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Click here to listen to the sermon. 16mins 

Isaiah 1v,10-20.               Holiness of lifestyle not religion.

Hebrews 11v1-3,8-16       By Faith

Luke 12v32-40                 Be ready to serve.

Mission, Holiness and Service.

Holiness is about the way we live our lives, as Jesus said, “He who loves me will keep my commandments and my Father will love him.” John 14v23.

Mission, holiness and service go together when we live for Christ in the community. Lk 22v27. Mt 20v28

1. It is clear that God has a heart for the needs of the poor and disadvantaged.

Isaiah warns the people that God is more interested in integrity and honesty of living in relationship with each other and with him, than he is in religious feast and festivals while not respecting the needs and lives of others in the community.

In fact he says that God will close his ears and eyes to the prayers of the people, (v15) if their lives don’t look after the needs of the disadvantaged.  (v17)

Jesus also teaches us to take care of the disadvantaged. (v33-34).

2. Dressed ready to serve.

Jesus warns us to be dressed ready for service, (v35) (not in our Sunday best).

With our lamps burning ready to welcome, (not turned down low as though we had shut up shop at the end of the day).

Our spiritual act of worship therefore is to be serving God in the community, loving others especially the disadvantaged, letting them see the love of God within us, and welcoming those who want to meet Jesus for themselves.

Consider the ministries we run in the community. How can you get involved?

It is good spiritual practice to serve in at least one church project in the community, and to help develop that with others for the good of the community and to the glory of Christ.

Opp Shop, Ezee Meals, Garage Sales, Casserole Group, Rest Home visiting, Hinemoa House, Offspring, Mainly Music etc, or start another project with four others that you have a passion for.

Let people see your good works. Matt 5v16

Build up your treasures in heaven. Luke 12v33.

Gal 6v9

1 Tim 6v18-19

Heb 13v16

1 Peter 2v12

We demonstrate our love for Christ through our willingness to serve, to cook, to listen, to visit, to help, to be a genuine friend and to care.

Moya Lethbridge

Isa.1:1, 10-20,

Heb.11:1-3, 8-16,

Luke 12:32-40

Do you KNOW what God wants from you?  - very simple!  Wants your heart!

Jesus said, “For your heart will always be where your riches are.” (Luke 12:34)   Where is your heart?

Jesus said, “Have your riches in heaven.” (Luke 12:33)

Heaven is not separate from God (Our Father in heaven) – heaven is a state not a place.  God always IS – our love, joy, peace etc.

He said to Abraham before Isaac came:  “I AM your exceeding great reward” (Gen.15:1).  He wants to BE our riches!

Jesus talking in Luke 12 in context of material things about heart and riches.  Can put our hearts in money, house, business, reputation, position, car.  All things of this world.

People work hard for these but miss essence of life – heart for God and his concerns.

Faith needed for this.  “Faith is certain of what it cannot see” (Heb.11:1).  Abraham and Sarah could have had good life in Ur of Chaldees BUT put hearts and faith in God’s promises.  “Looking for a heavenly country” (Heb.11:16) “Therefore God is not ashamed for them to call him their God.” 

God can be ashamed of believers who fail to give him their hearts. 

See Isaiah 1 – God talking to his people, who were doing what he said in Torah – religious activity but missed the point – missed his heart for oppressed, poor, widows, orphans because they did not have a heart love for him.  This is “sin like scarlet, crimson” (Isa.1:18).  That’s how strongly he feels about it.

NOT dutiful religion (me for years!) – prophets all say NO!

Give hearts and love him with willing obedience to care for those he loves – the mentally and physically sick, the bereaved, those without support, old and young.

Have a friend who was a Linton prison counsellor, now in England, telling me yesterday of a man there who murdered his partner’s new boyfriend, “because I had nothing left to live for”.  She said what he did was terribly wrong BUT knowing the stories of many like men, she felt a “huge sadness” for him.  This is God’s heart even for people we consider beyond our love.

Said of Jesus, “I delight to do your will, your law is in my heart” (Psalm 40:8).  He loved the unlovely and was criticised for it.  Jeremiah said from God, “I will write my law in their hearts” (Jer.31:33) just as Jesus had.

What is this law?  “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and soul and strength and mind and your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27).

Road to heaven is paved with good intentions – give heart and want to do his will but fail.  God loves you nevertheless.

Give him your heart and follow what your hearts says to do.