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Published: Oct. 9, 2013, 12:56 a.m.

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(1 Thessalonians 5:14) (NIV) And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

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1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Warn those who are idle and disruptive (with their time,talent,treasure)

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2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Encourage the disheartened

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3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Help the weak

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Title of Message: We Are Not Okay With Avoiding the Afflicted

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(Mark 1:40-41) (NLT) A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. \\u201cIf you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,\\u201d he said.\\xa0 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. \\u201cI am willing,\\u201d he said. \\u201cBe healed!\\u201d

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As Freedom Church we want to be filled with compassion and reach out to the afflicted.

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The Course of Compassion:

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1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Experience God\\u2019s love for yourself.

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(Romans 5:8) (NIV) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

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2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Open your eyes to the needs of others.

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(Matthew 9:35-36) (NIV)\\xa0 \\u201cJesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.\\xa0 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them\\u2026\\u201d

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3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Be willing to reach out.

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(Mark 1:41) (NLT) \\u2026Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. \\u201cI am willing,\\u201d he said. \\u201cBe healed!\\u201d

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(Proverbs 3:27-28) (Message)\\xa0 \\u201cNever walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God\\u2019s hand for that person.\\xa0 Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.\\u201d

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(Ephesians 3:12-13) (NLT) Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God\\u2019s presence. So please don\\u2019t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.

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(Romans 5:3-5) (NLT) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. ^\\xa0And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

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The afflicted should remember:

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1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It\\u2019s for my growth\\xa0

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2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It\\u2019s for others

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3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It\\u2019s for the glory of God

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(2 Corinthians 1:3-4)\\xa0 \\u201cPraise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.\\u201d

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Sometimes comfort is better than an answer.\\xa0

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