The Ministry of Sympathy
D.L. Moody emphasizes the importance of calm and patient attention in ministering to others, as exemplified by Christ's ministry.
D.L. Moody emphasizes the importance of taking time to show sympathy and compassion to others, as exemplified by Jesus, who paused to attend to the needs of a blind beggar despite His own impending suffering. Moody encourages believers to adopt a Christlike attitude of calmness and focused attention in their ministry, rather than rushing through life and missing opportunities to serve. He highlights that true ministry involves being present for others, even amidst our own troubles, and that small acts of kindness done with love are more valuable than busy activity without purpose.
Text
Mark 10:49
"And Jesus stood still." Do we not need, in reading the life of the great Exemplar, to note how His ministry was without haste. In these busy lives of ours, we are so apt to miss this part of sympathy in ministering to others, which is more especially Christlike. He never came across suffering, but He gave it calm, patient, concentrated attention. "He stood still" yet if ever He might have passed by or given but hurried consideration to a case of distress, surely it was then, when the weight of anticipated woe lay heavy upon Him, but He had still a heart at leisure from itself: for the need of a poor blind beggar.
Let us seek to do likewise: to be able to turn from our own cares and sorrows to soothe the grief of another, to be unruffled amid plans upset and projects delayed, that we might minister a cup of cold water, as Jesus would have done it. Better be content with a small service done thus after the Master's example, than let much effort and activity so overcrowd our lives that there is no time for "standing still."
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Sympathy in Ministry
- The Need for a Heart at Leisure
- The Value of Small Services
- Content with small services done in the Master's example
- Avoiding overcrowding our lives with effort and activity
Key Quotes
“He never came across suffering, but He gave it calm, patient, concentrated attention.” — D.L. Moody
“Better be content with a small service done thus after the Master's example, than let much effort and activity so overcrowd our lives that there is no time for 'standing still'.” — D.L. Moody
Application Points
- Be content with small services done for others, rather than trying to do too much and getting overwhelmed.
- Prioritize calm and patient attention in your interactions with others, just as Christ did.
- Turn from your own cares and sorrows to soothe the grief of another, and make time for 'standing still' in your busy life.