Empowered Compassion: Fulfilling the Great Commission
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound call of the Great Commission and the role each of us plays in fulfilling it. We began by reflecting on the humorous yet thought-provoking video by Gabriel Lopez, which humorously highlights the seriousness of the words we sing in worship. This led us into a deeper discussion about our current series on missions and the Great Commission, emphasizing that this is not just a suggestion but a command from Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations. We are reminded that we are not alone in this mission; Jesus promises to be with us, empowering us through the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses locally and globally.
We delved into Matthew 9, where Jesus, filled with compassion, sees the crowds as sheep without a shepherd. This compassion is a crucial aspect of our mission, as it drives us to care for others genuinely. We are called to be workers in the harvest, praying for more laborers to join us in this mission. The message also highlighted the importance of prayer as the starting point for missions, urging us to pray for God to raise up workers to serve and love others.
Furthermore, we examined James 1:27 and 1 John 3, which challenge us to live out our faith through actions, caring for orphans and widows, and showing love through tangible deeds. True religion, as described in these passages, involves both worship and service, keeping ourselves uncorrupted by the world while actively engaging in compassionate acts.
Finally, we shared the story of our church's journey in missions, from our roots in South Africa to our current efforts in various parts of the world. We are reminded that missions are not just about going abroad but also about addressing the spiritual and physical needs in our local communities. As we continue to seek God's guidance, we are excited to see how He will use us to bless others and expand His kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Great Commission is a Command and Invitation: Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations, not as a mere suggestion but as a command. This mission is empowered by His presence and the Holy Spirit, ensuring we are never alone in this endeavor. [50:35]
2. Compassion as the Heart of Mission: Jesus' compassion for the crowds reminds us that our mission must be rooted in genuine care for others. We are called to see people as He does, with love and empathy, recognizing their struggles and needs. [55:18]
3. Prayer as the Foundation of Missions: Before we act, we must pray for God to raise up workers for the harvest. Prayer aligns our hearts with God's will and prepares us to serve effectively in His mission field. [59:17]
4. True Religion Involves Action and Purity: James 1:27 teaches that genuine religion is about caring for those in need while keeping ourselves uncorrupted by the world. Our actions should reflect our faith, demonstrating love and compassion. [01:02:54]
5. Love in Action and Truth: 1 John 3 emphasizes that love is shown through our actions and truth. We must actively serve others and share the truth of God's love, balancing compassion with honesty about the path to healing and salvation. [01:06:17]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - Introduction to the Great Commission
[01:50] - The Call to Missions
[03:15] - Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
[05:00] - Compassion of Jesus
[06:30] - The Harvest is Plentiful
[08:00] - The Role of Prayer in Missions
[09:30] - True Religion and Action
[11:00] - Love in Action and Truth
[12:30] - Church's Mission Journey
[14:00] - Local and Global Focus
[15:30] - Invitation to Serve
[17:00] - Closing Remarks and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission
2. Matthew 9:36-38 - Jesus' Compassion and the Harvest
3. James 1:27 - True Religion
4. 1 John 3:16-20 - Love in Action and Truth
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus command His disciples to do in Matthew 28:18-20, and what assurance does He give them? [50:35]
2. How does Jesus' reaction to the crowds in Matthew 9:36-38 reflect His character, and what does He instruct His disciples to do in response? [55:18]
3. According to James 1:27, what are the two components of "pure and genuine religion"? [01:02:54]
4. In 1 John 3:16-20, how is real love defined, and what does it require from believers? [01:04:02]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 serve as both a command and an invitation for believers? What implications does this have for individual and collective mission work? [50:35]
2. Why is compassion a central theme in Jesus' ministry, as seen in Matthew 9:36-38, and how should this shape the way believers approach missions? [55:18]
3. How does James 1:27 challenge modern perceptions of religion, and what does it suggest about the relationship between faith and action? [01:02:54]
4. What does 1 John 3:16-20 suggest about the relationship between love, truth, and action in the life of a believer? How can this be practically applied in daily life? [01:04:02]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the Great Commission. How can you personally respond to Jesus' call to make disciples in your local community or globally? What steps can you take this week to begin or continue this journey? [50:35]
2. Jesus showed compassion to the crowds. Identify a group or individual in your life who may feel like "sheep without a shepherd." How can you extend compassion to them this week? [55:18]
3. James 1:27 speaks of caring for orphans and widows. Are there specific needs in your community that you feel called to address? What practical actions can you take to meet these needs? [01:02:54]
4. 1 John 3:16-20 emphasizes love in action. Think of a recent situation where you had the opportunity to show love but hesitated. How can you prepare yourself to act differently in the future? [01:04:02]
5. Prayer is highlighted as the foundation of missions. How can you incorporate intentional prayer for missions into your daily routine? Consider setting a specific time each day to pray for laborers in the harvest. [59:17]
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of balancing compassion with truth. How can you lovingly share the truth of the Gospel with someone who may not know it, without compromising on compassion? [01:06:17]
7. Reflect on the story of your church's mission journey. How can you contribute to or support the ongoing mission efforts of your church, both locally and globally? [01:14:59]
Devotional
Day 1: The Great Commission: A Divine Mandate
The Great Commission is not merely a suggestion but a divine mandate from Jesus to make disciples of all nations. This command is accompanied by the assurance of His presence and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, ensuring that we are never alone in this mission. As followers of Christ, we are called to actively participate in this global mission, understanding that it is both a privilege and a responsibility. The Great Commission challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and engage with the world, sharing the transformative message of the Gospel with those who have not yet heard it. [50:35]
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV): "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"
Reflection: Who in your life has God placed on your heart to share the Gospel with? What steps can you take this week to begin that conversation?
Day 2: Compassion: The Heartbeat of Mission
Compassion is the driving force behind our mission, as exemplified by Jesus when He saw the crowds as sheep without a shepherd. This compassion compels us to genuinely care for others, seeing them through the eyes of Christ. It is not enough to simply acknowledge the needs around us; we are called to respond with empathy and action. By cultivating a heart of compassion, we align ourselves with God's desire to reach the lost and hurting, becoming His hands and feet in a world that desperately needs His love. [55:18]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: How can you intentionally show compassion to someone in your community this week? What practical steps can you take to meet their needs?
Day 3: Prayer: The Foundation of Missions
Prayer is the essential foundation of missions, aligning our hearts with God's will and preparing us to serve effectively. Before we embark on any mission, we must first seek God's guidance and ask Him to raise up workers for the harvest. Through prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on God and invite Him to work through us to accomplish His purposes. It is through prayer that we gain the strength and wisdom needed to navigate the challenges of mission work, trusting that God will provide the resources and opportunities necessary to fulfill His call. [59:17]
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV): "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."
Reflection: Set aside time each day this week to pray specifically for God to raise up workers in your community. How can you be part of the answer to that prayer?
Day 4: True Religion: Action and Purity
True religion, as described in James 1:27, involves both action and purity. It calls us to care for those in need, such as orphans and widows, while keeping ourselves uncorrupted by the world. Our faith should be evident in our actions, demonstrating love and compassion to those around us. This balance of worship and service reflects the heart of God, who desires that we live out our faith in tangible ways. By actively engaging in compassionate acts, we embody the love of Christ and become a living testimony of His grace and mercy. [01:02:54]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you can demonstrate your faith through action this week. How can you ensure that your actions align with the purity and love that God desires?
Day 5: Love in Action and Truth
1 John 3 emphasizes that love is shown through our actions and truth. We are called to actively serve others and share the truth of God's love, balancing compassion with honesty about the path to healing and salvation. This love in action and truth requires us to be intentional in our relationships, seeking opportunities to demonstrate God's love in practical ways. By living out this love, we become a reflection of Christ's character, drawing others to Him and expanding His kingdom on earth. [01:06:17]
1 John 3:18-19 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can show love in action and truth to someone in your life this week. How can you balance compassion with sharing the truth of God's love?
Quotes
"But here's the thing too. He doesn't expect us just to white knuckle this, right? He doesn't expect us to go, okay, so we're going to go out and make disciples. And so we got to make like a 10 step plan, which plans are great. Strategies are great. I really believe in that. But oftentimes we think we just have to figure this out." [00:52:16] (19 seconds)
"Another verse we've been looking at a lot is Acts 1, verse 8, where it says, but you will receive power. And this is Jesus again. It's after he's resurrected. It's right before he's about to ascend back to heaven. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses telling people about me everywhere. In Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." [00:53:05] (30 seconds)
"When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them. Let's pause there for a second. I think a lot of people, a lot of us, forget the compassion of Jesus. We start to view God and Jesus and the Father through this lens that we think he's up there looking down at us, just frustrated. Frustrated and annoyed." [00:55:00] (31 seconds)
"And I'll tell you, he's angry at the evil that the enemy is doing to and through people. But he has compassion. He has compassion. That is one of the most beautiful things that we learn throughout scripture is it's all about this compassionate God, this caring, loving God. God who sees us. He sees our struggle." [00:55:31] (25 seconds)
"So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest. Ask him to send more workers into his fields. So I want to say today that that's what I'm going to do. That's probably the number one thing when it comes to missions, when it comes to the Great Commission, when it comes to evangelism, when it comes to reaching the lost, or the broken, or the lonely, or those in need." [00:59:12] (23 seconds)
"The greatest thing that we can start with, it's not the only thing we do, but the greatest thing we can start with is prayer. That we would pray that God would raise people up to go out and to do the good work of loving and serving people, of washing feet, of bandaging the broken. But I also think that like Cody said, it's a matter of, here I am, Lord, send me." [00:59:22] (30 seconds)
"If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion, how can God's love be in that person? Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other. Let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth so that we will be confident when we stand before God." [01:04:49] (28 seconds)
"Love is shown in action and it's also shown in truth. We show love by doing something, by getting involved, by actually when we see people struggling, that we help them. That we get our eyes off of ourselves and onto the people that Jesus is looking at with compassion." [01:05:41] (20 seconds)
"Tell people that the way out of their pain and their struggle, not that everything is going to be perfect, but the way to actually invite Jesus in and be healed and comforted is only through a relationship with Jesus. He is the only way, truth, and life. The only way to get to the Father. And that is how we love, is by serving people and by speaking the truth in love." [01:06:41] (29 seconds)
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