"Equipped for Compassionate Purpose"
Good Morning
Stand with me and lift your bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I can do what it says I can do.
I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Today, we are diving into one of Jesus' most famous parables—the Good Samaritan. In this story, we see Jesus revealing not just the importance of compassion, but what it means to live a life fully equipped to serve others.
In Luke 10:30-37, Jesus shows us a picture of sacrificial love, reminding us that we’re all called to be His instruments of healing in a hurting world.
As we study this passage, let’s ask ourselves:
Are we living equipped for the work of compassion?
Are we ready to respond, empowered by God’s love, to those we encounter in our daily lives?
Let’s pray that God would open our hearts today and equip us with His Spirit to fulfill His purpose in our lives.
Scripture: Luke 10:30-37
The passage tells of a man who fell among robbers and was left half-dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite, both men who were respected in the religious community, walked by without helping him. Then, a Samaritan—a man from a group despised by Jews—stopped. Not only did he stop, but he gave everything he had: his time, his resources, and his care. Jesus shows us through this parable that the true neighbor, the true disciple, is the one who sees the need, is moved with compassion, and responds selflessly.
This parable is a clear picture of how God wants us to live. Jesus doesn’t want us to pass by opportunities to serve; He wants us to be equipped to respond with the love He has given us.
1: Equipped with God’s Heart for Compassion
What made the Good Samaritan different?
The Samaritan didn’t have any formal training or a title. What equipped him was his heart—a heart of compassion. God doesn’t need us to be perfect; He simply asks that we open our hearts to be moved by His love.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 9:36 that when He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus is the source of all compassion. And He calls us to that same heart—to be moved, not by duty, but by love.
You may feel unequipped, thinking, "I don’t have what it takes to make a difference."
But it’s God’s love that equips us to respond in ways we could never do on our own.
God calls us to love our neighbors deeply, without reservation. And He has given us His Spirit, who fills us with the love and strength to do it.
Let me share a story with you about a woman named Sarah. Sarah was an average woman with a busy life, always rushing between work and family responsibilities. One night, as she was leaving the grocery store, she saw an older man by the exit, his clothes worn and his face weary. Sarah hesitated; she didn’t know him and wasn’t sure what he needed. But then, she felt a tug in her heart, a prompting to stop.
As she approached him, she learned that he was homeless and had recently lost his wife. He was alone, hungry, and heartbroken. Sarah didn’t know what to do, but she felt that God wanted her to respond. She bought him a meal, sat with him, and simply listened. Over the next few months, Sarah helped him get connected to services that provided housing and support. She even prayed with him, sharing the love of Christ that changed his life.
Sarah didn’t think she was equipped to help him. But God used her heart, her compassion, and her willingness to stop. In a world where it’s easy to look away, God calls us to see people the way He does and to respond with His love.
2: Equipped with Resources Entrusted by God
The Samaritan used what he had—his wine, oil, and money—to care for the injured man. He poured out his resources freely, knowing that what he had was ultimately given to him by God. In the same way, God has entrusted each of us with resources for His Kingdom. It might be money, time, skills, or even a listening ear. When we recognize that everything we have belongs to God, we realize that we are stewards of His gifts, equipped to use them for His purposes.
Even when we feel our resources are limited, God can multiply what we offer. Remember the boy with the loaves and fish in John 6? He offered what little he had, and Jesus used it to feed thousands. If we offer what we have, God will use it to accomplish far more than we could imagine.
3: Equipped and Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Lastly, we are equipped by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples in Acts 1:8, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.”
When we walk in the Spirit, He opens our eyes to the needs around us, gives us courage to reach out, and fills us with the words to speak.
The Holy Spirit equips us beyond our natural abilities, enabling us to love, serve, and witness in ways that glorify God.
When we feel weak, it’s the Spirit who strengthens us.
When we feel unsure, it’s the Spirit who guides us.
And when we feel afraid, it’s the Spirit who gives us boldness.
We are not alone in this journey to serve; God has sent His Spirit to be with us, equipping us each day for the work
He has called us to.
As we close, I want to extend an invitation to each of you to reflect on your walk with Christ.
Perhaps you’ve felt distant from Him, or maybe you’ve never committed your life to Him.
Today, you have the opportunity to open your heart and say “yes” to Jesus, the One who was willing to stop for you, to give His life for you, and to equip you with everything you need.
Just as the Good Samaritan reached out, Jesus reached out to us while we were still sinners, showing us a love that knows no bounds. He doesn’t just ask us to love; He enables us to love through the power of His Spirit. He equips us, strengthens us, and empowers us for His Kingdom.
If you feel led to dedicate or rededicate your life to Christ, I invite you to come forward now to simply lift up your heart to Him.
Let us pray together:
"Lord Jesus, we come before You, grateful for the love You have shown us. Thank You for reaching out to us, for equipping us with Your Spirit, and for empowering us to serve in Your name. We surrender ourselves to You, committing our lives to Your purpose. Help us to be equipped with compassion, courage, and the resources You have given us to serve those around us. Fill us with Your Spirit, so we may be Your hands and feet in a world that needs Your love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen."
As you leave today, remember that you are called and equipped.
God has given you a compassionate heart, resources to serve, and His Holy Spirit to guide you.
Go forth with confidence, knowing that wherever there is a need, God is already equipping you to respond.
Live out the compassion of Christ.
Let His love flow through you in every encounter.
