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"Hitting the Nail on the Head" Preaching to the choir. You know what that phrase means, don’t you? It has come to mean trying to persuade those who already agree with your point of view, who already think as you do. You might get an “Amen!” or two, but your ability to actually convert anyone’s thinking is limited by the fact that they are already in the choir. The truth is, (and you know this is true) much of what a preacher has to say about living a godly life is misdirected—aimed at the world outside but preached to the congregation inside. Preaching to those who heartily agree that the corrupt and the sinful are “out there,” and that “we are God’s people.” But then, there is this text from Matthew’s Gospel. And right away, I want you to notice. This is not a contrast between believers and non-believers. The believers are not the sheep and the unbelievers the goats. No no no no! Look again, at verse 25:44. “Lord,” the people on the left, the goats address Jesus. “Master,” another translation puts it. “When did we see you and not help?”
You notice? The address is the same as those on the right. The
sheep? “Master,” they say. “Lord,” they say. “When did we see you and help? Hmm. When we’re talking about who will find themselves out in the outer darkness gnashing their teeth, thrown into the fire, it is not those who do not know Jesus, it’s those who know Jesus but do not recognize that serving the poor is what they are supposed to do to serve him. Simply put, to be a follower of Christ, is to live in such as way as to bring comfort to those whose circumstances are difficult. For in so doing, we are tending to the very body of Christ, whom we profess to love and adore as Lord. If we fail in this basic exercise, there will be consequences. Ouch. Did you hear that “choir?” This isn’t a story for the unbelievers. Its for the believers. To serve those who circumstances are difficult is to serve Christ. And there are a number of ways we might serve and bring comfort. Jesus cites 6 examples. Giving food to hungry people. Giving drink to thirsty people. Welcoming strangers. Providing clothing to those without adequate clothing. Visiting the sick and those in prison so as to help relieve their suffering. When you do such things, he tells his followers, you do them for me. Millard Fuller heard Jesus’ call and took it literally. And he came to believe that the one thing that would help those in difficult circumstances more than anything else would be to help people gain modest homes that they could call their own. In 1976, he and his wife Linda founded Habitat for Humanity, a Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Today, 5.1 million American families have "worst-case" housing needs, forced to pay more than half their income for housing, endure overcrowded conditions and/or live in houses with severe physical deficiencies. While the number of families in poverty is growing, the number of affordable rental units is shrinking, and most families who qualify for government housing assistance aren't receiving any aid. The high cost of
housing leaves low-income families little money for other basic necessities like
food, clothing or health care. Substandard housing can endanger the health and
safety of its occupants, erode their hope and self-worth, and impair their
children's ability to succeed in school. In 2004, the year our own Dodge City affiliate was chartered, Millard Fuller and Habitat for Humanity International received the World Methodist Peace Award from the World Methodist Council. Fundraising to complete the first Dodge City house continues, with hopes of beginning construction yet this year. Perhaps you’ve heard of Habitat for Humanity, but don’t know it’s philosophy. Habitat is a faith based organization and needs the help of Christians to continue to do the work of Christ. The program is based on three key Christian principles. The first is “Putting Faith into Action.” That fits well with our United Methodist understandings. We must reflect the love of Christ not only in words, but in our actions. As our Lord himself stated, “as you have done so for the least of these who are members of my family, you have done so for me.” The second principle is the “Economics of Jesus.” When people act in response to human need, giving what they have without seeking profit or interest, then Habitat believes that God magnifies the effects of our efforts. It an economics that works, and is directly responsible for the 150,000 homes already providing shelter for families who otherwise could not afford safe, decent housing. The third principle is the “Theology of the Hammer.” Habitat is founded on common ground--bridging theological differences by putting love into action. In other words, everyone can use a hammer as an instrument of God’s love. Christians are divided over many issues--but we should and can agree on the idea of building homes with God’s people in need. Anyone is welcome to help and build with Habitat for Humanity. These three principles together change lives. Literally change communities! I’ve seen with my own eyes. The first family in Ark City, selected for a Habitat home—the man and woman both completed their GED’s and began college, received job promotions, and within a couple of years, were self-sufficient. I remember the first home in Ark City was built on a city lot in an area of the town where homes were beginning to fall into disrepair. Up and down the street, small homes needed painting, porches needed fixed, roofs needed shingled. The most amazing thing happened as the Habitat Home began to go up in the neighborhood. Neighbors began to do the needed repairs on their homes up and down the street. Lawns were mowed. Houses painted. Windows replaced. The entire neighborhood received a face lift, just because the Habitat community chose to build something new nearby. Families in need of decent shelter apply to local Habitat affiliates. The affiliate's family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the no-interest loan. That’s right, the family must work on the home AND repay the mortgage on it, but at 0 interest. Many of the selected families are like Cynthia Winn who offers praises to God for blessing her in so many ways with a Habitat for Humanity house. “No one ever plans to end up on the streets, but that is what happened to me,” A friend at work told Winn about Habitat, but she admits that she was turned off with the idea of hammering and working to build her own house. “I just didn’t want to do that,” she said. “Plus, I knew my credit was not good and I didn’t think I would ever have anything.” However, she decided to apply for a home and was amazed at the reception she received . When Habitat representatives came to her house for a home visit, they prayed with her. “I had never gone to church,” said Winn, “but the people at Habitat talked to me about faith from the beginning. They went out of their way to help me and made me feel so special. “Beforehand, I didn’t trust anyone, but when I realized that this was for real and I was really going to have a house, I was overwhelmed. I began some counseling and started blossoming. I also started going to church and soon was baptized. It was so wonderful. The Lord had a hand in all this and accepted me with open arms.” Winn’s house was funded and built by a multi-faith coalition of churches. “They were not out there slaving in the heat for Cynthia,” she said. “They were doing it for the glory of God.” Winn said. “I get on my knees and thank God,” she said. “I know God has blessed me so much.” In Arkansas City, the church I pastored there made a promise to be the principle sponsor of a habitat house. We announced out plans to the congregation, and provided an opportunity for the people to give toward the project. I want to tell you about the first two members of the congregation who responded to that call. They were brothers, Jordan and A.J. Jordan was older, about 6, and A.J. was just 4. And they made me a promise, to begin saving their change in a jar, and would give all they could save to help build a house for someone who needed one. Remember now, the three principles of Habitat. “Putting faith into action.” They certainly were. “The economics of Jesus.” Those two little boys’ commitment moved that congregation to all begin to save their pocket change, change that quickly added up to thousands of dollars. Finally, the “Theology of the Hammer.” That we all have a role to play, and will work together, despite our differences, to God’s end. Well, Jordan and A.J. showed the entire church that if two little boys could help, then anyone could. I’ve never forgotten the lesson little Jordan and A.J. taught me and the rest of the congregation there in Ark City. I want you to look at these little cardboard house banks. I had a man plug quarters into one until he stuffed it full. He wanted to see how much it could hold, and he got more than 100 dollars worth of quarters into one! Saving change is a way anyone, no matter how young or how old, no matter how wealthy or how poor, can participate. During the final hymn, I’m going to invite you to come forward and get a bank for your household. At least one. If you and your spouse both want to save your change and fill two banks, then great--take two. I want you to put into it whatever you can, from now until the end of July. That’s 50 days from now. On Sunday, July 31st, we’ll all bring our banks back, and we are going to celebrate! Now how much difference will out pocket change make? Well, if 200 homes in our congregation will take home a bank, and put just 50 cents a day into it. That’s the price of a pop, a candy bar. Just 50 cents a day for the next 50 days, it would add up to $5,000. Remember, the “economics of Jesus.” Everyone doing what they can. Your change will change someone’s life! Why should you do it? Because, as Jesus spoke to all of those who called him “Lord” and “Master,” and he told them, “when you do so for the least of these who are my family, you do so for me.” That’s hitting the nail on the head!
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