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?
(Romans 15:30-33)
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
Romans 15:25-29
• 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
Proverbs 19:17
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
Matthew 6:2-4
“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!
Proverbs 21:13
“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
Proverbs 22:22-23
“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
Proverbs 28:27
“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
2 Thessalonians 3:11-12
“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
1 Corinthians 13:3
“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
Matthew 19:21
“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!
Hebrews 13:2
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
IMAG 17
#10 – As if they are Jesus
Matthew 25:40, 45
“I tell you the truth, WHATEVER you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for ME…I tell you the truth, whatever you did NOT do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
IMAG 18
#11 – As if I am Jesus
Romans 15:7
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
Ask Johnny Kincaid to stand where he is…
• And tell his “Mister…are you God?” story
IMAG 19
#12 – Out of my OWN poverty!
2 Corinthians 8:2-4
“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their EXTREME POVERTY welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even BEYOND their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.”
You don’t have to be RICH to help the poor
• You can be POORER than the poor person you’re helping!
o The poorer you are…the smarter it is to help the poor!
IMAG 20
#13 – By inviting them into my life
Luke 14:13-14
“…when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Do I just want to make them go away by writing a check…
• Or do I truly want THEM?
IMAG 21 – Riches of God
THAT’S how God wants you and me to “be kind to the poor…
• And THAT is the HIDDEN POWER of the poor!
Because any kindness I show to a poor person…
• …unlocks the riches of God!
Bow heads
• Salvation invitation
o God, change my heart toward the poor!
ACTION STEP: Offering for the poor!
• 50/50 – here…and there – the 4400/10-40 connection
o Benevolence needs so very high this time of year
o Peter Chun
Offering special: “I Surrender All”
Teresa solo w/keyboard only
Teresa close
