Radical Commitment, Part 5 –

“Radical Service”
July 19, 2009
Illustration: “Radical Service”
(Acts 16:13-15)
 Acts 16:13
13 On the Sabbath we went outside the
city gate to the river, where we
expected to find a place of prayer. We
sat down and began to speak to the
women who had gathered there. TNIV
 Acts 16:14
14 One of those listening was a woman
from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a
dealer in purple cloth. She was a
worshiper of God. The Lord opened her
heart to respond to Paul’s message.
TNIV
 Acts 16:15
15 When she and the members of her
household were baptized, she invited
us to her home. “If you consider me a
believer in the Lord,” she said, “come
and stay at my house.” And she
persuaded us. TNIV
Primary Text: James 2:1-13
 James 2:1-2
1 My brothers and sisters, believers in
our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must
not show favoritism. 2 Suppose
someone comes into your meeting
wearing a gold ring and fine clothes,
and a poor person in filthy old clothes
also comes in. TNIV
 James 2:3-4
3 If you show special attention to the one
wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a
good seat for you,” but say to the one
who is poor, “You stand there” or “Sit
on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not
discriminated among yourselves and
become judges with evil thoughts?
TNIV
 James 2:5
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:
Has not God chosen those who are
poor in the eyes of the world to be rich
in faith and to inherit the kingdom he
promised those who love him? TNIV
 James 2:6-7
6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it
not the rich who are exploiting you?
Are they not the ones who are dragging
you into court? 7 Are they not the ones
who are blaspheming the noble name
of him to whom you belong? TNIV
 James 2:8-9
8 If you really keep the royal law found in
Scripture, “Love your neighbor as
yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if
you show favoritism, you sin and are
convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
TNIV
 James 2:10-11
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet
stumbles at just one point is guilty of
breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You
shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You
shall not murder.” If you do not commit
adultery but do commit murder, you have
become a lawbreaker. TNIV
 James 2:12-13
12 Speak and act as those who are going
to be judged by the law that gives
freedom, 13 because judgment without
mercy will be shown to anyone who
has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs
over judgment. TNIV
 Application:
Matthew 25:34-36 & 40
 Matthew 25:34
34 “Then the King will say to those on
his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed
by my Father; take your inheritance,
the kingdom prepared for you since the
creation of the world. TNIV
 Matthew 25:35
35 For I was hungry and you gave me
something to eat, I was thirsty and
you gave me something to drink, I
was a stranger and you invited me in,
TNIV
 Matthew 25:36
36 I needed clothes and you clothed
me, I was sick and you looked after
me, I was in prison and you came to
visit me.’ TNIV
 Matthew 25:40
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you,
whatever you did for one of the least
of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me.’ TNIV
Illustration: “Peter and John”
Acts 3:1-8
 Acts 3:1-2
1 One day Peter and John were going up to
the temple at the time of prayer—at three in
the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame
from birth was being carried to the temple
gate called Beautiful, where he was put
every day to beg from those going into the
temple courts. TNIV
 Acts 3:3-5
3 When he saw Peter and John about to
enter, he asked them for money. 4
Peter looked straight at him, as did
John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5
So the man gave them his attention,
expecting to get something from them.
TNIV
 Acts 3:6
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do
not have, but what I do have I give
you. In the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth, walk.” TNIV
 Acts 3:7-8
7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him
up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles
became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and
began to walk. Then he went with them into
the temple courts, walking and jumping, and
praising God. TNIV
Illustration: “Menno Simons”
“True evangelical faith cannot lie dormant,
it clothes the naked;
it feeds the hungry;
it comforts the sorrowful;
it shelters the destitute;
it aids and consoles the sad;
it does good to those who do it harm;
it serves those that harm it;
it prays for those who persecute it;
it seeks those who are lost;
it binds up what is wounded;
it heals the sick;
it becomes all things to all people.”
Conclusion:
Luke 6:31 (Contemporary English Version)

31 Treat others just as you want

to be treated. CEV
Listen, God is calling - STJ #42
Neno Lake Mungu

(Solo – “Listen”)
Listen, God is calling,
Through the word inviting,
Offering forgiveness,
Comfort, and joy
 (Solo – “Jesus tells his people”)
Share the good news
(Solo – “ That he came to save us”)
And set us free
 (Solo – “Listen”)
Listen, God is calling,
Through the word inviting,
Offering forgiveness,
Comfort, and joy
 (Solo – “ Let none be forgotten”)
Throughout out the world
(Solo – “ In the triune name of God”)
Go and baptize
 (Solo – “Listen”)
Listen, God is calling,
Through the word inviting,
Offering forgiveness,
Comfort, and joy
 (Solo – “ Help us to be faithful”)
Standing steadfast
(Solo – “ Walking in your precepts”)
Led by your Word
 (Solo – “Listen”)
Listen, God is calling,
Through the word inviting,
Offering forgiveness,
Comfort, and joy
(Repeat Twice)

Tanzanian traditional
CCLI License No. 265442