Compassion

Pastor Bruce Frank @ Biltmore Baptist Church just started a new series this past sunday: Jesus Loves People. We will be looking throughout the new testament, studying encounters Jesus had with people. Not just people who followed him but sinners too.

Sunday, we began to look at Matthew (Levi). He was a tax collecter and when Jesus came upon him he decided to become one of his disciples. Jesus came to dine at Matthews house; where Matthew had invited his associates (sinners-tax collecters). The Pharisees could not understand why the son of God would be dining with the unworthy. Jesus responded by saying "It is not the healthy whho need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrafice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:12-13)Pastor Frank explained; as Christ followers we need to be passionate for people who are far from God.

If you are passionate about Jesus you will naturally want to spread your passion to those around you (especially those who need it most). But how do we lose our desire to reach non-Christians? We forget how it feels to be lost. We get set in our ways. So, how do we regain a love for people? We pray for them, spend time with them, we invite them to church and fellowship opportunities, and we help meet their needs for their thirst for compassion-through directing them to Christ.

Everyone needs compassion especially those who are far from God. As a Christian we need to have Passion as a character trait. Jesus loves people. So should we.

related readings: Matthew 9: 9-13, Romans 5:8

BBC services live sundays @ 9:15, 11 & 6 www.biltmorebaptist.org