TOPIC: THE MINISTRY OF CARE.
MEMORISE:
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10
READ: Romans 15:23-29.
23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
MESSAGE:
In today’s Scripture Reading, Apostle Paul teaches us one missing ingredient of true discipleship in today’s contemporary Church: the ministry of care. Despite the great anointing with which Apostle Paul was ministering to the Jews and Gentiles alike, he was still particular about the ministry of care.
Jesus Christ taught on the importance of hospitality when he said:
“For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” Mark 9:41
In Matthew 25:35-40 He says:
“……For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
The Bible reinforces this in James 2:15-16:
“If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?”
Children of God must engage in the ministry of care along with any other that we may have been called into. This makes our calling a complete and perfect one. The needy among us should be given consideration at all times, even as we preach the gospel to them (James 2:15-16). Indeed, many have testified that taking care of the needy has provided opportunities for effective soul-winning.
As a Christian, are you socially responsible as directed in Isaiah 58:6-7?
ACTION POINT:
Commit a part of your income to meeting the needs of those who lack one thing or the other, in your community or Church.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 60-62.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 23: STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST MY KING.
1. Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I'm standing on the promises of God.
2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
3. Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord,
Bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List'ning ev'ry moment to the Spirit's call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
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