Summary of Change the world, one life at a time
Passage – Deuteronomy 10:17-19
Preamble – Syrian Refugee Crisis
Brent discusses the concept of “stranger danger.” As a culture we are afraid of new people and new cultures. We don’t want mass immigration. This topic is a hot topic due to the Syrian refugee situation of September 2015.
Deuteronomy 10:17-19
This passage is clearly a call to love God. But focusing on verse 17:
- LORD – “Yahweh” – the One and Only. Yahweh is the proper name of God. He is unique. This name is used when referencing God’s relationship to the Israelite people.
- God – “Elohim” – Mighty One. He is strong and mighty. He is able. He is also the Judge of right and wrong. He defends the rights of the fatherless and gives clothes to those who have none.
- Lord – “Adonai” – the Master, the one who commands.
The command the follows
In verse 19 God (Lord – “Adonai”) states we must love and care for
- The elderly
- The fatherless
- The foreigner
The foreigner
God gave commands to the Israelite people (“His chosen people”) on how they would treat the foreigner and the strangers. God made provisions for how his people would provide for others who were not considered “one of us.”
Writing a cheque to solve the problem
Brent challenges us not to simply choose a favourite non-profit that focuses on one of these causes and write a cheque. Money does help solve problems but this is not what God intended! Brent questions whether we can truly help those in need if we don’t even know what they need. We must be boots on the ground and being in the lives of others.
Deuteronomy 10:18-19
God reminds the Israelite people that they were once foreigners in Egypt. They reminded them what it felt like: the confusion, the uncertainty, the questions regarding how the new society works.
Matthew 25:31-40
Jesus explains the day when God (“Elohim” – Judge) judges us. This passage says God will examines our actions and how those who helped others is the same as helping Jesus. These actions show the true heart of the individual. Sometimes this passage could lead to legalism where we think we should focus on actions and try to earn respect from God. Instead we must learn to love God, and follow his leading.
Why we do good works
As Christians we do good works because of our gratitude to God. We learn His will and desire to follow His will. We do not do good works to earn favour with God. We know no actions can gain favour with God. Only through the actions of Jesus — his death, his resurrection — can we be blameless before God. It is nothing we have done.
Conclusion
We are called to seek out the stranger. As a church this is also our calling. We must champion a global impact mandate.
About this Message Series
This is a message in the message series This is who we are. You belong here. The goal of this series is to discuss and explain SouthRidge’s mission statement — Love God, change the World, one life at time — and introduce the new 2020 vision statement. This series was started in September 2015.
About the Speaker
Brent is the lead pastor here at SouthRidge. He and his wife Pam were part of the original church plant.