This week is all about being great neighbours, particularly by showing compassion.  But what does it look like to show compassion for our neighbours?

Start at the beginning of this series.  We started with knowing names, then learning stories as acquaintances.  Those two things help us to know the needs of our neighbours.  Then we can find ways to help – near or far.

When someone near you has a new baby, we know they’ll be hungry and having a hard time cooking – maybe you can feed them for a day.  Or further from home, perhaps you can donate to the food banks at the Salvation Army or St. Paul’s on the Hill in Pickering.

When you walk by a homeless person in a heatwave, they are probably thirsty, perhaps you can offer to buy them a bottle of Gatorade or water.  Sit down with them as they drink it.  Or further from home, perhaps you can support water well drilling abroad.

When we see someone lonely in a room, standing alone, we can at least introduce ourselves, and help them get acquainted.  Or when someone moves to the neighbourhood, welcome them!  Further afield, maybe you can volunteer with a local service to immigrants, or an ESL class.

When we know someone can’t afford new clothes that fit, we can share our own, or go on a Value Village spree with them.  Or if you have clothes but don’t know who needs them, don’t wait for a garage sale, instead donate them to the Goodwill or Salvation Army thrift shop.

When someone is going through cancer treatment, or another illness, perhaps we can shovel or cut grass.  Or if you don’t know someone personally, the Cancer Society always needs volunteers who can drive people to appointments.

Finally, if you know someone in prison, perhaps you can visit them and make it clear you care for them as a human being loved by God.  Or if you don’t know someone in that situation, you could support a prison fellowship or another ministry to those who are incarcerated.

Whatever you start with, it’s a part of our calling as followers of Jesus to recognize his beloved creatures in trouble and show compassion.

It’s not about earning some reward – it’s simply part of kingdomliness, which is a reward in and of itself.

Challenge: In yesterday’s exercise, who of these six people in need did you say was hardest and easiest to show compassion for?  Plan a practical way to help the needs of both this week – either directly to someone near you, or indirectly as we’ve suggested.

Ryan Sim - December 24, 2013

Tuesday - Study It - The Night That Changed You

We’re seeing the impact that Jesus’ birth has had beyond those who lived 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. Here’s a story about one of the first people to meet Jesus, when he was about 40 days old, and how he saw Jesus would change the world: And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:22-35 ESV) This man, Simeon, was told he would not die until he had seen the Messiah – God’s anointed one – the true king of Israel. Now, here he was, a baby in Simeon’s arms. In this song or poem, he essentially says he can finally die happy. But this isn’t just about Simeon. It’s not even just about his people, the Jews, even though t happens at a very Jewish occasion – the temple, with all its purification laws, etc. and a Jewish blessing. You can see it’s much larger when Simeon says God is doing something about salvation for “all peoples” and specifically a light of revelation for the Gentiles (non-Jews) as well as Israel. The child Simeon blesses will have an impact globally, eternally. Sometimes that will be wonderful, but other times he’s described as being divisive. Whether we like that or not, we can see Jesus has indeed been divisive – it’s hard to sit on the fence about Jesus – families, friends and other people groups have long been divided by their beliefs about him. Question: How does the birth of Jesus divide people today? What thoughts might he reveal? Reminder: We are reading the Bible in sync as one community - so check out today's reading at https://www.redeemthecommute.com/readingplan Reminder: The best way to grow spiritually this year is to join our Christianity 101 in the Cafe Course in Pickering starting January 22nd. Register for you and a friend today at https://www.redeemthecommute.com/events/!

From Series: The Night that Changed Everything | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio

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