Doing Justice and Loving Mercy: Compassion Ministries, Mentor's Guide, MG16

7 0 /

D O I N G J U S T I C E A N D L O V I N G M E R C Y : C O M P A S S I O N M I N I S T R I E S

1. The Church is a chosen nation, to bear God’s name as a sign for the world to see , Matt. 5.14-16.

2. The Church is a pilgrim people, sojourning through the world together as God’s pilgrim community , 1 Pet. 1.17.

3. The Church is a witnessing community, giving witness through its words and deeds of the Kingdom already here but not yet fully consummated , Acts 2.42-47.

B. A new ethic: the Church as the primary place of mercy and justice

Deut. 15.8-10 - . . . but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. [9] Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, “The seventh year, the year of release is near,” and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the Lord against you, and you be guilty of sin. [10] You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.

2

1. We are to do good to all, but especially among the members of the household of faith, Gal. 6.10.

2. Manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring were accompanied by distribution of goods among believers to the elimination of need, Acts 2.42-47; Acts 4.31-32.

3. The provision for the Hellenist widows, Acts 6.1-6

4. The Great Commandment of Jesus Christ, John 13.34-35