Jesus Commands Us to G.R.O.W.

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-10

C.I.: Responding to Needs

Last week…, “Jesus Commands Us to Grow.” – ( “Get People to Jesus!” )
But many people won't “Get themselves to Jesus” – unless they feel a need for Him in their lives.
We can help them see that need. – “But people don't care how much we know – until we show them how much we care!”

I. Meeting Needs God's Way

•  Meeting Physical Needs Jesus Way

1. “Needs” are opportunities God places before us in order to glorify Him!
a. ( Lk. 10:30-35 ), “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, and they stripped
him and beat him, and went off leaving him half dead. – And by chance a certain priest was going down on that road, and
when he saw him he passed by on the other side. – And likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed
by on the other side.”
1) Why didn't God's men; the priest & the Levite, do something to help the man??!
2) Perhaps they had a meeting to attend, or a service to provide - excuse? – ( Num. 19:11 ), “The one who
touches the corpse of any person shall be unclean for seven days.”
3) What we need to question is their/our priorities?! – ( Hos. 6:6 ), “For I delight in compassion rather than
sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.'”

•  “ But a certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him he felt compassion, and he came to him and bandage his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; he placed him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. – And on the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.'”
1) What is our Compassion Quotient: 0 (Scrooge) to 10 (Teresa of Calcutta), can't choose “5”!
•  Thieves of compassion (things that lower our Compassion Quotient):
1) Your Past: Raised in homes without love! - Love breeds love; the law of sowing & reaping.
2) Your Present: Busy! Busy! Busy! Homes without time!
3) Your Awareness: Are we aware of all that we have received from God's hand in our lives?
a) People who unaware of all that God has given to us – will be less likely to share with others.
b) ( Lk. 12:48 ), “From everyone who has been given much, much shall be required!”

2. Meeting needs in NOT optional!
a. ( Matt. 25:34-36 ), “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you form the foundation of the world. – or I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was
thirsty and you gave Me a drink; I was a stranger and you invited Me in; naked and you clothed Me, I was sick, and you
visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'”
1) It is by this demonstration of LOVE that we show who & Whose we are!
2) ( Jms. 1:27 ), “This is pure & undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans & widows....”
3) ( Jn. 13:35 ), “By this all men will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another!”
4) Last Sunday's bulletin had an article from Ken re: Benevolence Ministry (read portions).

b. Thus, “Love” must always be our motivation …
1) ( I Cor. 13:3 ), “If I give all my possession to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have
love, it profits me nothing.”
2) ILLUST.: So how are you doing with your “”Compassion Quotient”?
3) Compassion = Action motivated by Love (priest & Levite may have “felt sorry” – not what God wants!
4) Therefore, meeting the physical needs of others is NOT optional – and our love for others must be our motivation!

B. Meeting Spiritual Needs Jesus Way

1. Spiritual needs often come disguised as physical problems – and yet, only spiritual solutions will work.
a. ( Mk. 5:2 ), “And when He had come out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, -
and he had his dwelling among the tombs”
1) In the 1 st Century, Satan was allowed to possess the bodies of people & make them do his will.
2) Today he doesn't need to work that hard. – He just provides the temptation & we do the rest!
3) ( Quote I Tim. 4:1-2 ), “The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away….”
4) Yet we are given this account – to show us that Jesus has the power to meet our spiritual needs!

b. ( Mk. 5:3-5 ) . “ And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; - because he had often been bound with
shackles and chains, and the chains he had torn apart by him, and the shackles he had broken in pieces, and no one was
strong enough to subdue him.”
1) Notice, his friends had tried to help him; chains, shackles, subdue him.
2) Yet physical solutions will not solve spiritual problems.

c. ( Mk. 5:6-10 ), “And seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him; and crying out with a loud voice,
he said, ‘What do I have to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? – I implore You by God, do not torment me!' –
For He had been saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!' – And He was asking him, ‘What is your name?' –
And he said to Him, ‘My name is Legion for we are many.'”
1) Notice, it wasn't until Jesus knew the name of the problem – that He could deal w/it, “For He had been
saying to the man, ‘Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!'”
2) What sort of “spiritual problems?” – See Rom. 1:28-32; I Cor. 6:10; Gal. 19:19-21 – LEGION!! 3) Until we are willing to confront our spiritual problems by name – they will continue to have dominion.
a) It is one of the reasons why A.A. is effective, “Hi, my name is Rick. I'm an alcoholic !”
b) “I drink to excess sometimes.” Or “I only drink on weekends, etc.” – Is neither confronting
the problem – nor is it being honest with ourselves!!

d. ( Mk. 5:11-13 ), “Now there was a big herd of swine feeding there on the mountain. – And the demons entreated Him,
saying, ‘Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.' – And He gave them permission. – And coming out, the unclean
spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about 2,000 of them; and they were drowned
in the sea.””
1) There is no release from spiritual bondage as long as any portion of the sin remains
2) “I've cut down to just one drink a day…, etc.” – won't work!
3) “Temptation always enters into the door we intentionally left open!” – CLOSE THE DOOR!

2. Therefore, we need to ask ourselves – when our friends are struggling with spiritual problems – what are we offering?
a. Do we give them “good advice” – or are we telling them how Jesus can give them victory over their problems?!
1) ( I Jn. 5:4 ), “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world – ( I Jn. 2:15-16 – “Do not love the world nor the
things that are in the world. – For all that is in the world, the lust…, is not from the Father but from the world” ) –
and this is the victory that has overcome the world – OUR FAITH [in Jesus]!”

C. Meeting “felt needs” (food, clothing, etc.) are easy, but are not as vital as meeting their true needs (which are eternal)!!

1. We have a real problem…
a. Romans 3:23
b. Isaiah 59:2
c. Romans 6:23

2. But God provides us with a solution… salvation!
a. Mark 16:16