Do It Now!
The sermon calls for immediate action in performing acts of kindness, emphasizing that life is too short to delay good deeds.
Charles E. Cowman emphasizes the importance of simple acts of kindness and service, drawing inspiration from various quotes and poems that highlight the regret of missed opportunities to show love and compassion. He urges the congregation to seize every chance to uplift others, as life is fleeting and opportunities to make a difference may not come again. Cowman stresses that even the smallest gestures of kindness can have a profound impact on someone's life, echoing the sentiment of giving a cup of cold water in Matthew 10:42.
Text
"A cup of cold water only" (Matt. 10:42).
What am I to do? I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good work, therefore, any kindness, or any service I can render to any soul of man or animal let me do it now. Let me not neglect or defer it, for I shall not pass this way again. --An Old Quaker Saying
It isn't the thing you do, dear,
It's the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you the bitter heartache
At the setting of the sun;
The tender word unspoken,
The letter you did not write,
The flower you might have sent, dear,
Are your haunting ghosts at night.
The stone you might have lifted
Out of your brother's way,
The bit of heartsome counsel
You were hurried too much to say;
The loving touch of the hand, dear,
The gentle and winsome tone,
That you had no time or thought for,
With troubles enough of your own.
These little acts of kindness,
So easily out of mind,
These chances to be angels,
Which even mortals find
They come in night and silence,
Each chill reproachful wraith,
When hope is faint and flagging,
And a blight has dropped on faith.
For life is all too short, dear.
And sorrow is all too great,
To suffer our slow compassion
That tarries until too late.
And it's not the thing you do, dear,
It's the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you the bitter heartache,
At the setting of the sun.
--Adelaide Proctor
Give what you have; to someone it may be better than you dare to think. --Longfellow
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The importance of acting now - Understanding the fleeting nature of life - Recognizing opportunities for kindness
- II points: - The impact of small acts of service - The regret of missed opportunities - Living with intention and purpose
- III points: - Encouragement to be proactive in kindness - The role of compassion in our lives - The legacy of our actions
Key Quotes
“Let me not neglect or defer it, for I shall not pass this way again.” — Charles E. Cowman
“It's not the thing you do, dear, It's the thing you leave undone.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Give what you have; to someone it may be better than you dare to think.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Make a conscious effort to perform at least one act of kindness each day.
- Reflect on missed opportunities and commit to acting on them in the future.
- Encourage others to join you in a culture of kindness and service.