Message Action Plan“Whenever you speak, or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law of love, the law that set you free. So, you must show mercy to others, or God will not show mercy to you when he judges you. But the person who shows mercy will stand without fear at the judgment, because mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12-13(NLT/NCV)
HOW TO SHOW MERCIFUL LOVE LIKE JESUS
Jesus Heals 2 Blind Guys – Matthew 20:30-34
- LISTEN FOR CLUES THAT PEOPLE ARE IN PAIN
“They shouted . . . people tried to shame them into being quiet . . . but they just shouted LOUDER!” Matthew 20:30-31
“When Jesus heard them . . .” Matthew 20:32 (CEV)
“If you shut your ears to the cries of the poor, your own cries will be ignored in their own time of need.” Proverbs 21:13
- STOP WHATEVER YOU’RE DOING AT THAT MOMENT
“When Jesus heard their cries, he STOPPED . . .” Matthew 20:32a
“Don’t be so obsessed with always getting your own advantage. Forget yourself long enough to lend a helping hand.” Philippians 2:4 (The Message)
- LOOK PAST PEOPLE’S BEHAVIOR TO SEE THEIR VALUE
“Jesus looked steadily at the man and was filled with love for him,” Mark 10:21 (NJB)
“When Jesus looked out over the crowds, his heart broke, because they were confused and aimless, wandering like sheep with no shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 (The Message)
“It is a sin to despise your neighbor; But whoever is kind to the poor will be blessed.” Proverbs 14:21
- ASK PEOPLE WHAT THEY NEED. DON’T ASSUME YOU KNOW
“Then JESUS ASKED, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Lord, we want to see!’ they said.” Matthew 20:32
- DO WHATEVER YOU CAN TO HELP
“Jesus felt compassion for them so he touched their eyes and instantly they could see! Then they started following Jesus.” Matthew 20:34
Action Plan: Write out these five key words (Listen, Stop, Look, Ask, Do). Think through them at the beginning and end of every day this week and reflect on how they impacted your day.
WHO NEEDS YOUR LOVE?
- LOOK FOR PEOPLE WITH NEEDS & OFFER TO HELP
“Share your food with the hungry, give to the poor, and provide shelter for the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not refuse to help your own relatives. Then my favor will shine on you like the morning sun, and your wounds will be quickly healed! I will always be with you to save you, my presence will protect you, and when you pray, I will answer you.” Isaiah 58:7-9
Action Plan: Volunteer to serve in one of Saddleback’s PEACE Centers. Click Here for more information.
- LOOK FOR LONELY PEOPLE & BECOME A FRIEND
“Do not mistreat the foreigners who live in your land. They should be treated like everyone else, and you must love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners in Egypt.” Leviticus 19:33-34 (NLT)
- LOOK FOR GRIEVING PEOPLE & BE THERE FOR THEM
“God comforts us in our troubles, so that we can comfort others who are in trouble with the same comfort that we ourselves received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Action Plan: Do you know somebody who is in a season of grief? Make yourself available to them. Bring them a meal, offer to help around the house . . . whatever it is just be present for them in this season.
- LOOK FOR DEFEATED PEOPLE & HELP THEM START OVER
“When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won’t give up in despair.” 2 Corinthians 2:7 (CEV)
- LOOK FOR ANGRY PEOPLE & SHOW THEM KINDNESS
“Don’t repay evil for evil. Never retaliate when people insult you or say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it!” 1 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
“God will not forget the work you’ve done and the love you’ve shown him caring for and helping other people.” Hebrews 6:10
Foundations: Come to Foundations and learn the core truths of the Christian faith. Click Here for information and to register.
Doable Discipleship: This week’s episode of Doable Discipleship continues a series on spiritual growth habits that you should develop this year. This week we look at the habit of tithing and giving back to God. To watch or listen, click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week’s Talk It Over, click here.
