This morning at church our pastor preached from Galatians chapter two. We have been working our way through Galatians, but for the next two weeks our pastor is going to be camping out on chapter two verse 10.
In Galatians chapter two Paul writes about his meeting with the Apostles at Jerusalem. He had gone to Jerusalem for two reasons; 1. To deliver a gift in light of a prophecy concerning a coming famine and 2. In order to confirm with the other Apostles about the gospel he was preaching to the Gentiles.
The passage in Galatians chapter two is incredible! Paul lays out the gospel he preaches before the Apostles and what happens? They add absolutely nothing to it! When have you ever heard a theological discussion like this, where someone presents their understanding of the gospel and no one in the listening group has anything to add? This never happens, but this time it did because the gospel they received was not from men. The section ends at verse ten when Paul says that the only thing they said to him after offering him the right hand of fellowship was; "Remember the poor."
This is incredible. They do not tell him to make sure he remains prayerful. They don't tell him to watch out for sexual immorality or to keep up on the new trends in church polity. They don't even warn him about the persecutions he will face. No, though he came to Jerusalem to offer a gift to the poor, they leave him with three words; remember the poor.
The gospel, apparently, is inextricably connected to care for the financially needy. Certainly, we have read our Bibles enough to know that the theme of care for the poor is everywhere in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Apparently, if we do not care for the poor it is a direct reflection upon our belief in and comprehension of the gospel.
I am convicted. I care for the poor, but I do little. It's not that I do nothing, but I do very little.
I want some dialogue on this. How can we, practically, begin to do this? We need each other for accountability on this. I don't mind saying that none of us, perhaps barring Nick, are very good with this. I don't mean that to be offensive, but we know and love each other. We know this is not our area of strength. Still, this does not seem to be an optional part of following Christ. How can we grow?
If you want to listen to this incredible sermon go to ibclouisville.org, I miss you guys.
2 comments:
This has plagued me for 3 years. I honestly don't know where to begin, but I've got some ideas. Our church is going to start to do the Angel Food ministry (I think) - where you can get a big package of food really cheap. I was thinking of having my sunday school class support a family monthly - buy them a box, and deliver it. Problem is: I don't know any needy families. Often I find my problem is not knowing, or having a good idea, as to how to help, and that effectively ends the possibility of ministering to the poor. I just don't know how to do it.
I've also been convicted on this front since reading Ronald Sider's book, "Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger." This is an amazing, convicting, and eye-opening read. Pick it up when you have the time.
Here's a very basic synopsis of a large portion of the book. God is both just and merciful. God loves mankind, whom he made in his image, so much that He made the ultimate display of his justice and mercy by sending Jesus Christ to the cross for the sins of humanity. As redeemed people, we, now are called to live and love like Jesus. Seeking justice and showing mercy. Throughout the OT, the Gospels, and the NT "doing justice" is linked with serving the poor. God's ultimate display of justice was a free gift to the poorest, depraved sinners, and he made a way for them to be rich in Christ. Therefore, as Christians, one of the ways we do justice is when we love the materially poor as God in Christ loved us, the spiritually and eternally poor. In doing show we demonstrate riches far more valuable than anything this world has to offer; the riches of knowing and pursuing Christ Jesus.
This idea of "doing justice" has been one of the main motivators moving me to start a free legal clinic in north Columbus. It serves a very practical and expensive need, yet it's primary purpose is to love on these people and to show and tell them of the gospel. The amazing news that we can be in relationship with God in Jesus.
This is just an idea, but, if you guys go to churches where there are one or two lawyers, approach them, ask them if they might be interested in starting a free legal clinic out of the church for the purpose of serving and sharing. If they are, let me know. I'll come and visit with both you and them and we'll get a clinic going. It doesn't take many people. It doesn't matter that you don't have any legal training as long as you know people that do, and it touches the lives of the poor. Give it some thought and even more prayer and let me know. This may be a way that we can all partner together, despite our geographical separation, to serve the poor and build the kingdom.
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