A COURSE IN COMPASSION Mark 6:30-44 This is part 1 of 3 of our series titled A Declaration of Independence. Some might have the misconception that making a Declaration of Independence promotes an Im Looking Out For Number One mentality. Nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is, only independent people can truly look out for others. Those who dont take care of themselves–those who dont get their own lives in order–are in no position to take care of others. We see this in the writings of Paul. In Galatians 6:5 Paul states that all must carry their own load after commanding believers in verse 2 to bear one anothers burdens. His point is obvious; unless you are first able to carry your own weight, you will never be able to carry the burdens of others. Today were taking a brief Course In Compassion. Well examine the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. This is a familiar story–weve heard it since Vacation Bible School–and it teaches some important lessons. The first, and most obvious, is that God is able to meet our needs. In addition, this story presents a model of compassion. In the actions of Jesus we see how to show mercy to those around us. This is a model for us all to follow. We know, of course, that we are supposed to be compassionate people, but sometimes we dont know exactly how to do it. We say, What if I get taken advantage of? or How do I know Im really helping someone? Or we mistake feeling compassion for doing compassion–theres a big difference. God wont let us off the hook just because we feel sorry for someone. His question is What are you going to DO about it? Thats what we will discuss today. These are the five elements of compassion. First of all... I. Compassion Involves Commitment. As this story begins, Jesus and his disciples have been surrounded by people for several days. Jesus said, (v. 31) Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile. He and his disciples went away in a boat to spend some time in rest and relaxation. The crowd had other ideas. They figured out where he and the disciples were going and rushed to meet them there. Instead of getting time to themselves, Jesus and his disciples found themselves once again surrounded by needy people. The bible says, (v. 34) As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them. We know that Jesus and his disciples needed some time alone. They wanted some time alone. But when he saw the crowd, Jesus was moved with compassion. Why? Because he was committed to being a compassionate person. In fact, he was more committed to compassion than he was to rest and relaxation. Though he wanted to do the latter, he preferred to do the former; that was his commitment to life and ministry. He didnt have to think about whether or not to show compassion to the crowd; he had committed his life to the concept of compassion before he was even born! In order to develop a ministry of compassion, we must decide in advance to be compassionate. Thats because the opportunity to be compassionate often comes at inopportune times. It will happen when youre busy, or tired, or both. You will be tempted to turn the person away unless you have decided in advance: I will show compassion whenever the opportunity presents itself. In fact Gods word tells us that when Jesus saw the crowds He was moved with compassion because He saw them as sheep without a shepherd. Sheep are week and defenseless. They do not have the ability to care for them selves. We are the sheep of Gods pasture and yet at the same time He gives us the ability and talents to care for others. There are many people who genuinely need or help. Multitudes are lost in their sin and unless we lead them to the Lord Jesus there is a chance that they may never get saved. There are others that are hurting and need a friend to encourage them. II. Compassion Involves A Willingness To Be A Leader. (v. 34) He had compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus recognized the crowds problem was not physical hunger, but spiritual hunger, and he began to teach them. He met their physical needs, but he didnt overlook their spiritual needs. He became a leader to these people, and did some things that they were unable to do for themselves. Being compassionate requires us to do that sometimes. We have people in our church that when they hear about someone that is down on there luck they will step up and take the responsibility of being a leader. They help these individuals find jobs, housing, and a host of other things to help them get back on their feet. These compassionate individuals she the down trodden as sheep without a shepherd. Thats what compassion is: answering the call to leadership in the lives of hurting people. Sometimes, in the name of compassion, were tempted to simply throw money at a situation and walk away. Its easier to do this than to invest the time it takes to help someone establish lasting changes in their life. But in the long run, were not doing them a favor. Theres an old saying, If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; if you teach him to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. Compassion involves putting forth the extra effort to teach others to fish–to offer them the leadership they need to get their life straightened out. Thirdly... III. Compassion Involves Teamwork. Often, Jesus performed his miracles without the help of anyone else. It was His prayer, His touch, or His faith that healed many people. In this miracle, however, the disciples were involved in the process. They came to Him with the request for food; He sent them into the crowd to search for it; He had them divide the crowd into groups of fifty and one hundred; He then had them distribute the food. It was, from start to finish, a team effort. Compassion works best in a team setting. Youre less likely to be taken advantage of. Youre less likely to get your ego wrapped up in what youre doing. And youre less likely to become discouraged. This has become somewhat of cliché, but even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. As he rode across the Wild West saving peoples lives he had someone helping him. A team also gives you the ability to be more focused in your approach. Youve heard the saying, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This miracle proves that statement. The Church of God has a new motto that we often repeat. “We can accomplish together what we cant accomplish alone.” We may be a small church with only a hand full of people but all of us together can do what one of us cant do alone. Let me give you an example. A while back someone came to us needing food. I could not meet this need in and of myself but I called a few compassionate church members and we all pitched in and were able to meet the need. Thats what teamwork can do. IV. Compassion Involves Cooperation. Teamwork involves Cooperation: Without the cooperation of each team player there is no teamwork. I am amazed at the way people look at baseball. The pitcher is credit with either winning or loosing a game. What about the other 8 players on the field fielding the ball and throwing the runners out at the base? Didnt they make a contribution to the game? When I played football my couch told us that we played has a team and we won or lost as a team. Teamwork involves Cooperation! The most interesting element of this scenario is that Jesus didnt offer to buy food for the crowd, even though it is obvious in verse 37 that he had the money to do it. Instead, he required the crowd to cooperate. He asked them to give what they had. When the disciples searched and discovered only one boy who had 5 loaves and 2 fishes–they asked him to give it to Jesus. (John 6:9) Jesus took that small amount of food, and used it to create abundance. The principle here is that the people we help must be willing to help themselves. They must be willing to do what they can. One Sunday afternoon I had a family that consisted of two sisters and three kids knock on my door asking for help. They said they need food and money. Their utilities were about to be turned off and they were about to be evicted from their apartment. I called some church members and we scraped together enough money to buy a few groceries and a bag of diapers for the baby. I told them that I would see what we could do about getting the money to pay for the utilities but didnt know if we could get the money to pay the rent. I told them that they would need to be in our services that night. They promised that they would be there and went on their way. I called another pastor in the community to see if his church could help us out. He asked about the family and I told it was two sisters and one of them had three kids. He then asked me, “If one of the children was a baby? I said yes. He then described these sisters to me in detail. It seems that these sister were running a scam on the churches and they were using these children to gain the sympathy of the pastor and the church. Their landlord came by the church and told me what they were doing and that these ladies refused to work. I then realized that we had been taken in. We refused to give them cash money and asked for the utility bills. They gave us a light bill, which we paid because I promised I would help. Monday morning I called the welfare office to check on these ladies. I was amazed at what the welfare office told me. I was told that the welfare office would not help them because they would not help themselves. It seems the welfare office offered to train these ladies for a job and assured them of a job after their training. These ladies refused. I said all that to let you know that before you can help others they must be willing to help themselves. There is a fifth element of compassion–one over which we have no control, but without which we cannot operate. V. Compassion Involves Gods Intervention. (v. 41-43) Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves...they all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. Without Gods intervention, compassion can go only so far. We need His help in order to stretch our resources. When he blesses our ministry of compassion, there is no limit to what we can accomplish. Even the government realizes this. Why dont churches and non–profit organizations pay taxes? Is it because the government is religion-friendly and wants to help us out? I dont think so. It is because the government recognizes that when it comes to social services, non-profit religious groups can accomplish 5 times more with a dollar than the government can. Some of this can be blamed on government waste, but the bottom line is that God blesses the compassionate efforts of Christians. Without his help we are spinning our wheels. CONCLUSION One thing is obvious: compassion is not for the weak. Only those who are independent–who are in charge in of their own lives and are living in pursuit of a God-given purpose–can be truly compassionate. The fact is, there will be times when a need presents itself to us, and all we can do at that time is give a few dollars, or offer a word of encouragement. When thats all we can do, we must do at least that much. We must also remember that compassion involves a commitment to provide leadership with others to those who are willing to receive Gods blessing in their life. Lets look for opportunities to show compassion. True compassion can only come through Jesus Christ. Before you can show true Christian compassion you must first know Jesus. It starts with having a relationship with Him. If you do not have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus you can start today by accepting Him as your Lord and Savior. You will find His compassion toward you through the forgiveness of your sins.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 07:24:31 +0000
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