We Are Not Okay, Week 2: With Avoiding the Afflicted

(1 Thessalonians 5:14) (NIV) And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1.    Warn those who are idle and disruptive (with their time,talent,treasure) 2.    Encourage the disheartened 3.    Help the weak Title of Message: We Are Not Okay With Avoiding the Afflicted (Mark 1:40-41) (NLT) A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.  Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” As Freedom Church we want to be filled with compassion and reach out to the afflicted. The Course of Compassion: 1.    Experience God’s love for yourself. (Romans 5:8) (NIV) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 2.    Open your eyes to the needs of others. (Matthew 9:35-36) (NIV)  “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them…” 3.    Be willing to reach out. (Mark 1:41) (NLT) …Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” (Proverbs 3:27-28) (Message)  “Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person.  Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.” (Ephesians 3:12-13) (NLT) Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored. (Romans 5:3-5) (NLT) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. The afflicted should remember: 1.    It’s for my growth  2.    It’s for others 3.    It’s for the glory of God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 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.” Sometimes comfort is better than an answer.