Thornleigh Seventh-day Adventist Church (Sydney, Australia)

Home > Online Magazine > Online Magazine: Edition 45 - February/March 2012 > Our Hands (by Kira-leigh Josey)

Our Hands

by Kira-leighZach Strickland

 
Jesus' Hands  (third sermonette on "hands")

 
Maryellen has told us about what it means to be in God's hands. Zach has told us about Jesus' hands and how he cared for people and died for you and me. I would like to tell you about what all of this means for your hands.

In this room at the moment we have over one hundred hands. Small hands, large hands, smooth hands and rough hands. Hands that have scars and stains and even hands that smell nice, I hope that you washed your hands this morning! Jesus wants to use all the hands in this very room to make a difference in our world.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says that whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. That means no holding back! Try your best in everything you do. Or as my PE teacher would say get your 'A' game on. If you wrote a list of all the things your hands have done this week, would you be able to say that ALL of those things had being done with all of your might. Paul goes a step further in Romans, when he tells us to do all things for the Glory of God. We all have to ask ourselves this question, are our hands used for God's glory?

David talks about having clean hands and a pure heart in Psalm 24:4. He is not talking about how much soap you use or not getting your hands dirty in the garden but rather the types of things your hands find to do. The same hand that can make an angry fist can also give you a much needed hug. The same hand that steals, can also give an encouraging gift. The same hand that cheats on a maths test can also write a 'Get well soon card' for somebody who's sick. All David is saying is to think about what your hands do and make sure that all these things are for God's glory and reflect His love to others.

There is a strong emphasis in the bible about using our hands to look after the poor and needy. In Proverbs 31:20 we read about a lady with a noble character. One of the things that made her so noble is that she extends her hand to the needy. What if somebody wrote about your character? Would they say that your hands were extended to people who needed your help at the time, your touch? Ephesians 4:28 says: Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

Even as a child we can use our hands to serve. In year 5, my class decided that we wanted to make a difference in the world. Only 10 and 11 we began to raise money for ADRA by holding cake stalls, ice-cream stalls, movie days, sponge throwing stalls and numerous other methods we raised nearly $1, 000. We bought wells for people in Africa so that they wouldn't have to walk so long to get their water. If you asked anybody who was in my grade five class they would say that it was truly one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences that they've ever done. We even got our picture taken with our local MP of the time! Right now our Thornleigh Pathfinders are trying to raise $1000 for the cause of World Changers. We are trying to raise $1000 dollars so people can have a bible that otherwise were too poor to or didn't have access to one. Think of what a difference that will make, raising that money with our hands.

Jesus wants to work through our hands. He says that when you do easy things like giving water to the thirsty, food to the hungry and warm clothes to the cold you are actually doing those things for him. By helping others out you gain satisfaction from knowing that your time and efforts have benefited somebody else, just how I felt in year 5. In my life, I like knowing that the money that I donate to hungry money goes to feed people who are hungry. Some things that we do with our hands can be spontaneous like helping a lady carry her groceries to the car or an old lady cross the street. Jesus wants your hands to make a difference in our world.

Your hands affect other people. Once when I was young in year 6 I was buying my lunch at the canteen when I found that I didn't have enough money for my order by twenty cents then suddenly behind me a much older student simply said I'll pay for her and handed his money to the canteen lady. What a difference his hands made in my day! Look at your hands and think- what will your hands be doing this week?

Will your hands be used for God's glory this week?

James tells us that the real thing that controls our hands is our heart. If Jesus is in control of your heart it will show through what you do with your hands.

How can you get your A game on with your hands this week?

Serve God with your whole life, your heart and your hands!

Home > Online Magazine > Online Magazine: Edition 45 - February/March 2012 > Our Hands (by Kira-leigh Josey)