Foundry Community Church
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost - Year A
  • O Jesus, I Have Promised

      • Psalm 13NIRV

      • Romans 6:12–23NIRV

  • Here I Am, Lord

  • "Faithful in the Small Things"

    Welcoming Christ Through Everyday Obedience

    Text: Matthew 10:40–42
    Matthew 10:40–42 ESV
    40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
    This is the Gospel of our Lord!
    ALL: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ!
    Big Idea: God often accomplishes His greatest work through ordinary acts of faithful obedience. Discipleship isn't measured only by dramatic moments but by daily faithfulness that welcomes Christ and serves others in His name.

    Introduction

    Our culture celebrates the spectacular. We applaud record-breaking achievements, viral moments, and extraordinary success.
    Jesus points us in the opposite direction.
    He ends His missionary discourse not with stories of miracles or crowds but with something almost laughably simple:
    "Whoever gives even a cup of cold water..."
    A cup of water.
    Something nearly anyone can do.
    Yet Jesus says heaven notices.
    The Kingdom is built not merely through extraordinary moments but through ordinary faithfulness.

    Point 1 — Welcome Christ by Welcoming Others

    "Think back to the first time you came to Church."
    Pause.
    "What do you remember most?"
    Very few people remember the sermon.
    Many remember who greeted them.
    Who smiled.
    Who learned their name.
    Who made them feel like they belonged.
    Hospitality often prepares hearts long before preaching reaches them.
    That's exactly why Jesus says, 'Whoever welcomes you welcomes me.' The Kingdom often arrives through ordinary people extending ordinary kindness. Never underestimate the eternal impact of making someone feel seen, valued, and welcomed."
    "People may forget the sermon title by Tuesday, but they'll remember how God's people made them feel."
    Matthew 10:40
    "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me..."
    Jesus identifies Himself with His followers.
    Throughout Scripture, God meets people through people.
    Abraham welcomed strangers and discovered he had entertained God's messengers.
    The early church opened homes.
    Hospitality became ministry.
    Today, welcoming Christ may look like:
    Greeting a visitor
    Inviting someone to lunch
    Listening without rushing
    Encouraging someone who's struggling
    The church becomes Christ's presence through ordinary believers.

    Application

    People often experience Jesus before they understand Him.
    Sometimes the first sermon they hear...
    ...is your kindness.

    Point 2 — Faithfulness Is More Important Than Fame

    During the construction of Europe's great cathedrals, stonecutters spent years carving stones that would never be seen.
    Some were placed high inside the towers.
    Others became part of the foundation.
    Many were hidden behind walls.
    Visitors would admire the soaring ceilings, stained-glass windows, and beautiful architecture...
    ...but no one ever noticed the hidden stones.
    One day, a traveler asked a stonecutter,
    "Why spend so much time carving something no one will ever see?"
    The craftsman reportedly replied,
    "Because God will see it."
    That changes everything.
    The world asks,
    "Will anyone notice?"
    Faith asks,
    "Will God be pleased?"

    Transition

    "Jesus isn't looking for people chasing applause. He's looking for disciples who remain faithful whether anyone notices or not."
    Matthew 10:41 ESV
    41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.
    Jesus mentions prophets...
    ...righteous people...
    ...and then everyone else.
    Notice that rewards are connected to faithfulness, not celebrity.
    Most believers will never preach to thousands.
    Most will never write books.
    Most will never become famous Christians.
    Yet every act done for Christ matters.
    Paul echoes this in Romans 6.
    Romans 6:13 ESV
    13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.
    We are called to present ourselves daily to God.
    Small obediences shape holy lives.

    Application

    God measures differently than the world.
    He values:
    Consistency over applause
    Character over recognition
    Faithfulness over popularity

    Point 3 — Small Acts Reveal a Great Kingdom

    Matthew 10:42 ESV
    42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
    A cup of cold water.
    Not wealth.
    Not prestige.
    Not power.
    Just compassion.
    Small acts become sacred when offered in Christ's name.
    Consider:
    A prayer text.
    A meal delivered.
    A hospital visit.
    Mowing the grass of a widow
    A kind word
    The Kingdom often advances through unnoticed servants.

    Tie to Genesis 22

    Genesis 22:1 ESV
    1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
    Abraham's willingness to obey in a difficult moment was built upon years of walking faithfully with God.
    Great faith grows from daily obedience.
    So let me ask you a personal question.
    What is your "cup of cold water" this week?
    For some of you, it's making the phone call you've been putting off.
    For others, it's writing the note of encouragement, visiting the neighbor who lives alone, praying with a coworker, or offering forgiveness to someone who hurt you.
    It may be serving quietly in the church without anyone ever knowing your name.
    It may be sitting with someone who is grieving instead of trying to fix their pain.
    It may simply be choosing patience with your spouse, your children, or your parents when frustration would be easier.
    None of those moments will make the evening news.
    No one may ever applaud you.
    But Jesus says heaven notices.
    The Kingdom of God is often advanced not through spectacular displays of power, but through ordinary people who choose extraordinary faithfulness in ordinary moments.
    So don't wait for a grand opportunity to serve God.
    Start with the opportunity that's already in front of you.
    Because the smallest act done in the name of Christ is never small in the eyes of Christ.

    Conclusion

    Our world asks:
    "How big?"
    Jesus asks:
    "How faithful?"
    Our world celebrates platforms.
    Jesus notices cups of cold water.
    Our world measures success by influence.
    Jesus measures love by obedience.
    Perhaps the greatest thing you do this week won't be seen by anyone else.
    But heaven will see it.
    And Christ promises:
    "No act of faithful love is ever wasted."

    Invitation to Communion

    As we come to the Lord's Table, we remember that Jesus did not merely give us a cup of cold water—He gave us Himself.
    At this table we receive grace we could never earn, forgiveness we could never purchase, and life we could never create on our own. Christ welcomes us before asking us to welcome others. He serves us before sending us to serve.
    So today we come with grateful hearts, receiving His gift and asking Him to make us people whose everyday lives reflect His extraordinary love.

      • Matthew 10:40–42NIRV

      • Matthew 10:41NIRV

      • Romans 6:13NIRV

      • Matthew 10:42NIRV

      • Genesis 22:1NIRV

  • Leader: Brothers and sisters in Christ, we come now to the Lord’s Table—a place of grace, remembrance, and renewal. Here we remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, proclaim His victory over sin and death, and celebrate the unity we share as His people.

    Invitation to the Table

    Leader: Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
    This table is not the table of any church, but the table of our Lord Jesus Christ. All who trust in Him, repent of their sins, and desire to follow Him are invited to share in this meal of grace.

    Prayer of Confession

    Leader: Before we receive these gifts, let us confess our sins before God.
    All: Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart, and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
    Let us go before our Lord in Silent Confession…

    Assurance of Pardon

    Leader: Hear the good news: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
    In Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven.

    The Great Thanksgiving

    Leader: The Lord be with you.
    People: And also with you.
    Leader: Lift up your hearts.
    People: We lift them up to the Lord.
    Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
    People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
    Leader: Let us pray as our Lord taught us…

    The Lord’s Prayer

    Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

    Words of Institution

    Leader: On the night He was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread. After giving thanks, He broke it and said:
    "This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
    In the same way, after supper He took the cup and said:
    "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
    For whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.

    Prayer of Consecration

    Leader: Let us pray.
    Gracious Father, pour out Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and cup. By Your Spirit, unite us with Christ and with one another, that we may be nourished in faith, strengthened in hope, and renewed in love. Make us faithful witnesses of Your kingdom until Christ comes again in glory. Through Him, with Him, and in Him, all honor and glory are Yours, now and forever. Amen.

    Distribution

    Leader: The body of Christ, given for you. Amen.
    The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen.

    Prayer After Communion

    All: Gracious God, we thank You for feeding us with the spiritual food of the body and blood of Your Son. Strengthen us through this meal to love and serve You faithfully, to seek justice, to show mercy, and to walk humbly with You. Send us into the world in the power of the Holy Spirit to be witnesses of Christ's love. In His holy name we pray. Amen.

      • 1 Corinthians 11:23–24ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 11:23–24ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 11:23–24ESV

  • Doxology
  • Take My Life, and Let it Be
  • Now Unto Him
Foundry Community Church
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