One of the attractions that brought me to Jeff. St. was their focus on ministry in both word and deed. Evangelism and service. Meeting spiritual and physical needs. Too often I have done simply one or the other (and sometimes neither). I am still learning about the importance of doing both whenever possible. Lately I’ve been reading (in “Ministries of Mercy” by pastor/author Tim Keller) about the Biblical impetus to minister in both word and deed.
First of all, our Creator and Example, Jesus Christ was describe as “a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people” (Luke 24:19). If we are to be followers, imitators of Jesus, then we need to be ministering in both deed and word as He did.
Keller writes, “As Christ came both to speak and to serve, so the church is gifted both to speak and to serve.” He sites 1 Peter 4:11, “Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies.” Furthermore, Keller points out that most spiritual gifts can be easily placed into one of two categories: word-gifts and deed-gifts. For example, some word-gifts are evangelism, teaching, and exhortation. Some deed-gifts then are service, giving, and mercy.
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is clear: we must teach and make disciples of all nations. The Great Commandment is clear: we must love God and love our neighbor. John tells us how to love: “not in word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18). The Scripture is clear: “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17).
February 15, 2009
February 9, 2009
Motivation for Mercy
What should be our motivation for serving the needy? Often, my main motivation is guilt. It is clear to me that I have an abundance of wealth compared to the average human being. I’ve long felt this to be a good enough motivation to “share the wealth” and serve the poor. Though this may not be the worst motivation, I’m learning that there is a better one.
I’m reading a book by Tim Keller called “Ministries of Mercy.” In it he suggests that our main motivation for loving and serving the needy should be God’s mercy and grace towards us. God has saved me and blessed me immeasurably for no reason besides His unconditional love. Likewise we are to pass on that love to others even when, in our eyes, they don’t deserve it. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Keller quotes from a sermon by B.B. Warfield in which he answers three common objections we have to serving the poor:
“Objection 1. “My money is my own.” Answer: Christ might have said, “My blood is my own, my life is my own” . . . then where should we have been? Objection 2. “The poor are undeserving.” Answer: Christ might have said, “They are wicked rebels . . . shall I lay down my life for these? I will give to the good angels.” But no, he left the ninety-nine, and came after the lost. He gave his blood for the undeserving. Objection 3. “The poor may abuse it.” Answer: Christ might have said the same; yea, with far greater truth. Christ knew that thousands would trample his blood under their feet; that most would despise it; that many would make it an excuse for sinning more; yet he gave his own blood. Oh, my dear Christians! If you would be like Christ, give much, give often, give freely, to the vile and poor, the thankless and the undeserving.”
In 2 Corinthians 8:2, Paul writes about the Macedonian churches: “their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” Their motivation for generosity was joy from God’s grace, rather than guilt from their prosperity. In fact, the Macedonians were considered extremely poor. Yet due to their joy in the Lord, they “gave according . . . and beyond their means” (v. 3). The love of God is reason for much joy. Likewise, the love of God is a great motivation for serving the needy.
I’m reading a book by Tim Keller called “Ministries of Mercy.” In it he suggests that our main motivation for loving and serving the needy should be God’s mercy and grace towards us. God has saved me and blessed me immeasurably for no reason besides His unconditional love. Likewise we are to pass on that love to others even when, in our eyes, they don’t deserve it. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Keller quotes from a sermon by B.B. Warfield in which he answers three common objections we have to serving the poor:
“Objection 1. “My money is my own.” Answer: Christ might have said, “My blood is my own, my life is my own” . . . then where should we have been? Objection 2. “The poor are undeserving.” Answer: Christ might have said, “They are wicked rebels . . . shall I lay down my life for these? I will give to the good angels.” But no, he left the ninety-nine, and came after the lost. He gave his blood for the undeserving. Objection 3. “The poor may abuse it.” Answer: Christ might have said the same; yea, with far greater truth. Christ knew that thousands would trample his blood under their feet; that most would despise it; that many would make it an excuse for sinning more; yet he gave his own blood. Oh, my dear Christians! If you would be like Christ, give much, give often, give freely, to the vile and poor, the thankless and the undeserving.”
In 2 Corinthians 8:2, Paul writes about the Macedonian churches: “their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” Their motivation for generosity was joy from God’s grace, rather than guilt from their prosperity. In fact, the Macedonians were considered extremely poor. Yet due to their joy in the Lord, they “gave according . . . and beyond their means” (v. 3). The love of God is reason for much joy. Likewise, the love of God is a great motivation for serving the needy.
February 1, 2009
February newsletter
Since coming to serve here at Jeff St., I have seen firsthand the consequences of substance abuse more than ever before. The lessons seem to be coming all the more frequently in recent days. Some of the victims have been weighing heavily on my heart. I certainly do not mean to reinforce the stereotypes concerning homeless folks: alcoholism, mental illness, laziness, and the rest. Homeless folks are as varied as any other group of people. However, it is true that we see a good number of people who are clearly enslaved and oppressed by alcohol. So I’ll share one recent episode.
One of our newest residents, Carl, was suspended for breaking our no alcohol policy his first night here. A couple nights later he came in anyway asking to get into his room. He was sloppy drunk, having trouble speaking and walking. Due to his suspension we told him he'd have to leave for the night and come back when the proper staff person was available to talk with him. Because of his inebriated state and the fact that the temperature was below freezing, I decided to give him a ride to where he was staying: an abandoned building, or in his words an "abandominium."
On the drive there, Matt and I asked Carl about his life and his addiction. Sadly, he told us he had no plan and no hope. We asked about whether he had tried to get help for his addiction. He said he’d tried but to no avail. We then shared that the only true hope is found in Jesus Christ. Carl told us he doesn't believe in Jesus as God's son, but he does believe in God. I figured that rather than argue with a heavily intoxicated guy about the deity of Christ, it might be more worthwhile to challenge him to pray to God and ask him to reveal the truth to him. We also prayed for him before we dropped him off at his abandominium. He was very appreciative of the ride and our prayers. One of the saddest parts of all this is that Carl seems to be a genuinely kind and pleasant man. His life is simply out of control because of his addiction.
Although I was thankful for the chance to share the Gospel and serve Carl in God’s love, this experience left me with a lingering sadness. When dealing with addicts, sometimes their situation does seem hopeless. It seems there is nothing we can do to help. It seems some are truly stuck in an endless cycle. But I know better. I know that God is the God of hope. I know that He is the great Redeemer. I know that nothing is impossible for God. So with Carl, and other like him, all we can do is serve, love, pray, and then leave the rest in God’s hands.
I’m also learning that I need to be very careful not to judge others’ addictions while ignoring my own. Jesus taught us to take the log out of our own eye before trying to help someone else with the speck in theirs (Matt. 7:15). It seems that most addictions have to do with things that in moderation, or in their proper place, are not harmful. The Bible never condemns wine or beer, but drunkenness. Sex is a gift from God, but outside of the proper confines (marriage) it holds many grave consequences. Even wonderful blessings and necessities like food and sleep can be abused. Other addictions are even more subtle – entertainment, materialism, greed, pride, comfort, etc.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything” (1 Cor. 6:12). Like Carl, I too need to fight, in God’s strength, against the addictions that enslave me. Ultimately, his hope and mine is in Jesus Christ who was sent “to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18).
Please pray for:
• the Lord to move in our lives (mine, Carl’s, and others) to free us from our addictions.
• The Lord to equip us with every good thing to do His will (Hebrews 13:21).
Thanks again for your continued prayers and support of our work here at Jeff. St. You are a blessing to me and to this ministry.
One of our newest residents, Carl, was suspended for breaking our no alcohol policy his first night here. A couple nights later he came in anyway asking to get into his room. He was sloppy drunk, having trouble speaking and walking. Due to his suspension we told him he'd have to leave for the night and come back when the proper staff person was available to talk with him. Because of his inebriated state and the fact that the temperature was below freezing, I decided to give him a ride to where he was staying: an abandoned building, or in his words an "abandominium."
On the drive there, Matt and I asked Carl about his life and his addiction. Sadly, he told us he had no plan and no hope. We asked about whether he had tried to get help for his addiction. He said he’d tried but to no avail. We then shared that the only true hope is found in Jesus Christ. Carl told us he doesn't believe in Jesus as God's son, but he does believe in God. I figured that rather than argue with a heavily intoxicated guy about the deity of Christ, it might be more worthwhile to challenge him to pray to God and ask him to reveal the truth to him. We also prayed for him before we dropped him off at his abandominium. He was very appreciative of the ride and our prayers. One of the saddest parts of all this is that Carl seems to be a genuinely kind and pleasant man. His life is simply out of control because of his addiction.
Although I was thankful for the chance to share the Gospel and serve Carl in God’s love, this experience left me with a lingering sadness. When dealing with addicts, sometimes their situation does seem hopeless. It seems there is nothing we can do to help. It seems some are truly stuck in an endless cycle. But I know better. I know that God is the God of hope. I know that He is the great Redeemer. I know that nothing is impossible for God. So with Carl, and other like him, all we can do is serve, love, pray, and then leave the rest in God’s hands.
I’m also learning that I need to be very careful not to judge others’ addictions while ignoring my own. Jesus taught us to take the log out of our own eye before trying to help someone else with the speck in theirs (Matt. 7:15). It seems that most addictions have to do with things that in moderation, or in their proper place, are not harmful. The Bible never condemns wine or beer, but drunkenness. Sex is a gift from God, but outside of the proper confines (marriage) it holds many grave consequences. Even wonderful blessings and necessities like food and sleep can be abused. Other addictions are even more subtle – entertainment, materialism, greed, pride, comfort, etc.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything” (1 Cor. 6:12). Like Carl, I too need to fight, in God’s strength, against the addictions that enslave me. Ultimately, his hope and mine is in Jesus Christ who was sent “to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18).
Please pray for:
• the Lord to move in our lives (mine, Carl’s, and others) to free us from our addictions.
• The Lord to equip us with every good thing to do His will (Hebrews 13:21).
Thanks again for your continued prayers and support of our work here at Jeff. St. You are a blessing to me and to this ministry.
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