Doing Good For Others

• Fifth Sunday of Lent

Matthew 23:1-12

With Galatians 6:1-10

FirstChurchBville@gmail.com  @FirstUMCBville   @kerrfunk

• What is the purpose of the church?
First UMC Bville:
to share the love of God with people in a hurting world.

The UMC,
to make disciples of Jesus Christ
for the transformation of the world.

These should be foundational to what we do as a body of believers.

• Okay, Why? Or rather, what happens when we share the love…
What happens in others? What happens in us?

What happens when we make disciples? In others? In us?

An aspect of discipleship, a purpose of the church is to build others up.
And is that not what Jesus lived?

• Jesus speaks ill of Pharisees, church leaders, for their motives. (Matt 23:5 “Everything they do, they do to be noticed by others.”

We had a spring cleaning day yesterday at church. I could give you a long list of how different people worked, that would be fine. But it’d be odd or uncomfortable at best if I gave them reserved seating in the sanctuary because of that. That’s the sort of things Jesus is speaking against.

He speaks against the inwardly focused church leaders
and speaks directly to you: how are YOU going to handle yourselves?
Eight times in four verses, the you. Talking to YOU.

• Story of a time a church member called me by my first name.
I didn’t like that it sounded odd to my ear not to be called “pastor”.
I changed.

• Galatians 6:9 Let us not tire in doing good.

• Hebrews 10:24 Outdo one another in showing honor.

• Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition but value others higher.

• John 13:34 Love one another
(a new command – a mandate à “Maundy” Thursday 3/24)

• 1 Corinthians 2:16 Have the mind of Christ

• Hymn 581 Lord Whose Love Through Humble Service

Matthew 23:1-12     (Common English Bible)

23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and his disciples, 2 “The legal experts and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore, you must take care to do everything they say. But don’t do what they do, 4 for they tie together heavy packs that are impossible to carry: they put them on the shoulders of others, but are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. 5 Everything they do, they do to be noticed by others. They make extra-wide prayer bands for their arms and long tassels for their clothes. 6 They love to sit in places of honor at banquets and in the synagogues. 7 They love to be greeted with honor in the markets and to be addressed as ‘Rabbi.’

8 “But you shouldn’t be called Rabbi, because you have one teacher, and all of you are brothers and sisters. 9 Don’t call anybody on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is heavenly. 10 Don’t be called teacher, because Christ is your one teacher. 11 But the one who is greatest among you will be your servant. 12 All who lift themselves up will be brought low. But all who make themselves low will be lifted up.

Galatians 6:1-10     (Common English Bible)

6 Brothers and sisters, if a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are spiritual should restore someone like this with a spirit of gentleness. Watch out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted too. 2 Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.

3 If anyone thinks they are important when they aren’t, they’re fooling themselves. 4 Each person should test their own work and be happy with doing a good job and not compare themselves with others. 5 Each person will have to carry their own load.

6 Those who are taught the word should share all good things with their teacher. 7 Make no mistake, God is not mocked. A person will harvest what they plant. 8 Those who plant only for their own benefit will harvest devastation from their selfishness, but those who plant for the benefit of the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up. 10 So then, let’s work for the good of all whenever we have an opportunity, and especially for those in the household of faith.