READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l What does it mean to be a People of God in this society? The distinctives of God’s people are:
- Lovingly chosen
The Israelites did not do anything to deserve God’s love, but they were lovingly chosen by Him. He gave them a way to approach Him and to know Him. This is also true for us because God so loved the world that He gave His only son so that EVERYONE who believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life. We are also lovingly chosen and commissioned to make disciples in the nation. We are God’s distinctive people for a missional purpose. This is an invitation to have a relationship with and responsibility to God. - Circumcise your hearts!
The Israelites were meant to go beyond physical circumcision. God wanted them to also circumcise their hearts. What is the difference between physical and spiritual circumcision? The circumcision of the heart is a life of complete devotion to God. When preaching from Romans 2:29, John Wesley taught that the circumcision of the heart is a total surrender of our souls to God where all our thoughts, attitudes, words and works are wholly committed to Him and to walk in holiness. Christians whose hearts have been circumcised have the humility to recognise that we cannot grow in holiness without God. This knowledge of our spiritual condition can lead us to being cleansed from vanity and pride. How do we circumcise our hearts? Firstly, we need to be humble before God and others. We need to allow our hearts to be vulnerable and be exposed to God’s words and will. Secondly, we need to obey God with child-like faith, hope and love. Humility and obedience are necessary for the circumcision of our hearts. How to tell if we have a circumcised heart? The Holy Spirit is with us to give us an assurance of our faith. It becomes the anchor in challenging times to enable us to stay faithful and obedient. - Called to love strangers
God has a unique concern for strangers, He provides food and clothing for them. God reminds Israel that they were once strangers in a foreign land too. They had previously needed the hospitality of the host nation for their survival. Just as God has freed us, empowered us and gave us new identity, He wants us on mission to do the same for others. Following God also means loving like God. John Wesley emphasized the Works of Piety and the Works of Mercy so that we may walk with holiness and love others. God intends for our continued Christian transformation through holiness and active love for others. How to respond to God’s love for strangers?
i. Face our reservations
John Wesly said, “Christianity is essentially a social religion, and that to turn it into a solitary religion is indeed to destroy it”. Christianity cannot exist without society. It is not a private affair and needs to be lived publicly. We need to look at our hearts and humbly invite God to circumcise our hearts so that we may face our reservations to love the strangers.
ii. Find Jesus among the strangers
Jesus is deeply concerned for the strangers in our midst. He is already with the strangers. He is waiting for us to respond to His invitation to join Him. Food, friendship and faith conversations are shared. We need to open our eyes to see what God is doing among them.
iii. Follow Jesus into the society
To offer Jesus’ works of:
Compassion – offering friendship and raising awareness;
Mercy – give what we do not deserve, extend God’s forgiveness and a second chance;
Justice – righting of wrongs, and generosity and social concerns.
Our precious God is lovingly inviting us to taste what it means to follow Jesus into society. Let’s face our reservations and find Jesus among the strangers.
(Sermon notes by Honey Vreugdewater)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Read Deuteronomy 10:12-22. What does this passage tell you about God and his concerns?
- Reflect on Deuteronomy 10:16. What does circumcision of the heart look like? What would uncircumcision of the heart look like?
- What needs to be addressed in your life so that your heart may be continually circumcised?
- Compare Deuteronomy 10:17-19 with Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:14-16; 43-48. What are the similarities and differences in these passages concerning loving the stranger in Deut 10:19?
- How is God inviting you to offer love in a practical sense to a particular group of people in your community? Spend time bringing these people to God through your prayers of blessing and petitions.
