Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren
William MacDonald teaches that serving and showing kindness to the least of Christ’s brethren is equivalent to serving Christ Himself, emphasizing the call to practical love and hospitality.
In this sermon, William MacDonald explores the profound truth found in Matthew 25:40, teaching that acts of kindness and hospitality toward fellow believers are acts done unto Christ Himself. Using vivid illustrations and a poignant poem, he challenges listeners to recognize Christ in the least and to serve with genuine love. This message encourages practical Christian living by emphasizing the importance of serving others as a reflection of serving Jesus.
Text
“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Mt. 25:40)
Here is both a rewarding encouragement and a warning that should bring us up short. Whatever we do to Christ’s brethren is reckoned as being done unto Himself.
We can show kindness to the Lord Jesus any day by showing kindness to a fellow-believer. When we show hospitality to God’s people, it is the same as if we entertain Him in our homes. If we give them the master bedroom, we are giving it to Him.
Almost anyone would be quick to do everything possible for the Savior if He came as King of kings and Lord of lords. But He commonly comes to our door in very humble guise, and it is this that puts us to the test. The way we treat the least of His brethren is the way we treat Him.
A godly old preacher visited an assembly in hopes of being able to share with the saints from the Word. He did not have personal charisma and may not have had a dynamic pulpit style. But he was a servant of God and did have a message from the Lord. The elders told him that they could not ask him to stay for meetings and suggested that he go to a meeting in the black ghetto. He did, and was warmly received by the brethren there. During his week of meetings, he took a heart attack and died. It was as if the Lord was saying to the brothers in the fashionable assembly, “You may not have wanted him but I did. In refusing him you refused Me.”
In his poem “How the Great Guest Came,” Edwin Mark-ham tells of an old cobbler who made elaborate preparations for a dreamed-of visit from the Lord. The Lord never came. But when a beggar came, the cobbler put shoes on his feet. When an old lady came, the cobbler helped her with her load and gave her food. When a lost child came, the cobbler took her back to her mother.
Then soft in the silence a voice he heard:
Lift up your heart, for I kept my word.
Three times I came to your friendly door;
Three times my shadow was on your floor.
I was the beggar with bruised feet,
I was the woman you gave to eat,
I was the child in the homeless street.
Sermon Outline
-
I. The Meaning of Christ's Words
- Doing to the least is doing to Christ
- Kindness to believers equals kindness to Jesus
- Hospitality as service to the Lord
-
II. The Test of True Hospitality
- Christ often comes in humble guise
- Our response reveals our heart
- The challenge of serving unnoticed brethren
-
III. Illustrations of Serving Christ in Others
- The story of the godly old preacher rejected by some
- The warm reception by the humble assembly
- The poem 'How the Great Guest Came' by Edwin Markham
-
IV. The Call to Practical Application
- Recognizing Christ in the needy
- Offering genuine hospitality
- Living out faith through service
Key Quotes
“Whatever we do to Christ’s brethren is reckoned as being done unto Himself.” — William MacDonald
“Almost anyone would be quick to do everything possible for the Savior if He came as King of kings and Lord of lords. But He commonly comes to our door in very humble guise, and it is this that puts us to the test.” — William MacDonald
“The way we treat the least of His brethren is the way we treat Him.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Look for opportunities to serve fellow believers, especially those who are humble or in need.
- Practice hospitality as a way of showing love to Christ through others.
- Remember that serving the least is serving Jesus Himself and let this motivate compassionate action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'the least of these my brethren' mean?
It refers to fellow believers who may be humble, needy, or overlooked, emphasizing that serving them is serving Christ Himself.
Why is hospitality important in Christian life?
Hospitality is a tangible way to show love and kindness to others, and through it, believers serve Christ directly.
How does this sermon challenge believers?
It challenges believers to see Christ in others and to serve Him by caring for those who are often ignored or marginalized.
What is the significance of the poem mentioned?
The poem illustrates that Christ visits us in unexpected ways, often through the needy and vulnerable, and serving them is serving Him.
Can serving others really be considered serving Christ?
Yes, according to Matthew 25:40, acts of kindness to believers are regarded as acts done unto Christ Himself.