COMPASSION SUNDAY
Verse of the week: Matthew 25:34-40
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Our “Breakthrough” series has lived up to the name, with God moving in our church and growing His kingdom week over week. Most of this series has focused on what God gives us to prepare for breakthrough. This week, we’re flipping the script. Our faith life isn’t just receiving from God and holding onto those blessings. Instead, we’re called to pour those blessings back onto others, and be the miracle in someone else’s life.
The key is, we can’t trick ourselves into we’re the reason for a miracle. We can’t do it alone. It’s only with a humble heart that we can come alongside others and let God make a move through our lives. We are the tool; He is the craftsman.
A great example of this shows up in the New Testament, in John 6:8. You’ve probably heard the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. But have you ever really analyzed it? The boy whose food they borrowed actually had a very weird lunch! He had 5 loaves of bread and a few fish – why did he have so much just for himself? We may never know the answer to that question, but we do know this: the boy had more than he needed, but less than the crowd of 5000 needed – yet Jesus used what He had for a miracle.
That’s the formula right there – what we have + God’s heart of compassion = miracles. It’s nothing that we do, or can do. The little boy didn’t take credit, even though it was his food. He just humbly gave it to Jesus. And it’s just that simple; obedience is our responsibility, and God takes care of the rest.
This chapter provides amazing insight into God’s heart for us. He sees our needs, and brings abundance to our situations, all because He has compassion for us. In fact, did you know that Jesus is described as having compassion more than any other emotion in the Bible? As we grow to be more like Jesus, we’ll increase in our capacity for compassion too. We’ll see those that are hungry, thirsty, or in need, and have selfless desire to help them. And that helps grow His kingdom too. People can’t receive from God before their practical needs are met. So as we help meet those needs, God will show up and work on their hearts as well.
That’s exactly what Resonate Church is doing in our partnership with Compassion Canada. Compassion Canada works exclusively with local churches around the world to equip families and children in nee. As a church, we are blessing a moms and babies program in Guatemala, and individually, we are offering the chance to personally sponsor a child.
If you’re interested in getting more information, or taking the next step to sponsor a child in need, please check out the Resonate-Compassion page – here.
While sponsorship allows us to bless financially, it also impacts children emotionally, letting them know that someone from across the world cares about them, as well as spiritually by allowing them to build a solid foundation of Christian education.
God is moving in our church, and has put us in the position to bless those in need around the world. It’s time to be obedient to God’s calling, and see what He can do.
Make sure to check out the full message below!
