February 23, 2025
Love in Action
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

I. Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There

Mark 1:35-39
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

John 15:4-5
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Pray for God to give you eyes to see open doors.

Psalm 119:147
I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word.

Psalm 5:3
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.

Isaiah 26:9
With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early.

II. Prayer Should End in Action

Mark 1:40-45
And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will,you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

We look like Jesus when we show compassion.

Next Steps

I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
I confess I have rejected sinful people and desire to show compassion.
I commit to practicing daily rhythms of solitude and prayer.

Deep Dive

Would you or should you go out to eat with a person who everyone knows is living in sin?
Read Mark 1:40-45. Who in our world today is an outcast like the lepers of Scripture? Is this a good or bad thing?
Following Jesus’ example of showing compassion, how should we interact with outcasts differently?

Springboards

Have you ever wronged someone and been forgiven by them? How did that forgiveness make you feel?
Read Romans 3:23. What should you define “sin”?
Who in your life needs to experience forgiveness, and how can you pray for them and show them God’s love?