Extreme Makeover World Edition
Sunday, February 26, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, I praise Your holy name! You are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise! You are the Giver and Sustainer of all life. I ask that You would help me to be sensitive to the leading of Your Holy Spirit at all times. When I stand before You on judgment day, I want to hear the words “well done.” May You grant me the grace to obey all that You’ve called me to be and do. In Jesus’ name I ask this. . . Amen.
God’s Word Today—Matthew 25:34-40
34 “Then the King will say to those on the right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37 Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you? 40 And the King will tell them, ‘I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”
Reflecting on God’s Word
We are accountable for our actions. Nothing we do in life goes unnoticed. God keeps record of every action, every word, and every thought we have made. It is therefore vitally important that we think, say, and do the things which are pleasing to Him. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus reveals what will take place on Judgment Day. He explains that all people will be separated into two distinct groups. Those on the left will be those who disobeyed God by living for themselves, and those on the right are those who obeyed God by doing what pleased Him. According to this passage, God will judge all the actions of each person to see whether or not they truly served Jesus by serving others. Because this will indeed happen on Judgment Day, we as Christians are called by God to serve others in love. God will hold us accountable for our actions, and how we willingly gave up our own lives so that others may come to know the love and grace of God.
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
Re-read Matthew 25:34-40, and list the things Jesus is calling us to do.
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
Based on the list above, are you doing these things? Why or why not?
Who is in need around you? Make a list of needy people, and write some things you can do to help.
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
Why is the care of the sick, the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, and the naked important to God?
Why does Jesus say “I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me?”
Thoughts
It’s sobering to think that everything we think, say, or do, will be judged by God. As Christians we don’t have to fear the punishment of hell, but we should fear wasting our lives by serving things God doesn’t intend for us to serve. We are called by God to make His agenda first at every moment. We all have many things that fill our days – school, jobs, family, friends, meetings, etc. . . but unless we’re allowing God to permeate each of these things, we’re missing God’s agenda. It’s not as if God wants us to stop our daily responsibilities, but He’s calling us to be infused with His love and grace in each moment – to have a Kingdom perspective at all times. As Christians we’re called to live “in” the moment and not “for” the moment.
When we live “in” the moment we’ll always be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As we obey His voice, He’ll guide us in our treatment of others. He’ll show us how to love others by: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the prisoners, caring for the sick, and giving the thirsty drink. The key to Kingdom living is abiding in the Holy Spirit and recognizing that when we serve others, we’re essentially serving Jesus. When we do this, God is pleased!