A Cup of Cold Water
Matthew 10: 40-42
I. Intro Story
A. Jared and Dad playing catch when Jared asked,
“Dad, is there a God?”
B. Joe (Dad) – same hopeless feeling he experienced before
1. on high school baseball team, lost sight of fly ball in blazing
sun
2. didn’t know whether to move forward, backward, or just stay put
3. trite answers came to mind
4. honestly answered “I don’t know.”
C. Jared still curious, “If there is a God, how would you know him.”
D. Joe, “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 kind
of things.”
E. Jared deep in thought while game continued.
1. suddenly headed for house
2. yelled over shoulder, “I’ll be right back. I have to get
something.”
F. Returned with mylar balloon from circus and pen and index card.
1. “Jared, what in the world are you doing?” Joe asked
2. “I’m going to send a message to God by airmail.”
3. Index card “Dear God, if you are real and if you are there, send
people who know you to Dad and me.”
4. Joe said nothing, not dampen son’s enthusiasm
5. silent petition – “God, I hope you’re watching.”
6. Jared tied card to balloon string and both watched sail away
G. 2 days later – father and son pulled into a free car wash by church
1. Joe – “How much?”
2. “It’s free,” a guy told him, “No strings attached.”
3. Joe – “Really? Why doing this?”
4. Guy – “We just want to show you God’s love in a practical way.”
H. Opened door in Joe’s heart
1. Joe - “Wait, are you Christians?
2. Guy – “Yeah, we’re Christians.”
3. Joe – “Are you the kind of Christians who believe in God?”
4. Guy w/ smile, “Yes, we’re that kind of Christians.”
I. Big grin to Jared, Joe told story of balloon w/ message
1. Joe – “I guess you’re the answer to one of the strangest prayers
God’s ever received.”
J. Jesus in lesson today – speaks of sharing a cup of cold water,
Talking about living the Christian life practically
K. Our life of faith is not meant to be private, designed to touch
others in practical ways
II. Small Things
A. To share our faith in practical ways, not necessarily big things
B. We can do small things to show God’s love to others
C. Recently read about a moral/ethical challenge that was once used as
part of a job application process
1. The Challenge – What would you do in this situation?
a. You are driving alone in your car on wild, stormy night.
b. 3 people waiting for bus
c. an older woman who looks very ill
d. an old friend who once saved your life
e. your dream man or dream woman
f. Who would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing you that
there could only be one passenger in your car
g. candidate hired (out of 200 applicants) came up this answer
h. “give up car to old friend, let him/her take the woman to the
hospital,stay behind and wait for bus with dream date”
D. ok to think “outside the box” when challenged to share the love of
God with others
E. We never fully know what small act of kindness will touch and
transform a life
F. Frisbee Story
1. John Bowes, chairman of Wham-O corp., maker of Frisbees
Once participated in a charity effort (show one)
2. sent 1000s of plastic flying discs to an orphanage in Angola,
Africa
a. thought children would enjoy playing with them
3. several months later, a representative of the company visited
the orphanage
a. one of nuns thanked him for the wonderful “plates” that his
company sent
b. she told of how the children were eating of them and carrying
water with them, even catching fish with them
c. then representative explained how the Frisbees were intended
to be used
d. nun even more delighted that the children would also be able
to enjoy them as toys (throw a couple)
G. A small act of kindness can make a huge impact on someone’s life
H. Jesus gives us hint of impact, later in Matthew’s Gospel
“Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘My father has
blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for
you before the world was created. When I was hungry, you gave
me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me
something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and
when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick,
you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.’
Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, ‘When did we
give you something to eat or drink? When did we welcome you as
a stranger or give you clothes to wear or visit you while you
were sick or in jail?’ The king will answer, ‘Whenever, you did
it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed,
you did it to me.’” (CEV) (Matt. 25: 34-40)
I. Pastor told of a lady of his acquaintance who has a motto over
her kitchen sink that reads like this: “Divine service is
conducted here 3 times daily.”
a. opportunities all around us to show God’s love
b. acts don’t need to be complex or extraordinary
c. can be normal, everyday event
J. Too often when given the opportunity to share Christ’s love we
respond that we are too busy, or too tired or too shy or too
inexperienced to be of any use
K. Here to tell you, you, yes you can do a simple act of kindness
that can impact the life of someone
L. Because a simple act done with great love can change the world
III. Just do it
A. The Nike commercial challenges us to “Just Do It!”
B. Can just do it by making a meal, offering a prayer or a listening
ear or a ride to an appointment, and in many other ways
C. Can also offer a cold cup of water too
D. Give that opportunity – ushers please come in and distribute
E. All receive bottle of water, label (read)
1. not for you to drink
2. for you to give to someone you meet outside of this place
3. way for you to just do it
F. Jesus challenges us to live out our faith not only in the big
moments of life, but in the little ones too – with a cold cup or
as the case may be, a bottle of water
G. Folks, a simple act, like giving a bottle of water to someone,
that is done with love can seem so small, but it can have a large
impact on another’s life.
H. So go and share the love of God in a simple act, just do it!
Burkey, Richard. “Sharing Jesus in Practical Ways” www.sermoncentral.com
Jensen, Scott. “Showing God’s Love through Simple Acts of Kindness”
www.sermoncentral.com
Zwarich, Paul. “Christ’s Ambassadors” www. sermoncentral.com
