VIP Ministry Network

Sermon in a nutshell: Matthew 12:38-50

Last Sunday we examined the Bible to see who Jesus was and is. By his actions, we concluded that even though he was humble and meek in his personality and character he was and is the King of kings and Messiah. Jesus is our Lord and Savior. As the Lord, Jesus rules over our daily lives and as the savior Jesus has saved us from the power of sin and death.

What does that mean to us? It means that we are now children of God and living in the Kingdom of God. Our lives are under God’s care and rule. It means that we should act like the princes and princesses of God’s Kingdom. Let us not act as if the world is ending and we are hopeless. Almighty God is with us and everything is under God’s control.

Of course there are things that are beyond our comprehension. We cannot answer satisfactorily why God allowed earthquake in Japan and other countries. We cannot answer for sure what is God’s will for the people in the Middle East.

However, brothers and sisters, should we wait for the right and satisfactory answers before we live and act? Should a baby stop at the birth moment and say, “I cannot come out right now and have to figure out the meaning and purpose of my life, hold on!”? No, the baby should be born when it is God’s given time! S/He can figure out the meaning and purpose of her/his life later while s/he is interacting with other fellow human beings, especially with family and friends.

Jesus said, “Do not wait for more signs and wonders to be sure!” (Matthew 12:38-42). We have seen enough signs and wonders. Now is the time for us to act as children of God. Pharisees asks one more sign! I wonder whether they would be satisfied with just one more sign or would ask more sign after sign.

Jesus also suggested us to live out our lives as children of God. If we just enjoy our pure and clean hearts and spirits and do nothing, unclean spirit would come back to fill up our clean hearts and spirits easily with other unclean spirits (Matthew 12:43-45). Let us not pursue “perfectly clean” heart before any action. We are not perfect yet but still do good things for others and God. I bring out my violin to nursing homes and shut-ins to play hymns for them. I know I am a poor violinist. However, if I wait until I become perfect violinist, I would not serve anybody in my life time! So, I serve people with my imperfect but sincere heart and skill. Are our Steven Ministers all perfect and mature leaders? No, Let us give up such unrealistic ideal goal and start serving others with our flaws.

Jesus said, “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and my sister and my mother!” (Matthew 12:46-50). Sometimes, it would take just a simple act of giving a cup of water to the thirsty.  It can mean helping people in Japan who suffer terrible earthquakes. We are not mystics who seek for secret heavenly knowledge or monks who try to clean our hearts before our works in the world! We are the doers of the will of God. May God bless all of us who do one thing at a time until we all see God face to face!

1. What would be one good thing that I can do today for others?
2. What would be one good thing that I can start today as a child of God?