A Mission Statement
Scripture: Mark 2:17 (Matthew 9:12-13, Luke 5:31-32)
Mark 2:17 (NKJV) When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
Revelation 22:17 (NKJV) And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
Introduction
The Statement of Purpose for our church states, "… Church is devoted to accepting, affirming, loving and healing those who seek to know God through His Son, Jesus Christ." Our church is a hospital where those who are spiritually infirm can come for treatment. Jesus' statement of purpose is in these verses.
I. The model of Jesus ministry
A. Jesus targeted the physically, spiritually and emotionally infirm
Mark 2:15-17 (NKJV) Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi's house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. {16} And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?" {17} When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
1. Mary, Martha and Lazarus
Luke 7:39 (NKJV) Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."
a. John 12 states this woman to be Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus
b. She was a woman with a bad reputation
2. Levi (Matthew)
3. Zacchaeus
Luke 19:7 (NKJV) But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."
B. Jesus reserved his anger for those who pretended to be righteous
Mark 3:5 (NKJV) And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
C. Jesus had mercy upon those who came to Him for help
Luke 18:14 (NKJV) "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
II. What Jesus model says to us
Matthew 16:24 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
A. Get an accurate view of yourself
Romans 3:10 (NKJV) As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;
B. Look on others with compassion
C. Accept all; reject no one
D. Become a "healing station"
III. The mission He has given us
Isaiah 61:1 (NKJV) "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
A. Poor
6035. 'anav, aw-nawv'; or [by intermixture with H6041] 'anayv, aw-nawv'; from H6031; depressed (fig.), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, espec. saintly):--humble, lowly, meek, poor`. Comp. H6041.
B. Broken hearted
7665. shabar, shaw-bar'; a prim. root; to burst (lit. or fig.):--break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken ([-hearted]), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, X quite, tear, view [by mistake for H7663].
C. Captives
7628. shebiy, sheb-ee'; from H7618; exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstr. or concr. and collect.); by extens. booty:--captive (-ity), prisoners, X take away, that was taken.
D. Bound
631. 'acar, aw-sar'; a prim. root; to yoke or hitch; by anal. to fasten in any sense, to join battle:-- bind, fast, gird, harness, hold, keep, make ready, order, prepare, prison (-er), put in bonds, set in array, tie.