BUILDING TO LAST (BIBLE STUDY) GUIDELINES
THEME: TOWARDS THE HARVEST OF SOULS INTO GOD’S KINGDOM
TOPIC: WINNING SOULS WITH COMPASSION
BIBLE REFERENCE: Matthew 9:35-38, Luke 10:30-37
INTRODUCTION
In the past few weeks, we started looking at the importance of soul-winning activities in these last days and the things that must be in place to make the most of our soul-winning endeavours. We must understand that the solution to the world’s problems is domiciled in the church. The end-time church will be the solution centre for the crisis of the world in these last days. (Isaiah 2:2-3, Micah 4:1-2) Hence, the church which is not the building of worship, but the saints of God, must be prepared and made ready, blameless, spotless and without wrinkles to be an effective tool in the hand of the Lord. (Eph. 5:27)
We have been looking at the requirements of a faultless and blameless church. Last week, we discussed the subject of Holiness as a basic requirement for effective stewardship on which every other element is built. (2 Timo. 2:19-22) Today, we shall proceed by looking at another requirement to make the most of our soul-winning endeavours
THE PLACE OF COMPASSION IN WINNING SOULS INTO GOD’S KINGDOM
Compassion is a feeling of sympathy for those in desperate situations, conditions and needs. It is a feeling that motivates people to go out of their way to relieve others of their physical, mental or emotional pains. The good thing about compassion is that it makes a lasting impact of joy and relief on those being reached while it creates an environment of love and harmony for everyone.
The parable of the good samaritan is a perfect way of showing compassion to those in need. (Luke 10:30-37) Jesus used the parable of the good samaritan to explain the place of compassion in rescuing those in critical situations.
The following things are to be learnt from the parable of the good samaritan
- Being compassionate does not have anything to do with your status or position. If we are to consider the status and office of the priest and the Levite, they should have been the ones to rescue the man in need but they saw him and did nothing about his rescue. (Luke 10:30-32)
- The good samaritan spent all he had on him at the first point of contact and denied himself of his comfort just to look after the victim because he had compassion. (Luke 10:33)
- He emptied his pocket to take care of the victim and promised to return with more funds to ensure the stranger was properly looked after. (Luke 10:34-35)
The priest and the Levite saw the wounded and naked man who was half dead by the way, but they walked passed him without doing anything. Being compassionate is not only identifying a need but going the extra mile to do something about it.
In conclusion, Jesus concluded the parable by admonishing us to do exactly like the good samaritan man. (Luke 10:36-37) We are living in a time where there are so many needs all around us. Are we acting like the priest and the Levite in the parable? How compassionate are we about those in critical need? Showing mercy and being compassionate to those in need around us, is the gateway to laying up our treasures in heaven. (Matt. 6:19-21)
God bless you greatly!
