14 We Go: Ministry of Compassion
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Last week we talked about going – Why = Jesus went and Jesus sent and Jesus commissioned. What = ministry of the Gospel. Telling the story of our experience with Jesus.
Who = the lost, the least, the needy, the poor, Who - those not like us, those with needs, the overlooked.
What #2 = Compassion
Literal – "to suffer together" When you allow the pain and suffering of someone else to impact you to the point of doing something to help. "sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it" Merriam Webster
*Compassion is love in action
In a general sense, we remain sensitive to the needs of others around us whenever and wherever we go.
But there is also the sense where we intentionally engage with the needs of people in our immediate spaces.
Compassion is not the end in itself. Not just being kind and not just helping people.
also not just a bait and switch, carrot on a stick trick to make people listen to the presentation.
Points
Points
Jesus Modeled Compassion
Jesus Modeled Compassion
Key passage - cover the compassion for lost in 9 then jump to 14.
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
had compassion for crowds as lost sheep - humility to recognize the lost
had compassion for crowds as lost sheep - humility to recognize the lost
Compassion sees the lost and brings the good news as well as meeting needs.
Notice and respond
The pattern of ministry - equip, model while doing, send out, they equip and model while doing. Ministering together in the local area to compassion, justice, and Gospel.
Disciples Learned Compassion
Disciples Learned Compassion
14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
Read
had compassion, healed, disciples asked about the crowd's need to eat, you give them something to eat, they brought the little they had and Jesus multiplied it.
Apostles Encouraged Compassion
Apostles Encouraged Compassion
Attitudes and teaching on compassion
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
clothe yourself with compassion
clothe yourself with compassion
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
compassionate and humble
compassionate and humble
20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
even your enemy
even your enemy
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
care for widows and orphans
care for widows and orphans
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
say have faith but don't help someone in need, faith is dead.
say have faith but don't help someone in need, faith is dead.
17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
don't help someone in need don't have love of God
don't help someone in need don't have love of God
Conclusion
Conclusion
Discussion Groups
Parable of Good Samaritan
Jesus was asked, “Who is my neighbor?” He didn’t directly answer the question, but in the parable and the conclusion statement, “Go and do likewise” Jesus infers that the neighbor is whom?
As individuals, we can be the neighbor to those around us in our areas of influence – where we live, work, shop, play, study, etc. As the body of Christ, we also have areas of influence. What might be the areas of influence where Mt. Rock BIC can be the neighbor?
Individually, what connections do we have in the immediate community? Neighborhood around Mt. Rock and/or Shippensburg. Schools, services, organizations, programs, etc.?
How can we as a church leverage these connections to begin building relationships for service and eventually sharing our Jesus story?
What other needs and opportunities exist in the community that we could begin to explore?
Who is willing to do the exploring?
Big Idea: Compassion is love in action.
Big Idea: Compassion is love in action.