Worship Workout 7 February 2021
Beyond borders
Welcome to the launch of The Salvation Army’s Self Denial Appeal 2021. This is a time when we prayerfully consider how we can financially support our fellow Salvationists in other lands all over the world.
For he has given us this command: whoever loves God must also demonstrate love to others. (1 John 4:21)
Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving—all because God loves hilarious generosity! (2 Corinthians 9:7-8)
Theme for the week It is my favourite time of The Salvation Army Year – it is the start of our self-denial appeal. I love it because it enables us to see what a difference God is making through Salvationists all over the world – and I find that really exciting! But there is also some consideration to be given to how we might each contribute to the work of the international Salvation Army through financial giving. Giving is often a challenging subject, so today I hope to help you gain some different perspectives on giving and illustrate why the proof of the pudding is sometimes in the ‘not eating’…
As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:9)
Call to worship: Psalm 47:1-2, 5-9
Leader: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. Women: For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. Men: God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. Women: Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. Men: For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. Leader: God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. All: The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted.
Opening song: Go forth and tell (922) Go forth and tell! O Church of God, awake! God’s saving news to all the nations take; proclaim Christ Jesus, Saviour, Lord and King, that all the world his worthy praise may sing.
Go forth and tell! God’s love embraces all; he will respond in grace to all who call: how shall they call if they have never heard the gracious invitation of his word?
Go forth and tell! Where still the darkness lies; in wealth or want, in sin they live and die: give us, O Lord, concern of heart and mind, a love like yours which cares for all mankind.
Go forth and tell! The doors are open wide: share God’s good gifts – let no one be denied; live out your life as Christ your Lord shall choose, your ransomed powers for his sole glory use.
Go forth and tell! O Church of God, arise! Go in the strength which Christ your Lord supplies; go till all nations his great name adore and serve him, Lord and King for evermore. (James Edward Seddon 1915-1983) Let’s pray: Where in the world?
Our previous Self-Denial Appeals have supported The Salvation Army’s work in
many places across the world. This year we are taking the opportunity to revisit these some of these countries and see how the money raised impacted the mission and ministry in that place, and also to see how they are dealing with the challenges
presented by the global pandemic.
This morning, therefore I thought it would be good to have the opportunity to pray for the five places we will be revisiting over the next four weeks: Burkina Faso, Mali, Pakistan, The Philippines, and Bangladesh. Below are some prayers which have been prepared that highlight some prayer points which will provide a focus for prayer over the period of Self Denial in 2021.
Burkina Faso has experienced an increase in violence and extremism over the past two years, resulting in 1 million people being displaced and another 3.5 million in need of basic assistance. There have been 10,000 COVID cases to date and 118 deaths. Christians in Burkina Faso face persecution for their faith (32nd most persecuted in world).
Mali has been through a recent civil war which is now in the early stages of a peace agreement being in place which it is hoped will end the attacks as people are granted access to land and water. There have been 8,100 COVID cases and 330 deaths. Christians in Mali are persecuted for their faith (28th most persecuted in world).
Pakistan is teetering on the edge of war with India, over the status of the Kashmir and Jammu regions. There have been 548,000 COVID cases and 11,746 deaths, with vaccines only just having reached them. Pakistan is also the 5th most dangerous place to be a Christian, with attacks on Christians taking place regularly.
The Philippines faces many challenges: the pandemic, three typhoons in late 2020; 527,000 COVID cases and 10,807 COVID deaths; a creaking healthcare system; drug wars and an alleged black market for COVID vaccines – all make for a desperate need for resources. Bangladesh is currently relocating Myanmar refugees as it tries to battle the pandemic and manage resources. The country has seen 536,000 cases of COVID and had 8,137 COVID deaths. Bangladesh is high on the list of places where persecution of Christians is happening (31st on the watchlist).
Prayer Song: We have caught the vision splendid (938) We have caught the vision splendid, Of a world which is to be, When the pardoning love of Jesus, Freely flows from sea to sea, When all men from strife and anger, Greed and selfishness are free, When the nations live together, In sweet peace and harmony.
We would help to build the city, Of our God, so wondrous fair; Give our time, bring all our talents, And each gift of beauty rare, Powers of mind, And strength of purpose, Days of labour, nights of strain, That God's will may be accomplished, O'er the kingdoms He shall reign.
Founded on the rock of ages, Built upon God's promise sure, Strengthened by the cords of service, We shall stand firm and secure; When the Father, Son and Spirit Crown our labours with success, Men and angels then uniting, Shall God's mighty love confess.
(Doris Nicol Rendell)
As we close in prayer, you are invited to say The Lord’s Prayer. In recognition of the global flavour to today’s worship, and of the diverse nature of our fellowships, you are invited to pray in your native language. Let us celebrate the diversity and richness of God’s creation as we pray. What is Self-Denial all about? Today sees the launch of The Salvation Army’s annual Self Denial Appeal. The Self- Denial Appeal raises funds to support the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in countries across the world.
It's called Self Denial as funds are primarily raised through what is called sacrificial giving. Put simply this is about giving something up or denying ourselves something, and using the money saved to support the work of the Army across the World. So, you might decide to go without a chocolate bar every day until 7 March (which is how long the appeal lasts for) and give the money you would have spent to the Self-Denial appeal instead.
This is exactly what a Salvation Army Officer called Major John Carleton decided to do in 1886. Major Carleton had been at the International Congress (similar to Boundless for those who attended that in 2015) and he heard an impassioned speech given by Kate Booth one of the daughters of The Salvation Army Founder, William Booth. She was pleading the cause of the Army’s emerging work in France, and asking for monetary contributions. Now Major Carleton really wanted to give something but did not have a lot of money to give. Then he had a genius idea! He decided to go without pudding every day for a year, which he estimated would save about 50 shillings (about £200 a year in today’s money); and this money he pledged to send to the appeal for the Army’s work in France.
What is Self-Denial all about? (cont…)
When William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army found out about this he was inspired. He loved the idea of people uniting together to go without something for a short time and then donating the money saved to The Salvation Army. Thus, Self- Denial was born.
Back to today. What about 2021? Well, due to the restrictions and challenges of the pandemic we are using this year as an opportunity to revisit some of the previous places that have received Self-Denial donations. This week, and each week for the next four weeks there will be a short video showing different aspects of The Salvation Army’s work in these places: Burkina Faso, Mali, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Bangladesh.
This five-week period is to give people time to make a considered decision about what they might give up in those weeks, or how much they can afford to give and give them time to do it! There are two main ways to give: 1) Place the donation in an envelope and either post it to us, or drop it through the letterbox when you are out and about for exercise. 2) Pay via bank transfer (Details - Sort Code: 60-01-73; Account No.: 00178123 Bank: RB SATCO General Income Central Trust) (Make sure you put Kilburn Self Denial in the reference) 3) There will be an opportunity to recognise the giving of the gifts at our Altar Service (which is basically the self-denial collection) which will be held during morning worship on Sunday 7 March.
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 9: 1-12
Now it is not necessary for me to write you about the ministry to the saints, for I know your eagerness, which is the subject of my boasting about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you may not prove to have been empty in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be; otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—in this undertaking. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you, and arrange in advance for this bountiful gift that you have promised, so that it may be ready as a voluntary gift and not as an extortion. The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
Amen. Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 9: 1-12 (cont) He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.
Sound familiar…? The Apostle Paul undertook what we would probably call fundraising as he travelled through Greece and Asia Minor on his missionary journeys. We are told in 2 Corinthians that Paul’s fundraising is for the Christians in Jerusalem; and is described as a gift. Our scripture passage in chapter 9 picks the story up at the point that Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to have the gift, the money, ready on time; insisting that giving should be voluntary and considered, not wilfully extracted; and recommending that the gift be presented alongside the other churches as a public witness. Now, does that sound familiar at all? A collection for Christians in another country? A considered gift? A set time period over which the giving takes place? A public witness of the collection? It sounds to me very much like the model for The Salvation Army’s self-denial appeal.
Today, as we each embark upon self-denial and consider our own monetary gift, we will look more closely at one of these aspects of giving that Paul mentions – that of the attitude in which the gift is given. v7 says: God loves a cheerful giver! (also ‘hilarious’!) Corinth was a very wealthy Roman city – stinking rich you might say - where money was power and status, and wealth was measured by the size of your villa and the type of chariot you drove…that sounds familiar too. And in a world driven by money, power and status it is challenging to be a giver…even more challenging to be a cheerful one!
There are numerous places in both the Old and New Testament where we are commanded to give. We know that following Jesus’ commands is an important part of discipleship, being obedient to Him is undoubtedly a priority – but Paul is saying that we shouldn’t just be giving out of religious duty or to keep up appearances.
I’ve heard the phrase ‘God loves a cheerful giver’ many times, particularly in my head when I’ve been debating over how much to put in the collection…but it made me think: Do I give cheerfully? What does cheerful giving look like?
Whilst the next song plays, we have the opportunity to ponder these questions for ourselves.
Song 3: Except I am moved with compassion (626) The Saviour of men came to seek and to save, The souls who were lost to the good; His Spirit was moved, For the world which He loved, With the boundless compassion of God. And still there are fields where the laborers are few, And still there are souls without bread, And still eyes that weep where the darkness is deep, And still straying sheep to be led.
Except I am moved with compassion, How dwelleth Thy Spirit in me? In word and in deed Burning love is my need; I know I can find this in Thee.
O is not the Christ 'midst the crowd of today, Whose questioning cries do not cease? And will He not show, To the hearts that would know, The things that belong to their peace? But how shall they hear if the preacher forbear Or lack in compassionate zeal? Or how shall hearts move, With the Master's own love, Without His anointing and seal?
It is not with might to establish the right, Nor yet with the wise to give rest; The mind cannot show, What the heart longs to know , Nor comfort a people distressed. O Saviour of men, touch my spirit again, And grant that Thy servant may be, Intense every day, as I labour and pray, Both instant and constant for Thee.
(General Albert Orsborn)
Workout Wondering Here’s a little story for you: The world’s strongest man was touring with his show. For his finale he would take an orange, squeeze all the juice out of it and offer £1,000 to anyone in the audience who could get another drop of juice from it. Time after time, men came forward but, squeeze as they might, none could do it. Then, one evening, a skinny old man came forward to meet the challenge. The crowd laughed at the idea that he could squeeze more juice than the strongest man. He calmly took the orange, put it between his palms and squeezed – and to the crowd’s amazement, out came a single drop of juice. Handing over the £1000, the stunned strongman couldn’t resist asking what the old man did for a living. “I’m the treasurer for my local Church!” This anecdote is quite tongue in cheek insinuating that nothing will get in the church’s way of a fundraising opportunity, made me smile; but as I reflected on it, I think it also illustrates something of the faith of the man and the faithfulness of God – giving in faith - and God honouring that faith. I think the church treasurer in the illustration was a cheerful giver, and I think Major Carleton was a cheerful giver – and probably two stones lighter having given up his puddings for a year – what’s not to be cheerful about? You see, it’s not about putting your money in the basket with a smile, it’s about what is in your heart, your intention. But, I’m not sure I’m always a cheerful giver, the first century Christians in Corinth certainly struggled with it, and maybe you do to – I’m casting no aspersions! So, how do we give cheerfully? Let’s start by considering our perspective on giving, and see if that helps… Think of it like a Rubik’s Cube – you want to solve it, you often get one side done, or maybe two, and you’ve no idea how you’ve done it; and it isn’t until you know the trick and are able to see the puzzle from a different perspective that you manage to crack it; and when you’ve done that, when you’ve changed how you think, you find you can crack it every time. I think giving cheerfully might be a bit like that: you want to give cheerfully, and sometimes you can, especially when it is a cause that is close to your heart, but sometimes you do it reluctantly without cheer, it’s a chore – if we see giving in a different light, however, well, then I think consistent cheerful giving may follow. Paul makes three points which might help us to change our perspective on giving – but grab your spade because we will have to dig into wider scripture to find them. Number one: See giving as receiving – in abundance God loves a cheerful giver is a reworked phrase taken from the Old Testament - Proverbs chapter 22, which is wisdom about riches and poverty. The verse which is equivalent to ‘God loves a cheerful giver is v9 which says: Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor. In giving we also receive, but Paul gives a warning in v6: The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. To put it simply, you reap what you sow. Now, please don’t mishear me, this is not me saying that God will prosper you economically if you give; that is false teaching. This is about being wise enough to realise that our riches are in God’s indescribable gift of abundant blessing and lavish grace; our riches are not in money or power. A cheerful giver knows that in giving we receive abundantly in God, and when we have God, we have everything we need! Number two: Seeing giving as an act of worship In v9 Paul says: “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” This is again taken from the Old Testament – Psalm 122 – the equivalent verse says: They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever. This Psalm is about the generosity of those who give to the poor, and their righteousness. Righteousness means something different today than it used to. Today, a righteous person is someone a bit pompous, self-righteous maybe, someone who thinks they are morally better than others. But in the OT righteousness refers to the behaviour by which God’s people demonstrate their gratitude to God for his faithfulness. It is a response to God. It is God-honouring. It is worship - recognising God’s greatness and thanking him for what he has done for us. I think that worship and response was driving John Carlton when he made that ‘cheerful’ decision to give up his pudding – it was a response from the heart, the heart of worship and thanksgiving, and burning desire to bring to others what he had experienced himself – God’s salvation. And he found a way to do it! God saw our need, our despair, our broken-ness, and in his mercy and love, he gave to us out of the ‘riches of his grace’. And in the same way, when we see people in need, in despair, in broken-ness, we give out of love and grace cheerfully because we are grateful for what God has given us. A cheerful giver gives as an act of worship and response. And finally, number three: Seeing giving as achieving God’s purpose v10 says: ‘He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food’. Like the others this image is from the Old Testament - Isaiah 55:10: As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Everything belongs to God and, in the end, everything will be returned to God. This is a picture of God renewing and reconciling – it is beginning and end – it is God achieving his purpose. And God created us and has a purpose for us. He has given us everything we have and we should prayerfully consider what we do with it. How do we use what we have to achieve his purpose – for us, for our community, for our country, for the whole world? Now that is a real change of perspective. We aren’t called to pull the ladder up and look after ourselves – Jesus didn’t do that – no, he used all (everything including his life) he had to achieve the purpose for which God sent him. We would be in a real pickle if he hadn’t. We prayed earlier: Thy Kingdom come, they will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. And through determining to use what God has given us now, we are bringing in the Kingdom now. Through our giving to those in need we are unleashing the power of the Kingdom of God upon people and their situations. How incredible is that!?! I really want to do that, I love that thought, it’s exciting because I know what a difference that makes! A cheerful giver knows that they are part of God’s bigger purpose – and already work for His Kingdom. So, we have considered three different perspectives on giving, to help us to become cheerful (or even more cheerful) givers. We have considered: • Seeing giving as receiving in abundance • Seeing giving as an act of worship • Seeing giving as achieving God’s purpose And a final thought about cheerful giving – put yourself in the place of someone in the crowd from our illustration earlier. You are watching this wizened, weakly old chap squeezing a drop of juice out of this exhausted, mercilessly pulped orange. You are watching the impossible being made possible through sheer faith, sheer will and the sheer strength of God above. Are you amazed? I wonder how many people came to believe through this man’s cheerful witness, and how many more could believe through yours? We live in an exhausted and mercilessly pulped world – but we have the opportunity to do something amazing, something life-changing, world changing. Will you do that this self-denial period? In this case, the proof of the pudding is in the ‘not’ eating – will you see the difference you can make?
Closing song: All over the world (315) All over the world, the Spirit is moving, All over the world, as the prophets said it would be All over the world, there’s a mighty revelation Of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
All over his Church, the Spirit is moving… (same pattern as first verse)
Right here in this place, the Spirit is moving… (same pattern as first verse)
(Roy Turner)
Benediction: 2 Corinthians 9:13
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given
you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!