Addressing the Curse of Poverty - Part 1 — Jackie Pullinger

But what has happened through her ministry in Hong Kong. And it's really hard to know how to do it when, you know, you have someone who can get money out of fish's mouths and things like that, and God just continues to supply in marvelous ways.

But I believe there was something that the Lord showed me that we could do. Jackie's coming here is really, in many ways, for her, a time of leaving Hong Kong at a very crucial time. In six weeks, you know there will be a transfer of Hong Kong over to the Chinese government.

And for her to be there in this city, which she loves, and with the people that she loves, to leave them at this time and to be here, there is a sacrifice in that that has taken place. And I believe that what would be appropriate for us to do in just saying thank you to Jackie is for us to covenant to pray for Hong Kong over the next six weeks.

I would ask that you would give time each day to remember Hong Kong and its people as this transition takes place. And we're going to just, I'm just going to pray a short prayer at this time, but I would challenge you to do that, to remember Hong Kong and to pray for God's protection, His peace, and His kingdom to come to that city.

So let's stand and pray together. Our Father in Heaven, we thank you that you have chosen to work out your kingdom amongst us as your people. And it is in cities, oftentimes, Father, that we see this played out.

As we see in Scripture how village or town or city was impacted by your kingdom's presence. And, Lord, it is our prayer at this time that your kingdom would come to Hong Kong in these days and, Lord, in the days after the 1st of June or the 1st of July.

I ask, Lord, that you would bring your kingdom in greater measure, in greater power and greater authority in Hong Kong. And I ask, Lord, that your presence would fill every street, every shop, every apartment, every home, every place, Lord, that there is a person who is calling out in their heart to know you, Lord, come.

Let your presence fill the street and let your love flow like a river down every street in this city. So, Lord, we pray for Hong Kong and we thank you for your divine sovereign purpose for this city. And we ask that your will for Hong Kong would be done.

And, Lord, let this happen. We pray in your great name. Amen. Jackie, welcome.

I want to put my heart in you. I want you to feel what I feel. I want to teach you how to love. There's an aching in my heart. But there's also a hope and a love that I want to put into you. I want to teach you how to love with my broken heart.

God's Kindness Leads People to Repentance

That broken heart will make you whole. As I come with my holiness, you see my glory and your uncleanness. It's like Isaiah, you will cry out, Woe is me. I'm ruined. But when I show you my holiness, I will also bring my kindness.

And it's my kindness that will move you to repentance. And from there will flow my grace, mercy and healing. So my people, call by my name. You will humble yourself and pray and seek my face. And there I will hear from heaven.

And I will forgive your sins and I will heal your land.

I can see someone very kindly bought me some new glasses. That's really kind. Thank you very much. I want to talk about what the kindness of the Lord will bring about in the world. I think there are three great battles for our life.

The Three Battles of the Christian Life

And Gary was speaking this morning about the enemy delivering up the keys when Jesus vanquished him and plundered hell. And the enemy tries and has tried by trickery to keep us from a knowledge of the Savior.

And when we have come to know the Savior, when we know that we have eternal life through Jesus, that's one battle. There's often another battle which is an ongoing one. Which is that the enemy tries to persuade us that yielding our lives fully to the Lord means we're going to miss out on fun or what we think we need.

So there's a battle for control of our lives. Or who is going to be Lord. And then there's a third one which is really what we've been talking about the last few days. And that is our functional future.

What are we going to do with the rest of our time here? And actually there's only one answer. Because there's the same future for everyone who is still here on earth having known Jesus as Savior. And the future or what we must all be about for the rest of the time that we're here is very simple.

It's about people. That's all. It's about people who've tasted the kindness of the Lord. Touching people with the kindness of the Lord. That's all we have to do. I have a friend who has a wonderful church in England.

And he has banned the use of the word evangelism. At least for a while. I expect the word will be redeemed quite soon. But for the time being he's banned it in case people's minds go down another track.

And he says the job of our people is to touch people with God's love. That's all. That's all. So it's very simple. And nobody has to be successful in doing this. We only have to touch people with what we've been touched with.

That's all. Romans 2 .4 says, Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience? Not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance. It's the kindness of God that changes us.

The kindness of God. Which means his kindness as revealed in Jesus is stronger than anything we can imagine. For it's knowing his kindness that changes us and will change the world. And it's what especially these days the world is waiting for.

And it's what especially these days those who don't yet know Christ are watching Christians for. Because there are many as they watch us who secretly hope that our God is God. And they wait to see if we're kind.

For then they might know that he is. And the world is waiting to see a kind God. I want to look at three different passages of scripture which will illustrate what the kindness of God will do for us. In changing us and preparing us for the future.

Moses Encounters God's Goodness and Glory

Look first of all at Exodus. In Exodus 24 .17 we see Moses disappearing, I suppose you might say, into a charismatic fire. Looking something like a volcano and smoking. And Moses goes into that fire and disappears from view into intimacy with the Lord such as we've not known.

Now this is a Moses who has known miracles. This is a Moses who has authority from the Lord, who has his staff, who has been given power and has worked through the Lord's mighty outstretched arm using his arm.

Miracles. Ten extraordinary ones. And then the crossing of the Red Sea. And then water from a rock. And now he disappears into a smoking mountain. And he receives intimate instructions from the Lord. And then we see him again because he walks down the mountain and in horror sees that his people have turned to the worship of a calf.

He breaks the tablets and goes back up the mountain. And we pick him up again in chapter 33 verse 13. If you're pleased with me, teach me your ways so that I may know you and continue to find favor with you.

And then as we've heard, he says, Lord, if your presence doesn't go with us, don't send us up. How will anyone know that you're pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? If you don't go, we won't.

And then the Lord says to Moses, I will do the very thing you've asked because I'm very pleased with you. And I know you by name. Now, what more could Moses experience? He's experienced miracles. He's already been the cause of a nation's deliverance.

He's seen signs and wonders, the like of which we may see, but probably not yet have. He's closer to the Lord than anyone. He's speaking to him intimately on a mountain. What more can he ask for? In all of this glory, in all of this power, in this smoking, quaking, rumbling mountain.

He says, show me your glory. And the Lord said, I will cause all my goodness to pass before you. He's asked to seek glory. And the Lord says, I will cause my goodness to pass in front of you. And he goes on in verse 19 to talk about mercy.

I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy. I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But then he said, you can't see my face because it would be a bit strong for you down here. But this is what I'll do.

There's a place where you can stand on a rock. And I'm going to hide you in a crack. And I shall pass by, just my back view. And I shall put my hand over you. A very big hand. And when I pass by my back a bit, I will remove it.

And you can see my back. This is what happened. He's asked to see his glory. And he's going to catch but a glimpse of his back passing by. And this is what he says in the next chapter, verse 6. This is the glory of the Lord.

The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God. Slow to anger. Abounding in love and faithfulness. Maintaining love to thousands. Forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Who would have guessed that on a quaking mountain, the God of the ten plagues and the mighty Red Sea would be speaking words about compassion.

Slow to anger. Abounding in love. Maintaining love to thousands. And forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Is there not a one whose heart is warmed to hear strong words of gentleness? To hear mighty words of warm compassion.

What an explosion as the Lord passes by. An explosion of kindness. An explosion of compassion. An explosion of grace. An explosion of forgiveness. And the Lord says to Moses. I've done my bit. I brought you out of Egypt with a mighty outstretched hand.

And I'm going to lead you into the promised land. And I will drive out the enemies before you. But you've got to go and take it. The Lord is the deliverer. He is the saviour. He is the one that will lead them in their life.

But he says you must do your bit. I'll drive out the enemy but you must drive out the enemy. If you don't go forward and drive out the enemy. I can't do my bit. And it's strange to understand this. But from the beginning of time for some strange reason.

God has covenanted to work his purpose with man. And he will not work his purpose without man. For he has covenanted to work his purpose with man. Which is why in all these bridegroom and bridesongs. We have in the last chapter of Revelation a joint invitation to those who are thirsty.

And in these days of possible and hopeful and prayed for revival. In these days when we sing and pray about God's glory. In these days when we stand in churches and say more Lord. I think what are we saying more to?

Are we saying Lord will you do more? What more can poor God do? He already gave his son. And then he sent his spirit. And we say more. And he says I've given you my son. I've given you my spirit. Now you do your bit.

Then you'll see more. Cry for. Not Lord send more. But Lord I'm ready to receive more of what you've already in mercy and kindness done for me. For the cross is historical. Has died. And I sometimes don't understand when people say show me your love God.

He did. And I can live my life. Remembering that he did. And living in the strength. And the sureness of that. But of course he's so sweet. He does keep anyway. Sending reminders. Because he's like that.

Moses after he'd asked to see glory. And he beheld goodness. And kindness. And compassion. Came down the mountain. And was so shiny. He only saw a bit. You know. Because that's what scripture teaches.

God in mercy has stopped us seeing too much because we die. If we believe we can see a bit. That's how you see by the way. That's right. People who don't believe can't see. And he just saw a bit. And he was so shiny.

That it says that when people looked at him they got blind. So he had to wear one of those white hankies you're waving. Over his head. In case people looked at him and got blind. And he just got the reflection of God's goodness.

So we see through this passage. That it's God's kindness. That was revealed to Moses in that glorious mountain. That was to lead him on. To lead his people on. To lay hold of what the Lord had already prepared for them.

Grace Saves Us to Do Good Works

Because it was a promised land. All got ready. In fact you could say it was a set up job. If they would only do their bit. Let's look at Ephesians 2. And we will see an identical passage. This is the famous passage which we often read.

And it was certainly in my first six salvation package verses. Which taught me that I was not saved by doing good things. But this passage teaches me that although I am not saved by good works. I am saved to do good works.

So he says in verse 3. How we were unredeemed. And how we were dead. How we were nature. By nature objects of wrath. Verse 4. But because of his great love for us. God who is rich in mercy. Made us alive.

Even when we were dead in transgressions. By grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ. And seated us with him in the heavenly realms. In Christ Jesus. For what? Here again. In order that in the coming ages.

He might show the incomparable riches of his grace. Expressed in his kindness to us. In Christ Jesus. And then he goes on in this passage which we know so well. To remind us that we have been saved by grace.

Not by what we have done. But certainly to suggest that having been saved by a kind God. This will be expressed in good deeds. Which have been prepared in advance. For us to do. If we will do them. Just like the people of Israel.

This is our choice. And this is the part of our life. Which we can choose to do or not. And the good works which we are to be about. Are very simple and they are the same for every single person. And that is to touch people.

That's all. To touch people. With the kindness that we have been touched with. That's all. It doesn't matter if we bring them to Christ or not. You see that bringing people to Christ. Is the work of the Holy Spirit.

Titus and the Calling to Productive Kindness

We can't make people come to Christ. But we can touch people. With the kindness of the Lord which they are waiting for. And they might then come to know our Savior. But we will touch them anyway. Titus 3.

This is the third passage. Just so we see scripture backs up scripture. Titus 3 verse 1. Remind the people. To be subject to rulers and authorities. To be obedient. To be ready to do what's good and kind.

And then the chapter traces the same progression. We were unregenerate. And he saved us. How? Verse 4. When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared. He saved us. Not because of the good things we've done.

But because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth. And renewal by the Holy Spirit. And then he goes on to say. But don't waste time. Don't get caught up. With arguments and words which turn you into circles.

Don't be consumed with things. That are unprofitable and useless. Keep away from people that cause division. Verse 14. Our people must learn to devote themselves. To doing what is good. That's it. That's all.

In order that they may provide for daily necessities. And not live unproductive lives. We are to be about touching people with Jesus. Now that's possible for everyone. That's not difficult. And he doesn't say.

Oh, by the way. You might need to spend a few years getting healed yourself. And then you can do it. You see we are going to be fully healed. When the kingdom fully comes. In that day. And we are not here on earth.

To get slowly healed. In the twinking of an eye. All will be made well. In a moment. Our new bodies. Our hearts with no scars. Somehow. Somehow. Somehow. Somehow. In heaven no regrets. Though I don't understand that.

In the twinkling of an eye. The kingdom will come. Perfectly. Now we know in part. And now we hasten the kingdom. By stretching out our hands. To bring it closer. But we are not here to get slowly healed.

We are here to touch people. That was the ministry of Jesus. And if you believe that your ministry is books. That's fine. But you must touch people. We are all here to touch people. Because God loved the world.

And this is for every man. And in this week particularly. We are considering touching the poor. The materially poor. The hopeless poor. The poor in spirit. Those who are in bondage. In shame. In despondency.

And we can all do that. While we are getting healed. Now I'll tell you what getting healed here. What the effect is. Every time I get healed a bit. In my heart. Every time I get healed a bit. In my mind.

Every time my body is touched. I can share that. With the people I'm touching. Which means I long to get more healed. Because then I've got more to share. Which means that the sickest people have the most to share.

Get it? Which means that when God said He has chosen the poor. When God says He has chosen the weak. It's because they have the most room for Him. And certainly the most gratitude. And certainly the most knowledge of our deficiencies and our need.

And so we will receive more of what He's poured out. And therefore we have more to share. See? That's how it goes. That's why we get healed. But you see. It's touching people as we go. That's why there's that wonderful scripture that says God of all comforts.

I can comfort you with the comfort that I've received. That's why the prostitute was the one that He said loved the most. Because she was forgiven the most. You see. The more awful it's been before. The more we may realize His kindness and His sweetness and His love.

And as soon as we receive it we touch other people with it. And we don't come up with clever answers. We don't say God changed me. He can change you. People don't relate so well to that. We can say God's comforted me.

Let me share that comfort. And I was hopeless. He still loved me. Let me share that with you. When I failed Him time and time again. He still held out His hands towards me. I'll hold mine out to you. That's what we offer.

So that's why strangely the gospel writers and the epistle writers write these strange passages. About counting it joy when we're having a tough time. And about a year ago somebody came and prayed for me.

And they prophesied that I was going to have a really difficult trial. It's the only time ever I could hardly wait. Honestly. Because I'd just done the Bible study on it. And I actually understood. The more I'm going through means the more I will understand His love.

And His kindness. And then I've got much smarter share than I had before. Because you see I could have lived off my testimony. When I wrote my book and that was in 1980. It was a bit stale. So He's so kind.

He says, Jackie I'm still going to work things in your life and in your heart. And He sends along a few agitators. And I don't cope too well with the agitators. I'm very slow at getting this message. But after about eight months of agitation I suddenly realized.

Oh it's because He loved me. It's because He wanted me to understand better. His love for me. His kindness to me. His comfort. How else would I know? How else would I know how to comfort a lady. Who when she's five years old.

Sees her mother hanging. And her father sleeping with his sister and brother. And every combination you can think of. And she grows up. Gets engaged to somebody when she's seventeen. Who sleeps with her and the father throws her out.

So she becomes a prostitute for fifty years. Fifty years. She ends up in a brothel which is in the dark. And nobody knows that she exists. Because she has no card. Therefore she isn't anyone you see. She isn't anyone.

And I used to pass by her in the street. And she used to pull on my sleeve. And she used to say. Oh please, please, please let me come and live with you. I'll do your ironing she'd say. And I learnt that she had witnessed two murders.

In her brothel. One was a young girl who was pregnant. And was told to sleep with a man. While she was pregnant. And because she was disobedient. They put a hose pipe in her mouth. And sealed her up until she died.

And they never reported the death. Because if you don't exist nobody will miss you. And then there was another old lady that they pushed. She was also in her sixties still as a prostitute. They pushed her.

And she died too. And my friend was so afraid that that would happen to her. She was just afraid that she would die and no one would know that's all. No one would miss her. No one ever being kind to her.

I'm so glad that God is sweetly revealing his heart to people in this country. I'm so glad that it's accompanied by signs and wonders. I'm so glad that there is a shaking of our hearts. Which may manifest itself in our bodies.

But how would she know? Shaking get all the way to her. How? You think she's free to buy a ticket to the stadium? She just wanted someone to be kind. And when in God's mercy. He allows a shaking of a different kind in my life.

Mark apart from the charismatic hop which is my version of your kick. The most that ever happens to me is mild tremble in my right leg. But I've known other shakings. And I'm more or less prepared to welcome them now.

I mean more or less. I can count it joy without feeling it joy. Because you see if in his mercy we've been shaken. And we've reached out. And found him there in sweetness. And found that he's compassionate and slow to anger.

And abounding in mercy. We have something for that lady. We have something she will understand. It's harder for her to understand the victorious guitarist. Though maybe one day she'll join in. So we don't get healed first.

But we get healed on the job. And as we get healed we share the love and kindness with which he heals us. Which means whether it's physical or emotional or social or whatever. Until we come to that great day when the kingdom comes in full.

We cry out for more and more signs and touches of his kingdom. That we have more to share and touch people with along the way. Now us. God said to Moses it's now your bit. Through the epistles that we've read.

Jesus Sends His Disciples to Touch the Poor

He says I've saved you for a purpose. Which is to be kind and not unproductive. Let's look at what Jesus did with his disciples. In Matthew 9. 36. It says he saw the people and had compassion. You know I think one of the reasons I often have trouble with my eyes and my glasses.

Is that I'm always talking about eyes. And it starts with seeing. We know that the Lord sees the whole earth. And his eyes go across the whole earth. And he sees everybody who is in despair and poverty and hopelessness.

He sees all that are lost. And when he was a man here on earth. As son of man as well as son of God. He saw that the sheep were without a shepherd. And he said the harvest is plentiful. But the workers are few.

Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest. And then in the next chapter 10. He called the twelve to him. And gave them authority to go out. Now we know that Jesus healed everyone who came to him.

But when he was here on earth. He spent nearly all his time in a tiny area. And he saw many people who were harassed. And he had compassion. And therefore he recruited twelve men. And he said I'm going to give you my authority and my power.

Now I want you to go and touch them. Which is proclaiming the kingdom. Touch them. The good news for the poor. Let them see the kindness of God by healing the sick. Casting out demons. Jesus saw those who were harassed without a shepherd.

And I suppose because he was the son of man. While he was here on earth. He could only get around those ones. Because he was here as the son of man. As well as the son of God. But he did touch all who came to him.

But he was to say it is better for you that I go away. Because if I go away. Then I'm going to send my spirit. And with my spirit more of you can touch. More of them. Strange. And we cry out God touch the world.

And he says you touch the world. I'll touch the world but you touch the world with my hand. And that's how it works. And we so often ask God to do. What he's told us to do. I think it's alright because that's prayer.

But there is our part. Which is now you go. And all you have to do is touch people with the love that you've received. That's all. You don't have to be successful. It doesn't matter whether people say thank you.

It doesn't matter. If you've got a great report for your missionary prayer letter. It doesn't matter at all. It only matters that you touch those that you see. With what you know of him. So where are we going to start?

This is the last night of the conference. So we're going to have a look at some ideas about where to start. I would suggest that we start in our touching people. With him. Which is obvious. But let's look at Mark 14.

Wasting Our Lives on Jesus and Serving the Least

In Mark 14 there's a story about a woman. Who came and broke an expensive jar of perfume on Jesus' head. And it says in many of the gospel stories that it filled the house with perfume. Now the disciples and one of them in particular.

Immediately got out their calculators. And you'll find that once we begin to start about ministry with the poor. People immediately get out their calculators. Put them away. I've said this many times.

And I will say it again. The last thing we need is money. I'm not saying we don't use it. I'm saying it's the last thing we need. Money cannot buy hearts. And the disciples calculated, especially Judas.

And you wonder when you read this story. Because in the John version it says he was the keeper of the money bags. And he used to help himself. And you think. How long did they know that? And they let him go on being treasurer.

Anyway I don't know. But he said it's a year's wages. And he helped so many poor people. And it sounds great. Because people are interested in volume. And in numbers. And that would look very good on the bulletin.

How many? And Jesus said leave her alone. She did what she could. That's all. That's what tonight's message is about. She did what she could. What did she do? She blew everything on Jesus. She wasted her life on him in one go.

And that's what we're going to do for the rest of our lives. You know I was involved with people in the world city for several years. And at the same time I had a teaching job at the very beginning. And it was quite funny.

Because the teachers at my proper school didn't really know what I was doing in the world city. And I was a musician. I used to teach woodwind instruments and choirs and orchestras and things like that.

And when all these teachers at my proper school found out what I was doing. They thought I was having choirs in the world city. And people say to me now, do you use your music? And I say no. What a waste.

No. I shall have a perfect embouchure in heaven. And I know I'll be able to extemporize. You see, we're very mean. Because we think God hasn't quite got enough. And because we think he's a bit mean in giving out talents.

We say, I've got to be very careful with this one I've got. And he says, use it. Or waste it. And I can waste my life on Jesus. If she used her music, think of what she could do. Never mind. Never mind.

It got me into Hong Kong. I put it on my passport. Maybe China will like it. I don't know. It doesn't quite work like we think. And we have quite a lot of young people that work with us. And sometimes their parents say, you're wasting your life.

Some of the parents, not all. Because you see, we don't pay our people anything. Nobody gets a salary. So they don't count it as a job. And they say, when are you going to do a proper one? Meaning when you're going to be paid.

Now I'm not suggesting you all throw up your jobs and come and join us. But what I'm saying is, we can spend our lives, if you like, first of all on Jesus. And it just doesn't work like people think. I was telling you a couple of days ago about this funny old man, Lumba.

This funny old man who's strange in the head. Jesus spent his whole life for this man. Whether he changes or not, I can spend my life on him. Because I think he might be Jesus. I mean, I think he might.

If you look at Matthew 25, sort of get a hint of what Jesus might look like occasionally. About sheep and goats. And if you're Chinese, you know that it's very important, the length of your hair. Because in Chinese we don't have a different word for sheep and goats.

We have short-haired sheep and long-haired sheep. And the goats are the long-haired sheep. So you see, in this story it's very important to have short hair. And Jesus tells the story about that day when he comes in his glory, which might look as if it's the day when we celebrate kindness.

It's a blinding kindness, of course. It's a very shiny kindness. But he comes and there's a reckoning. And he says to the right-hand lot, who are short-haired, I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.

I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me. And the righteous will answer him, Lord, I don't remember seeing you hungry.

When did I feed you? When did we give you something to drink? I don't remember seeing you. When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? And the king will reply, I tell you the truth. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.

This is all to do with seeing. He comes to the next lot, who are on the left, and he says, depart from me, you who are cursed. I was hungry and you didn't feed me. I was thirsty, you didn't give me anything to drink.

I was a stranger and you didn't invite me in. I needed clothes and you didn't clothe me. Most of these things are so simple. I was sick and in prison and you didn't look after me. And they answer Lord, so they think they know him.

Lord, I mean, if we'd seen you, we'd have fed you. If we'd seen you thirsty, wouldn't we have given you something to drink? When did we see you? And he said, whenever you didn't do this for the least one.

Now the least one could be the least grateful one, or the least nice looking one. And it says they go away to eternal punishment. I don't want to make too much comment about this, but it does say they go to eternal punishment.

Maybe this suggests to us that if we ever, ever have been touched by a kind Saviour, we will, of course, be kind. And maybe if we don't touch the hungry and the thirsty and those in prison, maybe it's because we were never touched ourselves.

Because how could we have been touched by a kind God and not extend kindness to those that we see? A man in Hong Kong came to see me once. And I was talking about seeing and he said, he said, Jackie, there's this street sleeper that I see most days on my way to work.

And I was wondering if you could send somebody to see him and help him. And I said, he's your street sleeper. And he said, but I belong to a church which has raised money for a youth club. I said, yes, but he's your street sleeper.

I mean, I sometimes think it actually might be Jesus. Do you understand what I mean? Supposing it's a plant. Supposing it actually is him. And the man goes by saying, my ministry is to raise money for youth club.