:4, 5)
The things they did at first all flowed out of their love for Jesus--he was first, his example was their example. His attitude was their attitude, but then something happened… they forgot about him…they still did stuff, but loving Jesus stopped being the motive. The body still existed, but the heart was gone…or just barely beating. Ephesus was dying.
Fern Creek Christian Church is almost 3 times the size it was 10 years ago. Our budget is 4 times as big as it was 10 years ago. Our staff is 3 times as big: our building is 3 times as big as the old one. By the world's definition of success…we've been fairly successful…but here's the danger…all those sacrifices that got us here….the servants that did so much for the cause of Christ, the love that made us a family…can easily be replaced with a self
2.
satisfied attitude that forgets "the things we did at first, and its easy to love
our reputation more than our lord and savior…Don't believe it can happen here? Well it did at Ephesus, Thyatira, Sardis, and Laodicea when they began to focus on "Serve Us' instead of "Service."
You see I believe it is God's will for us to be a "full-service" station, but not one where we are served, but one where each of us are the attendants working together to serve those in need through dynamic worship, exciting programs for our children, student groups, loving adults, Cruisin Creekers, Woman's Ministry, Men's Ministry, discipleship small groups, Divorce recovery, Hispanic ministries, single moms, missions--both around the world and our outreaches around the corner.
When Jesus tells the story in Matt 25, concerning his return in glory. He will set on His throne… it's a judgment throne…All nations will be gathered before Him and He will separate the people one from another…just like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep on his right…the goats on his left…and the criteria he uses for judgment is…"Did we really live and love like Him?" Did our claims of belief move into action…James 2:14 says "what good is it if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? (An such a faith save him?"
Well, the Son on Man is answering his half brother's question in Matt 25---and the answer is "NO!" If your faith does not impact you enough to see and then meet the everyday needs of people…People who are hungry, thirsty, sick and hurting, alone or in person, then its not a faith that will save you. If you cannot see "MY" face in the face of those who need you…all you are doing is looking in a mirror at yourself and then walking away and immediately forgetting what you looked like . (James 1:24)
I want you to meet a couple of people who have seen Jesus in the faces of people and have loved those who have been forgotten or forsaken---"The least of these." And maybe as you hear their story it will open your eyes and hearts to service instead of "serve us".
[Heather Underwood --Video (5 minutes)]
[Luann and Steve Johnson - Video Interview]
3.
CONCLUSION:
A story is told of a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his backpack with cupcakes, several cans of root beer and started on his journey to meet God.
When he had gone about 3 blocks, he saw an elderly woman sitting on a park bench watching the pigeons.
The boy sat down next to her and opened his backpack.
He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the lady looked hungry. So he offered her a cupcake. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.
Her smile was so wonderful that he wanted to see it again. So he offered a root beer as well. Once again she smiled at him.
The boy was delighted.
They sat all afternoon eating and smiling without saying a word.
As it started to get dark, the boy realized how tired he was and wanted to go home. He got up to leave but before he had gone no more than a few steps, he turned around and ran back to the old woman, giving her a big hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.
When the boy arrived home his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked, "What had made you so happy today?"
He replied, "I had lunch with God".
Before his mother could respond he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile in the whole world!"
Meanwhile, the elderly woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home.
Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face, He asked, "Mother, what had made you so happy today?"
She replied, "I ate cupcakes in the park with God."
And before her son could reply, she added, "You know, he is much younger than I expected."
4.
