Visible Compassion: A Call to Action

Imagine a community, much like ours, faced with an unexpected crisis. Picture a small town where a sudden flood threatens homes and lives, leaving many in dire need of help and hope.

Now, envision the outpouring of support that follows: neighbors opening their homes, volunteers filling sandbags under pouring rain, and donations pouring in from far and wide. This isn't just a story; it's a testament to the power of compassion in action, a vivid illustration of humanity at its best when faced with challenges.

Today, we turn to the pages of Acts 11:27-30, where we find the early church in a similar moment of crisis.

Faced with a prophetic warning of a widespread famine, the church members didn't hesitate.

Their immediate, unified response was to gather support for their brothers and sisters in Judea.

This is a profound testament actionable compassion.

In a world full of needs, the question arises: Is our compassion as followers of Christ evident in what we do?

Inspired by the early church's example, we're called not just to feel compassion but to act on it through our deeds.

Our actions, in Jesus' name, have the power to transform not only the lives of those we help but our hearts as well.

Is our compassion seen in what we do in Jesus’ name? Let’s take a look at this call to visible compassion.

Read Acts 11:27-30.

Let’s go back to verse 27.

The foundation for the church was laid by the apostles and prophets.

Ephesians 2:20 NKJV

20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

But both apostles and prophets eventually moved off the scene. After all, you don’t keep laying the foundation.

In the New Testament, prophets were individuals who received and communicated messages from God, often concerning future events or the spiritual needs of the church.

The NT prophets got their messages directly from God. But today we get our messages through the Scriptures, and which the Holy Spirit uses to teach and guide us.

But then the Holy Spirit is sovereign and gives to a believer any gift He desires (1 Cor. 12:11).

But the passing of Apostles and prophets from the scene, and the completing of God’s revelation in His Word, suggest that a change has taken place.

Prophets played a vital role in guiding and edifying the early church, providing insight and direction in a time of formation and growth.

Now, understand, their messages were subject to testing and confirmation by the church community (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21

1 Thessalonians 5:20–21 NKJV

20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.

While the role of prophets has evolved, the need for godly wisdom and insight remains. Today's church can learn from the New Testament example to value and seek discernment, encouragement, and guidance from the Holy Spirit.

V. 28

The Spirit told Agabus (we hear from him again in Acts 21:10-11) that a great famine was soon to come and would affect the Jerusalem church.

Ancient writers tell us the famine in Judea was especially severe. The Jewish historian Josephus records that many people died for lack of money to buy what little food was available.

Agabus delivers this message to the believers in Antioch.

V. 29

When Agabus delivered his prophecy about the impending famine, the disciples didn't hesitate; they immediately decided to provide help.

This response is a hallmark of what it means to follow Christ. It's not just about hearing or acknowledging a need; it's about taking action.

And notice that the Jerusalem church didn’t ask for help.

The church members didn't wait for the famine to hit or for someone else to step up. They took ownership of the situation.

Also, Paul and Barnabas didn’t start a relief program with canned goods stacking up in the foyer ready for shipment to Jerusalem. Not that that’s a bad thing.

The thing is, the church members themselves initiated the relief effort based on what they heard from Agabus.

And apparently they all participated.

This is a powerful lesson for us. When we hear of a need, our faith calls us to be proactive, not reactive.

It's about seeing a situation through the lens of "What can I do?" rather than "Someone should do something."

This mindset shift from passive observation to active participation is what sets apart a living faith from a passive belief.

And notice how they all gave. “Everyone giving as much as they could”

It’s not about “equal giving”, but “equal sacrifice.”

The focus is on what you can do with what you have. It’s about recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God and using those gifts to serve others.

This principle frees us from comparing our contributions to others and focuses us on the heart of giving. It's not the amount that counts, but the spirit in which it is given.

This approach to giving respects individual circumstances and abilities, while it unites everyone in a common goal of generosity.

It’s a reminder that in God's economy, the value of a gift is not measured by its size but by the heart behind it.

Application

In light of the early church's example, it's important for each of us to reflect personally on how we can contribute to the needs of the church and the world.

So, let's consider: What abilities, resources, or talents do we have that can be used to help others? It's not just about financial contributions.

Maybe it's a skill you possess, time you can offer, or simply the willingness to be present for someone in need.

This shouldn’t be a cause for guilt but an opportunity for growth.

It’s about finding your unique role in God's larger story of redemption and care for humanity.

Whether it’s a grand gesture or a series of small acts, every effort counts.

Remember, the kingdom of God is often built not through giant leaps, but through small, consistent steps of obedience and love.

This is an invitation to be part of something bigger than ourselves, to live out our faith in tangible, impactful ways.

Next, how did they get this gift to the folks in Jerusalem?

V. 30

When the early church decided to send relief to the brothers in Judea, they didn't just stop at the decision-making stage; they moved into action with practical steps.

It's about turning good intentions into concrete actions.

They didn’t just talk about it, they took action.

It's a reminder that compassion needs to be coupled with strategy.

It’s interesting that when Barnabas and Saul took this gift to Jerusalem, they gave it to the elders, not the Apostles.

In the church, the elders were those who had the oversight of the ministry. The elders worked together to “pastor” and lead the flock, and were assisted by the deacons who probably were tasked with distributing this help to individuals in the Jerusalem church.

Conclusion

As we come to the end of our journey through Acts 11, we’re left with an undeniable truth: Our faith, if it is truly alive and active, must move us to action.

The story of the early church is not just a historical account; it's a blueprint for how we, as followers of Christ, are called to respond to the needs around us. It challenges us to transform our compassion from a feeling into an action, from a sentiment into a service.

But what does this look like in practical terms? How do we move from being inspired by a sermon to living out its principles in our daily lives? Let me suggest three action steps:

Identify a Need in Our Community: Start by opening your eyes to the needs around you. It might be a neighbor who is struggling, a local charity that needs volunteers, or a community issue that requires attention. Remember, action begins with awareness.

Contribute According to Your Ability: Just as the early Christians gave as they were able, assess what you can offer. It might be your time, your skills, or your resources. Don't underestimate the value of what you can bring to the table. God uses our availability more than our abilities.

Engage in Action Together: Finally, involve our church community. Whether it's organizing a group volunteer day, starting a fundraiser for a cause, or simply encouraging others to join you in a cause, remember that we are stronger together. The early church’s strength lay in their unity; let's emulate that.

In conclusion, let our compassion be our hallmark, our love in action our legacy.

Let’s be a church that doesn't just talk about love, but one that actively and tangibly loves.

A church that reflects the heart of Jesus, not just within these walls, but out there in our community, and our world.

And in doing so, may we not only change the lives of others but find ourselves transformed in the process.

Let’s be the church that the early believers envisioned – active, compassionate, and united in our mission to serve in the name of Jesus Christ.

Let's go out and be the church in action.