"Who Cares! "and "Who Cares?"
Thesis: There are two types of people in the world today those who say "Who Cares!" and those "Who Cares?" and we are one of the two.
Text: Luke 10:25-37
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: "’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ’Love your neighbor as yourself.’" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ’Look after him,’ he said, ’and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
Read from the Message same text
ILLUSTRATION - Kieth Green poster and song play and show! Song says, “Don’t care that people are drowning out there!”
Introduction:
Jesus in this passage teaches us the importance of caring for others. In other words Jesus gives an practical illustration on "How to hug !" What to do when someone is hurting in pain in distress. I want you to understand a very important point this is NOT just the pastors job. This is the Body of Christ’s job! I John 3:16-18 reminds all of us:
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Caring is a verb with action. It reminds me of the following true story (Share story of high school students).
The reality is you never know how much caring can do until you do it! There are many who have the "Who Cares!" attitude like the one’s described in parable of the Good Samaritan.
It’s amazing what will happen in our lives and others lives when we choose to follow the way of God’s heart and care for others. In helping others we experience love first hand from others and from God himself. Right now you may be thinking "I want to care but How do I hug?" I’m glad your thinking that lets look at some practical ways to "Hug".
I. How to hug a new visitor to New Life Community Church?
A. Visitor hugging - How to hug a visitor for the Lord 8 easy steps:
1.Have a proper understanding of why visitors visit- Visitors do not come to New Life to meet the needs of our church; they come to New Life expecting the church to meet their needs. I have news for you--It is not going to happen from pulpit ministry alone -- it happens by personal ministry from all of us. Ken Hout’s states, "Where hurting people are concerned, personal ministry as a friend is more powerful than pulpit ministry" (50).
2. Be a friend to the visitor their are five ways of doing this:
*Spend time in fellowship with this individual.
* Ask them "Is there anything I can pray about with you?"
* Suggest more fellowship with them "Hey, lets get together this week." Make an appointment to meet with them.
* Invite them back to church or to other church events. Let them know that their presence is important to you and others at New Life.
* Go on a cookie crusade "drop off cookies to them thanking them for coming to New Life.
3. Be personal and reach out to meet their need, ministry must meet needs.
* It means you have to go out of your way and go the extra mile!
* "God never intended you to walk the Christian walk by yourself. You were saved to be part of Christ’s Body, to function in His army, and to belong to His family!"(99).
* The Bible calls service and ministry a labor of love. Heb. 6:10
* Find the need and care!
4. Ask them if they have any questions and try to answer them, if you do not know the answer find out the answer for them.
5. When you talk to visitors find out their interests.
* What interests do they have? Job, kids, hobbies, sports, ?
6. When you are talking to visitors find out what they do for entertainment.
* Entertainment is a good conversational topic that people will talk about.
7. Listen to what they are sharing with you.
8. Accept them for who they are and where they are at currently.
II. How to hug a hurting person?
A. What to do when someone is hurting?
1. Understand the seven conditions of hurting people:
* They are discouraged with their life
- People who are hurting are looking for answers to their hurt. Help them discover the answer through Jesus
* They have no spiritual direction
- You are the link to Jesus to help them discover their spiritual destiny in God.
* They are lonely
- Be their friend and show them unconditional love and acceptance
* They are weak and vulnerable
- Do not take advantage of them - nurture them and protect them
* They are hurt and wounded
- Give them love and attention
* They feel condemned or betrayed
* They are spiritually hungry for meaning in life and hope beyond their hurt.
2. Understand the emotions of grief
* Stage 1 numbness -- A loved one in crisis may appear zombie like, drugged it’s important to understand that the mind initially attempts to protect itself from tragic news by shutting down to minimal function. Do not conclude that it’s okay because they will need you over the next few weeks.
*Stage 2 denial -- this is a natural response to tragic news denial and numbness wear off slowly as reality sets in. If you have a friend going through this stand by him till it passes. If they never progress out of it get them professional help.
* Stage 3 indecisiveness -- Grief like any emotional trauma weakens the ability to make decisions. You should encourage someone in grief to put off making any major decisions for one year.
* Stage 4 hypersensitivity -- One moment they are zombie like then they can start lashing out over the smallest issue. They then take you with them on an emotional roller coaster. If your loved one is feeling this stage, simply stay near to them and listen. At this time a friends role is to help the wounded lance and drain the poison from their emotions- an action requiring great love and patience.
* Stage 5 loss- this last forever people will feel certain losses for the rest of their life.
* Stage 6 abandonment - Say’s "My life feels so empty without you!" The role here is to be there, listen and accept there feelings.
* Stage 7 anger -- It comes unexpectedly and it burst forth -- the key here is as a friend you discover that your love is deeper than any destructive word.
Allow them to express their anger appropriately and love them through it.
* Stage 8,9 -- guilt / withdrawal
* Stage 10 -- acceptance
Richards (73-99)
3. Listen to their story with empathy not judgmental statements be an active listener. Keys to becoming an active listener from Richards:
* Ask questions to allow complete and free expression
* Reflect the feeling expressed
* Don’t take the expression of negative feelings personally
* Be ‘centered on the person you are listening to
* Be affirming and accepting of your friend or loved one
* Work at patience as you listen
* ‘Listen" to non-verbal communication and body language
* Give nonverbal cues of attention
* Know when you are over your head
4. Be
* Be the whole you
* Be a person
* Be a present
* Be in dialogue with others
* Be self-disclosing ---share from the heart of God
* Be understanding
* Be a model
Share story of little boy and Grand pa!
* Be trustworthy
* Be caught up in love
5. When you see a need do the following:
* Respond early
* Call on the phone
* Visit in person
* Send a card
* Write a note
* Pray for them
* Do not become involved unless your invited in!
* Other ideas pages 42-44 Richards
Close with the 5 Great lessons in life which all deal with caring!
