10/3/2021 - Bigger, Smaller, Deeper - Outreach At Illuminate - Matthew 25:31-40; James 1:22-25 - Pastor Jason Fritz

The heart of Illuminate from day one has been to serve our community and beyond. Five years ago my garage was the drop off center as we collected basic necessities for orphans and refugees. 

Today we have nine local outreach partners and seven international outreach partners. The Illuminate family has provided a mobile kitchen to feed and minister to the homeless and also a bus for Teen Challenge which among other things, they use to join us for services. We do this because anyone who claims the name of Jesus must have the heart of Jesus and he came not to be served but to serve. He is our leader and our example in all things. But there’s something more going on than what you might realize. According to Jesus, when you show moral kindness to others, especially your fellow Christians, it’s like showing kindness to Jesus himself. In Matthew chapter 25 Jesus speaks of a future judgement of the nations. And here’s what he says...

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:31-40

Did you notice this judgment is based solely on one’s moral kindness toward those in need? There’s at least three things to take away from Jesus’ words…

1. We cannot afford to be indifferent towards Jesus and His return. 
2. We can’t afford to be indifferent towards the resources that God gives us. 
3. We can’t afford to be indifferent towards the needy people all around us.

We have a really big goal ahead of us church. What if we sent 500 Jesus ambassadors from Illuminate to serve our city in one week? That’s what we want during Illuminate Serve Week November 6-13. Together, we’ve been praying, “God what do you want to do IN me and what do you want to do THROUGH me?” Serving our city is part of the answer!