Go Day (2)

Introduction

What if the most powerful sermon that is preached this year… isn’t one that’s spoken from this stage… it’s not delivered by a Pastor… but one that’s lived out before our city - by this community of beleivers.

Today… we are not attending CHURCH… we are going out to BE the church.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan found in Lk. 10, two religious leaders saw Jewish man who was hurting … and passed by. They had theology that proclaimed they cared for the poor and the sick. But it did not go deep enough and turn into action.

We know from this story… that it wasn’t the religious leaders to who stoped to help the wounded man day… it was a Samaritan… there was deep ethnic and religious hostility between Jews and Samaritans… but this did not stop the samaritan… scripture simply said this

He had compassion.

This Samaritan had a conviction that stirred him to action - it was a real compassion.

Friends…

Compassion Is More Than a Feeling

True Compassion is more than a prayer… its love in action…

We see this Samaritan…

The Samaritan:

Went to him (Action)

Bound up his wounds (Action)

Put him on his own animal (Action)

Took him to safety (Action)

Paid the bill (Action)

Sometimes the most powerful witness isn’t what we say — it’s what we do.

Here is the reality… we have the oportunity every day to preach a sermon through our actions… our words…

This is not a good idea… or reserved for special callings…

Jesus ends that parable by saying this to us all..

“Go and do likewise.”

Today, when we mow a lawn

Offer pray

Pack up food boxes…

Serve local non-profits… doing the work of God

We are telling our city:

“You matter.”

“You are seen.”

“God has not forgotten you.”

I never get tired of hearing stories of love in action.

STORY: Knowles & Naomi

Not too long ago… Mark and Sandy K we’re eating at a local restaurant… and had compassion on their waitress.

She was looking for hope, answers, community…

She found it through the love of two compassionate strangers

Today… Naomi - is with us SERVING on Go day… bringing HOPE to others…

She is passionately learning the word of God and growing closer to Jesus.

Isn’t that how God works!

And here’s the beautiful part —

You never know whose “Hope deprived life” you are stepping into today.

Someone you serve might be:

One prayer away from receiving the hope they need to go on…

One act of kindness away from believing God sees them

One conversation away from salvation

How many of you are ready to represent Jesus in our community…

Let me pray that the Holy Spirit will draw you - speak to you and prepare you for the encounters you will have today

********************PRAY*******************************