Seeing Through Jesus: Compassion and Active Mission
Summary
In my recent sermon, I emphasized the critical importance of maintaining our focus on the mission of reaching out to the lost and sharing the transformative love of Jesus Christ. This message was particularly poignant as we reflected on the bustling activities of the past weeks, including the Lord's Supper, the Passion Play, and various ordinations, which, while spiritually enriching, also risked diverting our attention from our core mission.
I began by recounting the recent church activities, highlighting the joy and spiritual uplift they brought to our community. However, I stressed that these should not distract us from our primary purpose. I reminded us of the example set by Jesus during His ministry, as detailed in the Gospels, where despite His busy schedule of teaching, healing, and traveling, He always prioritized the needs of the people He encountered. This was vividly illustrated through His actions and teachings, which consistently emphasized compassion and outreach.
Drawing from the Gospel of Matthew, I focused on how Jesus, amidst His travels and teachings, always took the time to truly see the people around Him. He recognized their weariness and their need for guidance and salvation, which moved Him to compassion. This ability to see and feel for the people was central to His mission and is something we must emulate.
I shared a personal anecdote about witnessing an act of kindness at a local store, where a young man assisted a struggling mother and son. This act, though simple, was a powerful demonstration of living out the Gospel in everyday situations. It underscored the sermon's main point that our faith must be active and oriented towards service and compassion.
The sermon culminated in a call to action, urging each of us to pray for the eyes and heart of Jesus— to see the world as He does and to be moved to action by the needs we observe. I emphasized that this isn't just about big gestures but often about small, everyday acts of kindness that reflect Christ's love to others.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Primacy of Compassion in Ministry: Just as Jesus showed compassion even when He was busy, we too must incorporate this deep, empathetic compassion into every aspect of our ministry. This compassion should not be superficial but a profound, driving force that compels us to action. Compassion is the lens through which we truly see and understand the needs of others, just as Christ did. [49:33]
2. Seeing People Through Jesus' Eyes: It is crucial to view those around us not as interruptions to our schedule but as the very reason for our ministry. By adopting the perspective of Jesus, we can see beyond people's outward circumstances to their deeper needs. This shift in perspective is essential for effective ministry and personal spiritual growth. [41:16]
3. Active Participation in God's Mission: We are called not just to be passive observers but active participants in God's work. This involves more than just understanding our mission; it requires us to engage actively with the world, seeking out opportunities to serve and share the Gospel. This active participation is what it means to truly live out our faith. [52:38]
4. The Importance of Being Mission-Focused: In the midst of church activities and programs, it's vital to keep the main thing the main thing: reaching out to the lost and sharing the Gospel. This focus should permeate every aspect of church life, from the services we conduct to the individual interactions we have daily. [37:16]
5. Prayer as the Foundation of Ministry: Our actions must be undergirded by prayer. Praying for laborers for the harvest is not just a biblical mandate but a practical necessity. Through prayer, we align ourselves with God's will and power, enabling us to be effective in our mission. [01:08:25]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
37:16 - Refocusing on the Mission
41:16 - The Eyes of Jesus in Ministry
49:33 - Compassion as a Core Ministry Value
52:38 - The Call to Active Service
01:08:25 - Prayer: The Heartbeat of Ministry
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV)
> "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What activities was Jesus engaged in according to Matthew 9:35? How do these activities reflect His mission?
2. In Matthew 9:36, what was Jesus' reaction when He saw the crowds? What does this tell us about His character?
3. According to the sermon, what recent church activities were mentioned, and how did they impact the congregation? ([33:30])
4. What personal anecdote did the pastor share about an act of kindness, and what was its significance? ([43:34])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Jesus felt compassion for the crowds in Matthew 9:36? How does this compassion relate to His mission?
2. The pastor mentioned that Jesus always took time to see the people around Him despite His busy schedule. How can this perspective change our approach to ministry? ([41:16])
3. What does it mean to have the "eyes of Jesus" and how can this perspective help us in our daily interactions? ([41:16])
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of being mission-focused. How can church activities sometimes distract us from our core mission, and what can we do to stay focused? ([36:27])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were busy with good activities but lost sight of your primary mission. How can you ensure that your focus remains on sharing the Gospel? ([36:27])
2. The pastor shared a story about a young man helping a struggling mother and son at a store. Can you recall a recent situation where you had the opportunity to show compassion but missed it? How can you be more attentive to such opportunities in the future? ([43:34])
3. Jesus saw the crowds and felt compassion for them. Think of someone in your life who might be feeling "harassed and helpless." What specific action can you take this week to show them compassion? ([47:10])
4. The sermon highlighted the need for active participation in God's mission. Identify one practical way you can engage in outreach or service this week. How will you commit to this action? ([52:38])
5. Prayer was emphasized as the foundation of ministry. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to align yourself with God's will? ([01:08:25])
6. The pastor mentioned the importance of seeing people as Jesus does. Is there a specific person or group of people you find difficult to see with compassion? What steps can you take to change your perspective? ([41:16])
7. Reflect on the idea of being "saved to serve." How can you move from being a passive observer to an active participant in your faith community? What specific role or task can you take on? ([54:06])
Devotional
Day 1: Compassion: The Heart of Ministry
Compassion is not merely an emotional response but a fundamental aspect of ministry that drives action. Just as Jesus exemplified compassion in His ministry, even amidst His busy schedule, believers are called to embody this deep, empathetic compassion in every interaction. This type of compassion goes beyond surface-level emotions; it is a profound force that compels one to act, to step into the lives of others with the love and care that Christ showed. It is about seeing the needs around us through the lens of love and responding in a way that aligns with the teachings of Jesus. This approach to ministry ensures that compassion is not lost in the midst of church activities and programs but remains central to the believer's life and actions. [49:33]
Colossians 3:12-14: "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 demonstrate Christ-like compassion in a practical way to someone in your community this week?
Day 2: Viewing Others Through Jesus' Eyes
Seeing people through Jesus' eyes transforms how we interact with the world. It involves recognizing the inherent value and deeper needs of individuals, rather than viewing them as interruptions to our schedule. This perspective shift is crucial for effective ministry and personal spiritual growth. By adopting Jesus' viewpoint, believers can engage more deeply with those around them, seeing beyond outward appearances and circumstances to the heart and soul. This approach not only enriches personal faith but also enhances the impact of ministry, making it more genuine and focused on the individuals' true needs. [41:16]
Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: Who in your life have you overlooked or underestimated, and how can you begin to see and serve them as Jesus would?
Day 3: Active Participation in God's Mission
Being an active participant in God's mission involves more than understanding our calling; it requires engaging actively with the world around us. This means seeking out opportunities to serve and share the Gospel, embodying the faith we profess. Active participation is about living out our faith through tangible actions that demonstrate the love and truth of Jesus Christ. It is through these actions that faith becomes alive and impactful, reaching out to touch the lives of others in meaningful ways. This active engagement is essential for personal growth and the expansion of God's kingdom. [52:38]
James 2:17-18: "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can actively participate in God's mission this week in your local community?
Day 4: Keeping the Mission in Focus
In the midst of various church activities and programs, it is vital to maintain a clear focus on the primary mission: reaching out to the lost and sharing the Gospel. This focus should permeate every aspect of church life, influencing not only the services and programs but also the daily interactions believers have with others. Keeping the mission in focus ensures that all church activities are aligned with the ultimate goal of spreading the love and salvation of Jesus Christ. This alignment helps prevent distractions and keeps the church's efforts concentrated on what truly matters. [37:16]
Hebrews 12:1-2: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: What are some activities or programs in your life that might be distracting you from your core mission, and how can you refocus?
Day 5: Prayer as the Foundation of Ministry
Prayer is the foundation of effective ministry, aligning our hearts and actions with God's will. It is through prayer that believers gain the strength and guidance needed to carry out their mission. Praying for laborers for the harvest is not just a biblical mandate but a practical necessity that empowers and equips the church to be effective in its outreach. By grounding all actions in prayer, believers ensure that their efforts are not only well-intentioned but also divinely inspired and sustained. [01:08:25]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: How can you enhance your prayer life to better support your personal ministry and the broader mission of your church?
Quotes
1) "Which is it? Which is it? You gonna have my eyes and my heart? Or do you want to make sure you get the restaurant before the crowd gets too big? Which is it gonna be? Then you have a choice." [01:00:44]
2) "If you start acting on the opportunities that God gives you, He will continue to give you opportunities. You may only see a small harvest at the beginning. But if you'll just be consistent in your prayer, consistent in your work, consistent in striving to have the eyes and the heart of Jesus, you will have them." [01:01:20]
3) "Can you imagine what it would be like if you started talking to people around town and all of a sudden they said, man, every time I turn around there's a Mount Pleasant person helping somebody." [01:02:24]
4) "Satan would absolutely love the opportunity to take your focus and put it on the stuff. Because if he can get your focus the activities and the stuff, guess what he will take your eyes off of? People." [01:03:01]
5) "We need to make sure that we have the eyes of Christ. That we see people the way Jesus sees people. Because that's what's important." [45:40]
6) "We could have the greatest service on the face of the planet. Y'all could have the greatest preacher on the face of the planet. But if nobody hears the gospel, and nobody comes to Christ, it means nothing." [46:28]
7) "Guys, if we're going to reach people, we have to have a heart like Christ has. We have to have a heart of compassion towards those people out there." [49:33]
8) "You were saved to serve. Why do you think the Great Commission starts out with go? The Great Commission doesn't start out with, well, y'all just go sit down by the creek, and I'll bring them all to you." [54:53]
9) "We're not here for ordinations. We're here to see lost people come to know Jesus. We're here to take the greatest gift that's ever been given and share it with a lost and dying world." [37:16]
10) "But we have to make sure that we don't get so involved with those things that we forget the mission and why we're here." [36:27]
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