Giving To Others Series

Given

John 21:15-25; Luke 24:13-35

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

When the Son of Man returns in His glory who amongst us does not want to be placed at His right side and acknowledged as one of His sheep (Matthew 25:31-46)? Whom amongst us does not dream of one day sitting at the Master’s table during the great banquet in heaven (Luke 14:15-24)? While we acknowledge that our works can't buy us a seat at His table (Ephesians 2:8-9), isn't our faith shown to be alive through our deeds (James 2:18)? One of the signs that we are saved by grace through faith is the love we express toward one another (John 13:35). Christ’s love as demonstrated on the cross compels us to no longer live for ourselves but to put the needs of others above even that of our own (2 Corinthians 5:14)! To avoid the guilt of neglecting the hungry or thirsty, our eyes must be open to the needs of others, especially those we may deem as the least in His kingdom. This aligns with the principle that true faith is accompanied by actions reflecting God's love and grace.

Turning away from selfish ambition and the constant inward focus on our needs, goals, and desires to serve others is undoubtedly a challenging task. Even in North America, where many have more than they truly need, there are unfortunately still numerous individuals with emotional, financial, social, and health needs that are genuinely heart-wrenching to witness. What will it take for those in God’s family to see and respond to these needs? As bearers of the image of Christ, who sacrificed Himself for them (Hebrews 9:27-29), what would it take for us to see them as infinitely valuable to the Lord so much so that we set aside our busy schedules to extend the same comfort we have received in our troubles from the Good Shepherd (2 Corinthians 1:1-7)? Despite our ordinariness, are not the cups of cold water we offer in Jesus' name (Matthew 10:42) a reflection of blessings received that are joyfully shared? And what would it take for us to see that our good deeds serve not only as a powerful testimony of the love we've received from the Master but also as the exclusive means to store eternal treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-24)? Today's sermon will delve into how to be the sheep whom Christ commends as good and faithful servants, recognizing the importance of sharing His love with others.

Given out of Love for Jesus

After Peter called down curses and swore that he did not know Jesus he went outside the courtyard and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:75). It's perplexing to consider how the one Christ deemed the rock on which He would build His church, and a key disciple, could fail so miserably (Matthew 16:17-20). Indeed, Christ's prediction was accurate; Peter's focus that night was more on "human concerns" (Matthew 16:23) than on keeping his promise to "lay down his life for Christ" (John 13:37). Despite Peter's initial denial, he later encountered the risen Christ individually (Luke 24:34) and likely witnessed the resurrected Jesus appearing to the disciples (John 20:19-23), including Thomas putting his hands in Jesus' scars. Nevertheless, the weight of his denial left Peter so broken that he decided to return to his previous occupation of fishing. In John 21, we learn that Peter, accompanied by Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples, went fishing one night but caught nothing. Peter, feeling like a failure even in his former profession, struggled to haul in any fish. The turning point occurred in the morning when Christ instructed the disciples to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. Following His guidance, they caught an abundance of fish, so many that they couldn't haul in their nets due to the sheer quantity (John 21:6).

This event served as a significant moment of redemption and restoration for Peter not because he caught a lot of fish but due to Christ’s transformative love and grace. Corresponding to his threefold denial, Christ asked Peter three times if he loved Him! Upon the third time Peter became hurt for the implication of the question resonated deeply within his broken heart! Having denied Christ three times Peter assumed that his sin had disqualified him from his calling to be “sent out to fish for people” (Matthew 4:19) but he was wrong for Christ was not looking for a sinless man like Himself to serve in His kingdom but a confessing, passionate man who put His Lord, Savior, and King above everything and everyone else! Those who are born again of the water and Spirit (John 3:5) are invited to use their spiritual gifts to accomplish the divine tasks they have been assigned (1 Corinthians 12). To serve in God’s kingdom and wrestle “against the powers of this dark world and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12) is not easy, especially considering the constant temptation to chase after the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16)! Like Peter, Christ's love compels us, but its transformative impact is contingent on our love for Him above all else. The struggle for supremacy in our hearts among competing interests leads to fragmentation and lukewarmness. However, surrendering all to the One who redeemed us at the cost of His very life (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) results in a life characterized by love extended to others. The abundance of love, grace, and mercy received from Christ compels us to naturally share these gifts with others.