Do The Small Thing To Show The Main Thing - God's Love

For Those not familiar with an Anglican service; there are four Scripture readings prior to the Message. Today's readings are Genesis 22:1-14; Psalm 13; Romans 6:12-23 and Mathew 10:40-42

Jared and his dad were playing a game of catch one afternoon, when Jared asked, ....... "Dad, ... is there a God?"

Joe his father had a string of trite answers racing through his mind. ...... But in the end His Father opted for honesty, .... "I don't know, Jared," ... he replied.

Jared dug a little deeper, ... "If there is a God, ... how would you ... know him?"

"I really have no idea, ... Jared.

I only went to church a couple of times when I was a kid, ... so I don't know a lot ... about those kinds of things."

Jared seemed deep in thought for a few minutes ...as the game of catch ... continued.

Suddenly, ... he headed for the house.

"I'll be right, back, dad" ......he yelled over his shoulder.

"I have to get something."

Jared soon returned with a mylar balloon ... fresh from the circus ... along with a pen ... and an index card.

"Jared, ... what in the world are you doing?" ... His father asked.

He earnestly replied.

"I'm going to send a message to God .... airmail."

Before Joe could protest, ... Jared started writing on the index card:

"Dear God, ... if you are real ... and if you are there...... send people who know you ... to my Dad and me."

Joe kept his mouth shut, ......not wanting to dampen ......his son's enthusiasm.

This is silly, ... he thought .......as he helped Jared fasten the card ....to the balloon's string.

God, ... I hope you are watching, ... he added to his silent petition.

After Jared let go of the balloon, ... father and son stood with their faces to the sky... and watched it sail away. (PAUSE)

Two days later, ... Joe and Jared pulled into a community car wash.

"How much?" Joe asked ......as he neared the line of buckets, sponges, and hoses.

"It's free," ... the guy told him.

"No strings attached."

"Really!" Joe exclaimed.

He was intrigued by getting something for nothing.

"But why are you doing this?"

"We just want to show you God's ... love in a practical way."

It was as if that simple statement .... opened a hidden door ... to Joe's heart.

The look on his face was incredible, "Wait a minute," ... he practically shouted. ... "Are you guys' Christians?"

"Yeah, we're Christians," ... the man replied.

"Are you the kind of Christians .... who believe in God?"

The man could not help but smile, ...... "Yes, we're that kind of Christians."

After directing a big grin at Jared, ......Joe proceeded to tell the story of releasing the helium balloon ... with its message ... only days earlier.

Joe said.... "I guess you're the answer to one of the strangest prayers ... God's ever ... received,". (Pause)

Beloved .... That is the story of a church in Ohio ......that is committed to what is called...... servant evangelism. (Pause)

What is servant evangelism you ask:

Well thank-you for asking.

It is demonstrating ... the kindness of God ... The Love God....by offering to do some act of humble service .... with ... no strings ... attached." (Long Pause)

Jesus in our Gospel reading ......speaks of sharing even a cup of cold water ... which speaks to the practicality ......of living the Christian life.

Christianity ... and our relationship with God ... is personal, ... but it is not meant ... at all ... to be private.

Our life with God ......is a life ....... that is designed to touch others .......in practical ways.

And ... We must be open to sharing God's Love .......in those Practical Ways.

So ... How do we share ... His Love?

(1 Finger) Beloved.... Do the small thing ... to show the main thing: ....... God's Love. (REPEAT)

What would you do with the following challenge?

You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night.

You pass by a bus stop, ... in your two-seat car ...and you see three people ... waiting for the bus:

1. An older woman....... who looks extremely frail and is shivering in the rain.

2. An old friend who once ... literally saved your life.

3. The perfect man or woman ......you have been dreaming about ... all your life.

Knowing that there could only be one passenger .......in your car.

Which one would you choose to offer a ride.

This is one of those moral/ethical dilemmas ......that are often used ......as part of a job application.

One like this was on an application ... I once had.

You could pick up the older woman, ... because she seems to be barley holding on.