Ministry in The Margins: How Small Acts Have Eternal Impact

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES DOWNLOAD SERMON SUMMARY SERMON SUMMARY (by OpenAI) Ministry in the Margins: How Small Acts Have Eternal Impact By Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min. Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 1. Introduction: Jesus will separate those who served from those who did not. Dr. Hudson opens with Matthew 25, where Jesus describes the Son of Man returning in glory, separating people like a shepherd divides sheep and goats. This passage reveals how God evaluates lives—not by spectacle or prominence, but by compassionate actions taken toward “the least of these.” Jesus lists personal, human-scale acts: Feeding the hungryGiving drink to the thirstyWelcoming the strangerClothing the nakedVisiting the sickMinistering to the imprisoned The righteous are surprised—they don’t remember doing these things for Jesus. But He replies: “Inasmuch as you did it to the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” This text reveals Christ’s heart for people and His identification with the marginalized. 2. Two Levels of Ministry: Macro & Micro Dr. Hudson explains that Jesus operated at two simultaneous levels: A. Macro (Big Picture) The “40,000-foot view”God enthroned in heavenChrist coming in glory with angelsThe sweeping rule of God over all creationJesus doing “big things”—miracles, world-changing acts This is the majestic, transcendent dimension of Christ’s ministry. B. Micro (Personal & Individual) Jesus noticing one hungry personOne thirsty personOne strangerOne sick or imprisoned personOne woman touching His garmentOne boy with a small lunch The same King who rules the universe also sees individual people in need. "Jesus sees you right where you are.” Christ never stops seeing the person while seeing the big picture. The Problem With People Who Only See Macro Some people only want big, impressive ministry. They become “legends in their own minds.” But without micro-vision—tenderness, compassion, awareness—you cannot truly minister to people. 3. What God Actually Pays Attention To Dr. Hudson stresses that we live in a culture fascinated by entertainment, showmanship, and spectacle. But: God is not impressed with big platforms or big productions.God does not measure greatness the way people do.God pays attention to people and their conditions, especially those who are suffering. Illustration: Prison Ministry Prison ministry strips away props, technology, and fanfare. You can’t take your laptop, phone, Apple Watch, or screens. You go in with: A BibleA simple watchGlassesA few notesAnd Jesus in your heart This is micro-level ministry—core, simple, compassionate. God pays attention to that. 4. A Big God Who Sees and Uses Small Things A. God Sees Small Things Luke 12:6–7 – God cares about sparrows and numbers every hair on your head. Jesus regularly highlights small acts of faith, not big personalities. B. God Uses Small Things Biblical examples: A boy’s small lunch (loaves & fishes)Rahab’s small but courageous lie to protect the spiesDavid’s sling and five smooth stonesSamson’s donkey’s jawboneThe woman’s touch of Jesus’ garmentGideon’s 300 soldiersA man loaning Jesus his donkey All small acts. All with massive impact. C. God Uses Simple Things Especially in ministry to the marginalized—juvenile centers, prisons, people at the margins of society. Simplicity reveals Christ most clearly. 5. Ministry in the Margins: The Meaning of “Margins” The sermon uses the metaphor of a book: The text is the main content—where “most people” live.The margin is outside the center—where people feel unseen, unwelcome, or displaced. Some people live in the margins because: Society pushes them thereThey don’t fit expected normsThey experience hardship, injustice, or lackThey aren’t embraced by the “main text” Jesus, however, identifies...