Does Anyone Care?
VBC Albuquerque · Aug 11, 2024
This sermon addresses whether believers truly care for one another in their community. Drawing from Nehemiah's story of concern for the suffering condition of the Jewish people and his decisive action to serve them, the sermon emphasizes that followers of Christ must love, serve, and care for one another practically. The message challenges the church to move beyond indifference and embrace mutual responsibility.
The first section poses the central question of whether believers truly care for one another in the church. The sermon opens by asking whether you genuinely care for others, especially those suffering hardship. Christ's teaching that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" and the Son of Man's purpose of serving rather than being served establishes the principle that Christ himself came to serve. The warning from Revelation 3:15-16 about the lukewarm church—neither hot nor cold—demonstrates that indifference or lack of concern is a serious spiritual problem.
The second section develops Nehemiah's model as a leader who genuinely cared for his people in practical terms. When Nehemiah heard of Jerusalem's ruined state and the distress of the surviving remnant from exile, he did not remain indifferent or detached. Instead, he wept, fasted, and prayed with sincere concern. He continued walking in faith, requesting permission from the king so he could help the people rebuild their city. This story illustrates that genuine care must lead to specific action and personal sacrifice.
The third section applies the lesson through an extensive list of ways the church must care for one another through mutual service. This list includes loving one another, serving one another, accepting one another, forgiving one another, bearing one another's burdens, encouraging one another, and praying for one another. These are not optional but are commands of Scripture for believers. The sermon emphasizes that the Church is one body, and each member needs the care of other members to function properly, just as the hands, feet, ears, and eyes of a human body all depend on caring for one another to operate normally.
The final section affirms that care is not a matter of temporary emotion but a lasting commitment of the local church. By obeying Scripture's commands regarding how to treat one another—loving, serving, forgiving, counseling, and praying—believers testify to Christ's grace. The practical care and action of the church toward one another serves as a living witness to the presence of the Holy Spirit and validates that you are a disciple of Christ.