How His Heart Moved His Hands
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Review
Review
Last week we looked at the accusation from the Pharisees: “This Jesus eats with prostitutes, sinners, and tax collectors!”
They’re right: Jesus was a friend of sinners. Jesus hung out with them.
And Jesus still loves and hangs out with sinners, pariahs, prostitutes, tax collectors - the castoffs of society - the people no good Christian would associate with...
Except that we’re seeing only a true Christ follower WILL hang out with sinners and be friends with them.
[SLIDE]
Ministry of Healing Work of the Disciples
Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me.”
Mingled - contact
Desired their good - camaraderie
Showed sympathy - compassion
Ministered to their needs - commitment
Won confidence - confidence
Bade “Follow Me” - conversion
“Showed Sympathy” - Compassion
“Ministered to their needs” - Commitment
Compassion - Heart
Compassion - Heart
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
(John the Baptist had just been killed.)
Jesus sees our need! - he notices
Our need moves his heart! - he cares
Compassion - Matthew uses this word (compassion, pity) more than any other gospel writer - bowels
Jesus is never too busy to notice our needs. Sometimes I get busy on a project and I hardly notice that Nathaniel needs attention or that he’s got a new limp.
Jesus is never too self-absorbed to care about our needs. He doesn’t just notice. He notices and he cares. His heart opens toward us.
Commitment - Hands
Commitment - Hands
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Not just his heart, but his heart then moves his hands to action.
Jesus’ compassion motivates his ministry
Jesus’ heart moves his hands
Jesus doesn’t get overwhelmed by the needs in the world. - I’m just one person and there’s so much to be done. How can I ever make a difference?
Jesus doesn’t get jaded to the needs of people. - well, they’re probably in this situation because of their own sins. they’ll probably need something else tomorrow. Always looking for a handout.
Jesus says: This isn’t right AND I will do what I can!
The Cross
The Cross
The Cross was the ultimate expression of Jesus showing sympathy and ministering to our needs.
“John, take care of my mom.”
“Today I tell you, you’ll be with me in paradise.”
“Father, forgive them.”
Not just these stories:
But that ultimate commitment to do something about our situation!
To step up and die on our behalf to give us eternal life.
The Call
The Call
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Jesus is calling us out into the harvest
But the harvest isn’t what we thought it was!
This call is a call for compassion and commitment.
This is the harvest that is plentiful.
Responding to the needs of others with our hearts and our hands!