Sermon recap.
We had a guest speaker at church yesterday. Those are always tricky because you don't know what to expect by way of sermon topics. I think he was nervous at first too, because he kept repeating "cross reference". Finally, it stopped.
He pointed out several passages, possibly 5, in Matthew in which it was stated Christ had compassion on either individuals or on whole groups. Compassion has to be something "felt" from the heart. You can't choose to have compassion-its gotta been something that stirs inside you and comes out of the heart. Christ had compassion because he saw and felt the hurt. Man, when was the last time you "felt" it?
And then, in dramatic fashion Christ said to his disciples....."Look!......the harvest is ripe". Visiting preacher said it's as though Christ said "Open your eyes!" This was very effective because he kept repeating it with great big hand gestures around his eyes that seemed to be popping out of his skull. Wow, talk about dramatic!
So, I'm left with two thoughts. (1) Compassion-we have to see people the way Christ does, we have to pray for that, no matter how dangerous it might be..........so that (2) when we do have our eyes open, we will be moved to help. I don't think it's about converts....it's about compassion.
Ode to a Truck
Wednesday, I took my travel companion on its last trip, from which it didn't come home with me. I took it for a drive the day before, to...
-
A way out in the country, down a secluded gravel road lies a small cemetery perched on a knoll, around which the road makes four severe turn... -
So, I've passed through this tiny little Pulaski County town between San Pierre and Medaryville often enough that it's quite amaz...
2 comments:
Christ could have perfect compassion because he created the human condition. He understood every hurt.
What hurt have you been through? These are the areas of easiest compassion for each of us -- and great big ministry opportunities.
Very well said Jim. Thanks for insight.
Post a Comment