Sermon by Samaroo Sookraj
SUB: Do you care?
Text: Psa 142:4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
Intro: 1) A cry from a man of God as an indictment against an uncaring people.
2) A cry of hopelessness because in his mind none was willing or able to help.
3) In his despair, he understood though that his help would only come from God.
4) Point out some Christian responsibilities relevant to such a cry.
1. THE VAST AMOUNT OF UNCARING PEOPLE.
A.
It is expected to be so outside of Christianity.
It is expected to be so outside of Christianity.B.Sadly, the same situation exists within Christianity and is seen by…
Sadly, the same situation exists within Christianity and is seen by…(i)The lack of concern for the poor.
The lack of concern for the poor.(ii)The selfish concerns for me and mine.
The selfish concerns for me and mine.(iii)The conscienceless conduct of those in positions to help.
The conscienceless conduct of those in positions to help.C.Priorities seem to be all wrong even in churches. E.g.
Priorities seem to be all wrong even in churches. E.g. (i)Some churches spend more on a PA system than help a missionary on the mission field. At the barber shop I overheard one preacher boasting of this.
Some churches spend more on a PA system than help a missionary on the mission field. At the barber shop I overheard one preacher boasting of this.(ii)At Bro Terrell’s funeral, another preacher boasted in a sneering manner about a wing that they built for a million dollars that was paid for by a member and I thought about what the Lord could have used me to do with that on the mission field.
At Bro Terrell’s funeral, another preacher boasted in a sneering manner about a wing that they built for a million dollars that was paid for by a member and I thought about what the Lord could have used me to do with that on the mission field.11. WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT CHRISTIANS.
A.There is a need for introspection.
There is a need for introspection.B.There is a need for personal evaluation.
There is a need for personal evaluation.C.There is a need for honest determination to do what’s right.
There is a need for honest determination to do what’s right.D.There is a need to seek God’s face to know what’s right.
There is a need to seek God’s face to know what’s right.E.Then there is the need to just do it regardless of the cost.
Then there is the need to just do it regardless of the cost.111. BASIC THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE.
A.The commandment of Love to neighbor. Lev 19:18. reiterated in the NT Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.
The commandment of Love to neighbor. Lev 19:18. reiterated in the NT Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. B.Care for those in need.
Care for those in need. (i) If you can help with physical needs then do so. 1 John 3: 17-19.
(ii)So too if you can help with spiritual needs, do so.
IV. WHAT DOES THIS INCLUDE? From a physical point.
A.Basically giving of yourselves first. E.g. 2 Cor 8: 1-5.
Basically giving of yourselves first. E.g. 2 Cor 8: 1-5.B.Then they gave of their substance. 2 Cor 8:1-5.
Then they gave of their substance. 2 Cor 8:1-5.V. WHAT DOES THIS INCLUDE? From a spiritual point.
A.A vision of the lost and perishing. Mat 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few;
A vision of the lost and perishing. Mat 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; (i)Within our homes
Within our homes(ii)Friends, neighbors, co-workers etc.
Friends, neighbors, co-workers etc.B.A determination to obey the Lord’s Commission. Matt 28: 18-20.
A determination to obey the Lord’s Commission. Matt 28: 18-20.C.By going and also helping others to go.
By going and also helping others to go.D.The missionary’s life is not easy but by the Lord’s Grace, we live it.
The missionary’s life is not easy but by the Lord’s Grace, we live it. Orders to Go
When someone asked a missionary if he liked his work in Africa, he replied: "Do I like this work? No, my wife and I do not like dirt. We have reasonably refined sensibilities. We do not like crawling into huts through goats' refuse. We do not like association with ignorant, filthy, brutish people. But is a man to do nothing for Christ he does not like? If not, then God pity him. Liking or disliking has nothing to do with it. We have orders to 'go'and we go. Love constrains us" (2Co_5:14).
CONCL: 1) A cry for someone to care
2) Do we care?
APP: 1) God cares enough by sending His Son to die for us.
2) Will you first give of yourself to Him?
3) Only then will you be able to have real concern for others.
