In his book, Building a Contagious Church, Mark Mittleberg asks us to join him in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. As you walk up to the large arena, you see a mass of young people in line for a concert. The headline act is shock-rockeer Marilyn Manson (named after Marilyn Monroe and mass murderer Charles Manson and bills himself as the “Anti-Christ Superstar”). The crowd is noisy and energetic, ready to see a show that most, if not all of us would not even consider attending, to say the least.
As you get closer, you notice a group of people engaging the concertgoers in lively discussion. The protesters are Christians with signs expressing their disapproval of Marilyn Manson and all those who would attend the concert. These zealous protesters are yelling at the crowd, and the Manson fans are shouting back with equal intensity. Though no physical blows are exchanged across the battle lines, a steady barrage of verbal missiles and assaults are launched back and forth. Obviously there is a significant disconnect between the two groups.
Soon another group of Christians enter the mix. It’s a band of 19-29 year olds from a ministry called “the gro-ups”, sponsored by Corinth Reformed Church in Byron Center, Michigan. They unload bags of ice, coolers, and cases of Mountain Dew. They walk up to the pulsating crowd of anxious rockers and begin giving away soft drinks. No signs condemning anyone, no strings attached—just free drinks, a smile and a sincere, “Have a good evening.”
Some of the people going to the concert simply accepted the free drink and moved on. Others say thank you and asked “Why are you doing this?” The answer was simple with not shame or guilt attached, “We love God and we love you!” Some snickered and walked away. Others lingered and talked a bit. One young man begins to interact more deeply and even decides to throw away his ticket and help the members of “gro-ups” hand out more drinks! Out of this simple act of service, lives were touched and the love of Jesus was communicated to people who might have no other positive contact with Christians. There was an obvious connection between the two groups.
As Christians, what will we be remembered for? As a Church, what will we be known for?
People usually connect great man and women with one great ideal, invention, achievement or cause. Mention the name of Lincoln, and most people will say, “freed the slaves”. Mention George Washington and you’ll hear, “father of our country”. Mention Margaret Thatcher and you’ll hear “Prime Minister of Great Britain” or Emila Earheart, “Great woman aviator”. Likewise, mention ministries like World Vision, Compassion International, and Samaritan’s Purse and you’ll hear words like love, compassion, and Jesus Christ.
What they did reflected who they were! As Christians, what will we be remembered for? As a Church, what will we be known for?
Imagine Jesus going into towns and villages during His public ministry and proclaiming without accompanying acts of healing and helping. Do you think our Savior would have gained much of a hearing or established the credibility of His message—without display in some proof that this gospel was real?
So why would we ignore such a model? It is the example Jesus modeled and the model He gave to His disciples
1When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9:1-2
The gospel means the combination of the good news with good deeds. It is two-sided—it’s connecting truth and proof! It’s connecting show and tell!
One of the great dangers of the church is that because of fear, we have lost our desire to minister in concrete action as we seek to share God’s Word. Much evangelism today is like guerilla warfare tactics that venture in for a quick strike and then retreat back to the safety of the church. Or in the case of the Marilyn Manson concert, some just launch Gospel bombs over the picket line.
Now I know that some of these things can be a little scary, But Jesus tells us:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
When Jesus sent out His disciples, they were to trust God’s care and become directly engaged with those whom they were ministering. Instead of guerilla tactics or lobbing bombs, they connected others with God’s love by combining Jesus’ Great Commandment with His Great Commission, of showing and telling!
But why does Jesus use this model truth and proof? Why does Jesus apply this elementary model of show and tell?
It’s actually quite simple.
It is our actions toward others that separate real Christianity from mere philosophy.
Last year Lannette and I were in Door County when we saw a car with a bumper sticker that said, “I like Jesus, but I don’t like His followers” Another bumper sticker said, “Do something really radical—practice you religion”. The reality is that people really are watching and they really do expect us to live out our faith.
They really expect that there is a connection between what we say and what we do. And when there isn’t, they pick up on in a New York minute. When Christianity is reduced to a mere philosophy that is believed and defended, but not necessarily practiced, it looses credibility, integrity, reliability, sincerity and any authority.
This morning, I want to lay out for you a simple theme from our text, that combining good deeds with the good news of Scripture is Jesus’ model of connecting people with God.
How do I know that, because that’s what Jesus did! Good deeds and good news summed up Jesus’ ministry. In Acts 10, Peter said, God . . . (told) the good news . . . through Jesus Christ, who . . . went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:36-38
Good News and good deeds make good sense! At least Jesus thought so!
Jesus’ ministry connected good deeds with the good news and He sent out His disciples to do the same by preaching the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9:2 Jesus modeled what He wanted His disciples to do. But why? What would the combination of good deeds and good news accomplish?
1. Good deeds benefit others.
Let’s be clear, good deeds are not just the wrapping for the Gospel. Acts of love, compassion, kindness and justice to help people in a broken world is something the Lord requires of us. Micah 6:8 says, He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Giving a cup of cool water, food to the hungry and clothing to the shivering is something the Lord wants us to do regardless if that person comes to faith or ever attends our church. We love and serve because we are followers of Jesus Christ.
I John 3 says If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:17-18
We are helping people who are disconnected to become connected with God’s people and with God Himself.
2. Good deeds glorify God.
Matt. 5:16 tells us to let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Let me ask you, how do people who don’t know the Lord ever get to see Him and met Him?
The Bible says, we are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. 2 Cor. 5:20 An ambassador is a delegate and spokesperson who represents God. The Bible says that No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12
People are often led to the Lord by the love and kindness of God’s people. Through God’s people, they get a glimpse of who God is; His character, His love, His compassion and His desire to have a personal relationship with Him.
So how are we doing?
Are people glorifying God because of us?
Are people connecting to the Lord because of us and our church’s ministry?
Folks, we don’t have to come up with a vision for our ministry, because God has already given us a vision.
Combine the Great Commandment of “loving God and loving others” with the Great Commission of “making disciples.” Reaching out to others with the love of God and connecting them with the love of Jesus, that’s the vision, the goal and the objective it’s all about making connections.
3. Good deeds move people toward Jesus
In his book, The Externally Focused Church, Rick Rusaw shares the story of Tom Maharius, the least likely person to make an impact on any community, let alone New York City. A casualty of the 60’s hippie movement, and heavily involved in drugs use, Maharias’s downward spiral came to an abrupt end when he met Jesus in 1968. Soon he and his wife Vicky started a Bible study in their small apartment that grew at an amazing rate.
Today the Manhattan Bible Church is located in two separate buildings in Washington Heights, one of the toughest neighborhoods in Manhattan. Maharias soon realized that if the church was to be a true light in the community, they needed to do reach out to their Hispanic community.
What began as a teen center and safe haven for kids to hang out in, quickly turned into an effective evangelism outreach to parents which then and grew into a fully accredited grade school for neighborhood kids. Seeing the devastation that drug abuse was having in the community, Maharias started a one year rehabilitation and discipleship program to bring people to Jesus and alter their out of control lifestyles. Then came the homeless shelter and the Love Kitchen that feeds hundreds every day. Hundreds have been connected to Christ through this ministry that understands that to win a hearing for the gospel; the church must respond to the needs of people in real, tangible and effective ways that community social services alone cannot provide.
Why? Because people are made by God and in the image of God and he wants us to help them get reconnected with Him.
4. Good deeds create good will.
Two years ago I had the opportunity to share with the leadership of the Milton School District, the Superintendent, Principles and key Administrative Staff. I shared with them that the relationship between the schools and the churches was much like an iceberg, with 10% of what you see being above the water line and 90% of what you don’t see being beneath. I said that the 10% represented the things we differ on and that illusive separation of church and state. However, that 90% beneath the surface; kids, healthy homes, a safe community, mutual respect as well as bonding in struggles that we all share together. I asked them to let us help them. To my great pleasure, they all agreed!
Every community is blessed with people who care about its health and welfare.
Folks, the church can and should be a change agent. Jesus came into the world and so should we. Though we may see different causes to problems, identify different solutions and have different perspectives on humanity, we can work with community organizations to show the love of God.
Should churches assist community agencies with which they don’t always agree? Who is better to understand that dynamic than Christians who attend a church business meeting?
If an organization is morally positive and spiritually neutral, then we as a church can honor God through serving the needs of the community by creating relationships with those leading local agencies and serving along side them. And through these connecting points we may have the opportunity to show and tell them of God’s great and amazing grace. Let’s not limit the Lord.
5. What good deeds cannot do?
Though,
• Good deeds benefit people and help communities.
• Good deeds can glorify God.
• Good deeds can move people toward Jesus.
Good are insufficient to lead a person to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Good deeds can be a bridge or a road, but they are not the saving message that crosses that bridge or travels the road.
Good deeds provide numerous connecting points, but they are never a substitute for connecting the dots between good deeds and the good news.
Remember, the Gospel means “Good News” and that it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes Rom. 1:16
And faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.Rom 10:17
By connecting with those we serve and those with whom we serve, we are opening the doors of our hearts to share the hope we have in Christ. And people’s hearts are open when they see that we really care about them and their needs.
May our words be that of Peter who said; 13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:116
Let’s connect people to Jesus!
Let’s be a light unto the nations!
Let’s not hide it under a bushel basket, but let’s hold it high that all might see that Jesus changes and gives meaning to life.
