Week 3 - Day 3
THE MISSION
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JESUS’ COMPASSION
DAILY DIRECTIONS
Use a sentence or bullet points to finish these statements.
UP - Lift Up Your Praise
Lord, I praise You for …
DOWN - Bow Down In Repentance
Lord, I repent of …
IN - Take In God’s Word
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 9:35-38, 10:1,7-8 (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.”
Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
Matthew 22:39 (NIV)
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
1 Peter 2:12 (NIV)
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Why is doing good and showing the compassion of Jesus so important for our witness?
William Barclay
More people have been brought into the church by the kindness of real Christian love than by all the theological arguments in the world. And more people have been driven from the Church by the hardness and ugliness of so-called Christianity than by all the doubts in the world (The New Testament Words).
What is your reaction to this quote?
How have you seen the reality of this quote in your life?
Think of your circle of influence (where you live, learn, work and play). Especially, think of YOUR 3. How can you PRACTICALLY show them Jesus’ love?
PRACTICAL
Last week, we looked at Listening Prayer. This week, consider Listening CARE. It’s pretty much the same thing. You simply ask God how you can practically care for people and then you go and do it. God knows what people need to really experience His love. So ask Him and commit to doing it with His help.
The other part of Listening Care is listening between the lines as you interact with people. They may give you some pretty clear signals on how you can practically care for them. Maybe they mention a loved one who is sick or dying. How could you support them through that? As we saw last week, praying for people is a very personal and powerful way to show the love of Jesus. When people mention a struggle, ask them, “Can I pray for that?” Or maybe they mention the need for childcare to go to an important meeting or event. Could you provide that or help pay for that?
The point is to get out of your own headspace and listen to God and listen to others on how to practically care for them.
SACRIFICIAL
How can you SACRIFICIALLY show Your 3 Jesus’ love?
As you well know, it usually costs something to care for people, and sometimes it costs a lot. It’s not always in terms of money, but it’s usually in terms of time and energy. But often when it costs more to care for people, the impact of that caring actually increases in the person’s life.
For example, if your neighbor’s house needs painting but they don’t have the means to do it, what if you gather a team and pool resources and paint their house as an expression of Jesus’ love? Or what if someone at your work is experiencing some injustice and you advocate for them as an expression of Jesus’ justice? People definitely take notice not only when you do something practical for them, but especially when you do something sacrificial for them.
Maybe the sacrifice needed to care for someone is greater than you can make as an individual. How can your group or even your MicroChurch help you show the love of Jesus?
SUPERNATURAL
Jesus didn’t just show compassion practically and sacrificially, He also showed it supernaturally. He healed the sick and set spiritually oppressed free. As we read in Matthew 10 above, Jesus calls us to do the same:
“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
Jesus’ compassion in us should move us to pray big prayers for people’s healing and deliverance.
Lord, I hear You saying to me …
Now, with Your help I will …
OUT - Pray Out Your Requests
Lord, I pray for …
STOP - Stop, Look and Listen
Lord, what do You want to show me or say to me?
GO - Go Through Your Day
Lord, I pray for Your help as I anticipate these events today …