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Heart for the World
(Part 3: God’s Merciful Heart)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
As citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, we must embrace the heart of our merciful King by demonstrating a sincere concern for the needy and being moved by the desire to reach the lost, the oppressed, the haggard, the hungry, the homeless, and the dispossessed.

Summary:
God is deeply moved by compassion and mercy for the poor and the needy in this world. Mercy is treating others better than they deserve to be treated and sparing them from harm. Our guest speaker, Jim Cantelon, provides this insight: “I talk a lot about righteousness and justice, but the forgotten part of this equation is often mercy. Simply put - God requires us to love mercy. It’s easier said than done. Being merciful takes a lot of maturity; especially in a culture that jumps on weaknesses. Just watch the evening news today and try and find even a thread of mercy. Most of us have a judgment reflex when somebody around us falls. 

But the Kingdom of God requires something completely different - we are to love mercy… Can you imagine if the Church stood up and decided to exercise mercy as Christ called us to? Think of the orphans and widows in your community, the poor and destitute, the single moms - and in addition to that, the millions of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. What could the body of Christ accomplish if it was truly mobilized with mercy? I’ll tell you - transformation would occur. The Body of Christ would rise up like we’ve never seen before.”

The prophet Isaiah helps us understand the merciful heart of God for the marginalized when he contrasts the type of fast the Lord desires with the kind of religious fasting that was popular at the time. What God wants, says the prophet, is true fasting, demonstrated in these behaviors: standing against injustice, freeing the oppressed, feeding the hungry, giving shelter to the homeless, and clothing the poor. If we are going to be followers of Christ that are actively living-out the heart of God, then we must roll up our sleeves and truly help those in need by giving more generously, sharing more readily, living more simply, and loving mercy. This truly is the “road less traveled” - the call of God on our lives.

Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

Isaiah 58:5-11
According to the prophet Isaiah, what pleases the heart of God? What would the world look like if all of God’s children helped the oppressed in these ways? Discuss ideas and strategies of how we can live-out these things that please God.

Micah 6:8
What character qualities does God want to see in His people? Are these qualities optional?  Explain and apply each characteristic from this passage. Discuss different ways you can show mercy to others: your family, your friends, and strangers.

James 2:14-26
What does a life of “faith without works” look like in today’s world? Can we be Christians without actively helping those in need? Why or why not?

Taking Action: As you are read, watch, or listen to the news this week, allow yourself to become aware of the lack of mercy in today’s society. By God’s grace, retrain your personal “judgment reflex” by purposefully exercising mercy in real ways to others – family, friends, and strangers. Bless, feed, and/or clothe someone in need this week. 

Ministry Time

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Heart for the World
(Part 2: The Butterfly Effect)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship
 
Big Idea:
Just as Christ influenced the world for all eternity, each of our lives is meant to have significant influence on the world around us - both locally and globally.

Summary:
God has called us to be good stewards of our lives and the gifts He has given us – relationships, time, talent, and treasure. But none of those things may matter as much as the influence that God has entrusted to you. Influence is so important because it is the power to affect how someone develops, acts, or thinks. Influence shapes our world and can affect the eternal destiny of people. This is why influence requires careful stewardship. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to influence the world for the sake of Christ, His gospel, and His kingdom. Therefore, we must become the most influential people on the planet. Having a heart for the world is making the commitment to become a person of influence who stands for righteousness, truth, and justice. In fact, neglecting to influence the world around you for the sake of Christ is to completely miss the calling of Christ on your life.

How can we best steward this gift of influence? The Bible teaches us the following three principles. First, we must recognize our influence. Everyone has influence. We are far more influential than we realize.  Each of us has some measure of influence over every person we come in contact with in life. Second, we must exercise our influence; otherwise, it is irrelevant. Influence is like money. We can use it for good, we can use it for evil, or we can save it and never use it. The way that we influence the world is through compassionate engagement - through loving, giving, serving and sharing the Good News of the Gospel. Third, we must maximize our influence. There are two legitimate reasons for expanding your sphere of influence – ministry and missions. The enemy is working hard every day to maximize and expand his influence of unrighteousness in the world. Therefore, as Christ followers, we must be about expanding and maximizing our kingdom of God influence. If we do this, we will make a difference for in this world and the world to come.
 
Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

Matthew 5:13-16
This passage encourages us to be influential. Give examples of how we can be salt and light. How does Christ look upon those who neglect their influence? What is the result of us exercising our influence? Share a specific story of what has happened as a result of letting your light shine.

Daniel 3:13-30
How did these guys influence a nation? Discuss how your obedience to God’s commands can influence others.

1 Peter 5:8-11
Discuss how the Devil is exercising his influence in the world today. What is the result of his influence? How can our influence make a difference? Discuss ways we can maximize our influence in the world.

Taking Action: Exercise your influence in a real way by engaging individually or as a group in the upcoming “Project Homeless Connect,” by signing up for a short-term missions trip, or use your financial resources to send someone else. Contact Katie in or Outreach Department this week. 
 
Ministry Time

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Heart for the World
(Part 1: One Degree of Separation)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Summary:
According to what the Bible teaches us, there is only one degree of separation between us and every other human being on the planet. That one degree is the person of Jesus, who not only stands between God and man as the only true mediator, but He also stands as the only common denominator that draws us together in healthy community in spite of our vast differences. Jesus underscores this truth when he tells us that how we treat one another, especially the needy and broken, is how we treat Him. In fact, the very acts of mercy toward others, which we are called to perform every day of our lives, are the evidence of the reality of our salvation?

If this is true, then what keeps us from serving those in need? Here are five common objections. 1) I don’t feel called. This objection is based on the faulty belief that one has to be “called” to serve the world. You don’t need a call when you’ve been given a command: “Go into all the world.” In fact, you need a permission slip from Jesus to stay home. 2) I don’t know how. However, God said that HE would guide and direct you. He will be with you when you step out in obedience and show His love to others. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to be willing enough to actually “go”. 3) I don’t have time. It is often not convenient to serve, but we can always find time for what we value. 4) I don’t know if I can make a difference. All of us can, because all of us have been called by Christ to make a difference. We can do all things through Christ. We can go, we can pray, and we can provide financial support. 5) I don’t want to. This is simply your selfish flesh talking and isn’t consistent with a heart that has been changed by Christ. Say no to your flesh and say yes to the will of your Savior. Go and be His hands and feet.

Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

Matthew 25:36-40
What is the fate of the two groups? What are the standards by which the two groups are judged? Whose needs had they met or failed to meet?  Did everyone get a fair chance? Imagine yourself in each group and discuss what would be going through your mind. What are some specific actions that can be taken in meeting each of the needs mentioned?

Isaiah 58:6-9
What are God’s promises to those who take action and help the oppressed, the hungry, and the marginalized? How do our actions in this area affect our relationship with God and our prayer life?

Matthew 28:18-20
Is sharing Christ’s love and compassion to others optional? Why can we confidently do this and know that we will be successful? Discuss practical ways that you can overcome the objections mentioned in the summary of this study. 

Taking Action: At some point this week you will find yourself just one degree away from Jesus as you look into the eyes of the broken and the hurting. Don’t turn them away. Treat them as if they were Jesus. Share your experience with the group. 

Ministry Time

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Honor’s Reward
(Guest Speaker: John Bevere)

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
God made it very clear that showing honor is essential when He stated, “Those who honor Me, I will honor, but those who despise Me will be disdained.” Understanding the Biblical principle of honor is critical to all followers of Christ.

Summary:
Honoring others is not a popular theme promoted in the world today. The spiritual law of honor is often overlooked by a self-focused and critical generation. However, our decision to integrate the principle of honor into every aspect of life, both functionally and spiritually, will significantly affect us today and for eternity. The Greek word used for honor in the Bible is best defined as “valuing”. To show someone honor is to treat him or her as valuable, precious, and esteemed. We are called by God’s Word to extend honor to our Creator, those in authority over us, our peers, and those who are under our authority. This extends to the four areas of New Testament delegated authority: civil, family, social, and church.

How we value, respect, and treat others matters so greatly to God that it affects our heavenly and earthly rewards. The Bible gives us examples of how a full reward is offered to those who truly show honor to others by valuing and respecting them; a partial reward is experienced by those who are selective in how they honor others; and no reward is given to those who handle God and others with indifference. Our ultimate reward is eternity in the presence of God Almighty. In several parables, Jesus indicated that faithful disciples would receive great rewards. Sometimes the reward is described as rulership, but Jesus also used other ways to describe our reward: the gift of salvation is symbolized by one day’s wage, a marriage banquet, inheriting a kingdom, being put in charge of all the master’s possessions, rulership over cities, and authority over the nations. However, we don’t want to be people who simply obey God for what we can get out of it. Rather, we need to catch His heart and allow His precepts to penetrate us. Let’s make honor an integral part of who we are and how we treat others.

Discussion Questions: (read the scriptures & discuss)

Matthew 10:40-42
In this passage, Matthew uses the word “receive” which is a synonym for “honor”. Based on this passage, who does Jesus say we should honor? How does this passage associate honor and reward? Discuss what kind of rewards Matthew may be referring to.

Romans 13:3-7 & 1 Peter 2:17
How can you show your civil leaders honor when you don’t agree with them politically or morally? What should we do if honoring our civil authority compromises honoring God? Discuss ways that we can honor our pastors and spiritual authorities.

Matthew 19:27-29 & Mark 10:29-30
Is giving everything for the sake of following Christ worth it? What kind of rewards does Jesus outline? Does Jesus promise an easy life for His followers?

Taking Action: Does your life exhibit honor? Are you showing honor to God, those in authority over you, your peers, your spouse, and those under your authority? Choose this day to honor God and others, and enjoy the rewards.

Ministry Time