7 Serve With Compassion

The core values progress through the basics of salvation and relationship to God (individually but also corporately) to basics of relationship with others as the church (corporately but also individually) and how that works out in compassionate service and peace making.

The transformation that is changing our hearts inwardly and being lived outwardly by the Holy Spirit brings Jesus and the Kingdom near to everyone we interact with.

6 and 7 go together – From last week, In order to be a witness to the world we must be among them

witness is telling our story, presenting Christ mostly in our word and also deed,

parable of lost sheep – to rescue the lost you have to go where the lost are. “Go to those who need rescued rather than hanging with the sheep.” .

parable of lost sheep – to rescue the lost you have to go where the lost are. “Go to those who need rescued rather than hanging with the sheep.” Luke 15.

This week, we’ll see that we are also to serve people compassionately. service is presenting Christ mostly in deed and also in word.

Core Value 7 – Serve With Compassion. We value serving others at their point of need, following the example of our Lord Jesus.

Jesus shows us how to go from a self-centered life to an others-centered life.

Serve With Humility

Serve With Compassion

Serve at The Point of Need

Matthew 9:35–38 CSB

35 Jesus continued going around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”

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Read from Bible

Matthew 9:35 CSB

35 Jesus continued going around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness.

Matthew 9:35-38, 10:1, 5-8

Jesus example first = went throughout area teach, proclaim gospel of kingdom, healed disease and affliction.

9:35 Jesus example first = went throughout area teach, proclaim gospel of kingdom, healed disease and affliction.

Jesus continued going around to all towns/villages teaching, preaching, healing

Matthew 9:36 CSB

36 When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus continued going around to all towns/villages teaching, preaching, healing

Compassion for crowds,

Matthew 9:37 CSB

37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few.

9:36 Compassion for crowds,

Harvest is plentiful, laborers few. There is a lot of work to do and not enough people to do it.

John 4:35 CSB

35 “Don’t you say, ‘There are still four more months, and then comes the harvest’? Listen to what I’m telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, because they are ready for harvest.

9:37 Harvest is plentiful, laborers few. There is a lot of work to do and not enough people to do it.

after woman at well, fields are ripe for harvest -

John 4:35 after woman at well, fields are ripe for harvest -

Deeply moved to action. Compassion. Not just concern.

When Jesus says the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few He isn't suggesting we are to rally the troops, go knock on doors and invite people to pray a sinners prayer. He is telling us to serve others at their point of need. We must first feel the compassion of Jesus for our community.

Not about meeting physical needs so that He can give them the gospel, but gave them the gospel BY meeting physical needs and AS He met needs.

Physical and spiritual needs are interconnected.

Matthew 9:38 CSB

38 Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”

Physical and spiritual needs are interconnected.

Pray to send out workers – what workers? To do what?

Matthew 10:1 CSB

1 Summoning his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.

Matthew 10:5–8 CSB

5 Jesus sent out these twelve after giving them instructions: “Don’t take the road that leads to the Gentiles, and don’t enter any Samaritan town. 6 Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

9:38 Pray to send out workers – what workers? To do what?

,

Matthew 10:5-8

Gave disciples authority 10:1 sent them out 10:5 – to do what?

proclaim/preach kingdom of heaven is at hand

Matthew 10:7 CSB

7 As you go, proclaim: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’

proclaim/preach kingdom of heaven is at hand

10:7 proclaim/preach kingdom of heaven is at hand

heal sick, raise dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.

Matthew 10:8 CSB

8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

heal sick, raise dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.

10:8 heal sick, raise dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.

Also freely received, freely give.

People entered the Kingdom by being healed and forgiven and then following.

John 13:1–17 CSB

1 Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 Now when it was time for supper, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray him. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God. 4 So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. 5 Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who asked him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I’m doing you don’t realize now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 “You will never wash my feet,” Peter said. Jesus replied, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” 10 “One who has bathed,” Jesus told him, “doesn’t need to wash anything except his feet, but he is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For he knew who would betray him. This is why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you. 16 “Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

First Example = foot washing. Describe – after supper Jesus got up and washed the feet of the disciples. Then… 13:13 Lord and teacher washed feet (servant) you do the same. V.15 example.

13:12b-17 Lord and teacher washed feet (servant) you do the same. V.15 example.

John 13:14–15 CSB

14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you.

John 13:14-15footwashing as Jesus example of serving each other.

Vv.16-17 servant is not above master and you are blessed if you do what I model.

footwashing as Jesus example of serving each other.

Mark 10:42–45 CSB

42 Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:42–45 CSB

42 Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

13:12b-17 Lord and teacher washed feet (servant) you do the same. V.15 example. Vv.16-17 servant is not above master and you are blessed if you do what I model.

Mark 10:42- Gentile rulers lord it over, exercise authority over. Not so among you.

Gentile rulers lord it over, exercise authority over. Not so among you.

lord it over, exercise authority over. Not so among you.

Power over = world seeks to usurp dominion, gain status, and seize power

Power under = restore relationships, bind wounded, feed hungry.

Rulers lord it over. To be great become servant.

Upside down leadership, Upside down kingdom – God’s way seems upside down to us because we are upside down.

The Son of Man came to serve, to give His life to rescue His people.

Serve others, Not just when it is comfortable or convenient, but even when it demands sacrifice.

we see Jesus invite the disciples to follow His example of service.

People entered the Kingdom by being healed and forgiven and then following.

Matthew 9:36 CSB

36 When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:36

9:36 Compassion for crowds, they were harassed and helpless, downcast, sheep without shepherd

felt compassion for dejected people as sheep without shepherd

As we follow Jesus through the Gospels we see often that He had compassion on people.

Jesus touched untouchable, raised the unraiseable, healed the unhealable, cleansed the unclean, fed the thousands, forgave the most wretched.

Always, Jesus sets the example and tells His disciples to do the same.

Matthew 9:35 CSB

35 Jesus continued going around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness.

Matthew 9:35

teach, preach, heal

Matthew 10:7–8 CSB

7 As you go, proclaim: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

Matthew 10:7-8

Sent the Disciples out to do the same

Matthew 25:31–46 CSB

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 “ ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels! 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger and you didn’t take me in; I was naked and you didn’t clothe me, sick and in prison and you didn’t take care of me.’ 44 “Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help you?’ 45 “Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Sent the Disciples out to do the same

sheep and goats parable. tell story but reading this passage

Matthew 25:31-46

sheep and goats parable. Blessed by Father, inherit kingdom, you did for Jesus by doing for the least.

Read from the Bible

Matthew 25:31–46 CSB

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 “ ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels! 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger and you didn’t take me in; I was naked and you didn’t clothe me, sick and in prison and you didn’t take care of me.’ 44 “Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help you?’ 45 “Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Matthew 25:31-46

Matthew 25:40

Matthew 25:40 CSB

40 “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Blessed by Father, inherit kingdom, you did for Jesus by doing for the least.

In the final judgment, your proof of following Jesus is caring for the least.

sheep and goats parable. Blessed by Father, inherit kingdom, you did for Jesus by doing for the least.

In the final judgment, your proof of following Jesus is caring for the least.

How do you know what the point of need is?

How can you serve if you don’t know what is needed?

How can you know what is needed unless you listen?

How can you listen unless you spend time with people?

Be present

(like faithful presence in witness)

Be present (like faithful presence in witness)

Just as in witness – to serve we must be among people to know them and hear their need and serve them at that point of need.

(give them what they want in the context of what they need)

Be vulnerable enough around people to experience God given compassion.

Touch

We must be willing to touch others in need and be touched by their pain.

Diseased? Dirty? Different?

Listen

Pay attention to people and hear their deeper needs.

Listen to others but also must listen to the Lord.

Serve Sacrificially

The ministry life and sacrificial death of Jesus bound our service to the cross

Henri Nouwen - Downward mobility ending on a cross.

We cannot separate Christian discipleship from costly cross-bearing service.

We are called to die.

Greatness in the Kingdom of God does not come through power and prestige but through surrender, humble service, and acts of compassion.

Christian service growing out of a redeemed heart is a dynamic expression of love and stands as a powerful witness to the world of Christ’s redemptive might.

Christian service growing out of a redeemed heart is a dynamic expression of love and stands as a powerful witness to the world of Christ’s redemptive might. John 13:35

Serve Collectively

Church actively engaging in outward acts of service increasingly finds itself on the cutting edge of human need.

Depends on the power of God in lives of believers and community of faith.

Living the Jesus Life means putting the needs of others ahead of our own and committing to living lives of service in imitation of Christ.

Great Command – Jesus gave a new command Love God. Love Others

Love God = worship and obey.

Love Others = serve and forgive.

Where can you begin to listen and watch for needs?

In your daily routine, who around you may need to see Jesus at work through you?

Are you willing to sacrifice time and resources to make new connections with people?

7 Serve With Compassion

Introduction

Jesus, Our Example To Serve Others:

Points

Jesus, Our Example To:

Jesus, Our Example To:

Serve Others

Serve With Humility

Serve With Compassion

Serve With Compassion

Serve At the Point of Need

Serve At the Point of Need

Conclusion

Conclusion

Big Idea: True disciples live like Jesus in humble and compassionate service to others.

Big Idea: True disciples live like Jesus in humble and compassionate service to others.

What About You?

What About You?