TAKING IT TO THE STREETS
Being A Positive Influence In Our City
Jeremiah 29:1-7
Introduction
I met him last week. His name is Brian Unger. He pastors a little tiny (40 people) church in Spalding SK.
He and his church decided that they wanted to be a positive influence in their community so they took their faith into the streets and became a blessing to others.
- Helped Village Maintenance man paint Fire Hydrants etc.
- Sought ways to bring blessings to their community
- Slowly the little church began to grow.
* They had become such a blessing to the Village that the Village sold them a piece of land at the Crossroads for $ 6. They built their new church. By now they had become 120.
They had become such a blessing to the whole area that when they dedicated their new building over 600 people showed up.
And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. (Jer. 29:7)
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5:14-16)
THE CHURCH IS THE HOPE OF THE WORLD. It is a light on a hill.
Too often, the Light Is Hidden under a Bushel, especially to the community around it.
A city set on a hill, inescapably visible. A lit lamp brilliantly illuminating the darkest room.
With compelling metaphors, Jesus described the church and its impact on the world. And indeed, filled with the Holy Spirit, the early church demonstrated a spiritual energy and depth that transformed the surrounding culture.
I. Does It Work In The Street
* Community Measures The Authenticity Of Our Faith By The Evidence Of Our Good Works.
If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe. (John 10:37-38)
1. W.D.J.D. (What Did Jesus Do?)
* When Jesus walked on the earth, He engaged the culture
* Cared For The Needs Of The People
1. He Served Others
Mark 9:34-36
And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."
2. He Had Compassion For People
Matt. 9:35-38
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest."
3. His Actions And Teaching Drew People To Himself
Mark 2:12-13
Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them.
4. He Cared For The Needs Of The People
Luke 9:11-13
But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, "Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here. But He said to them, "You give them something to eat.."
2. It’s Gotta Work In The Street
* When It Comes To Christianity – people say:
Show Us That Christianity Works
IT’S GOTTA WORK ON THE STREET
Matt. 5:13-16
You are the salt of the earth
; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Luke 6:31-36
And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But Love Your Enemies, Do Good, and Lend, Hoping for Nothing in Return; and Your Reward Will Be Great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Matt. 28:19-20
"Go therefore and make disciples
of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Gal. 6:9-10
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Eph. 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works
, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
1 Tim. 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
1 Peter 2:11-12
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
II. Street People
* We are to take the good news to people in the street.
- Take light to the streets so that the light of Christ not only shows people their sin – lights up the path of peace, deliverance and hope.
The Six Most Common Needs In Our Culture
1. Marriage - Big deal for people
- Majority of people expect to be married
- Survey after Survey say want satisfying marriages.
* High Priority For People
- have a lot invested
* Marriage Is Hard Work
- much working against marriage
* People Need Help With Their Marriages
*** Perhaps one of greatest contributions Church can make to our culture
- demonstrate – model good marriages (much dysfunctionality and few models)
- Bible has a whole lot to say about how to make a marriage work.
2. Parenting
- Many people not have good parenting skills
- Pressure of modern life - parenting is difficult
3. Education./Vocation
* Big Issue on People’s Minds
- Education - jobs – worry of losing job - retraining etc.
4. Finances
- People love their money - even what they don’t have
- Gambling craze indicative of discontent and greed that drives many
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Tim. 6:10)
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money.. (2 Tim. 3:1-2)
5. Abuse/Addictions
40% of Population is touched by Abuse and/or Addiction
6. Loneliness
#1 Fear
- Will become an even bigger issue as population ages.
- Baby boomers (largest demographic) starting to retire.
* People less afraid of dying than living lonely.
* Tremendous opportunities in now and in future to meet needs of elderly
- So much talk about emerging church - contemporary etc.
– Opportunities abound to reach and minister to Seniors.
III. Hitting The Streets
* Time To Leave The Church Fortress
HOW DO WE ENGAGE AND HAVE INFLUENCE IN OUR CITY?
And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. (Jer. 29:7)
1. Be Salt And Light
"You are the light of the world. ... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5:14-16)
2. Be Christ To The World
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
*** GOD WANTS US TO BE HIS LIGHT IN A DARK WORLD.
** WE ARE HIS BODY THROUGH WHICH HE WANTS TO BLESS OUR CITY
3. Build Bridges
- Get To Know Your Neighbours
- Show and Demonstrate the Love of Christ
- Serve Others – Community etc.
- Volunteer at your local school
— etc.
Conclusion
It was only a little city with of about 104,000 people but had over 800 saloons and bars. Over half of the criminal offenses in the city were related to drunkenness. The city was a cesspool of crime, prostitution, gambling, corruption, poverty and filth. Even the City Hall garbage was not being taken away. The city lived on the verge of a Typhoid epidemic. And many of the city’s fine churches would not welcome the poor.
It was 1885. Just nine years earlier, William Howland had come to Christ under the revival ministry of Dr. W.S. Rainsford, Rector of the St. James Anglican Church. That year, William Howland, one of the richest men in the City, decided to take his faith to the streets of the City. He ran for Mayor and won the election.
Remembering his commitment to Christ, his purpose and his desire to be salt and light in the city, William Howland quickly had a 12-foot banner placed in the Mayor’s Office that said,
"Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain" (Psalm 127:1)
Prior to his election, Howland had given himself as tirelessly to helping people, especially the poor and the abused as he had to his business. He helped establish a Convalescent Hospital, a Home for unwed mothers, a Prisoner’s Aid Association, a home of the Aged and the Homeless, and many other ventures. He often visited the slums, going from house to house, and reaching out to the poor, the sick, and the alcoholics and the brokenhearted. His heart was especially burdened for abused women and children.
Shortly after taking office, William Howland formed a special unit of the City’s police force with the mandate to "Combat cruelty to animals, women, and children, and to oppose gambling, prostitution, Sabbath-breaking, and unlicensed drinking." This special squad closed the brothels, prosecuted the operators of illegal drinking establishments, and reduced by a third the number of licensed saloons. It also introduced programs to curb the abuse of women and children. This was the evidence of a man who took his faith to the streets.
Over the next 4 years, William Howland’s city began to be known as "TORONTO THE GOOD." - A reputation which lasted almost 100 years but which is all but forgotten today.
** IT’S TIME TO BE SALT AND LIGHT IN THE CITY OF TORONTO ONCE AGAIN
* CHURCH = BODY OF CHRIST
* CHURCH – BE THE CHURCH
