Sermon Central
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The Hidden Power Of The Poor Series
Contributed by Stephen Schwambach on Jun 18, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Most people think poor people have no power; nothing could be further from the truth!
THE HIDDEN POWER OF THE POOR
BTCC Summit • November 19, 2006
“Unexpected Power” Part 1
IMAG 01 – Private Premiere Performance cards
[Explain LCT Private Premiere Performance cards]
• (Ushers have passed them out during offering)
IMAG 02 – Unexpected Power
“Unexpected Power” series:
• Romans verse-by-verse
o 4 weeks from today, on December 17th:
IMAG 03 – Power of One
THE POWER OF ONE
December 17th • 9:00 A.M.
Some people, all by themselves, are able to make a huge difference. What do they know that most of us don’t?
(Romans 16:1-16, 21-24)
Two weeks from today, on December 3rd:
IMAG 04 – Power of Prayer
THE POWER OF PRAYER
December 3rd • 9:00 A.M.
Sure, you pray. But does anything HAPPEN when you pray? Why do some people get their prayers answered…while it feels to others as though they’re only going through the motions?
Today, we kick off our “Unexpected Power” series with:
IMAG 05 – Power of Poor
THE HIDDEN POWER OF THE POOR
Why help a poor person? There’s nothing he can do for you, right? Wrong. There is one thing a poor person can do for you that nobody else can do.
Prayer
• p. 805…Zchurch virtual Bible
So what IS the “HIDDEN” power of the poor?
• What is the ONE THING a poor person can do for you that NOBODY ELSE can do?
IMAG 06a – Riches of God
ANY kindness I show to a poor person…
• Unlocks the riches of God!
O That’s the ABSOLUTE TRUTH:
IMAG 06b
He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and HE will reward him for what he has done.
IMAG 07 – Riches of God
THAT’S the HIDDEN POWER of the poor!
• ANY kindness I show to a poor person…
o …unlocks the riches of God!
Why?
• When you honor the poor…
o You honor the One Who MADE them!
Peter Chun Interview
• 95% of the world’s poorest of the poor live within the 10/40 window
o Why have you chosen to give your life to these poor people?
So…
• HOW does God want me to “be kind” to the poor?
IMAG 08
#1 – Without fanfare
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
IMAG 09
#2 – Knowing this is a test!
James 2:5-6, 9-13
“Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor… But if you show favoritism, you sin…Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.”
IMAG 10
#3 – Realizing this affects God’s hearing!
“If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.”
IMAG 11
#4 – Without taking advantage of them
“Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.”
IMAG 12
#5 – Knowing what I will gain…and what I could lose
“He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.”
IMAG 13
#6 – With wisdom
“We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.”
IMAG 14
#7 – With love
“If I give all I possess to the poor…but have not love, I gain nothing.”
BTCC staff getting ready to serve at Life Center again
• Loving dignity – not a soup line
IMAG 15
#8 – By selling something
“Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ ”
IMAG 16
#9 – With Goose Bumps!
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
