Summary: There are two types of people in the world today those who say "Who Cares!" and those "Who Cares?" and we are one of the two.
"Who Cares! "and "Who Cares?"
Thesis: There are two types of people in the world today those who say "Who Cares!" and those "Who Cares?" and we are one of the two.
Text: Luke 10:25-37
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: "’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ’Love your neighbor as yourself.’" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 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. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 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. 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.’ "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
Read from the Message same text
ILLUSTRATION - Kieth Green poster and song play and show! Song says, “Don’t care that people are drowning out there!”
Jesus in this passage teaches us the importance of caring for others. In other words Jesus gives an practical illustration on "How to hug !" What to do when someone is hurting in pain in distress. I want you to understand a very important point this is NOT just the pastors job. This is the Body of Christ’s job! I John 3:16-18 reminds all of us:
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. 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? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Caring is a verb with action. It reminds me of the following true story (Share story of high school students).
The reality is you never know how much caring can do until you do it! There are many who have the "Who Cares!" attitude like the one’s described in parable of the Good Samaritan.
It’s amazing what will happen in our lives and others lives when we choose to follow the way of God’s heart and care for others. In helping others we experience love first hand from others and from God himself. Right now you may be thinking "I want to care but How do I hug?" I’m glad your thinking that lets look at some practical ways to "Hug".
I. How to hug a new visitor to New Life Community Church?
A. Visitor hugging - How to hug a visitor for the Lord 8 easy steps:
1.Have a proper understanding of why visitors visit- Visitors do not come to New Life to meet the needs of our church; they come to New Life expecting the church to meet their needs. I have news for you--It is not going to happen from pulpit ministry alone -- it happens by personal ministry from all of us. Ken Hout’s states, "Where hurting people are concerned, personal ministry as a friend is more powerful than pulpit ministry" (50).
2. Be a friend to the visitor their are five ways of doing this:
*Spend time in fellowship with this individual.
* Ask them "Is there anything I can pray about with you?"
* Suggest more fellowship with them "Hey, lets get together this week." Make an appointment to meet with them.
* Invite them back to church or to other church events. Let them know that their presence is important to you and others at New Life.