FAITH ENGAGED - MARK 6:34-38

INTRO: Sermons on Faith to inspire YOUR Faith.

UNWAVERING FAITH - story of the storm - build your Faith in His Word (BELIEVE HIS WORD AND NEVER FEAR); in His power (trust in His power).

ISSUES - Trust in His Faithfulness-FAITH conquers ISSUES of Suffering and Shame and allows the healing our souls need so we are able to serve the Kingdom.

What do we do with these lessons? Is our FAITH inspired?

Do we believe God is GROWING us; strengthening us; challenging us?

One thing we know for sure, as a follower of Jesus Christ, He wants us to be ENGAGED = involved in Kingdom activity : OCCUPIED, BUSY.

ENGAGED With COMPASSION - quality of showing kindness, of being gracious.

OT - COMPASSIONATE Father - PS 103:13 “The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.”

NT - Jesus exemplified the COMPASSION of the Father...

...in His healing - Mt 14:14 “Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

...in His concern for the lost - Lk 19:41 “But as He came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep.”

...in His sacrifice on the cross - Ro 5:8 “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

In scripture COMPASSION is always a feeling and action based on that feeling.

Instead of being angry with people for preventing His much needed rest, He had COMPASSION on them.

SO, Jesus wants us to ENGAGE With COMPASSION.

What does COMPASSION do? What does it look like? How will I know when to exercise it?

When you are prompted by the HOLY SPIRIT by what you see and/or hear. Acts 3

Jesus saw the HUGE crowd - and had COMPASSION. That’s our TEST!

Why COMPASSION? they were like sheep without a shepherd. SPIRITUAL TERM - people without direction, without purpose, without a leader.

Ezek 34:5 “So My sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal.”

ENGAGED With TEACHING - to provide instruction; to cause to learn. Not just classroom activity.

Luke 11:1 “Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.””

This is basically, Making Disciples. IN ORDER TO TEACH YOU MUST KNOW THE SUBJECT MATTER, THEOLOGY;

ENGAGED With TRUSTING -

Disciples are reminding Jesus of His responsibilities. BUT Jesus said “YOU FEED THEM.”

They don’t see why they should accept the responsibility.

“Even if we had the money and the food why should we give it to a crowd of strangers.”

Some say - Obviously they didn't want to share. They were worried about themselves. They didn’t trust God to provide.

When you’re traveling you take some snacks.

“Remote place” and “bread” suggest wilderness where God provided Manna.

YOU FEED THEM - didwmi - to give as an expression of generosity; sustenance, food, drink,

God expects us to TRUST HIM to DO what’s impossible in our eyes.

Num 11:13 “13 Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’”

Instead of complaining about your lack, focus on what you have.

God does provide, God will provide.

CLOSE: Faith Engaged

In Compassion; In Teaching, In Trusting.