Moved By What?

 

Introduction:

     A.   What was Christ motivated by?  What should we be motivated

by?

 

     B.   This morning I think this second scripture gives us

          some insight into the compelling force upon which our

          Savior acted.

 

     Trans.

          As we look at this, I would like for us all to examine           ourselves as to whether or not we share this

          compelling force with our Savior!

 

                            Prayer

                         Matt. 9:36-38

 

I.   Many messages have been preached from this passage.

 

     A.   This passage has been used to make people realize the

          urgency and need for laborers in the kingdom of God

          To do something! Which is a good message!

 

     B.   This passage has been used as an appeal to pray for

          laborers; perhaps we aren't praying enough!

 

     C.   This passage has been used to make us realize that the           harvest is there; it is ready, and we the church can

          grow!  This too is a good message!

 

     D.   But this morning, I would like to look at what was

           said about Jesus here that caused the Savior to feel

          this deep need and examine what the motivations or

          compelling forces are and aren't that would have

          caused Jesus to say this.

 

II.  What was said about Christ?

 

     "he was moved with compassion on them, because they

      fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no

     shepherd."

A.      Moved with Compassion!

B.       

          1.   Because they grew tired, because some gave up the                road was so hard, because Christ saw people who

              needed direction, people that needed to know how

              to grow!  They needed to know what to do!

 

              a.   Life is hard sometimes!

 

              b.   People need someone who cares and is willing

                   to help  

    

          2.   If someone didn't go to them, some might fall or

              turn away or they might not ever even know the

              way to God!

 

     B.   Love!

 

          1.   Love is always the bottom line for the Lord!

 

          2.   That is why Christ was touched and moved with

              compassion.

 

          3.   That is why Christ came for us!  Christ loved us

              and was moved with compassion!

 

          4.   Because Christ saw where we were headed, our need

              of direction, and our need for salvation.

 

     C.   This should be what moves us to see the need for

          service and compels us to serve!  Because we are

          "moved with compassion," because we see people who do

          not know the love of God and are without direction,

          because we see people who have no purpose, and we want

          to serve to meet their need and help them find the

          love of God!

 

III. Oh, but too many times today this isn't what can be said

     about our service!  What sometimes can be said about our

     service? These were and are "not" the compelling forces of

     Jesus!

 

     A.   They are just serving for the money!

 

1.      This is sometimes said of preachers who are

always asking for money (on T.V. & etc.).

 

2.      This is sometimes said of preachers when they

leave a congregation in hopes of getting one that pays more!

 

 

          3.   The sad thing is that this is sometimes true and

              this is the compelling force.

 

     B.   Another, they are just serving for the power!

 

1.      This is sometimes said of preachers who try to

run the show and who want people to look to them as the supreme authority. What they say goes!

 

          2.   This is sometimes said of other leaders in the

              church who have the same attitude!

 

          3.   The sad thing is that sometimes this is the

              compelling force, and when that feeling of power

              is threatened, they become angry, bitter, and

              uncooperative.  Sometimes, they just want to

              leave if they can't run things!

 

     C.   Another, they are just serving for recognition!

 

1.      When the going gets tough and the recognition

runs low or the credit goes to someone else, these are weeded out.

 

          2.   Is it so important that we get the credit or that                the job gets done?

 

     D.   Lastly, they are just serving out of obligation!

 

          1.   Some do this so that it will get done.

 

          2.   But this isn’t a real pure reason for service!

 

          3.   Might be better than no service.

 

     E.   But let's be sure that these things can't be

          Truthfully said about us.

 

Conclusion:

 

     A.   We need more who are like our precious Lord who will

          serve with sacrifice, moved with compassion, because             of the job that they see that needs to be done,

          because of the lives who need to be touched, because

          of Love.

 

          1.   When we do, we won't worry if the money is best!

 

 

2.      We won't be bothered if we don't have all the    

power as long as ministry is being done!  We will see ourselves as part of a team striving together to get the job done! Matter of fact, we will be glad to let others be involved!

 

          3.   We won't have to have worldly recognition to

              continue doing our best for the Lord!

 

C.      Are we like this?  Do we share this compelling force

with our Savior?  Compassion?  Love?  How long has it been since we have been moved to do something because of compassion?

 

     C.   Why do we serve?

 

D.      As we encounter Christ at the table this morning, do

we need to ask the Lord into our lives for the first time? Do we need to ask Christ to fill us with His Spirit of service this morning?

 

     E.   Someone has said,   "[People are] never nearer the

                             Divine than in [their]

                             Compassionate moments." 

                                      Joseph H. Hertz

 

Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion