"The Weekly Word"

July 14, 2025 Edition

Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. Mathew 25:31-46

As I think about our Denomination and how we are service oriented, my mind seems to wander. I love the topic of service. I love helping others, but how far am I willing to go? Am I willing to serve those who make me uncomfortable, who have wronged me, who are quite different, who lead a lifestyle with which I just don’t agree? And what does that service actually mean?

It’s easy to think about clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, visiting the prisoner, and welcoming the stranger or outcast on a large scale. But this parable in Matthew 25 really describes the description of what a follower of Jesus really is, and what it isn’t!

If we truly are believers in Jesus, it should naturally be our joy to serve everybody, but especially those who are different or less fortunate than we are. But again Jesus, I ask, what does serve someone mean? When does that service cross over to enabling someone? Do I help the same outcast, or prisoner repeatedly?

Where do I stop?

Well Jesus really doesn’t set any limits in my mind in this parable. He simply calls for us to do it. In fact, he goes further. If we genuinely want to be a part of the kingdom of heaven, we must think of others first. We must allow our own interests to be secondary, and make our resources, the best of what we can offer, available to others.

So, friends, here’s what I think when it comes to service. Both kinds are difficult. It can be extremely hard for some to give money or possessions of whatever kind given the limited resources some may have. However, the harder thing in my estimation to give, but perhaps the most precious thing we can give others is our time. Visiting someone, investing in care and thought and conversation in someone completely foreign to me.

Why should I be doing all this, because Jesus has said in our parable that the measure of service we are willing to offer truly separates the sheep from the goats. So, it makes me wonder, if I say no to someone, am I a goat? Am I not doing what Jesus has called me to do?

As you think about serving the Lord this week dear friends, rest assured it is not an easy thing. However, it is a blessed thing, because it’s a God thing! When we have the opportunity to serve others, God is truly being honored and glorified. Therefore, it really should be our joy to do it, Not our duty!

So, smile, serve, share. However, also rejoice in serving, in sharing, in being God’s love to everyone you can. Even if you have misgivings, somehow somewhere, you are being a blessing! And therefore, you will be blessed!

To God be the glory! Pastor Brandon