River Church NOLA
Sunday, Dec 7
  • Victory In Jesus
  • Rest On Us
  • Great Are You Lord
  • Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
  • Intro
    One of the simplest, but very powerful ways we can serve and glorify the Lord is by doing good. Peter described the life of Jesus in these words. Acts 10:38 “And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”
    So becoming more Christ like, which we are all doing, means to look for opportunities to do good. Not just talking about doing good, not just wishing we could do good, not just hoping someone else will step in and do good. But you and me, actually looking for opportunities every single day to bless someone, to help someone, to encourage someone and to serve.
    Hebrews 13:16 NLT
    16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
    Look at the phrase, “don’t forget.”
    Why would God say that? Because doing good isn’t always automatic. Life gets busy. Stress gets heavy. We get locked into our routines. And if we are not intentional, we might walk right past the very opportunity God put in our paths.
    Here is what I want us to see today.

    God surrounds us with opportunities to do good, but we must open our eyes to see them.

    In the Bible, when Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish, He seized an opportunity to bless many with what seemed so little. This teaches us that opportunities to do good can be waiting in the most unlikely places. So the next time we see a small task, let’s remember, it could be the start of something great. Just like those few loaves and fishes, what we have might be enough to feed someone else’s need if we’re willing to share.
    A pastor shared about his experience at a drive-thru. After he paid for his meal, he felt nudged to pay for the car behind him. It turned into a chain reaction where several cars kept paying for each other’s meals! Sometimes, we don’t realize how one small act can brighten someone’s day.
    In a small town, a woman started writing encouraging notes on post-its and leaving them in random places. One note read, 'You are loved!' and it ended up on a mirror in a public restroom. Later, a girl found it and revealed how it changed her whole day. Opportunities to spread kindness and do good often come without a plan. We can all be light-bearers just by recognizing the small chances to uplift others, just like in that woman’s simple yet impactful act.
    Let’s look at this idea of doing good every opportunity we can.

    1. God calls us to a life of doing good.

    What does this mean?

    Doing good is an act of worship.

    We often think of worship as singing, praying, and giving, and it is. But it’s so much more. The Bible says that doing good is a sacrifice pleasing to God.
    When you encourage someone who is hurting, God notices.
    When you help someone with heavy burdens, God smiles.
    When you extend kindness, you reflect the heart of Jesus.
    Look what Jesus said in Matt 5:16
    Matthew 5:16 NLT
    16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
    When you do something good, it’s not about you being praised for it, it’s about God being shown to the people you help.

    Doing good is a command, not a suggestion.

    Galatians 6:9–10 NLT
    9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
    Whenever we have opportunity - this means that there are opportunities already around us. God doesn’t ask you and me to create them, He just wants us to notice them.

    Doing good is a fruit of the Spirit.

    Goodness isn’t something we manufacture; it’s something the Holy Spirit produces in us.
    When we walk in the Spirit, goodness flows naturally.
    When we walk in the flesh, selfishness takes over.
    The more we remain anchored to Jesus, the more freely goodness flows through us.

    2. Barriers that keep us from doing good.

    If doing good is that important, why don’t we do it more? There are many reasons or excuses, but here are a few.

    We get busy.

    We live rushed lives. We move from one thing to the next… right on down our task list. And sometimes we walk right past hurting people because we are in a hurry.
    The Good Samaritan stopped… and helped the man.
    Love often requires that we slow down.

    We don’t want to be inconvenienced.

    We are afraid that we will be inconvenienced if we stop and help. Doing good costs something… time… energy… comfort… sometimes money.
    But Hebrews 13:16 “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” calls good works sacrifices.
    A sacrifice is just that. It’s not supposed to be easy. It’s supposed to be meaningful.

    We judge people.

    Sometimes we withhold goodness because we think…
    They don’t look right…
    There's a story about a young man named Josh who was notorious for dressing in worn-out jeans and a t-shirt. One day, a new student joined their school and Josh immediately judged him as 'too pretentious' for wearing a tailored suit. However, he later learned that the suit was a gift from the student’s sick grandmother, who wanted him to feel special. Remember, everyone has a story and we should never judge people by appearances.
    They don’t deserve it…
    They got themselves into this mess….
    That’s not my responsibility… Their problem doesn’t have my name on it.
    I don’t know about you, but thank God He doesn’t judge us according to what we deserve.
    Grace gives freely, not based on worthiness, but on love.

    3. Doing good brings blessings.

    Goodness changes people.

    A kind act can melt a hard heart, lift a depressed soul, or restore someone’s hope in humanity, and even in God.
    Sometimes the smallest good deed becomes a turning point in someones life.

    Goodness changes you.

    Doing good strengthens your spirit. I makes you stronger in your faith walk.
    Doing good deepens your joy.
    Doing good gives your life purpose.
    Doing good aligns your heart with God’s heart.

    Goodness draws people to Jesus.

    Before many people will ever read the Bible, they will read your life.
    Before they trust your message, they will observe your kindness.
    Your kindness may be the bridge that carries someone to Jesus or even back to Jesus.

    4. How to look for opportunities to do good.

    Opportunities don’t usually announce themselves. They often come disguised ad interruptions, inconveniences, or ordinary moments.

    Look at the people already around you.

    We often pray, Lord help us reach the nations, and sometimes God says, I’m trying to get you to go to the person across the room.
    Who am I talking about? Family, Friends, Co-workers, neighbors
    Most of the good God wants you to do is within arms reach. It might be…
    A kind word at home… kind words in small moments have a huge impact.
    A helping word at work.
    A meal delivered to someone struggling.
    A phone call to someone lonely.
    Encourage someone who seems discouraged. A short text goes a long way.
    Check on an elderly neighbor.
    The people God has placed in our lives are not accidents, they are assignments.

    Notice needs in everyday moments.

    Jesus had a unique ability to see needs in people.
    He saw a blind man everyone else ignored.
    He saw a woman who touched His garment in a crowd.
    He saw Zacchaeus up in a tree when everyone else saw a sinner.
    Train your eyes to look for what others overlook:
    Hold the door, helop someone carry something heavy, give your seat to someone who needs it.
    Pay attention to the stress on someone’s face - ask, Are you ok?
    Offer help when someone’s struggling but too embarrassed to ask for help.

    Look for invisible burdens.

    Most people don’t carry their heaviest burdens on the outside.
    Behind the smile is depression.
    Behind the anger is hurt.
    Behind the silence is fear.
    Behind the rudeness is a wound that’s still bleeding.
    This is why the Bible tells us to be patient, gracious, and slow to speak.
    Your gentle response could be the medicine someone’s soul desperately needs.
    Be patient with that rude person… they are hurting.
    Give Grace to someone who is forgetful or late.
    Compliment the unnoticed: Janitors, servers, cashiers, workers who rarely get thanksed…

    Use what you already have.

    You don’t need anything special, special wealth, degrees of a calling to do good. Be willing.
    The Good Samaritan didn’t have training - he just had compassion.
    The boy with the 5 loaves didn’t have much - he just had willingness.
    Dorcas in Acts 9 didn’t’ preach - she sewed clothes for widows.
    Use your skills… your hands… your time… your smile… your experience… everything you have an be a tool for good when surrendered to God.
    Buy an extra meal and give it to someone in need.
    Pay for the person in line behind you if possible.
    Donate items you ate not using: clothes…blankets… coats… books… tools… kitchen supplies…

    Use your skills to do good.

    Think about what you are good at.
    If you are handy, help repair something for someone who can’t.
    If you understand finances, help someone build a simple budget.
    If you are gifted with encouragmenet, write notes or texts to uplift others.

    Ask God to open your eyes daily.

    Make this simple prayer part of your morning.

    Lord, show me someone to bless today.

    That prayer aligns your heart with God’s heart. It trains you to look outward instead of inward. And God will honor that prayer.
    Psalm 37:23 NLT
    23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

    Practical things to do this week.

    Do one intentional act of kindness this week.

    That’s the beginning point. Develop a one kind act per day mindset.

    Speak the encouragement you think.

    If something nice pops in your mind, say it.

    Keep a small “blessing fund”

    5 - 50 dollars set aside to bless someone.

    Ask each night: Where did I do good today?

    Pray each morning: “Lord send me to someone who needs you today.”

    When you pray that prayer, opportunities will come.
    Wrap up
    When people are unreasonable, illogical, self centered and arrogant, love them anyway.
    When people insist your goodness contains selfish motives, do good anyway.
    If you are successful, you will win both false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
    If you are honest, some will seek to twist your words against you. Be honest anyway.
    If you do good today, some may forget it by tomorrow. Do good anyway.
    If you show yourself to be a person with big ideas, don’t be surprised if you are opposed by small people with small minds. Think Big anyway.
    What you have spent years building, some may seek to destroy overnight. Build anyway.
    The world is not lacking opportunities to do good. It’s lacking people willing to see them.
    God is not calling you to be famous.
    God is not calling you to be impressive.
    God is calling you to be faithful - faithful in doing good wherever He places you.
    Hebrews 13:16 NLT
    16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
    Teddy Roosevelt once said,
    It is not the critic who counts; not the man nor the woman who points out where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man or woman who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes up short again and again… who knows great enthusiasm, the great devotions; who spend himself or herself in a worthy cause, who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst… at least fails while daring greatly, so that his or her place shall never be with those cold and time souls who know neigher victory or defeat.
    So today make the decision …

    “Lord, I’m going to live with my eyes open. I’m going to look for opportunities to do good. And when I see them—I will act.”

    May our church be known not just for what we believe, but for how we love.

      • Hebrews 13:16NIV2011

      • Matthew 5:16NIV2011

      • Galatians 6:9–10NIV2011

      • Psalm 37:23NIV2011

      • Hebrews 13:16NIV2011

River Church NOLA
robert@riverchurchnola.com
504-578-8317
https://riverchurchnola.com
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