Marty Sloan – Living the Dream

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR FAITH – FAITH that WORKS!
(March to WHS 2009)
9 13 09 HT AM
Matthew 25:35-40 NLT

Open your Bibles to Matthew chapter 25. This morning we begin our march to World Harvest Sunday just a few weeks away on the 11th of October. Harvest Time will once again come together for our moment to give to bless others. Some will give out of our abundance and some out of need, on that day together we will as we do every year seize our moment to impact the world. Together we will reach various continents as we touch the nations! Together we will empower local and global missions to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today we begin our journey.

Matthew 25:35-40 NLT
For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a 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 say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

You may want to underline vs 40 in your Bibles – a very important verse for our lives and for our time here today.
This morning I want to speak to you on the subject of; (title) HOW TO MEASURE YOUR FAITH.
As I speak to you on this subject I want to put in your mind a question to think about – here is the question; HOW MUCH IS A HUMAN WORTH?
I realize that my question may seem a bit absurd or even rude – it does catch all of us a bit off guard. Ironically, every day of our life we decide what a human is worth. In our world today we daily answer this question whether we know it or not.
• In the abortion clinic we say life is not worth the inconvenience
• In the homeless debate we say its not worth making room
• In society we say its not worth making God the base of education
• In our pocket books we say its not worth “me” being without
Everyday of our life we set the price tag on other humans.
These verses in Matthew bring every one of us to a reality the Christianity or Spirituality run hand in hand with Social Consciousness.
We see that Christ associates our treatment of others as being the same as treatment to Him.
Proverbs 19:17 NLT If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD and he will repay you!

A Christian cannot separate their faith from the Biblical example to meet the needs of the human soul. The spiritual, mental, emotional and physical needs of another should be a high priority of those who profess Christian faith.
Yesterday I posted a question on the social network site – Facebook and Twitter, here is the question I asked; Why do you are do you not give to those in need? The answers were all over the charts.
• I give because I saw my parents give
• I do not give because I was taught to not give to ensure I would not be taken advantage of
• I give because what I have is NOT mine anyway
• I give because I am blessed to bless others
• I give to bless and because God said to and it’s a good idea to obey Him
• I do not give because I do not see the needs
• Does not give because there is no connection to the heart
• Gives because of the “seed” cycle –
That is just a few of various responses – let me ask you the same question. Why do you or don’t you give?
This morning I want to make a few statements to you about your life, about your faith and how faith can guide you to setting human life at the highest value possible.

1. Faith should create action

James 2:14-22 NKJV
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

James introduces to use the intersection of our beliefs and our actions. Many talk of beliefs, yet the strength of our beliefs is our revealed mostly by how we act.
Example – John 3:16

John 3:16 NKJV
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

2. Faith combined with works glorify God
Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
The actions of our life is a light to another’s path.

3. Faith in action reveals your true identity

John 13:34-35 NKJV
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Our response to others is revelation of our identity. Doing good works does not produce Godly character, Godly character produces good works!

4. Faith requires proper perspective of self

Romans 12:3 NKJV
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Living in an “I” culture has NOT helped our Faith. You need to keep in mind that all our leaders of faith in the Bible all lived sacrificial! They went outside themselves to extend to us our gift of faith. I am personally glad that Jesus was not selfish!

5. Opportunities to show your faith

Matthew 25:35-36 NLT
For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a 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.’

• Physical needs/ Hunger
• Spiritual needs / Thirst
• Social needs/ Shelter
• External needs/ Clothing
• Wellness needs / Healing
• Relational needs / Brokenness

I close today by giving you answers to my early questions;
1. Question; What is the value of a human?
• Answer; The price changes all the time, the value is set by you; their value is what you are willing to give in their moment of need.
You set their value high by meeting their need!
2. Question; How do you measure your faith?
• Answer; By how you respond to the needs of others.
You make your faith strong by meeting their need!
Their needs are not limited to physical but spiritual, relational and emotional. Because their needs are not limited its important that we are taking them to a place the has unlimited power to meet needs.
Ministry time! Pray for those who would like to gain a spirit of giving/ generosity or increase the one they have!