The document emphasizes the importance of demonstrating love for the needy as a reflection of Jesus's teachings and ministry, citing biblical passages that illustrate His commitment to the poor and oppressed. It urges disciples of Jesus to not only preach but actively help and create opportunities for service to those in need, critiquing worship practices that neglect social justice. The call to action includes transforming worship into a practice that addresses the needs of the vulnerable, highlighting that genuine worship leads to divine guidance and restoration.

1. Even Greater Love for the
Needy
I will post this presentation on
www.briansdailybiblestudy.blogspot.com
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I am convinced that we will only do “even greater
things” for God when we consistently demonstrate
an “even greater love” for those in need!

2. We are disciples of Jesus
“The person who has my commands and obeys them, that is the person who loves
me”
John 14:212

3. What defined Jesus and his ministry?
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed
me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to
proclaim release to the captives and the regaining of sight to
the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the
year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and
sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed
on him. Then he began to tell them, “Today this scripture is
fulfilled even as you heard it being read.”
Luke 4:18-21
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4. What defined Jesus and his ministry?
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for
another?” Jesus answered them, “Go tell John what
you hear and see: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers
are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and
the poor have good news proclaimed to them.”
Matthew 11:3-5
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5. What defined Jesus and his ministry?
“You know the message he sent to the people of
Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through
Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all) - you know what
happened throughout Judea, beginning from Galilee
after the baptism that John announced: with respect to
Jesus from Nazareth, that God anointed him with the
Holy Spirit and with power. He went around doing
good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil
because God was with him.”
Acts 10:36-38
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6. What defined Jesus and his ministry?
Yes, he preached the gospel (i.e., good
news)…and so must we as his disciples today
But, he helped, healed, served, feed, comforted,
spent time with, loved up on, etc., the poor, the
sick, the disadvantaged, the hurting, society’s
“misfits”, the ostracized, etc…and so must we as
his disciples today
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7. This is how we let our light shine
before people…
“…that they might see your
good deeds and praise
your Father in heaven.”
(Matt 5:16)
“Work out your own
salvation…that you may be
blameless and pure
children of God…in a
crooked and perverse
society in which you shine
as lights in the world…”
(Philippians 2:12-16)
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8. Who did Jesus spend time
with?
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14. Jesus went to where these
people were. He took and
sent his disciples to where
these people were…and
their light shone for all to
see!
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15. Jesus said, “But when you host an
elaborate meal, invite the poor, the
crippled, the lame and the blind. Then
you will be blessed because they
cannot repay you, for you will be
repaid at the resurrection of the
righteous.” (Luke 14:13)
Not only are we to use/respond to opportunities to help those
in need, we are to create/initiate opportunities to help this in
need
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16. Isaiah 58
replace the word “fast” with “worship” and I think
you’ll see a problem the 21st century church may
have with God…
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17. Israel Questions God…
Shout out; do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a
trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the
house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek
me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a
nation that practiced righteousness and did not
forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me
righteous judgements, they delight to draw near to
God. “Why do we worship, but you do not see? Why
humble ourselves, but you do not notice.”
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18. God Identifies the Problem…
Look, you serve your own interest on your worship day, and oppress
all your workers. Look, you worship only to quarrel and to fight and to
strike with a wicked fist. Such worship as you do today will not make
your voice heard on high. Is such the worship that I choose, a day to
humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush and to lie in
sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this worship, a day acceptable to
the Lord?
Is not this the worship that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to
undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break
every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring
the homeless poor into your house, when you see the naked, to cover
them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
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19. This is the sin and iniquity of Isaiah
59:1-2
“Rather, your iniquities have been barriers between
you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face
from you so that he does not hear…”
-not drunkenness, immorality, idolatry, etc., but lack of
concern and effort to take care of the poor and the
needy…this was Israel’s sin
-is this also the church’s sin?
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20. God’s promise when we worship him
acceptably…
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing
shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the
glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and
the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I
am.”
If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the
afflicted, they our light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be
like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually…Your
ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of
many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in…
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21. HOPE worldwide
Leads the church out into
the world to actively
serve, help, comfort,
encourage, heal, feed,
strengthen
1 John 3:16-24. Loving in
deed and in
truth…obeying his
commands
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