HSS_2019_Q3_EP08

♪ theme music ♪

(Derek) Welcome to Hope Sabbath School,

an in-depth, interactive study

of the Word of God.

We are in the middle

of a very practical series of studies:

"The Least of These:" (you recognize

those words, perhaps, from Jesus):

Ministering to Those in Need,

our topic today, right on target:

Caring for Those in Need,

particularly as we look at the teaching

and example of Jesus.

It's going to be a great study;

I'm glad you joined us.

What a great series this is.

(Team) Yes.

(Derek) I'm feeling, even the theme song

about directing our hearts

into the love of God,

that this series is changing my heart,

and I pray that it's changing yours, too,

wherever you are around the world.

We're always happy to hear from you.

You can write to us at [e-mail].

We send it to the team.

It encourages us, to hear

how God is blessing your heart.

Melody writes from Nigeria,

and she says, "Greetings

to the great family of God.

I've learned so much

from Hope Sabbath School every week.

In fact, I download every study

when I'm less busy, and it's made me

a good teacher on Sabbath.

God bless this home with peace and joy

where Jesus is at the center."

That's our prayer, isn't it?

"I hope to join this class
physically one day,

but if Christ comes today or tomorrow,

we'll see you in the Kingdom of Heaven."

(Team) Amen!

(Derek) Well, we'll be looking
for you, Melody,

and she concludes, "God bless you all."

Thanks for writing to us

at Hope Sabbath School.

Victoria writes from Colorado

in the United States of America.

Travis, I think you lived

in Colorado for a little while.

(Travis) I was in Wyoming, but I was
in Colorado.

Yeah, I visited Colorado.

(Derek) Well, here's from Victoria;
she says,

"Dear Hope Sabbath School members,

I'm always blessed by listening
every week.

When I have difficulty

understanding the Bible,

I always turn to Hope Channel."

(Team) Amen.

(Derek) Praise God.

"I pray the Spirit will continue

to give you understanding.

We shall all make it to the Kingdom

of our Lord and Savior Jesus.
In His name, Amen.

(Team) Amen.

(Derek) Victoria, we'd love

to meet you in person,

but thanks for writing to us

from the beautiful state of Colorado

in the United States.

Here's a note from a donor couple

in Georgia in the United States
of America,

"My family and I have been watching

Hope Channel and Hope Sabbath School

for over five years now on a weekly basis,

and we continue to enjoy the teaching.

We wanted to express our gratitude to you

and the rest of the team for the ministry

that you've shared with us.

Your team is truly caring and generous,

and we are certain you will continue

to change the spiritual walk with Jesus

of many more viewers," and we would say...

(Derek, Team) Amen.

(Derek) "Please accept this small donation

as a token of our support for the ministry

of spreading the gospel to the world,"

and a gift of 500 dollars.

We just want to say thank you

for partnering with us in that ministry

from the beautiful state of Georgia.

You know, we're all together,
right, all doing...

Some of you have paid

your airline ticket and flew here,

some of you drove here,

some of you walked here.

We're all here together.

We're all volunteers, right?

A part of this great ministry,

and we're thankful for those

who partner with us.

Howard writes from Zambia

and says, "You've always helped me

to make the Bible easier to understand.

I've been watching this program
on my laptop,

and it helps me a lot,

and many more brothers

and sisters around the world.

It has also helped me to teach

at my church in Lusaka, Zambia.

May God continue blessing you."

Well, Howard, we're glad you're

a Hope Sabbath School teacher.

You can download the same outline.

I've got mine in my Bible

that I'll be using to teach today,

but you can download this same outline

from our website: hopetv.org/hopess,

and you can use that.

You can give a copy

to each of your class students,

and I know you'll be blessed

as you share the Word of God together.

One last note, from Brian in Zimbabwe.

We have a lot of Hope Sabbath School
members

in Zimbabwe, don't we?

Hey, that's your home territory, Simiso!

All right, let's get a closeup.

Simiso, you can wave to Brian

and all of our Hope Sabbath School members
there in Zimbabwe.

There you are; time for a wave;
there we go.

Simiso is not only one of our team,

but one of our teachers,

and I know there are a lot

of Hope Sabbath School members

in your home country.

"I live in Masvingo, a small city

in the southern part of Zimbabwe.

I started following

Hope Sabbath School many years ago,

and I'm still enjoying the lessons.

I also sing the songs with you.

We are a good choir."

Well, we need your help right now, Brian.

He says, "I wish I could be part
of the panel."

Well, you know, you are part of the panel.

I hear people watch on their laptop,

on their smartphone or on television,

and when the teacher asks a question,

you raise your hand.

We're part of an in-depth,
interactive Bible study,

and we need you to sing with us, too.

It's a beautiful theme song
for this series,

a Scripture song taken

from 2 Thessalonians 3, verse 5 and 16,

"Now may the Lord direct
your hearts" (where?)

"into the love of God."

Let's sing it together.

♪ music ♪

(Derek) You know, I just realized

while we were singing,

we've got some great vocalists
in this group.

But whether we sing a little or a lot,

whether we're here in the United States
of America

or where you are around the world,

we can all hide God's Word

in our hearts. Amen?

(Team) Amen.

(Derek) And we do that

by singing Scripture songs.

That's part of what we do

on Hope Sabbath School.

We believe that God's Word

is the lamp to our feet

and a light to our path.

And so, as we study today,

let's pray the Holy Spirit's guidance.

Father in Heaven, thank You

for this beautiful promise that Paul wrote

to Christians in Thessalonica

to direct our hearts into the love of God.

What a beautiful preparation

for this study on caring for those in need

and the teaching and example of Jesus.

May we not only be inspired

in our Hope Sabbath School study today,

may we be motivated to go out
and live differently

for the honor of Your name

and the blessing of those around us,

especially "the least of these."

We pray it in the name of Jesus. Amen.

(Team) Amen.

(Derek) We're going

to the great Sermon
on the Mount, of Jesus.

It's recorded in two Gospels.

Does anybody know

where the longest account is?

It's in the Gospel of Matthew, isn't it,

chapter 5, 6 and 7.

Matthew, who really likes to capture

the teaching of Jesus,

says, "I'm going to write

as much of this down as I can,"

guided by the Holy Spirit.

And we're going to start

in Matthew, chapter 5,

with a collection of short sayings, Puia,

that they called the Beatitudes,

the Beatitudes, "blessed are,"
"blessed are,"

and I wonder if you would start
our study today

by reading verses 2 through 10

of Matthew, chapter 5,

(Puia) Sure, and I'll be reading

from the New King James Version,

Matthew 5, verses 2 through 10:

(Derek) And then, Charity,
if you'd keep reading.

It's almost as if Jesus expands

the last of the Beatitudes
with a little more

about when we're persecuted

for righteousness' sake,

verses 11 and 12 of Matthew 5.

(Charity) Verses 11 and 12,
and I'll be reading

from the New King James Version:

(Derek) Now, that relates
to a lot of things,

but even when you care for those in need,

people may persecute you.

Well, hold on to why they

would possibly do that,

but where do you see

in this teaching of Jesus,

His emphasis on caring for those in need

anywhere in the Beatitudes? Yes, Jason?

(Jason) I look at a couple
of the first ones

"poor in spirit," "those who mourn."

These are both situations of someone

who has a lack, who has a need.

There's something Divine or something

that makes a person whole

that they are missing out on.

(Derek) Okay, some have said

that the "mourn" is mourning
over our condition.

Well, that's missing something.

Or even mourning over the loss
of a loved one,

that's some need, too, isn't it?

So, you see them there.
All right, Charity?

(Charity) Those who hunger and thirst.

(Derek) Okay, and there it's speaking

about spiritually hungry, right?

We read about a famine

of the Word in the land.

I still remember a lady

who wrote to me just a few weeks ago.

She said, "I went to church for 60 years,

and something was missing.

And then I watched Hope Sabbath School,

and I realized what it was - the Bible."

The Bible was missing.

So, that longing for the Word.

Okay, where else do you

see it in the Beatitudes? Yes, Treva?

(Treva) I see it here where it
talks about mercy

and the peacemakers,

you know, those that are suffering.

(Derek) So, a person who needs mercy

is certainly in need, right?

And showing mercy meets that need.

Or where there's conflict,
being a peacemaker.

All right, let's keep reading here

as we go on to the next portion.

Travis, if you could read

verses 13 through 16,

but keep in mind, how do the Beatitudes

relate to what He's going to say next

in verses 13 through 16 of Matthew 5.

(Travis) And I'll be reading

from the New King James Version:

(Derek) So, what are the needs

that some people have

that we might meet if we're faithful

to this teaching of Jesus? Yes?

(Travis) It can be anything.

When I go back and look at the Beatitudes,

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,"

those who recognize their need of God.

I meet people, and they say,

"I don't know what to do;

I feel like life is falling in on me."

There's a blessing for people like...

When you recognize your need for Jesus,

there's a blessing for that.

He can work with that.

(Derek) Especially if I am allowing Jesus

to do what through me,
(what we just prayed)?

Shine His light, right?

Because who's the Light of the world?

(Team) Jesus.

(Derek) He said we are, but you're like,
"Jesus" - I understand what you mean,

because in John 8, verse 12, He says...?

"I am the light of the world,

and He who follows Me

will not walk in darkness,

but have the light of life.”

So the light that shines through me

to that poor-in-spirit person is the...?

(Team Member) The light of God.

(Derek) It's the light of God,
the light of Jesus, right?

So there's this sense

of making a difference

as His light shines through us.

Well, let's get very practical.

I'd like to ask you,

is your church or small group

making a difference in your community?
Is it salt?

I mean, there are lots
of things salt does.

We think of flavor, healing, right?

It melts ice, if you live in a cold place.

And certainly light dispels darkness.

Anyone part of a community

where you see that really happening,

that it makes a difference? Stephanie?

(Stephanie) Yeah, I'm currently

going to a church where their ministry

is with the children in the community.

And so they have individuals

from the church go and pick up each child

and bring them to church.

And so they're learning about God.

(Derek) So, parents are not bringing them?

(Stephanie) No.

(Derek) Members of the fellowship

are going and helping them come to church

to learn about Jesus?

(Stephanie) Yes, it's an amazing ministry
that they have.

And, of course, there are
challenges, right,

because these children

are not used to going to church.

So it's a great ministry

where everyone really needs

to get their hands involved.

(Derek) All right. I thought you were

going to say hands "dirty."

I'm assuming that if you're

bringing people who aren't used to church

it's not always that easy.

(Stephanie) That's right.

(Derek) Someone else,

where you're seeing that happen.

Treva, being light, salt,
making a difference.

(Treva) I'm a part of a small church,

and we have teamed up

with the local food bank.

And we go out on Mondays,

and we have a little table set up

where we have clothes for people.

We also pray for people.

We have literature that talks about Jesus,

and it's just a beautiful experience.

The people are excited.

If we miss a Monday or so,

they're like, "Where are you guys?

We miss you guys," so we definitely

can see the blessing in that.

(Derek) Are most of the people,

or some of the people

in that group Christians?

(Treva) Some are and some are not.

(Derek) So, for people who are

not followers of Jesus

to be caring for the least of these,

and Christians not caring

for the least of these,

that would seem rather odd, right.

Like it doesn't make sense.

Praise God for those

who have not yet recognized who Jesus is,

who are reflecting the character of Jesus

in the way they care.

Travis, you're part

of a very vibrant community
there in Tennessee.

(Travis) Yeah, our church,

they're on fire for the community.

They just want to be in the community
and helping,

and I'm really proud to be a part
of that team.

I remember I had gone out
in the community,

just trying to reach people
with their needs,

and so I had multiple people to reach.

And I was talking with some

of the ladies at the church

about maybe getting some help.

But the following day

I'm out visiting some of the homes,

and here comes the car with two ladies,

and they were searching

for one of the homes that I
had been talking about...

(Derek) Just a day later?

(Travis) Just a day later.

And I thought, God, it's so good

to be a part of the church where people

want to get involved and care

about the needs of others
in their community.

I was blessed to see those two.

(Derek) And that reflects the character
of Jesus, right?

Can I remind ourselves (I've got
your hands here)

that we're not trying to earn
our way to Heaven, right?

We love Jesus and want to reflect

the beauty of His character to others.

Simiso and then Puia.

(Simiso) My church recently,

and it's been ongoing,

they partnered with another group

within the community

where they deliver back-to-school supplies
for students.

We found that, as we

just delivered these supplies

and just let them know who we are,

it came in a time of need,

and it makes it much more easier

to have that connection and interaction

to share the love of Christ,

and so we've already shared it
in a tangible way.

(Derek) So this is primarily

for young children going back to school,
notepads and...?

(Simiso) Books, stationery...

(Derek) They still use pens
and pencils in school?

(Simiso) Yes.

(Derek) All right, that's
very practical. Puia?

(Puia) Recently I went

back to my country, Burma,

and also visited Mizoram, India,

and there I saw church members involved

in reaching out to the community.

And one of the things, on top of my head,

that came up right now was

not a church community, but the hospital.

Through the Adventist Hospital in Aizawl,

a lot of people are helped,

especially people who are
addicted to drugs.

The Adventist hospital in that city

was known to be the caring hospital,

more than any other hospital.

They seem to be the ones

where the people who are addicted to drugs
want to go to

because the response that we have
heard from people

is that when they go to other hospitals,

I don't know where, but they seem

to be treated in such a way

that they are not really respected

because of their addictions.

But when they come

to this Christian hospital,

they are cared for with dignity
and respect.

So I thought that speaks volumes,

you know, being salt and light for Christ

into the communities, even to those people

who are struggling with addictions.

(Derek) So, what do we do, what do we do

if our small group or our community

is not impacting the community at all?

If it's like, someone said, if you

close down, would anybody notice, right,

especially would anybody who is in need
notice, right,

because we're talking about caring
for those in need.

So what do we do if we say,

"I'm part of a community,

but I don't know that it's impacting

the people in need in my area
at all," Adison?

(Adison) I think of that campfire song

that I grew up with, and it says,

"It only takes a spark

to get a fire going."

Sometimes just being that one
little light,

that one little spark in your community,

can set, and you can get a fire going.

(Derek) So, rather than say, "There are

no sparks here in our community,"

be the spark. Kenneth?

(Kenneth) And I also am going to say

that be the answer.

(Derek) Be the answer.

(Kenneth) You can start,

and then the rest will
follow your example.

(Derek) I've heard, "Be the sermon,"

but be the answer to that person's prayer,

even if they don't know how to pray yet.

Well, Jesus goes on.

Jesus is actually quite challenging.

He wants us not just to love God

with all of our hearts

and accept the gift of salvation

through faith in Jesus,

He also wants us to do what?

Love people around us, right,

including the least of these.

So let's look at what Jesus says

in Matthew, still in the great

Sermon on the Mount.

Treva, could you read for us

verses 38 through 42

of Matthew, chapter 5?

(Treva) I'll be reading

from the New King James:

(Derek) Is that figurative language,

or is that real, Heide, what do you think?

It sounds, you know,

if they slap you on one side,

go, "Hey, you want to try
the other side?"

That sounds a little extreme.

(Heide) I hope that it's not literal
because of that.

But I think some of it might be literal

and some of it might be figurative,

depending on the situation

and the circumstance.

Like, obviously, if perhaps you're

in an abusive situation or something,

you definitely should not

turn the other cheek.

(Derek) Correct, because you're enabling
the abuser, right?

So there you need to find a safe place.

Thank you for pointing that out.

So, I have to pray, "Do I

apply this literally, or is it..."

What would be the principle
if it's not literal?

For example, "Turn the other cheek,"

what could that look like, Tricia Lee?

(Tricia Lee) I think for that example,

He's telling you it would actually stop

a cycle of escalation.

If someone's angry and wants to fight you,

and you turn your cheek.

They'd be like, "Whoa, I'm not
expecting that.

You're supposed to put
your fists up, too."

(Derek) To try to hit me, right?

(Tricia Lee) Yeah, hit me back, so I think
He's saying in a way

it's kind of exercising humility.

And so, if you're humble enough to offer,

"Okay, you want to hit me, hit me
some more," in the example,

in essence you're doing something

that's shocking and jarring.

The person likely won't want
to hit you again.

They'd be confused and say,
"What's going on?"

So I think He's trying to say,

"Humble yourself, and if you
humble yourself,

you might stop that cycle

of anger from escalating."

So I think in that situation,

it is a figurative term that would help

them realize, "Hmm, maybe

I don't put my fists up, too,

and try to fight you back."

(Derek) So, what I might do
is be humble

but step back a little bit. Puia?

(Puia) I think it is important

to understand the context

in which Jesus is speaking these words.

Back in the time when Jesus
was speaking this,

most people were common people

who were under the imperial rule
of the Roman Empire,

and life was difficult

with heavy taxation and religious laws
and regulations.

And oftentimes people were
assaulted physically.

So, in that context,

the radical teaching of Jesus here

is that He is asking

His disciples and followers

to respond with integrity.

By resisting nonviolently

and by generously sharing,

they expose the evil

that is acted on them.

(Derek) So, when a Roman soldier

asks you to carry a burden for a mile,

say, "Well, I can take it another mile,

if that would be helpful for you."

And hopefully the Roman soldier

would say, "Who are you?"

"Why are you like that?

Most people spit on my shadow," right?

It can be a witness.

Well, there is a story that Jesus told

that really illustrates

going the second mile;

we have that expression in English.

Tricia Lee, would you read for us

in Luke, chapter 10, verse 30,

and then move over to 33 to 35,

verse 30 and verses 33 through 35.

Don't worry, we'll come back

to verses 31 and 32 in a moment.

(Tricia Lee) I'll be reading

from the New King James Version, verse 30:

Verse 33:

(Derek) So, what is startling?

Some of you have heard this, called
the parable of the...?

(Derek, Team) Good Samaritan.

(Derek) What is startling?

I mean, go to the story

for the first time again.

Evelyn, what's startling about this story?

(Evelyn) What I believe is startling

is that this is a Samaritan

who has stopped to help this man.

And at this time, the Samaritans

were bitter enemies to the Jews.

And so, the fact that it's a Samaritan

that's helping this man,

that's bandaging his wounds,

paying for him to stay in an inn;
the Samaritan is almost

an oppressed person in the day,

so it's an oppressed person

helping another oppressed person,

someone else who is in need.

(Derek) Okay, anybody else?

I think that's an important point.

We would not expect a Samaritan

to help this Jewish traveler,

even though he's obviously
in great need, right,

almost beaten to death.

What else, Kenneth, do you see
in the story?

(Kenneth) The other part of the story

is the risk of him being attacked.

Because the same area

that this man was found

is the same area he's also stopping
to help.

(Derek) You're right, and that road

that goes from Jerusalem down to Jericho,

bandits around there,

so he could easily have said,

"The bandits are probably still here,"

not a good place to stop, right?

"Maybe I'll help someone

in a safer location"?

What else startles you

about the story, though?

Is there any indication

that this Samaritan knows this man?

(Team) No.

(Derek) What's the only thing

he knows about this man, Stephanie?

(Stephanie) He knows that he needs help,

and it's a messy situation.

And there's no way for that man

to really pay him back,

and he's not looking for it, it appears,

"Here, take care of him," and he
gives away his money.

(Derek) Okay, let's talk
about the payback.

You read that he gave two denarii.

Now, a denarius was worth how much?
A day's wage.

So, I don't know, I'm not

going to ask you what you make in a day,

but let's say you make X amount.

You worked hard for that.

How many hours do you work

in a day normally - eight hours,
ten hours, right?

And he's giving how many day's wages?

Two whole day's wages!

That is a significant sacrifice, right?

He sacrificed his own safety, time,

and resources for someone he...?

Doesn't even know. Travis?

(Travis) When I was studying this,

something amazing popped out at me.

When I was sitting there reading this,

and he sad, "If it costs more,

I'll come back and I'll repay,"

I thought, this guy wouldn't trust him

unless he had a good reputation.

(Derek) Ah, you mean the innkeeper.

(Travis) Yeah, I'm thinking,

this was not just that...

He led a life...He had to have led

a life of good reputation,

or that innkeeper would be like,

"How do I know you're coming back?"

(Derek) Right, so two things,

a good reputation but also willing

to sacrifice even more.

You know, if it's three more days' work,
whatever.

Quite a remarkable story, isn't it,

for someone he doesn't know,

who's also an oppressed

or disadvantaged person.

(Treva) It's a powerful teaching
from Jesus

because, again, we're talking
about context.

There was great debate

about who was my neighbor.

And Jesus says, "Everyone

is your neighbor, those you don't know,

those that may despise you;

everyone is your neighbor."

(Derek) And especially those in need.

Tricia Lee, I'm going to take you back.

You said, "Derek, why did you

skip over 31 and 32?"

Well, there are some other characters

in this story that we might expect to stop

for the least of these.

Let's see how that little piece

in Luke 10:31-32 reads.

(Tricia Lee) Reading from the New
King James Version, verse 31:

(Derek) Now, we don't want to judge
these people with motives

that they didn't have; we don't know.

Adison, do you have any idea

why the priest and the temple worker,
called a Levite,

why they would pass by

and not care for this man,

what do you think?

(Adison) They could have been trying
to protect their own lives.

(Derek) Okay, could be back to,
"This is a dangerous location."

(Adison) Also just the fact that they
didn't want to get their hands dirty.

If they had reached down...

(Derek) He could be dead, then you'd
become ceremonially unclean, right?

I don't know if they were

going up to the temple to serve,

"I'm too busy serving God to care
for someone in need."

And Jesus would be thinking,

"No, no, that is serving God," right?

Anybody else, what do you think?

Why might they have not stopped?

Their own safety, what else? Travis?

(Travis) I think it's quite possible

that they were unconverted Christians.

(Derek) Of course, there weren't

Christians at that time, but you'd say

unconverted religious leaders.

Is it possible to be a religious leader,

Puia, and be unconverted?

(Puia) Yes.

(Derek) Is that really possible?

Well, you say, "Derek,

you just need to read the Bible."

There are some really converted people;

their heart is totally surrendered
to God, right?

And there are some that aren't.

So it's possible that they

were really not surrendered to God,

and, therefore, like our Scripture song,

their heart was not directed into the...?

(Derek, Team) Love of God.

(Derek) So they passed by.

Any other reason, Tricia Lee?

(Tricia Lee) The point you made
about them being so busy,

that could have been their motivation.

Like, "I'm a temple priest,"
or "I'm a temple worker;

there's so much going on.

I have to get to my assignments,
and more people need me

than particularly this fellow

who probably may be dead."

We heard an interesting story

in church this week,

and the person who was

delivering the message

told the story of a city

that had a bus system that was famous

for being always on time,

"Never missed our schedule."

And they asked why,

and they never missed a schedule

because they had a policy

that if they were running behind time,

they would pass passengers.

So they would skip people

to keep the schedule going.

And they put out a statement asking,

"Why are you doing this?"

And they said "It's impossible
for us to maintain a schedule

if we have to stop and pick up

every passenger along the way."

(Derek) Maybe the priest and Levite

had read that report,

and they're like, "I have a great reason

for ignoring this person."

And God looks down and goes, "Really?

Really? A great reason to pass by?"

(Simiso) I think it was mentioned earlier,

but they risk having contact with someone

who was potentially dead,

and then there was a time-consuming ritual

to cleanse themselves from that.

And so they miss the focus

of these rituals that says,

"What's more important

than caring for people in need."

(Derek) Charity, and then I want to go...

Jesus takes it one step further,

in ministering to those in need.

He says, "I want you to go out

and find people and treat them

the way you like to be treated."

That's even more radical. Right. Charity?

(Charity) I think that they may have

just passed him by because of verse 33

where they lacked compassion.

It said that the Samaritan saw him

and had compassion.

Sometimes we pass people by

when we lack compassion.

(Derek) So here's a question, Travis,

based on your earlier comment...

"Jesus, help us here," right?

Is it possible to be truly converted

and lack compassion

for the least of these?

(Team Member) I don't think so.

(Derek) Well, you might say

we're on a journey;

let's be generous, right?

But the more fully,
truly converted we are,

the more compassion we'll have,
isn't that right?

Well, let's see what Jesus said.

Simiso, could you read

in Matthew 7 and verse 12?

Some people have called this
the Golden Rule.

Now, there were other rules, you know,

different teachers had a rule for living.

They call this golden, I suppose,

because it came from Jesus,

but this is a rule for life.

What does Jesus say,

still in this great Sermon on the Mount?

(Simiso) Matthew 7 and verse 12,

reading from the New King James Version:

(Derek) So let's go back

to the Samaritan and the beaten traveler.

If you were the beaten traveler,

how would you like to be treated?

You're like, "Derek, really?"

How would you like to be treated, Heide,

if you were there on the side
of the road...

(Heide) The way my mom would treat me.

(Derek) What would your mom do?

(Heide) She would baby me, pamper me,

and take care of me and bandage my wounds,

change my clothes, clean me.

She would give me so much love.

(Derek) She wouldn't say,
"Here's two days,

and if it's more than two, kick her out"?

No, she'd say, "If there's
more, I'll pay"?

(Heide) Even give...Not caring.

(Derek) So, when we're

passing by someone in need,

what do I need to think?

This is so challenging, isn't it? Adison?

(Adison) I think we just need

to put ourselves in their shoes,

and for a moment just think about
if I was in their position,

like you said, how would I want
to be treated?

And just to kind of see them
through the lenses,

not through our own lenses,

but through the lenses of Jesus.

(Derek) And that would bring us

to that, "What would Jesus do," WWJD?

What would Jesus do

because Jesus would treat them the way

He would like to be treated, right -

"To the least of these." Kenneth?

(Kenneth) Also sometimes some people

will not even put themselves
in their shoes,

but if you see them

as how Jesus sees them,

then, if you're a follower of Christ,

it will compel you to do

what Jesus would do in that situation.

(Derek) Sure. Have you ever been

in a situation where someone has showed

this kind of radical demonstration of care

when you were in need?

When you were in need,

and then we'll talk about when you

cared for someone else.

When you were in need

or caring for someone else, Evelyn.

(Evelyn) I've recently been a little sick,

and I study at an Adventist university
in Tennessee.

And my roommate, she showed me care

like nobody ever has before.

She told me, "Evelyn..."

She would leave me little notes,

"Evelyn, here's a vitamin C booster;
please take it."

And at night, she'd say, "Evelyn,

do want me to rub your back
with some Vicks VapoRub?"

You know, "That will help you
feel better," and she...

(Derek) Sounds like your mother, Heide.

(Evelyn) Absolutely, and she did
all those things for me.

It made me want to do the same

for anyone else who feels sick.

(Derek) Is your roommate

a follower of Jesus?

(Evelyn) Yes, hard core,
she loves the Lord.

(Derek) Okay. Now there are people

who are not followers of Jesus

who help with the food bank,

but they're still reflecting

the beautiful character of Jesus,
aren't they,

caring for the least of these.

Someone else. Simiso?

(Simiso) I think an important prayer

we should have is, "Lord,

please give me compassion."

(Derek) Ahh, but what would happen

to us if we asked for the compassion

that Jesus has for people?

What would happen to us?

(Charity) We could transform...

(Derek) It would revolutionize our lives,

but what would be left of us?

(Team Member) Everything.

(Derek) Everything, everything
would be left.

Everything that's important would be left.

Well, we need to continue on in our study

because I do want to...I want to learn,

and I believe you do,

learn to be sensitive

to those in need, yes?

Learn to be sensitive.

So let's look at a couple of stories

that are recorded by Dr. Luke.

We'll start in Luke 16,

and, Heide, if you could read

verses 19 through 21 of Luke 16.

And my question for you (we could spend

a lot of time on this story),

what's wrong with this picture?

Do you understand what I'm asking?

Something looks wrong here

if we really have asked our hearts

to be directed into the love of God.

Let's hear the story.

(Heide) I'll be reading

from the New King James Version,
and it says:

(Derek) What's wrong with this picture?

(Heide) Even the dogs have compassion,
even an animal.

(Derek) I didn't even think about that was
compassionate, to lick him,

but I suppose it could be.

It did not say, "Even the dogs came
and bit him."

Okay, so you're saying

that the dogs had more compassion

than the rich man? Simiso?

(Simiso) The need was right at his gate.

(Derek) It was right there.

By the way, there's a lot

of need in the world,

but how about starting with the need

that's closest to you?

Let's look at another story,

Jason, in Luke 12.

You know, some of these stories,
we could take

our whole hour with, couldn't we,

because they're very deep.

But we're talking here,

Jesus talking about caring
for those in need.

In Luke 12, verses 16 to 21,

"Why was this rich man so insensitive

to the needs of others?"

is a question I'd like you

to think about as Jason reads.

(Jason) I'll be reading

from the New King James Version,

Luke, chapter 12, verses 16 through 21:

(Derek) So, what's the problem, Stephanie,
with this rich man?

There's nothing wrong...

We're going to talk about the fact

that there are some wealthy people

who are extremely generous

in caring for those in need.

What's the problem with this man

in the story that Jesus tells?

(Stephanie) It sounds like

he's all absorbed in his own self...

(Derek) He's even praying to himself.

I mean, he's talking to himself.

So, he's self-absorbed? Yes? Kenneth?

(Kenneth) Greed.

(Derek) Greed? If he has more,

he just wants more.

Okay, someone else? Treva?

(Treva) Sometimes we just get

so caught up in the cares of this world,
as we mentioned before,

that we can't see beyond our front door.

(Derek) And what's the care
that this man has?

What is his care?

(Team) For himself.

(Derek) His care is that he has

too much stuff, that's his care,

and a simple solution would be...?

(Team) To share.

(Derek) Are there some people in need

that I could show care to? Travis?

(Travis) When I read this story,

I had compassion on this man

because I thought, how lonely
can a person be

when you can't even talk to anybody else;

you have to talk to yourself.

(Derek) So, really, that's not the way

to find true happiness, is it?

(Travis) No way!

(Derek) Self-absorbed, self-serving.
Tricia Lee?

(Tricia Lee) He is concerned with,

now that he has all these goods,

what does he want to do?

He wants to eat, drink and be merry.

He wants to spend them on himself,
if anything.

But when it says that he
wasn't rich toward God,

God doesn't need what he has in his barn.

It means that he should find those
who are in need.

And when we serve the least of these,

it's as though we're taking care
of our Master.

It's as though we're doing it unto God

because God walked this earth
and didn't have much.

And there were people, wise men,

and those folks who came and visited

and gave gifts to His parents
when He was in need.

And so, it's not that God wants our money.

He owns everything already.

It's that His children

need to be taken care of,

and He wants us to partner
with Him in that.

So when it says, "Be rich toward God,"

it's because we're sharing

our blessings with others,

not just hoarding them so we can

keep eating, drinking, and being merry.

(Derek) So Kenneth mentioned about greed.

There are poor people

who can be greedy, too, right?

Is that true? Absolutely.

So how do we avoid the mistake

that both the rich man

in the story with Lazarus

and this wealthy man

who's just thinking about, "I have

a problem; my barn's too small"? -

how can we avoid that same

self-serving view of life, Jason?

(Jason) It has to be, I think,

in our mindset and our attitude,

and we need to have a mindset,

which is what we saw of Jesus,

where we're looking for others in need,
and giving,

rather than just thinking about ourselves.

So it's kind of purposeful,

saying, "Okay, Lord.

I know you've given me things,

but how can I use them in a way that will

bless others and not just myself?"

(Derek) And there's a great story

that illustrates that, isn't there,

about someone who was,

we would think at least,

just self-absorbed with gaining

more and more and more money.

But when he meets Jesus,

it changes everything.

Anybody know who that was?

There may be several, but I'm thinking

of a short fellow named Zacchaeus.

Let's take a look at that story.

Maybe, Evelyn, someone's hearing this

for the very first time, in Luke,

chapter 19, beginning with verse 1,

and let's try to hear the story

and how, when his heart

enters into the love of God,

it changes the way he cares
about other people.

(Evelyn) I will be reading

from the New King James Version,

chapter 19, verse 1:

(Derek) And Jesus will respond

by saying, "Today, salvation

has come to this house."

Adison, does salvation come because he's

willing to give his money away?

(Adison) No, he looked at Jesus.

He decided all of a sudden

to take his focus off himself

and put it on Jesus,

and he wasn't going to let anything

stand in the way from finding Him

even though he was little in stature.

(Derek) When he calls Jesus "Lord,"

he's saying, "I've accepted You

as my Savior and Lord,"

and that's how salvation comes.

So what's all this, Travis,

with giving away half to the poor

and four times if I've wronged anybody?

(Travis) First I want to say

that this story is so amazing

because Zacchaeus places himself

in a position to meet Jesus,

and when we place ourselves

in a position to meet Jesus,

the things that are plaguing us
just fall off.

And he had these things,

and when he met Jesus and he realized

how much Jesus was giving to him,

eternal life, a new life,

what he had didn't matter
to him anymore.

He just wanted to be a blessing
to everybody.

(Derek) Actually, if we were listening

to Evelyn as she read,

the "least of these" at that time

was up in the tree,

even though he had everything, right?

He was in great need, and Jesus cared

for the least of these, right?

But help me with...Okay, Adison

says he connected with Jesus

as his Lord and Savior;

salvation has come to this house.

What's the relationship between that

and giving half away and four times

to having wronged someone? Charity?

(Charity) Not only did he

want to make amends,

but he, like the song said,

he allowed the love of God

to direct his heart to those

who he had taken away from before.

(Derek) I imagine people thinking,

I mean, remember the people

who were criticizing, the unconverted?

Criticizing, they thought,
"He's gone mad."

Or had he actually found his sanity?

(Team) Yes.

(Derek) "Half of what I owned."

I wonder if he had anything left.

Maybe he had everything left, Simiso.

(Kenneth) Because he gained Jesus.

(Derek) He gained his true identity.

I mean, it's just so amazing.

Well, another person in the Bible

who didn't allow his wealth,

or maybe Zacchaeus did at one point,

but then it's like, "Nope, it's not

going to get in the way

of my relationship with God,"

entering into the love of God

and caring for the least of these.

Think of another person. Jason?

(Jason) Nicodemus?

(Derek) Now, Nicodemus had

two types of wealth that I would see.

What wealth did he have, anybody?

(Team Member) Power, political-wise.

(Derek) Oh, yes, he had

a tremendous amount of influence,

perhaps much more than Zacchaeus,

who was despised, even though he was

a chief tax collector.

Nicodemus was a member of the ruling body.

You know, that's like being a member

of parliament or congress, right?

He was a member of the Sanhedrin.

So he had political and religious
influence.

What other wealth did he have?

(Team Member) Financial.

(Derek) Financial wealth, yeah,

he was a wealthy person.

Would you like to read

a little piece about Nicodemus,

maybe in John 19, verses 39 to 42?

Where does Nicodemus first appear

in the gospel story?

(Kenneth) When he met Jesus.

(Derek) That's right, by night, right?

In John, chapter 3,

and at that point, he seems like

he's just checking, right?

Maybe we judge him harshly,

but maybe he's saying,

"I have a lot of influence,

and I want to make sure,

I want to do some due diligence," right?

But let's see what's happened

by the time we get to John 19.

(Jason) We're reading

from the New King James Version,

John, chapter 19, verse 39 through 42:

(Derek) So here he is.

We know he's a member of the ruling body

called the Sanhedrin, right,

but 100 pounds is what your...

Does anyone have any study notes
in your Bible?

How much was that worth?

I mean, I know when you buy

a little ointment or perfume,

it's in small bottles

and it's expensive, right?

How much - does anybody have any idea?

There's a simple answer - a lot!

This is a massive gift to embalm

the body of Jesus, right?

So he's caring for the least of these,

Someone who's just been crucified, right?

But, actually He's not

the least of these, is He?

He's the greatest, the greatest.

But what else is he giving
when he's coming?

Where are the rest of the followers
of Jesus?

Did it ever startle you that before Jesus

is even risen from the dead,

that this leader from the Sanhedrin

would lay everything down
for Jesus? Simiso?

(Simiso) And he came openly.

The first time he came by night,

and now he is no longer timid.

He's just open about Jesus.

And some of us might have

gone through that in our lives.

We had an opportunity to share Jesus,

but we just kind of decided not to.

But if an opportunity

presents itself again, like Nicodemus,

we should be open about our faith.

(Derek) Now, I'm going

to ask an obvious question,

but I do want you to think about it.

How do you think that Nicodemus felt

as he reflected back in later years

about that sacrifice,

about what he gave, Stephanie?

(Stephanie) I can't imagine

that he felt like it was a sacrifice.

I can only imagine that he thought,

"I'm so glad that I could do

just a small piece of the puzzle for that

and provide for His need."

(Derek) Agree, disagree,

what do you think? Travis?

(Travis) I think he might have even said,

"I wish I would have done more."

That's what the Christian heart is,

"I wish I could do more."

(Derek) Yeah, not a sacrifice
but a privilege.

So, now, Simiso, and then I want

to ask you a question,

and that is, if Nicodemus

could look back and say,

"I was blessed when I

cared for Jesus in need,"

I want you to share a time when you,

led by the Spirit, cared
for someone in need;

I know they were blessed,

but you were blessed

when you did that. Simiso.

(Simiso) I just wanted to say that I think

for Nicodemus, sacrifice

was redefined because Jesus

was the true sacrifice, in dying for him.

(Derek) Yeah, "What else could I do?"

right, "What else could I do?"

A time when, we're talking

about caring for the least of these,

when you cared, by the Spirit's guidance,

because we can't care

for everybody in the world,

but you cared for someone in need,

and you yourself were blessed

in doing that. Puia.

(Puia) Recently I joined a team

of missionaries in conducting

an evangelistic meeting.

There I contributed financially,

and I got involved myself

as the speaker for the event.

And as part of that,

we did a free medical clinic,

and I contributed to provide

free medication and distribute

medicines and all of that in the village

that we went to in Burma, Myanmar.

(Derek) Oh, you were back
in your home country.

(Puia) Yes, I went back to my country,

and we distributed free medication

to more than 200 people.

And that money came from my pocket.

It was not because I had money,

but because I felt compelled by the Lord

to reach out to these people.

And the result, those people

coming closer to God

because of our outreach,

filled my heart with joy.

I got a blessing in return,

so much more than I gave.

(Derek) And, by the way, you are

a wealthy graduate student, right?

So it's not so significant

how much we can give--finish the sentence.

It's not so significant how much

we can give, but what?

(Stephanie) Our willingness.

(Derek) Our willingness to give,

to give what we can

like the widow who gave

the two small copper coins, right?

To give what we can.

I love...for those of you in the front row

who couldn't see him smiling

while he was talking about that sacrifice,

he'd look back and say

it was a privilege, right?

Someone else, a short story. Tricia Lee.

(Tricia Lee) I think about times

when we would visit the nursing home,

and sometimes we'd go

in the afternoons when we already had
a long day; you're tired.

You're just like, "Oh, maybe
I'll go another time."

But just the time you can spend
singing or praying and visiting

with people who maybe haven't
seen someone in a long time -

we gave the gift of time -
but to see their faces turn

from sullen and sad and down
to smiling and joyful,

you can't help but feel joy

when you realize you can bring that
to someone's heart.

(Derek) You make an interesting point.

We all have the gift of time, right,

and the gift of loving people,

even if we're poor
graduate students, right?

And how did that impact you?

(Tricia Lee) Well, it just made me feel

joy as well, seeing other people smiling,

and just seeing the change

in their demeanor and sitting
upright in their chairs,

it makes you feel warm inside as well.

(Derek) Jesus said when you give,

it's given back to you.

One more short story. Yes, Evelyn.

(Evelyn) At the university I attend,

a friend of ours recently got
knee surgery.

And so a group of students, we all
got together, and we're like,

"How we can we take care of him?"

Some students missed class to be with him

and care for him, to make him food,
give him his medications.

I was privileged to be able to be there

one morning when he was in great pain,

and it just made me think,

"I can't wait to become a nurse someday,

know how to care for people

even better than I do right now."

(Derek) And when we do it

with the love of God in our hearts,

we're changed, too.

That's the message of our study today,

caring for those in need.

When the love of God is in our heats,

we are changed, too,

when we care for those in need.

Well, thanks for being with us

for Hope Sabbath School.

Let's pray that our hearts

can continue to enter
into the love of God,

not only to bless others,

but we know we, too, will be blessed.

Father in Heaven, thank You

for this beautiful study from the teaching

and the example of Jesus.

And I thank you for the testimonies
we've heard today,

how, when we allow Your love

to flow through us to care

for the least of these,

that we are also blessed,

but we know You are blessed, too.

Your heart experiences joy

when we reflect Your love to others.

Thank You. May that happen

even in this coming week.

We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

(Team) Amen.

(Derek) Thanks for joining us
for Hope Sabbath School.

Not just in our heads,

but in our hearts and in our lives.

Go out and make a difference

to the lives of those around you.

♪ theme music ♪