"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." Matthew 25:35, 36.
"While the world needs sympathy, while it needs the prayers and assistance of God's people, while it needs to see Christ in the lives of His followers, the people of God are equally in need of opportunities that draw out their sympathies, give efficiency to their prayers, and develop in them a character like that of the divine pattern."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 261.
You can be a compassionate Christian! You can demonstrate the love of God! Your Christian helpfulness can be a sermon to the world!
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Christ showed us that our neighbor does not mean merely the one living next door. In this parable the term "neighbor" has no reference to race, creed, color, or class. Our neighbor is anyone who is hurting, physically or emotionally. Our neighbor is anyone who needs our help.
In this lesson you will discover—
COMPASSION FOR THE COMMUNITY
1. What should motivate Christians to show compassion? 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4) who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Christianity through the centuries has focused on the seven works of mercy listed in the Bible: (1) feed the hungry; (2) clothe the naked; (3) shelter the stranger; (4) cheer the sick; (5) visit the prisoner; (6) befriend the widow and orphan; (7) comfort the dying and bereaved.
2. In what area does Paul challenge the Christian to be fruitful? Colossians 1:10.
Colossians 1:10 (NIV) And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
3. What influence will good works have in the community? 1 Peter 2:12.
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.
4. What instruction concerning the poor did God give ancient Israel? Deuteronomy 15:11.
Deuteronomy 15:11 (NIV) There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
5. How did Jesus show the importance of helping the poor and suffering? Matthew 25:35, 36.
Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV) 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, 36) 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.'
6. In what way does Christ identify Himself with the needy? Matthew 25:37-40. Summarize clearly what you get from verse 40:
Matthew 25:37-40 (NIV) "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38) When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39) When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40) "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
7. How did Christ describe His own ministry? Luke 4:18, 19.
Luke 4:18-19 (NIV) "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19) to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
8. What practical demonstration of helping others in their need is revealed in Christ's ministry? Matthew 4:23-25.
Matthew 4:23-25 (NIV) Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24) News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25) Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
In your own words tell what happened:
9. How did Jesus answer the question, "Who is my neighbor"? Luke 10:29-37.
Luke 10:29-37 (NIV) But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30) In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31) A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32) So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33) But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34) He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35) The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' 36) "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" 37) The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
State the point found in verses 36 and 37:
10. What is to be revealed through ministry to others? 1 John 3:16, 17.
1 John 3:16-17 (NIV) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17) If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
11. How does practical helpfulness in ministry show something of the light and glory of the Lord? Isaiah 58:7-10.
Isaiah 58:7-10 (NIV) Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8) Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. 9) Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 10) and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
Answer from verse 8:
Note: Christian ministry to others does not end in merely meeting the immediate needs of those in a crisis. Solving the immediate problem should lead the grateful recipient to a better understanding of the Christian's Master. The Christian's acts of kindness reveal the reality of faith, leading others to thank God for a religion that works. Someone has said, "The union of Christlike work for the body and Christlike work for the soul is the true interpretation of the gospel."
AN AVENUE OF MINISTRY
Community Services
Most Seventh-day Adventist churches operate a Community Services Center. In times of emergency and sickness people need immediate help and assistance. This ministry offers such assistance as food, clothing, and household items. Each center also cooperates with World Wide Seventh-day Adventist Community Service, which is our international disaster and famine relief program.
Annually millions of people receive assistance through the active ministry of thousands of Adventist Community Services Centers worldwide. This ministry is a volunteer social work. Those interested in assisting as volunteer social workers should contact the church Community Services director or pastor.
Unless otherwise designated, scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION�. Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.