As a layman, I was privileged to give the following message that launched Side by Side as a special needs ministry in our church. It is a familiar theme in the special needs community. I hope you enjoy my take on it. You can find the scripture reference at Bible Gateway
Showing God’s Kindness
David and Mephibosheth
2 Samuel 9: 1-13
.
Introduction
In our scripture today, David asks, “Is there anyone left in the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Who’s left? Who’s left to whom can we show the kindness of the Lord?
This question has been asked in a variety of ways by the leaders of our church.
The elders ask, “How can we better reach out to our community for Christ? How can we more effectively build upon our ministries such as VBS, Music Camp, Youth Ministries, Prime Timers and all the others to show our community the kindness of God?” Last year they took some time one Wednesday morning to talk about the character of our community, its values and its needs – all for the purpose of seeking better ways to show God’s kindness.
This year, the church board devoted portions of several meetings to talk about evangelism. “How can we better witness to friends, neighbors and relatives? How can we show the Lord’s kindness as demonstrated by Jesus’ life, death and resurrection?”
The evangelism committee and the assimilation committees have also asked, “How can we show God’s kindness by reaching out and helping new families become better connected with our church family?”
Indeed, this is a question all of us should be asking when we rise in the morning and place our heads on our pillows at night – How can I show God’s kindnesses today? Who’s left in my circle of influence? Who’s left? Who’s left, indeed.
In my personal prayer time, I asked the Lord, “How can we show your kindness to our community and win people for Christ? How can we compete with all the world has to offer? What do we need to do to attract people to our church? ”
And the Lord seemed to answer, “Sometimes, the church simply needs to be the church. Sometimes you just need to do the things churches are supposed to do. Minister to those who are least able to give anything in return and let Me add the increase.”
Be the Church…..Do the things churches are supposed to do. ….Let God give the increase.
In our text, David asked Saul’s servant Ziba, “Who’s left in Saul’s household that I may show him the kindness of God?”
Ziba thought a minute and said, “Well, …there’s …Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth. You know, the guy who’s lame in both feet.”
David replied, “bring Mephibosheth to me.”
One of the strongest and oft repeated rebukes in the Old Testament was directed to people who neglected, oppressed or took advantage of widows and orphans; the poor and those who needed help with day to day life. Interestingly, these were the very people Jesus ministered to. He didn’t hesitate to touch a leper and make him well. He wasn’t too busy to stop along the way to heal the blind, the lame or an aged woman with an issue of blood.
James put it this way, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27. NIV
The Hebrew word for religion means a ceremonial observance -- worship. James uses it as an expression of an outward act – a kindness, if you will – that is an expression of one’s worship of God.
Next time, I’d like to take a closer look at 2 Samuel 9 and share the first of four kindnesses that David extended to Mephibosheth – a man whose disability would be called “special needs” in today’s parlance – and suggest four ways that our congregation could more effectively minister to people with special needs and their families.
Comments? Thoughts? I’d love to hear from you.
Come along side. Side by Side, we’ll grow together!
Come along side. Side by Side, we’ll grow together!
No comments:
Post a Comment