Dear Saints,
KINDNESS
Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him [a]kindness for Jonathan’s sake” (2 Samuel 9:1 NKJV)?
Love and kindness are among the cardinal foundations of Christianity. This is so, because, Jesus modelled them throughout his earthly ministry. These principles permeated his preaching, teaching and healing ministries. They also served as a compass which guided him to achieve his vision for dying humanity.
For this reason, all those who are genuine followers of Jesus are obliged to live by these principles of love and kindness. Though, what qualifies one to become a Christian is through faith in the finished work of Jesus. After, the new birth, one is expected to portray a Christ-like character in his / her Christian walk.
Describing oneness and equality in the Body of Christ, the Apostle Paul said; There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28 NKJV). This means that, the cross does not only break down racial, social and gender barriers, it does economic barriers too. What this means is that, the haves in the church because of their faith in God, should be motivated by love and kindness to spread their wealth to support the have nots.
We all know that, the times we are living in are not ordinary. t’s no secret that, COVID-19 pandemic has in many ways brought hardship on many people in our communities in particular and the world in general. Those who have been adversely hit hard by this pandemic are the vulnerable members of our communities like our seniors and those low-income earners.
Perhaps, we may offer prayers for them, we have to back these prayers with action. How? By supporting the have nots in our churches and communities. We can do so by giving them food vouchers or buying them some groceries. This was the practice of the Early Church Christians. They showed kindness to the widows and the vulnerable among them by feeding them daily (Acts 6:1-7).
Similarly, King David showed kindness to Mephibosheth who was the grandson of Saul. This act was in direct response to his question; “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him [a]kindness for Jonathan’s sake” (2 Samuel 9:1 NKJV)? Though, Mephibosheth was a cripple, David saw it as his God given duty to feed him at his table the rest of his life.
James buttress this point when he wrote; 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (James 2:14-18 NIV).
Saints, during these difficult times, our small acts of kindness to support the vulnerable both near and far would bring hope and joy to them Let’s ask ourselves what Jesus would have done; if he were physically living among us today?
In conclusion, let’s reflect on Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goat; which reads;
31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the [a]holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’ (Matthew 25:31-40 NKJV).
Rev. Dr. & Rev. (Mrs.) Charles & Faustina Mantey
Senior Pastors
Disciples Revival Church
30 Gordon Mackay Road
Toronto, Ontario M9N 2V6. Canada
416-614-7771
www.disciplesrevivalchurch.org
iThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
STARTING SUNDAY JULY 5th, WE'LL RE-OPEN OUR CHURCH BY MEETING AT OUR SANCTUARY ON 30 GORDON MACKAY ROAD, TORONTO. THE TIME IS 10 AM. WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US.
THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN JOINING US FOR OUR ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE. WE WILL STILL KEEP THE ONLINE SERVICES OPEN. YOU MAY JOIN US ON SUNDAYS AT 10 AM EST BY FOLLOWING THESE INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Dail 647-977-2628 (Canada)
2. the Access code is: 786-958-114
OR GO TO www.join.me/disciples1
My two new books titled: 1) Christianity As A Way of Life: Reflections on the Epistle of James. And
2) Jesus And The Seven Churches of Revelation.
were launched on Sunday November 24th 2019; and it was a huge success. Thank you for your prayers. These books will help you as study materials for your personal spiritual growth, small group, Sunday School or the whole congregation.
To purchase copies, or any of my books, go to www.charlesmantey.com or email me at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or www.shidaanikei.com
My other books titled: Understanding Love: Biblical & Cultural Perspectives, and African Spirituality: Did Africans Know God Before the Arrival of the Missionaries could be purchased from Amazon.com ; www.charlesmantey.com, email me at: cbmantey.com or www.shidaanikei.com.
We will be grateful if you are able to support us financially to continue spreading the gospel in Africa and other parts of the world. You may send your donations by E-Transfer or through our website at www.disciplesrevivalchurhch.org and click on the donation page.
Do check us out on social media for more study materials. Like us on Facebook at disciplesrevivalchurchtoronto or Twitter: @disciplesrevive find us on YouTube as well.
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