25-0914a - Detailed Summary

Tom, introduces the sermon titled "A Cup of Warmth in a Cold Cup World," crediting Grok for helping generate the title idea. He mentions using Grok, similar to Scott, for sermon preparation, often juggling multiple Grok sessions to combine ideas, which sometimes makes him sound too preachy jokingly blaming Grok for it. Tom reflects on gathering in the warmth of God’s presence amid a spiritually cold in world filled with indifference and isolation. He references Scott’s earlier comment about living in a cold world where disagreement can lead to violence, with some mourning while others celebrate tragedy. He quotes Matthew 24:12, warning that increasing wickedness causes love to grow, evident in averted eyes, unspoken kindness, and missed connections.

Tom elaborates on how sin chills the culture, using examples like scrolling past a friend’s pain, ignoring a neighbor’s wave, or withholding encouragement. He shares personal observations from work where coworkers pass without waving or saying, and during walks where people ignore greetings, highlighting the distant and indifferent nature of interactions in today’s world.

Drawing from 2 Timothy 3:15, Tom describes the perilous times of the last days where people are of themselves, money, pleasure, proud, blasphemers, disobedient, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, and lovers of pleasure over God, while having a form of godliness but denying its power. He notes that this accurately portrays modern society, with many hating God, lacking self-control, and being brutal, suggesting we may be in the end times.

Despite the cold world, Tom points to Jesus' hope in Matthew 10:42, where giving a cup of cold water to a disciple ensures a reward. In Jesus' desert context, cold water was refreshing; today, the world needs warmth like a smile, kind word, or moment of care. He emphasizes that even small acts in Christ’s name have eternal weight and explores why the world grows colder, how small acts matter as much as grand, and their eternal ripples. Invoking the Spirit to inspire pouring out God’s love one small cup at a time, he references James 2:15-16, criticizing empty words like saying "go in peace, keep warm and well fed" to someone in need without action. He admits praying for others is good but often insufficient; seeing struggle requires actual help, not just words or insincere prayers, as doing nothing renders faith useless.

Quoting Ecclesiastes 4:11, Tom notes that two lying together keep warm, but one alone cannot, highlighting Solomon’s insight into isolation’s chill. In today’s digital age with endless connections via phones, Facebook, and calls, loneliness is an epidemic, with over half of adults feeling disconnected because human contact differs from online interactions. He stresses the need for reaching out, meeting up, calling, and saying kind words, which are lacking. Sin’s frost manifests as pride skipping greetings, envy withholding praise, and apathy shrugging off care, freezing souls and forgetting compassion. Yet calls God sees the overlooked and calls believers to bring His love’s warmth,. Referencing Zechariah 4:10 again, God does not despise small things; Israel’s humble temple rebuilding was rejoiced over by God. Small acts like "you’re doing great" to a coworker, a wave to a neighbor, or a hug to a struggling friend are monumental. Jesus in Luke 16:10 affirms faithfulness in little leads to much, making kind words a stewardship of God’s grace, building His kingdom. In Matthew 13:31-32, the kingdom is like a mustard seed—small but growing mighty. A greeting plants a seed in a breaking heart, encouragement roots in confidence, and a hug shades a weary soul. Tom shares the story of Sarah, overwhelmed by job loss and grief, feeling invisible until a greeter’s hug and "God sees you" rekindled her hope and faith.

Tom admits feeling this warmth himself on weary days when a kind word or hug from the congregation lifts him, and he believes many others have too. He praises the congregation for uplifting visitors and members, noting how many greet and say hi.

He highlights Carol’s habit of walking around, hugging, and spreading love, along with others, admitting he’s not as good at it but appreciating the community’s efforts. To counter the cold world, believers pour cups of warmth through the Spirit’s power. Ephesians 4:29-32 instructs against unwholesome talk, promoting helpful words that build up, and to be kind and compassionate. This blueprint means replacing criticism with encouragement, silence with greetings, and distance with embraces. Galatians 5:22-23 lists kindness as a fruit of the Spirit, emerging naturally when walking with Christ. Simple acts like "good to see you" to a cashier or a compliment to a doubting teen reflect God’s love and build others up with just a kind word or greeting.

Proverbs 3:3-4 urges letting love and faithfulness never leave, binding them around one’s neck. Not everyone is called to preach like Peter or Paul, but all can offer small when kindnesses. Romans 12:4-5 describes the body " of Christ with many members of different functions, and Romans 12:6-8 encourages using gifts: serving, encouraging, or showing mercy cheerfully.

Tom emphasizes that not everyone must do large tasks like preaching; if one’s gift is encouraging, use it. Every person and gift matters in building the- vibrant, whole body of Christ. Even small things build the church; preachers and elders need encouragement, hugs, or check-ins, so everyone plays a part.

These acts are not fleeting but echo into eternity. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says is done for the least of these is done for Him—greeting the lonely is greeting Jesus, hugging the broken is embracing the Savior. They are worship that multiplies. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 calls to encourage and build each other up, as they are doing. One kind word sparks another, a church hug inspires outreach. Tom shares Mark’s story: on the brink of despair with piling bills, a stranger’s prayer offer at a coffee shop led to conversation, a church invite, and salvation—one cup of warmth creating eternal ripples.

Seeing someone down, asking how they are or what’s wrong doesn’t take much and can plant a seed for salvation, opening doors to talk and potentially leading to someone being saved.

The world is cold, frozen by sin, but believers carry Christ’s warmth, the living water of John 4:14 welling up to eternal life. Greetings, hugs, and encouragements refresh a thirsty world.

This week, commit to action: say "I knew" to somebody (possibly a typo for "I know you" or similar, but in context, perhaps "I see you"), hug someone hurting, or offer a genuine compliment—don’t underestimate small things as God’s big things. If feeling cold, come to Jesus' love, the warmest cup. For non-Christians, warm water baptism is available, and if needing prayers, come forward now.