fruits of mercy
DESCRIPTION
This presentation was given at the Generative Leadership Academy for the Paris and Paducah Districts of the Memphis Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church and addresses the role that mercy plays in the life of Christians.TRANSCRIPT
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GROWING IN CAPACITY, CONNECTION & COMMUNITY
The Fruits of Mercy
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“Augustine taught that true freedom is not choice or lack of constraint, but being what you are meant to be. Humans were created in the image of God.
True freedom, then, is not found in moving away from that image, but only in living it out.”
- Roger Olson, Christianity Today
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Overview
God gives us the means to practice mercy through: • Capacity • Connection• Community
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Overview
God gives us opportunities to act mercifully: • low-hanging fruit (acts that require
capacity); • mid-hanging fruit (acts that require
capacity & connection); • and high-reach fruit (acts that require
capacity, connection and community)
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Low-Hanging Fruit
Opportunities to practice mercy through those closest to us• Marriage• Children• Long-term Friendships• Co-Workers
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Low-Hanging Fruit
What about strangers?
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:2
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WATCH: Friends Like These http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U42-1Zhe2IU
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"Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you." - St. Augustine
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Mid-Hanging
Drawing upon capacity and connection that extends our reach
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1 Corinthians 12: 4-6
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
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Mid-Hanging Fruit
Draw upon the gifts of others to extend your reach!
1. Local Church Programs (i.e. daycare, hunger relief, clothing closets)
2. Connectional Church Programs (i.e. ZOE Ministry, UMVIM, The Advance)
3. Community Programs (i.e. Room in the Inn, local shelters, YWCA)
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Connections extend individual capacity to do acts of mercy beyond our singular limitations.
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Watch: Christmas for AIDS Orphans
\http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?b=5259665&c=lwL4KnN1LtH&ct=7781687
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“The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath.
It is twice blessed- It blesseth him that gives, and him that
takes.” - William Shakespeare
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At the top of the tree
- Opportunities that can only be found in community with varying perspectives and heights of understanding
1) Together with local churches in the Connection2) Together with community services3) Together with other faith traditions
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Watch: Hands4Detroit http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QYrVPSyAwhM
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The sweetest fruit is sometimes at the top of the tree.
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Acts of mercy echo into future generations…and into eternity