I believe that the hope of the world is the local church. I REALLY BELIEVE THAT! I believe that our local church, Rocky River Community Church, is the hope of the people in our region who are confused about life—who have no hope—who are drowning in debt and sin—and who have not found the meaning and purpose of their life.

That’s why it is so important that we, as Believers in Jesus Christ, radiate the light of Christ – that we shine as bright lights in a dark world. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16,
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Over the next few days I want to talk about how to let your light shine before others. I want us to learn how to be a light in a dark world. Today’s blog is about learning how to treat those around you with compassion.

The Bible story I am going to work through is the story of Jesus healing the paralyzed man. Read Mark 2:1-12 here at (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202;&version=51;)

Here’s principle number one…
1. They CARED for their hurting friend.
This is the principle of compassion. The men in this story cared for their friend in need.

Our mission as a church and as individual Christians must flow out of compassion and love. In fact, if it doesn’t, the Bible says it is worth nothing. It doesn’t matter how many awards we receive or how many things we accomplish in life, if we don’t do it for the glory of God and with compassion and love for others, it is meaningless.

People need to know that the church—you and me, because we make up the church—people need to know we care. I’ve heard Rick Warren say a hundred times that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Before we can reach our community for Christ they have to know how much we care about them.

Our only motive for reaching people with the Good News can be a Christ-like compassion.

[ILLUSTRATION]
Let me illustrate this by giving you a wrong motive.

I know how badly we all really want a building. But a building is a tool to reach people and disciple them. We’re in a giving/building campaign (www.aplacethatmatters.com) to build a building because we love people and it will help us serve them better. We don’t reach people so we can build a building. We reach people because they are dying and going to Hell. We don’t reach them so we don’t have to show up so early on Sunday mornings to setup church. We reach them because God’s loves them, just as much as He loves us. Do you see the difference? Our business is reaching people and discipling them, a building facility is a tool to help us do that. We reach out to people because we have a great compassion and love for them.

[Part 2 on Friday]