12/29/11

Caring

Okay, you don't have to be a genius to see what this picture is about!  Hint; it has nothing to do with what part of you is cold.  Rather, its about caring for others and not just yourself.  Jesus puts it this way...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 25

[31] “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. [32] Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. [34] Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; [35] for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. [36] I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’

[37] “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? [38] When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? [39] When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’

[40] “The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ [41] Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels; [42] for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; [43] I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

[44] “Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’

[45] “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’ [46] These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”"

Tough words, very tough indeed.  But, Jesus was like that; he just spoke plainly, yet powerfully.  Think others don't matter; think again!  To me, this passage speaks directly to Christians.  Do I care for those who love God?  Am I involved in their lives?  If not, why not?  Read the passage again, this time with a view to the consequences if you DON'T CARE.  It should scare you; if it doesn't read it again until it does.  You have more than your feet to worry about!!!

Condemned by others by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/lk11_31.htm

a sermon from Luke 11:31 ... Gary