• [plug in]
• about
• resources
• media
• contact
• forums

frequency.connection

Keep up to date on Frequency happenings: Sign up for the weekly Frequency e-mail newsletter.

name:

e-mail:

We dispise spam and we will protect your privacy.

Read our policy >>

frequency.weekly

Frequency takes place every Sunday evening at 6:30 pm inside the Ralph Neighbor Center at Church of the Open Door.

Click here for directions >>

frequency.archives

frequency news and blogs of old

december 06.archive

Feeding Jesus

We're all living so good.
We moved out of Jesus' neighborhood.
Where He' s hungry and not feeling so good
Digging through our trash...

What is this? Hey, what's the deal?!
I don't sleep around and I don't steal.

But, I want the things you just can't give me.

- The Things You Just Can't Give Me by Derek Webb

When you think of serving Christ, what comes to mind? Perhaps you think of prayer, righteous living, evangelizing, etc. It's not a bad thing to focus on those things that are most important to our faith. But, lately, I've been challenged about those teachings of Jesus that I've been pushing to the side, those things that to some of us are harder to do than read a chapter a day. Matthew 25:31ff talks about the Day of Judgment when Jesus separates the sheep (His people) from the goats (those who are not true followers). Do you know how He tells the difference? Well, He doesn't ask them about their Bible study schedule or their prayer life. He doesn't check attendance records from your church. No, He reviews their lifestyle of love. Those who fed the hungry, clothed the poor, and minister to prisoners were accepted into eternal joy. Those who didn't& weren't.

Now, some have used this passage to argue for salvation through works. That's a total misrepresentation of the text. Scripture is clear when it teaches that we are saved by grace alone through faith. Nothing you can do can make God love you more and nothing you do can make God love you less. However, if you really are following God, the result is going to be a lifestyle of love that spills over to your friends, family and community. Here's an interesting thought. I once heard a theologian say that every judgment mentioned in Scripture is a judgment of works. Not saved by works, but judged by works.

This is a hard pill to swallow. Listen, I've done it. I've volunteered in a soup kitchen. I've talked to guys on the street. It isn't easy. It takes a lot out of you. We used to serve on the weekends at a soup kitchen in Virginia. We got there early, prepared food, and cleaned a dirty building. While we served, we had to constantly watch for our safety and the safety of our fellow volunteers. Some of the people we served were unthankful. Some wanted more from us than we could give. Serving there took something. It hurt a little bit. Let me tell you, it is a lot easier to stay home. The poor and hungry are easily forgotten. I can see starving and abused Children on the news and feel my heart ache only to anesthetize my compassion with a dose of apathy chased by an episode of Friends.

Lately, it hasn't been that easy to ignore the need. God has been reminding me of the need to serve those in need. I believe He is calling Frequency to do the same. He doesn't just want our prayer time. He wants more than Bible study. He wants our whole life& everything.

Later this month, we are going to celebrate the birth of our Savior by obeying parts of His teaching that we find easy to forget. We are going to do some service to the homeless. We are going to sing some carols while we visit the sick and lonely. It gets better. The ministry team is putting together a calendar for 2007. Each month is going to highlight a different need. Every month we will be collecting materials to help those in need. I think this is exciting.

Here's my challenge for this month. Start seeing the need. Start giving those things to Christ that you have never given up. Watch out for the Frequency Calendar coming to you soon. Also, listen for announcements about service opportunities. Last, visit www.starvingjesus.com for more information on serving the needy. Merry Christmas!