1. Reflecting God To Others
Reflecting The Character Of God
In Our Community

2. A Journey Of Change
12 years ago this weekend we submitted the papers to sponsor the Nyarza family
It was the culmination of a painful process of change for me and the church
It was the process of coming to realize that I was a “Christ- one” in name only. That my personal values and behavior did not reflect the attitudes and priorities of the heart of God
I struggled in giving loving care to the “Vulnerable Quartet”
The Orphans, the Widows, the Poor, the Foreigners

3. Location: Dadaab Refugee Camps, northeastern Kenya
136,000+ refugees
Camps administered by UNHCR since 1991:
biweekly food ration distributions, limited education, extremely few training programs, no farming, harassment and occasional violent attacks on minority Sudanese population

4. The Conditions 136,000+ refugees Camps run by UNHCR since 1991
biweekly food ration distributions cut back by 50%, diet now sorgum and oil
limited education, no farming, harassment and occasional violent attacks on minority Sudanese population
People are not allowed to work, travel or settle in Kenya.

5. Nyarza family Charles Victor Joyce William Zechariah James Peter John
8 years 5 years years 21 years years years years

6. A Journey Of Change
I was forced to examine my beliefs about the poor, the widows, the orphans and the foreigners in light of scripture and I was found wanting.
1 John 3:16-18; Do we even love the brother?
Matt.5:48 – Calls us to reflect the Character of God
That is what it means to be a “CHRISTIAN”
Rom.12:1,2 – It is an act of worship to offer your body to God to be transformed away from the world to a “likeness of Christ”

7. Reflecting The Character of God
We reflect the character of God by recognizing our sense of worth is not found in what others feel about us or in our stuff or others having the ability to boss us around.
Matt.5:38-42
Issues of Pride
Our worth and significance is found in God’s view of us

8. Reflecting The Character of God
We reflect the character of God by loving those who hate us Matt.5:43-48
Loving those who hate us because God loved us while we were still sinners – Rom.5:8
How do we reflect Christ in our community?
We read Scripture to understand what God likes, then allow His Spirit to transform our character to a likeness of His.
An opportunity for Mercy, Justice and Love

9. Reflecting The Character of God
We are to care for foreigners, because you were a foreigner to God – Deut.10:19
We are to provide for those without, so that God may bless us. – Deut.14:29
We are commanded by God to be generous with the poor – Deut.15:11
Help the Helpless because that is what you were – Deut.24:19-22
God is the helper of the Fatherless – Ps.10:14
To mock the poor is to show contempt for God – Pr.17:5

10. Reflecting The Character of God
God rewards those who are kind to the poor – Prov.19:17
Help those who are oppressed – Jer.22:3
Acting Justly, Loving Mercy and Humbly walking with God is required – Micah 6:8
What is God quick to testify against? Mal.3:5
While religious activity is good, justice mercy and faithfulness must be a part of our character. –Matt.23:23

11. Reflecting The Character of God
It is a heart that is transformed to reflect the character of God that the Son Of Man will welcome into His kingdom – Matt.25:31-46
It was the ministry of Christ to help the poor, the prisoners, the blind and the oppressed. – Lk.4:18
What does God consider pure and undefiled religion? – James 1:27

12. Reflecting God Today The Poor The Oppressed – the people with no voice
People on Medical disability make less than $1000
Minimum wage workers
The Oppressed – the people with no voice
Farm Labour – some working 6 wks with no day off
Battered wife
Those in Bondage
Sex trade workers
Human trafficing
Refugees
Being a Foster Parent

13. God’s Chosen Fast - Isa.58 What is Man’s kind of fast? – 3-5
Selfishness, Pride, Exploitation, Strife, Fighting
It is all about us
Who is that reflecting?
Satan is called the Accuser of the Brethren, The Father of all Lies, the Destroyer
When we gossip and repeat the sin of others it is called speaking evil of others
Who are we reflecting?

14. God’s Chosen Fast - Isa.58 What is God’s kind of fast? – 6,7
What is the result of doing what he asks us to? – 8
Our light will be seen by others
He will heal us
Our righteousness will go before us
The Lord will protect us
He will supply our needs
We will be called people who repair and restore lives

15. God Blessing Obedience
After we made the decision to help the Nyarza’s, God blessed us.
That decision was a turning point for this church
2 years of total unity and excitement in the body
God granted us favour within the community
Other ministries opened up
He gave us this building

16. God Blessing Obedience
Helping the Poor, the widow the orphan, the stranger is not an option. It is what we were and what God did for us. It is what we should do for others.
It is the channel through which God blesses His people.
It is the mark of a transformed heart.
It is the heart that will be blessed and welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven.
It is part of being a disciple that Thinks, Acts, and Loves like Jesus

17. Where Are You? Are you wondering what this walk with God is all about?
1 Cor.6:9-11
God is all about changing who we are
Have you been on this walk a while but recognizing some changes are needed
Confess your sin
Look for opportunities to people to reflect God’s love to
Are you enjoying the blessing and joy of walking in obedience in a conversational relationship with God?
WALK ON