SMALL ACTS, BIG REWARDS

MUSINGS - November 02, 2018

SMALL ACTS, BIG REWARDS

Mark 9:41
I can guarantee this truth: Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward."

Until today I've always thought that this teaching was oddly placed in Mark's narrative. It is sandwiched between the disciples trying to stop someone else from casting out demons in Jesus's name and teachings about escaping hell. However, as I consider it today, I see that it is related to the former teaching where Jesus tells the disciples, "Whoever isn't against us is for us." Both the grander (in human thinking) act of casting out demons, and the giving of a drink of water, will earn rewards, if done in Jesus's name.

I remember a man I knew many years ago. He had several brothers who were missionaries to foreign lands. He owned and operated a small printing company. His brothers had the grander (in human thinking) acts of discipleship. However, I heard him once say, "I also serve by keeping their stuff." While his brothers were away, he would store their household belongings until they returned. They all earned their reward.

Those who do these "small" acts of kindness will indeed hear the Master say, "Come, my Father has blessed you! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world." (Matthew 25:34)

Matthew 25:31-46 really expands on this idea of relatively small acts of kindness earning great rewards.

Visit my daily blog. it https://RVingFulltimeWithTomAndElla.com/

And my sermons blog http://ThomasEWilliams.blogspot.com/?m=1

All content (except quotations) © 2018 Thomas E. Williams

NOT COOKIECUTTER CHRISTIANS

MUSINGS - November 01, 2018

NOT COOKIECUTTER CHRISTIANS

Mark 9:38-40
John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone forcing demons out of a person by using the power and authority of your name. We tried to stop him because he was not one of us." Jesus said, "Don't stop him! No one who works a miracle in my name can turn around and speak evil of me. Whoever isn't against us is for us.

"He was not one of us." Us or them? Them or us? Someone not of the twelve apostles was using the power of Jesus name.

John was, in affect, saying, "The 12 of us have the Jesus brand exclusively copyrighted and trademarked. How dare someone cast out demons in the name of Jesus? He didn't pay the franchise fee."

My salvation didn't give me exclusive rights and privileges. My salvation journey was different than yours. I know this because God didn't make Cookiecutter Christians. God came to us as individuals and through his grace granted us pardon for our sins. Then he laid out individual paths and individual jobs for us.*

God's grace is inclusive not exclusive. Jesus died for all of humanity. There is no Them. We are all Us. My path and my gifts may differ from yours but we serve the same God. Remember, "Whoever isn't against us is for us."

*Read 1 Corinthians chapter 12

Visit my daily blog. it https://RVingFulltimeWithTomAndElla.com/

And my sermons blog http://ThomasEWilliams.blogspot.com/?m=1

All content (except quotations) © 2018 Thomas E. Williams