“The greatest legacy a person can leave is a complete surrender of their life to the lordship of Jesus Christ. If we don’t hold out on God, God won’t hold out on us. ” - Mark Batterson
TODAYS READING: Matthew 6:19-20
PRAYER: "God, as I open myself up to you in these moments to read this passage fresh and anew, I ask that you reveal to me that which you would have me learn today. Help me see. More than that, I pray for transformation as I take what you show me and apply it to my life. Amen."
Our church welcomes everybody. In our church, everybody, young and old, rich and poor, sinners and saints, every person is loved and respected. Nobody among us is perfect. We are all sinners redeemed by the blood of Jesus. Now we are children of God and citizens of God’s Kingdom. However, we do not boast ourselves because we know that we do not deserve our status. It is all given by God’s grace.
All of us were born again in that way. We remember that when we receive five new members today, who are now here like new-born babies among us. They need our care and love. Jesus said in the Bible for today, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
A child cries when he or she needs something. Adults don’t cry that much. We need to be more like children and pray continuously. A child keeps asking questions to his or her parents or guardians. Adults figure out things themselves. We need to ask God’s will more often through our small groups and other vehicles of sharing. Children do not give and serve much but they play all day and still are loved by parents. They know that parents will take care of them. Adults contribute to the community in one way or another. You know what? We need to stop worrying about giving and serving. We need to enjoy the relationship with God more! Children make friends easily with strangers. Adults are more careful in making friends with strangers. However, in heaven, we will meet many strangers!
So, my friends listen to God’s heart! “If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” God has found you and me in this way. Even when we are not able to give and serve God still He comes to us and meets us with joy and excitement! And God provides!
True greatness has three parts: (1) Identity-We are children of God only because God saved us when we were yet sinners; (2) Solidarity-I respect you as fellow citizens of God’s Kingdome regardless of your background; (3) Community-We share what we have together with the faith that God (not we) provides.
In what sense, do you want to be more like a child in front of God?
Who are the “little ones” that you want to welcome?
Who is the one lost sheep that you keep in your mind? What are you going to do with him/her?
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