THEME:TOUCH SOMEONE FOR
JESUS MATTHEW 25:34 – 46
TOPIC: BE FULL OF COMPASSION.
TEXT: MARK
6: 34-38
INTRODUCTION
From our theme
text, the scenario the Lord Jesus created shows that acts of service done to
anyone is done unto Him. He called us His brothers and sister (NIV). The
situations referred to for actions are commonly found among men- hunger,
thirst, nakedness, homelessness and captivity. These situations confront us
almost every day of our lives. More than often we grow so use to them that we
ignore or get unmoved by them. Who are the brothers and sisters of Jesus? The
needs above are physical needs. They are real and not imaginary. Remember when the
Lord Jesus introduced His ministry in Luke 4:18. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon
me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent
me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,19 To
preach the acceptable year of the Lord”.KJV
John 14:12 “Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he
do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father”.
KJV
In the parable
of the good Samaritan, Jesus explained who our neighbours are (Luke 10:30-37),
we have them in our neighbourhoods, place of work, on the road, in our villages
and so on.
MOVED BY COMPASSION.
The word
compassion (translated from Racham)
means to love, to pity, to be merciful, to show mildness, kindness (Jude 22).
Bowel of
compassion -the bowels being regarded as the seat of the warm, tender emotions
or feelings.(from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia)
Advance English
dictionary – the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and
wanting to do something about it.
NOTE-The
English meaning is interesting because many people exploit this understanding
and want to do something BUT for a purpose (political, charity, popularity
etc). For us it should be for Jesus.
On many
occasions Jesus was moved by compassion not qualification-Matt. 9:36; 14:14; 20:34,
Luke 7:13
We should also
be moved by compassion Matt. 18:26-27,
We cannot touch
anyone without being compassionate. Matt.18.33, 1 John 3:17.
Compassion
teaches us not to judge others. Jude 22-23
ENTER THE MINISTRY OF COMPASSION.
-
Put
on Christ- Gal. 3:27
-
For
us, our compassion is purely by grace as given by the Holy Spirit. 2 Cor. 9:8
-
Do
it as unto the Lord, expect nothing.
-
Note
the problem, provide a solution. Mark 6: 35-38.
-
Compassion
moves us to pray and win souls. Matt. 9:36-38
-
Jesus-
like Compassion moves us to act. Matt. 20:34, Mark 1:41; 6:34. Compassion is
the front runner to miracles done by Jesus.
HAVE
YOU STOPPED AND ASK, WHY IS THIS MAN/WOMAN/CHILD GOING THROUGH THIS? John 9:2 (that
is a compassionate heart)
OBEDIENCE TO THE VOICE OF GOD
- Compassion
makes us show love even to strangers- Heb. 12: 1-3, John 13:35
- Compassion
binds the brethren together. 1 Peter 3:8
-
Compassion reminds us of our old ways and that our current state with the Lord
is by mercy. Heb. 5:1-3
- Our actions
most times are actually answers to some people’s prayers.
OTHER RESOURCES WE CAN GIVE TO TOUCH OTHERS FOR
CHRIST
Time- in
counseling, visitation, evangelism
Talents- our
God-giving special abilities. 1 Samuel 16:23
Knowledge- in
educating others in what we know but can liberate them.
CONSEQUENCES OF LACK OF COMPASSION.
-
It
can withhold the mercy of God. Matt. 18-33-35
-
It
leads to physical agony
-
It
can lead to eternal punishment
CONCLUSION
Several years
ago when the Southern California economy took a downturn, Pastor Bob Johnson
saw not only difficulty but also opportunity. So he scheduled a meeting with
the mayor of his city and asked, “What can our church do to help you?” The
mayor was astonished. People usually came to him for help. Here was a minister
offering him the services of an entire congregation.
Together the mayor and pastor came up with a
plan to address several pressing needs. In their county alone, more than 20,000
seniors had gone the previous year without a single visitor. Hundreds of foster
children needed families. And many other kids needed tutoring to help them
succeed in school.
Some of those needs could be addressed without
much financial investment, but they all required time and interest. And that’s
what the church had to give. (Our Daily
Bread 22/10/16).
SHALOM.
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