God Gives Illustration for Sermon

Last Sunday night (April 3rd) I filled in for Pastor Mark Driskell at Shiloh Baptist Church in Fort White, Florida. Brother Mark had a death in his extended family and visited with the family. I preached that night on "compassion" and I used Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 as my focal text. I covered examples of when compassion is needed and examples of how the good Samaritan met those needs. He met the needs of a stranger who, if the tables were turned, probably would not have done the same for him. I also tried to explain how we, as Christians, should be "moved" with compassion.

After the service a reception was held in the church's fellowship hall for a newly married couple in the church. During this reception a stranger entered the building seeking assistance in his travels. His dress and hair style was different from the rest in attendance and he was not known by anyone present. However, the people of Shiloh fed him and prepared extra food for him and helped him with his travel.

A lady commented to me how interesting it was that a sermon on "compassion" had just been given and now the church had an opportunity to put it into action.

I often wonder why the Lord leads me to preach certain messages at certain times. I did not know of any great need for compassion in the church nor did I know of any "lack" of compassion. God just seemed to lead me to that message. Could it have been for this one stranger who would soon be in our midst?

Have you been faced with a need for compassion lately? If so, what did you do?

But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 1 John 3:17 (NKJV)