Weekend Sermon -- I John 3:17

      Thank you for taking the time to read the sermon this week. I hope that everyone has had a good week so far. 

     I John is one of the books of the Bible that I've read over and over again. One of the important messages of the book is that God loves us, so we also should love others. Those who love God will manifest their love for God in love for the world and love for those and those things that God loves. The book of I John tells us about forgiveness and light coming into a dark place. 

     There is one verse in this book that I want us to focus our attention on in today's message. I John 3:17 tells us that, "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?" 

     There are two points that I want to make about our verse for today. First of all, the Bible is very clear in letting us know that true faith in Jesus Christ manifests itself in doing what is right and pleasing to the Lord. We just finished a study in the book of James not to long ago. If you remember, James was adamant on the point that faith without works is dead. It is not good enough to just say I believe. James says that some say they have faith. James says that we show that we have faith by our works, or by our good deeds. That does not mean that we are redeemed by good works or by keeping the law or by adding anything to what Jesus Christ has done for us by His grace. 

    If a person has a true transformation in their life brought about by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, that person becomes a new creation in Christ. All of the old things have passed away. All has become new. We are to cast off the unfruitful works of darkness, sin and the fruits of the flesh. Instead, we are to walk in the light, and we are to manifest the fruit of the Spirit. We are to bear good fruit for the Lord as we abide in the vine which is Jesus our Lord. 

     Being a Christian does not mean going forward and reciting a prayer. Being a Christians means accepting Jesus as the Lord of one's life. A true possession of faith is demonstrated by following the commandments and the teachings of the Lord Jesus. 

    The new commandment that Jesus has given to His followers is that we are to love another as Jesus has loved us. Part of loving someone means that we provide them assistance in their time of need. We don't pass by and leave someone in their misery when it is in our power to help. Remember Jesus parable of the Good Samaritan. 

     Now to the second point that I want to bring up. As followers of Jesus, we need to show our love for Him and for this world by helping those who are in need. Many of those in my country have the means to help others who are need. I believe that if Christians would show their love for others and help those in need, we could alleviate much of the poverty and the suffering that we find in this world today. 

     In the United States, we are approaching the Thanksgiving Day holiday. If you are thankful for what God has blessed you with, and if the love of God is truly in your heart, don't turn away from those who have need. There are many hungry, homeless and in poverty. Jesus has called us to serve the least among us. During this holiday time, let us as we are able show our thanks and love for the Lord by reaching out in love to our brothers and sisters and helping them in their time of need. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     This week, let us continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. There are still many cases in the US. I now that Germany and the UK are having many cases as well. Pray that the sick will recover. 

     Pray for those in British Columbia dealing with the flooding. Pray that they will receive the aid that they need. 

     Continue to pray for peace in the world. Syria, Afghanistan, Chad, Ethiopia and Yemen really need our prayers. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us all pray for those in the nations of Albania and India. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     Next Friday, I will post another message on a passage that has meant a lot to me. On Monday, I will post the verses. There will not be a midweek post this week. May God bless you all. Happy Thanksgiving to those in the US.