Refugees-Part 2: It's time for "Show and Tell"

Throughout human history, God has been working out His plan of redemption through his people. In the Old Testament, He called out a people to Himself in order to make his name known among the nations. In the New Testament age, Christ's death and resurrection made the way for Gentiles to be "grafted into" God's people. Now the Church (followers of Christ) has the primary responsibility to bring redemption to "show and tell". The evangelical church has historically been quite good at "tell" but sometimes I am not sure we have been the greatest at "show".

Isaiah 58:5-7 not only shows God's heart for the poor and oppressed but shows that religion by itself does not please God. A true redemptive faith in Jesus Christ will evidence itself in action. Matthew 25:31-46 and James 2:14-46 show that our faith will be evidenced by works (acts of love) that affect others. These verses all use examples of helping those who have less than us or those who are suffering and helpless.

The Old Testament especially talks about a particular "trio" of people who need special care from the people of God. Deuteronomy 10:17-19 is one of many sections that specifically points out the needs of the special trio of the orphan, the widow, and the alien.

Why did God give such emphasis on these three groups of people?

These were "severely at risk" groups. Each one of them had lost their provider, their advocate, and their protection. They had no voice and no way to provide for themselves. This made them especially alone and at risk for being taken advantaged of. So who are the "at risk" groups around you who have a need for the church to speak up and take care of them?

There are so many groups but in my next few entries, I will highlight the group of 42 million people around the world who have been forcibly displaced from their homes. The refugee is the modern equivalent of the person who has lost their protection, their provision, and their advocate.

Two Short Videos on Poverty

Click here if you have 30 seconds to reflect on poverty.

Click here if you have 3 minutes 30 seconds.

A Christian's Response to Poverty and Suffering

Did you know that if you 1) own a refrigerator, 2) sleep in a bed, 3) hang your clothes in a closet, and 4) have a roof over your head, you are richer than 75% of the people in the world? Did you also know that over half of the people in the world today struggle to survive on 2$ per day? Does this surprise you? If so, you're not alone. It also surprised the students at the Christian International School of Prague. And it will surprise those in church who hear Sunday's sermon on "A Christian's response to poverty and suffering".

Why do these figures surprise us?

Because poverty and oppression do not affect our daily lives. We don't see it. When we get a glimpse of it on television, we want to care deeply but we have no practical way to respond. This is why we can see horrific images of starving children in Ethiopia or refugees pouring out of war torn countries like Somalia and simply tune it out. We can't possibly feel sorrow for each of these people. It would break our hearts immediately. We cannot intellectually grasp the staggering numbers of those bound in poverty, starvation, forced prostitution, refugee camps, social marginalization, and a hundred other "bonds of wickedness" (Isaiah 58:6).

So we don't.

That is why I advocate 4 small, practical steps that anyone can take towards affecting the poor and suffering with the gospel and bettering their lives.

Step 1: Thank God: Develop an attitude of gratitude.

• Realize how much you have compared to the VAST MAJORITY of the world.
• Proactively replace complaining with statements of gratitude.
• Thank God every day for what He has given you materially and spiritually.
  

Step 2: Pray: Choose someone to pray for.

• Choose a poor family in town or a homeless person you see.
• Choose refugees from a certain country (ie Somalia).
• Choose a despised minority (ie Roma in Eastern Europe).
• Choose an organization that works with the poor and oppressed (ie TouchGlobal (EFCA), or Compassion International).
• Research the group or organization so you can pray informed prayers.
• Set aside one day per week when you (and your family) pray for your chosen group.
  

Step 3: Give: As the Lord leads, give of your abundance to your chosen group.

• Give to a Christian organization that works with the poor, the hungry, or the homeless in your town.
• Give to a Christian organization that works with refugees, widows, or orphans.
• Give to a Christian Mission organization that is planting churches using holistic ministries.
• If you have the experience and wisdom, give directly to a poor individual or family.
  

Step 4: Serve: Go serve those who have been benefited by your prayers!

Why not take a huge step of faith and go serve those for whom you have given and prayed!

• Serve in a local homeless shelter, food pantry, or soup kitchen.
• Go visit a missionary who is working with the group you are interested in.
• Take part in your church's next service project, whether near, far, or even further!
  

If you need ideas for service or further study, or would like to discuss any of these steps, please contact me!

My sermon text Sunday will be Isaiah 58:5-7 and Matthew 25:31-40. Please take a minute to read about God's heart for the poor and the suffering and ask Him what your part might be in sharing the gospel in word and deed with them. And please pray for me as I preach.