1 Timothy 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Heb 10:19-25
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town – a 1936 movie - In the middle of the Great Depression, Longfellow Deeds (Gary Cooper), co-owner of a tallow works, part-time greeting card poet and tuba-playing inhabitant of the little Mandrake Falls, Vermont, inherits the enormous fortune of 20 million dollars from his late uncle, Martin Semple. Deeds realizes what he can do with his troublesome fortune: he decides to provide fully equipped 10 acre farms free to thousands of homeless families if they will work the land for several years. (Adam Sandler starred in a remake called Mr. Deeds in 2002 without the same noble ending which is a commentary on contemporary society.)
Mr. Deeds received a gift that he did not know what to do with. He finally figured out that it could be used to bless others. As Christians, we all need to become Mr. and Mrs. Deeds. We have been given gifts by God to use for good deeds for the benefit of others. Our church can make the 2012 version of the movie and call it “Church Deeds goes to town,” starring: THE CONGREGATION.
We should let our Good Deeds be seen:
Matthew 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
We don’t do good deeds to be seen – we let our light shine and our good deeds are seen because that is what we do when others are looking or not. When our light is shining – others can see the good deeds we do and be drawn to the one on who’s behalf we are doing them – Jesus!
1 Peter 2:12
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Matthew 9:1-8 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!" Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . ." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." And the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
Jesus proved the GOOD NEWS by his GOOD DEEDS!
Here are some possibilities to let our light shine through our new ADOPT-A-SCHOOL program:
Thanksgiving – supply baskets for teachers / Birthday recognition / Parent/Teacher Conferences meals / Encouragement Cards / Tutoring/Reading/performance to classes / Provide for special needs
Sept 1 provide a light meal for teachers and staff
Sept 4 [LABOR DAY SUNDAY – 9:30 only Service Sunday] Painting the older playground equipment at Lincoln Elementary School. Sanding Team, Washing Team, Guard Rail Team / Teeter Totter Team / Chin up bar team / parallel Bars Team / Monkey Bars Team / Jungle Gym Team / Activity Center Team / Feed the Teams Team
God Showing Through
The preacher’s sermon on God stimulated some questions in the mind of a child, and she raised the questions to her mother on the way home from church. “The pastor said God is bigger than we are. Is that true?” “Yes,” the mother responded, “He is.” The child continues, “And the pastor also said God lives inside of us. Is that true, too, Mommy?” “Yes,” the mother again responded. “Well, then,” concluded the little girl, “if God is bigger than us, and if He lives inside of us, then shouldn’t some of Him show through?”
How is God showing through in your life? What good deeds have you done because he lives in you? What good deeds will you do in the near future?
From the Heart,
Pastor Jeff Cooper
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