Living Out Compassion

Living out compassion

Matthew 14:13-21

Good morning,

Happy Fathers Day! If you are able, please show your Father some love today.

Men, one of the most important jobs God has given you and me is to be a Father to your children.

Remember men that your heavenly Father has never let you down and He will never leave you or forsake you. So if your earthly father has not been what he needed to be, look to your heavenly Father to fill that void.

We are excited that next week, we are planning to reopen our church for services and excited to see what that will look like. As you know, I have been praying that we not go back to normal. I do not want normal, it is like going to 31 flavors and ordering vanilla. I want to try something new! I want the Lord to do something new in me and through me.

I want to be a part of something fresh and new not stale and old.

Amen.

We are glad that you have joined us. I trust you have come as a willing vessel the Lord can use and with an expectation that the Lord might speak to you. No matter how you are hearing this message, we are glad you’re here.

Prayer-

This time has been a challenge – Every one of us has a story to tell and a cross to bear. We need to share our experiences in the hope that it will encourage someone else to follow Jesus!

We have been through a lot and we are looking for some relief and some change.

How we approach change and how we look at change will determine what the outcome of our lives will look at the end of this.

If we just go back to normal and we again go to the same old way of life and church, we will not have learned anything from the wilderness experience.

I read an article awhile ago about the difference between whittling and carving- whittling is wasting time- passing time- something to do. Carving is making something with purpose and intent on a completed project. It is a thought out plan of what you want to see as the finished project.

This morning, have you learned any lessons?

Let me set up the text this morning- Jesus is no stranger to the feelings and things we go through in our life.

Jesus understands hatred, evil motives, disagreement, betrayal, two faced people, and hypocrisy.

He chose to experience them so that He could have compassion on us and help us when we go through those trials.

Jesus understands feeling burnout, low tolerance, quick tempers, frustration, wanting to give up, mind wondering in every direction except where it should.

Wanting normal even if normal was not all that good.

Disappointment- feeling like you cannot go on!

SO WHATEVER YOU ARE FEELING RIGHT NOW- JESUS HAS BEEN THERE.

Matthew 14/ The death of John the Baptist

Jesus losses his cousin John the Baptist who was beheaded while in prison-

He was in prison for preaching Jesus

He was beheaded because Herod got drunk and while drunk made a crazy promise to a girl that he had to keep to save face with his other guest at the party.

John’s death was a senseless killing and Jesus heart was broke.

The disciples buried John and told Jesus

Matthew 14:13-14 Read from Bible

Herod hated John was two reasons-

He had many followers and Herod was insecure and afraid of a rebellion.

Herod was a tyrant, John called him out about it and it cost John his life!

There is always a cost to telling the truth because there will always be those that do not want the truth told.

(13) “When Jesus heard what happened, he withdrew to a solitary place.”

Galilee was small and a difficult place to get alone, especially Jesus as His ministry was taking off and He had many followers.

Jesus knew that getting on the other side of the lake would bring him some alone time.

Jesus knew that before he could help men and women- He had to get alone with God the Father.

He was seeking rest for the body and strength for the soul. (Anyone know what I am talking about)

Let’s not move too fast-

If I would have been a ringside announcer, I would have had to say that circumstance has got this round but Jesus is now going privately to the Father for strength and encouragement. He is taking a step back so He can take a step forward.

He had to withdraw so that He could advance-

Solitary place with the Father brings healing!

Jesus withdrawing from the crowd allowed Him intimacy with God the Father.