THE BEST REACH OUT TO THE REST (3 OF 3)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: I Thessalonians 5:1-11
This content is part of a series.
The Best Reach Out To The Rest (3 of 3)
Series: Deeper Faith
Jeff Strite
I Thessalonians 5:1-11
OPEN: Years ago I read this poem:
"In a world where bad deeds are celebrated
and good deeds relegated
to page 49 of the paper,
Where first place goes to push and shove
and the cost of things is put above
the cost of time together.
From time to time, the best of us
Reach out and touch the rest of us."
From time to time, the best of us reach out and touch the rest of us.
Now what reason does the poet give for why that's important?
Well: too often the world focuses on the bad in people's lives.
Too often first place goes to push and shove.
Too often money and things become more important than people.
That's all true
And because that is true, the prophet tells us the best among us should reach out to the rest of us.
And, of course… everybody does want someone who reaches out to them.
I personally love it when people reach out to me.
In fact, I prefer it.
If it came to whether I rubbed your back or you rubbed mine - I'd choose mine.
But we all want someone to reach out to us.
We all want someone who will compliment us.
Someone who will root for us.
Someone who tells us we can/will succeed.
Somebody who believes in YOU/ME.
Now the Bible tells me that God thinks this is important for His church too.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
In fact, we need to:
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Eph 4:29 and 32
We ought to be kind to each other.
We ought to build each other up.
We ought to encourage one another and strengthen each other.
We shouldn't go around saying negative/ hurtful things about other Christians.
We need to use our words to lift up each other up.
ILLUS: I'm always intrigued by the phrase some parents and c ...
Series: Deeper Faith
Jeff Strite
I Thessalonians 5:1-11
OPEN: Years ago I read this poem:
"In a world where bad deeds are celebrated
and good deeds relegated
to page 49 of the paper,
Where first place goes to push and shove
and the cost of things is put above
the cost of time together.
From time to time, the best of us
Reach out and touch the rest of us."
From time to time, the best of us reach out and touch the rest of us.
Now what reason does the poet give for why that's important?
Well: too often the world focuses on the bad in people's lives.
Too often first place goes to push and shove.
Too often money and things become more important than people.
That's all true
And because that is true, the prophet tells us the best among us should reach out to the rest of us.
And, of course… everybody does want someone who reaches out to them.
I personally love it when people reach out to me.
In fact, I prefer it.
If it came to whether I rubbed your back or you rubbed mine - I'd choose mine.
But we all want someone to reach out to us.
We all want someone who will compliment us.
Someone who will root for us.
Someone who tells us we can/will succeed.
Somebody who believes in YOU/ME.
Now the Bible tells me that God thinks this is important for His church too.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
In fact, we need to:
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Eph 4:29 and 32
We ought to be kind to each other.
We ought to build each other up.
We ought to encourage one another and strengthen each other.
We shouldn't go around saying negative/ hurtful things about other Christians.
We need to use our words to lift up each other up.
ILLUS: I'm always intrigued by the phrase some parents and c ...
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