How does serving others in need reflect our faith in Jesus Christ? The King’s Words: Matthew 25:36 “I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.” Why This Matters • Jesus speaks personally: “you looked after Me … you visited Me.” • He identifies so closely with the needy that serving them equals serving Him. • The scene is literal future judgment (25:31-46), not a parable about attitudes only. Our response carries eternal weight. Serving as an Act of Worship • Romans 12:1 calls believers to present their bodies as a “living sacrifice.” Caring for bodies and souls of others is part of that sacrifice. • Hebrews 6:10 – “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints.” Every visit, meal, or ride to a doctor’s office reaches heaven as worship. Proof of Living Faith • James 2:14-17 – faith without works “is dead.” When we feed, clothe, or visit, we display a faith that breathes. • 1 John 3:17-18 – love is verified “in deed and truth.” Genuine belief produces visible mercy. Echoing the Heart of Christ • Philippians 2:5-7 – Christ “emptied Himself” and served. We imitate His mindset when we stoop to lift others. • John 13:14-15 – After washing feet, Jesus says, “You also should do as I have done to you.” Practical service mirrors His servant-King character. • Luke 4:18-19 – His mission targets the poor, captive, blind, oppressed; ours aligns with His. Blessings Promised to the Servant • Proverbs 19:17 – “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward them.” • Galatians 6:9-10 – persistence in doing good reaps a harvest. • Matthew 10:42 – even a cup of cold water “will certainly not lose its reward.” Practical Ways to Live Matthew 25:36 1. Visit the isolated: hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, shut-ins. A faithful presence incarnates Christ’s love. 2. Meet tangible needs: groceries for a sick family, transportation to treatments, childcare for single parents. 3. Partner with ministries: prison fellowships, medical missions, church benevolence teams. 4. Stay attentive at church: watch for quiet prayer requests, new faces, or those who disappear after surgery. 5. Involve the whole family: let children help pack care bags or write encouraging notes, shaping generational compassion. A Closing Reminder Ephesians 2:10 declares we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Every act of service is a pre-planned pathway to showcase the reality of our faith, the presence of our Savior, and the glory of our King. |
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