Jehovah's HOUSE of Saints’ Post

Transcript

Hello and welcome to Jehovah Saints. I'm Michael Hopkins. Founder and visionary chief executive officer of Jehovah Saints. Today I want to talk about God's heart for the homeless, poor and needy. Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs, 1917. Good morning brothers and sisters in Christ. Today we're going to talk about something that is close to God's heart and caring for the homeless and the poor and the needy. Throughout Scripture, God calls His people to show love, compassion, and generosity to those in need. He doesn't. He doesn't just suggested, He commands it. Why? Because we care for the least among us. We reflect his love and His Kingdom on earth. In our society it's easy to overlook the homeless and the poor. Sometimes we pass by them by on the streets and feel overwhelmed by magnitude of of the problem. But followers of Christ, we are called to be his hands and feet in to to bring hope and restoration to the those who are hurting. God's compassion for the poor and needy. Let's start by looking at God's heart for the poor and needy and Psalms. 82 three through 4 we read defend the weak and the fathers, uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed, rescue the weak and the needy, deliver them from the hand of the wicked. This passage shows us that God is deeply concerned about those who are vulnerable. He causes people to act on their behalf to defend them and rescue them. This isn't just a suggestion, it's a responsibility. God's compassion for the poor is woven throughout the Bible and Isaiah 58, six through 7, God says. Is it not this kind of fasting I've chosen to loose the chains of injustice, and you unite the cords of the yoke to set the oppressed free and break every yoke. Is it not to share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter? When you see the naked to clothe them. And not to turn away from them. Not turn away from your own flesh and blood. True worship according to God isn't just about rituals or ceremonies. It's about action, setting people free, feeding the hungry, and providing shelter for the homeless. When we serve the poor, we are living out the gospel Jesus example of serving the needy. Jesus himself modeled compassion for the poor and needy during his earthly ministry and Matthew 2535 through 40, Jesus says. Where I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me. The disciples were confused and asked, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or need? Jesus replied. Truly, I tell you, whatever you did. For one of the least of these brothers and sisters who did for me. This is a powerful reminder that when we serve the homeless, the poor and needy, we were serving Jesus himself every act of kindness, every meal shared, every shelter provided as if it were doing it for Christ. So every time you help somebody, you visit them in prison, you give them clothing. You know when you give them food and you give them shelter, you're doing it for Jesus. Jesus didn't talk about helping the poor. He he lived it. He didn't just talk about it, he lived it. He fed the hungry, he healed the sick and welcomed the Outkast As his followers. We are called to do the same. Our responsibility as believers. As believers, we are called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Matthew 513 through 16. Part of the calling involves stepping into the brokenness of the world and bringing hope to those who struggle. In First John 317 through 18, we read if anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need and has no pity on them. How can we love God? How can the love of God be in that person? Their children let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth. God doesn't just want us to feel compassion, He wants us to act it. It's not enough to say we care, we must show it. And through our actions, whether it's donating food, volunteering at a shelter, or simply offering a listening year, every kind of Agnes act kindness. Matters. And James? 2:15 through 17 James challenges us. Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, go in peace, keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it's not accompanied by action, is dead. You know, you can talk all day about wanting to help someone, but in in general, if you you don't do anything about it, your faith is dead. There's nothing. It means nothing to God. Our faith must be active. When we see someone in need, we are called to respond. The blessing of helping others When we when we give to the poor and needy, we not only bless them, but we also receive blessings in return. In Proverbs 22 nine it says the generous himself will be blessed, for they share their food. With the poor, see, the generous will be blessed because they share, so they're going to have more of abundance just because they actually care. Don't don't give money, don't help or whatever thing that you're going to get a big blessing and turn. You don't work like that. You have to do it from the heart. You have to fill it. And in Luke 638, Jesus says, given it shall be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap for the for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. God's promises to bless those who give generously. But our motivation shouldn't be the blessing, it should be with love. We give because God first gave to us. Practical ways to help the homeless, poor and needy. So how can we put this message into action? Here are a few practical steps. Pray, pray for the homeless. And the poor in your community ask God to show you how you can help. Volunteer's Offer your time and talents to organizations like Jehovah Saints Global Outreach that serves the homeless. Give donate food, clothing or money to support. Shelters in outreach programs advocate. Speak up for those in need. Speak up for those. In need and the poor and work to address the root causes of poverty those relationships sometimes the greatest gift you can give is your time and attention listen to the stories and show them they are valued. As followers of Christ, we are called to love and to serve the least among us when we care for the homeless, the poor and the needy. We are living out the gospel and reflecting God's heart to the world. Let's remember Jesus's words in Matthew 2540. Truly, I tell you, whatever you did to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. My challenge to you today is this. How will you respond to God's call to care for the poor and needy? Will you step out of faith and be his hands and feet? Let's pray about this matter. I thank you, Father Jehovah, for everything. I pray that you'll help us get shelters built all throughout the United States and the city's first and then we can go global and, and and be on. Help anybody that doesn't have shelter, doesn't have food, doesn't have clothing. We need to address all these needs. Father Jehovah, I pray Lord, that we got all the donations that we need to make this happen. Nobody in history has actually accomplished this task. It's not really that hard of task if everybody would just pull together as one like the song says, if we all pull together, how happy will be if we all pull together with Jehovah Saints, we can make this happen. Father Jehovah and please Father Jehovah put it on their hearts to give because we really need to get this into action because this it's cold out there in these winter months and I don't want nobody sleeping on the streets. Father Jehovah. I thank you Father Jehovah for everything. Jesus name I pray, Amen. God bless you all. I look forward to getting to know you. You can go to jehovahst.com and you can set up a Zoom meeting with me if you would like to discuss anything that's concerning to you. And I will see you next time. God bless.