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MISSION AND OUTREACH
Psalm 10:16-18
Matthew 25:31-40
August 23, 2009
This is the last Sunday that we are going to talk about inviting guests to church during the month of September. Next week we are going to start a six part series on marriage. Why marriage? Rocky, don’t you know that not everyone is married? That’s absolutely true – but. The majority of people in their 30’s and 40’s are married; statistically we know that those who are too young to be married now overwhelmingly hope to be married some day; and as we continue to live longer and longer late life second and third marriages are becoming more common. In addition, everyone sitting here (married or not) has family relationships of some kind. And, the principals that create a strong marriage are just as applicable to creating a strong bond between parent and child, or between siblings.
Just as importantly, we know that most of the guests you invite in September either are, or hope to be, married. So, it is a topic that should hold their attention. And, it is much less threatening than telling them we will spend the month talking about justification by faith alone, or the power of the indwelling Spirit and the corresponding gifts. Remember, we are primarily looking for visitors with no church background, and when the Christianese gets too strong it can be really intimidating. Now, if we can meet the needs of the unchurched, or the unbelieving, for an entire month the odds are pretty good that we can establish a permanent relationship with them. Once they trust us we will get the chance to present them with the Gospel message and the salvation that comes from Jesus Christ alone.
Who are these visitors? Some of them will be people with a strong church background and deeply committed faith who just haven’t found the church that works for them yet. The others will be people who have been beat up by life. They will be newly divorced; or pregnant with their fourth child – but without a steady job; or unemployed for so long that their benefits have expired. They might be sick with a serious illness and no medical options; or addicted to alcohol; or maybe they have a child who has run away from home and there has been no contact for three months. They may have a special needs child living in their home and feel like the rest of the world just doesn’t get it. They will be tired, and run down, and feeling hopeless. That’s why they will be willing to give us, and our church, a try. The unchurched don’t need God when life is perfect, they need the Lord when life has been unfair and cruel, and their hopes and dreams have been smashed. That’s who I am expecting to walk through our doors.
My expectation is that initially we will be excited about those who come. Look at the response we’ve had, look at the people who need Jesus! I also believe that once that excitement wears off many of us may be asking ourselves, “What have we gotten in to? What do we do with them?” We are going to start by just accepting them, and being their friend. “Nothing is as hard as a lonely struggle, and discovering that others care enough to help, to give their time and work, and to sacrifice on your behalf is a touch of grace.”
We will be their friend, and we will love them with no expectation of any return. They may stay for the month of September, and then we’ll never see them again. That’s OK. They may bring their children to the RESPITE program, but refuse to join us in worship. That’s OK. They may place orders for angel food, yet never put a dime in the offering plate. That’s OK. We will serve our fellow man, and love him, with no expectation in return.
Taking the love of Jesus to those who need it the most, and expecting nothing in return, is what mission work is all about. Mission work is crucial to the health and vitality of a faith community. That’s why Brandon Akins is making a very important transition in ministry, on behalf of Ponder UMC. Brandon has agreed to become our Pastor of Missions. He will seek out the needy, organize ministry to them, and then offer you the opportunity to participate. Never in your entire life will it ever again be so easy for you to do mission work. The vast majority of our endeavors will be local – so you don’t have to travel. Most of the work will involve one day every three months – so you don’t have to take vacation. Most of the work will either be cost free, or financed by the church – so you will give of your time, not your checking account. It couldn’t be easier. And, for those of you who are being called to international mission work, Brandon will set up an annual opportunity for that as well.
Reaching out to the beat up and down trodden in our community is not optional. Let’s take a good look at Jesus’ own words on this topic. In our New Testament reading today Jesus presents himself as the judge of all mankind. He is sitting and evaluating every soul that has ever lived, and he is making the decision who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. That should get your attention. This is significant! Look at the question that Jesus keeps asking; did you give of your time to the beat up and the down trodden? It’s a yes or no question, and his criteria is really simple; did you give them either food, or shelter, or companionship? You want to go to heaven? Did you provide the hurting and the outcast with food, or shelter, or companionship?
Let me jump into Christianese for just a second here. Jesus is not advocating a works salvation theology. We do not earn our way to heaven with good works. We are justified by faith, and faith alone, in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). But, did we give Jesus our heart – yes or no? Jesus is telling us that when he looks at how we treated the least among us, he can tell where our heart is. This is what the entire book of James is about. Don’t just tell me how much you love Jesus, show me (James 2:18). And, Jesus says, I’ll even tell you how to show me. I want to see what you do for those who have no hope.
In case you’re wondering how I know that for sure that’s what he is saying, it’s in the words of the ones that Jesus lets into heaven. When Jesus tells them they can come on in, because they gave food, or shelter, or companionship – they are shocked. They have to question Jesus about it because they are so surprised. That tells us they were not doing these things just to get into heaven. They didn’t know these things would be looked at. That’s how we know they were doing these things out of the goodness of their heart, and not for salvation.
The love we have for Jesus has to find its way out of us, and into our community. This is what matures us. Every year I hear people say, “I want to become a more mature Christian.” Baby, this is how it happens! Does it scare you a little? Good! It should. Unfortunately, that is a truth of Christian mission. When we look at Jesus and the disciples he intentionally sent them to dangerous places that were well outside of their comfort zone. He sent them to cure the sick raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out demons (Matthew 10:8). They are spending time in places, and with people, who are gross. He told them don’t take any money, do depend on strangers for hospitality, and expect at some point to be treated badly (10:9-15). That’s way out of our comfort zone. Then, he looks them in the eyes and says, “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (10:16).
We will never intentionally put you in danger. Even if you travel on an international mission every possible precaution will be taken to ensure your safety. But, you will almost certainly be taken way, way out of your comfort zone. I’ve shared my story with you before. I used to actively pray, “Thank you God for giving me a pulpit, and not making me spend time with prisoners and convicts.” At which point God immediately threw me into prison ministry, where I spent ten years.
I can’t begin to tell you how uncomfortable that made me initially; being searched as though I were a criminal myself, signing documents that said – if there is a riot and the prisoners begin taking hostages I understand there will be no effort to rescue me, going through three sets of computer locked doors until you are all alone with the inmates. I also can’t begin to tell you how God expanded and increased my comfort zone until eventually it was just me and a bunch of broken souls sitting at a table thanking God for his infinite mercy. Looking at each other and realizing we had far more in common than in difference.
I am not doing my job as your Pastor if I don’t create opportunities for you to grow and mature in your faith; and that has to mean offering you opportunities for mission. Which is what September is all about, inviting people to worship is mission. Now, not every one of us is going to do every mission, or participate in exactly the same way. The Apostle Paul knew that we are not carbon copy images of each other, we are all very different. “For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness” (Romans 12:4, 6-8). I don’t expect every one of you to do every thing. But, I expect each of you to do something.
My job is to help each of you in your process of sanctification – becoming more like Jesus. Jesus did not spend his time with the comfortable and well to do. He spent his time with the sinners and the tax collectors (Matthew 9:10-11). Some of the people who join us for worship in September are going to make you a little uncomfortable. Some of the places Brandon is going to ask you to go to will make you a little uncomfortable. That’s a good thing. Your life will be richer for making the effort. I promise you.
Our September guests need to know that we care about them. Jesus said, “"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High” (Luke 6:32-35).
Jesus is saying if we only love the people who are just like us, so what! That doesn’t show a thing. But, if you love the ones who are different; if you love the unlovable, well that’s a different story all together. He promises great reward – and that brings us back to the judging between the goats and the sheep; looking at your actions as an indication of your heart. Jesus’ message is absolutely consistent.
So, bring your guests and invitees in September. Bring the people who have been beat down, trampled, and thrown away. Bring the people with the most problems. Bring them all, and bring it on!