OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to Sermons Next  Click to download Audio

CHRISTIANS ARE TO CARE FOR OTHERS

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    The word “care” involves two main components.

1.      To be concerned about, to have thoughts or regard for

2.      To make provisions for what is needed for another’s well-being

 

B.      The Bible teaches that God cares for His creation.

1.      He is deeply concerned about his creation.

a.      Proverbs 5:21

 

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.

 

b.      Example:  The children of Israel in bondage in Egypt (Exo. 3:7)

 

And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I have known their sorrow.

 

2.      God makes provision for what is needed for man’s well-being.

a.      Matthew 6:26

 

Behold the fowls of the air:  for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.  Are ye not much better than they?

 

b.      Example:  The children of Israel in Egyptian bondage (Exo. 3:8)

 

And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

 

C.     With this thought in mind, now consider Ephesians 5:1.

 

Be ye followers of God, as dear children…

 

1.      We, too, should be concerned for others.

2.      We, too, should seek to provide for the well-being of others.

 

D.    This morning, the title of our lesson is:  “Christians Are to Care for Others.”

 

I.                   SCRIPTURES ABOUT CARE

 

A.    Luke 3:11

 

He answered and said unto the, he that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath one; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

 

B.      I Corinthians 12:25

 

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

 

C.     Galatians 6:2

 

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

 

D.    Galatians 6:10

 

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

 

E.      I John 3:17-18

 

But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed, and in truth.

 

II.                SAMPLES OF CARING

 

A.    The early church cared for her members when the church was first established in Jerusalem.

1.      The Jews had come to the city ready to celebrate Pentecost.  Thus, they were only prepared to stay for a week.

2.      When the church was established and they stayed longer than a week, many stood in need of supplies. 

3.      The early church responded with much care (Acts 2:44-45).

 

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

 

B.      The Macedonian churches cared deeply for the saints in Jerusalem who were suffering from the consequences of a severe famine (II Cor. 8:4).

 

Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

 

C.     Timothy cared for the Philippian church (Phil. 2:20).

 

For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

 

D.    One who cared much is as “The Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:33-35).

 

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him:  and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

 

III.             SECTORS TO CARE FOR

 

A.    The poor (Gal. 2:20)

 

Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

 

B.      The fatherless and widows (James 1:27)

 

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

 

C.     The erring (Gal. 6:1)

 

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

 

D.    Those who are lost in sin (Matt. 9:38)

 

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

 

E.      Those who are afflicted (Matt. 25:35-36)

 

For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat:  I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink:  I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  naked, and ye clothed me:  I was sick, and ye visited me:  I was in prison, and ye came to me.

 

IV.             THE SERIOUSNESS OF CARING

 

A.    We have already seen in the introduction that caring for others makes us like God (Eph. 5:1).

 

B.      Caring for others involves our obedience to God which is the proof of our love for God (I John 5:3).

 

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments…

 

C.     Caring for others is one of the ways that we spread love into the lives of others (Gal. 5:13).

 

…but by love serve one another.

 

D.    Our caring will be part of the Judgment criteria.

1.      If we cared (Matt. 25:34)

 

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

 

2.      Those who did not care (Matt. 25:41)

 

Then shall the King say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Christianity is “a people business.”

1.      It is not always easy:  time, money, effort, being taken advantage of, problems, and criticisms.

2.      But, being in the people business is rewarding, especially when we are able to see the lives of others transformed.

 

B.      Three verses:

1.      Proverbs 19:17a

 

He that hath pity on the poor lendeth unto the Lord…

 

2.      Matthew 25:40

 

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

 

3.      Matthew 10:42

 

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.