7-17-15 You Gotta Serve Somebody...

Dinner Icebreaker: What would you do with $100,000?

Can doing good works, being a good person, get us to heaven? What if we work for the Peace Corps and volunteer at the Food Bank and drive our elderly neighbors around? What if we work at an orphanage in deepest darkest Africa? Or discover a cure for all cancers? Or ate locusts and honey and wore burlap bags and never cut your hair? 

Ephesians 2:8–9 makes it clear that we are not saved by good works.  

The Message take: Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving.

In fact, before we know, really know, Jesus, our works cannot please God; even our best deeds are nothing. They are like trash. 

Isaiah 64:6 Message: We’re all sin-infected, sin-contaminated. Our best efforts are grease-stained rags.

Maybe the temptation after reading how it's all grace is to say, "Whew! Made it!" and rest on grace. "Since works don't save me, I'll just do what I want and know that I'm covered." 

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  (Message: He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.)

We were created to do good works. God has looked ahead and has stuff ready for us to do. This is how we can reflect His character and goodness to the world.

God wants to produce fruit in our lives

Galatians 5:22–23 Message: But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

The Father is the Vinedresser, Jesus is the Vine, and we are the branches. The branches are naturally attached to the vine; from the vine they get their support, their ability to produce fruit, and their very life. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5). That is the purpose of the vineyard—to produce “much fruit.” Good works follow salvation.

So, although we cannot be saved by our good works, when we are saved, we will produce good works. We will WANT to do good works. It will bring us joy.

Good works do not produce salvation. Good works are the product of salvation. Jesus said to His followers:

Matthew 5:16-Message: Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t this I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

(http://www.gotquestions.org/good-works-salvation.html#ixzz3fpsdF4l5)

Not including work or family, think of all the things you are involved in. Book Club, Welcome Center, lead a Bible study, pep band, Backyard Bible Club, exercise class, walking with neighbors, and on and on. (I am assuming there is no shortage of things to list!) We are all very involved people. Too much, probably. We’re exhausted. And now I’m telling you to DO more???

Matthew 22:36-40

“Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?”

Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.” This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: “Love others as well as you love yourself.” These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.

So, here we have the TWO GREATEST COMMANDMENTS...shouldn’t the things we spend our time on either grow our love of God or our love of neighbors?

Look at your list. Are these things you are doing either helping you love God more or to love others more? If not, why are you doing them? 

Just a thought to either trim your list or change your attitude about the things you are doing on the list...use each activity to show God's love or to show God how you love Him. 

If God has called us to do something, he will equip us also. Sometimes he equips you beforehand (like Moses was equipped) or sometimes he does it along the way (like Esther). Sometimes we know we're aware of being equipped, other times we have no clue. 

One way we are equipped is by reading God's letter (the Bible). Then we get to know Him better. 

"God doesn't call the equipped. He equips the called." --Christine Caine, Passion conference this fall. My question...are all believers "the called?" I kind of think so. 

Isaiah 45:5

I am the Lord; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don’t even know me,

2 Timothy 3:17

God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Hebrews 13:21

may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Maybe the “E” should stand for “Ears to hear.” Do we hear the things God is asking us to do? Do we take on too much? Too little? Too much that is inconsequential? Or "E" for eyes to see where we are needed. Do we ask God to show us where to be involved? 

Am I thinking that I have to do something on such a HUGE scale that I am paralyzed and do nothing? Save all the unborn babies in Lincoln who are being threatened with abortion…feed all the homeless…save my entire neighborhood…

We watched a movie tonight...an oldie,  but a goodie...“A Man Called Norman” put out by Focus on the Family in 1988. It’s the true story of a man who didn’t do something huge…he felt God called him to befriend his neighbor. And he was faithful to do that. And the part that was huge was that he obeyed and did that job he was given. Here's a free link, if you want to watch the 50 minute presentation. It's so touching and funny! (Two parts) http://www.dailymotion.com/us/relevance/universal/search/a+man+called+norman/1 or the audio only version is on youtube.

If you want a list of some possible "good deeds" to do that are not too huge, not too overwhelming, I found this list on the internet. Remember, this won't get you to heaven. But it may give you some ideas of how to show Him to your neighbors and family. 

Some Ideas to Serve Others

1. Make a double-batch of something delicious and freezable and give it to an older neighbour who doesn't cook for him or herself as much anymore.

2. Buy a bag of good groceries – high-quality coffee, whole-grain pasta, a box of decadent cookies or other treats you'd normally buy for yourself – and donate it to your local food bank or shelter.

3. Cut an armload of fresh flowers from your garden and bring them to your local nursing home so the residents can enjoy the smells of spring or summer.

4. Bring your well-behaved dog for a visit at a local nursing home. There's nothing like a happy pup to raise someone's spirits.

5. When out shovelling your walk or raking your leaves, it's not too much more effort to do the same for a neighbour. Consider it good exercise as well as a good deed.

6. Hold the door for people behind you, especially if the person behind is carrying packages, bags or kids.

7. Volunteer at a local breakfast program. A warm smile and a friendly welcome go a long way.

8. Bring someone less fortunate a plant or some fresh flowers. This is something they might not want to spend money on.

9. Make soup for a friend recovering from surgery or an illness. Cooking is the last thing you feel like doing when you aren't feeling 100 per cent.

10. Take your sibling's kids out for the day – to the movies, apple picking, for a hike. The parents could probably use a break and the kids will love it.

11. Put together a basket of treats for a friend who had a death in the family. Deliver it after the funeral has taken place, when most friends have gone back to their day-to-day lives.

12. Drive your grandparents, elderly parents and their friends to church, doctor's appointments or the movies. They (and their aging bodies) will value the gesture.

13. Volunteer for a charity. Pick a cause that's near and dear to your heart and donate your time to them.

14. Sit down with your family and estimate what you'd spend on each other for gifts. Instead of buying each other gifts for birthdays or holidays, donate the estimated amount to a charity.

15. If you head out of town, drop off your monthly public transit pass at a youth or job centre. They'll pass on the pass to someone who is in need of it to job hunt or attend school.

16. Take your neighbors trash to the curb while you're taking yours. Imagine their surprise when they see that the chore is already done.

17. If you're in line at the grocery store with a full cart, let the person behind you who only has 5-10 items go in front of you.

18. Offer to take care of a neighbour's pet when they go away on a small vacation. They'll be comfortable knowing their pet is in good hands.

19. Make dinner for friends with a newborn baby (or, if they're far away, send a gift card for the grocery store or a favourite restaurant so they can pick something up).

20. Pay for the person behind you at the drive thru. It will make someone's day! 

21. Help someone who looks lost with directions. Most people are intimidated and feel vulnerable when they're lost, offering to help them find their destination will relieve them.

22. Donate blood. One single donation can help up to 4 people – that should be inspiring enough. Check out the Canadian Blood Services website for more information.

23. Donate your used clothes and housewares to charity. By doing so, you can help people meet basic human needs. Your old sweaters will keep someone warm during the winter and your old housewares can help someone furnish their new apartment.

24. Around Christmas time, find a holiday angel program in your community. You can donate basic things like toothpaste, towels, sheets and pyjamas for a family in need to open on Christmas morning.

25. Take a CPR class. You never know when you might be in a position to put those life-saving skills into practice.

26. Help an elderly person off the bus or cross the road by offering to take their arm or carry their packages. 

27. By joining a bone marrow registry such as One Match stem cell and marrow network (in Canada), you could be giving someone a lifesaving gift.

28. Offer to babysit a friend’s kids one night so she and her partner can enjoy a romantic evening out. You friend will certainly be grateful for the night off.

29. Bring your old magazines to a hospital waiting room to make patients' waits a little less nerve racking.

30. Write a letter or e-mail to a good friend or family member to let them know how much you value them. Can you imagine opening a letter of that sort? Go on, start the trend.

31. Volunteer yourself to walk an elderly neighbour's dog once a week. Getting out for a walk isn't overly easy for many elderly folk, so they'd most likely appreciate this gesture.

32. Instead of dropping your head and pretending you don't notice (like the rest of the rush-hour crowd) someone struggling to get a stroller down the stairs, take a second and offer to help.

33. Offer an elderly person, a pregnant woman, a physically disabled person - or just someone who looks tired - your seat on the bus.

34. Help keep your city clean. Pick up plastic bottles and other trash you see around your neighbourhood and deposit it in its appropriate place.

35. Visit a nursing home just to chat with some of the residents, as many of them don't get regular visitors.

36. They say that smiling is contagious. Pick a day to smile at everyone you pass on the street.

37. Pass on your books after you've read them for someone else to enjoy. Take them to a local shelter or give them to friends.

38. Next time you read an article about an author you know your book-loving friend would enjoy, pass it on to them. It will make them feel good that you think about them.

39. If you've discovered a great little restaurant or store, spread the word. The business and whoever you tell will both benefit.

40. Being angry at someone requires a lot of energy from both people involved, so go ahead and let go of an old grudge. Forgiving someone who hurt you will open the door for a friendship to be rekindled.

41. A few days before the holidays or a family member's birthday, head over to your parents' or grandparents' home to wrap their gifts for them. They'll appreciate your help and the company.

42. On a random weekend, surprise your unsuspecting spouse with breakfast in bed. It will make their day.

43. When you come across a two for one deal (which are popular at book and movie stores), donate your free product to a local shelter or youth group.

44. Allot yourself a set amount of compliments to dole out a day. Your co-worker will love hearing that she looks great in her new skirt.

45. Getting out and about isn't so easy for some. Volunteer to do your grandparents' grocery shopping for them ever two weeks. Is it that much trouble to shop for someone else when you're already making a trip to the grocery store for yourself?

46. Next time you're at your favourite local pub or breakfast diner, leave your server a very generous tip.

47. Everyone knows how annoying it is to rush back to your car only to find a parking ticket sitting on your windshield. To make sure someone else doesn't suffer the same fate, feed parking metres that you notice are about to expire.

48. Next time you do your grocery shopping, pick up a large bag of cat or dog food to donate to a local animal shelter.

49. Host a movie night for 10 of your closet friends. Charge $10 admission, provide the popcorn, candy and drinks, and donate the $100 to a charity you all decide on. It's a perfect way to feel good about having fun.

50. After you complete your 49 days worth of good deeds, treat yourself to a mani-pedi, dinner at your favourite restaurant or those fabulous shoes you've been eyeing. And no matter what, don't suffer from buyers remorse. After all your selfless acts, you deserve a little treat.

Canadian Living, “50 good deeds for 50 days,” by Daniela Payne)