Compassion For The Crowd | Pastor Greg Ford Sermon | One Church Columbus

Compassion For The Crowd | Pastor Greg Ford Sermon | One Church Columbus

ICEBREAKER:

How did you see God move this last week?

Summary:

In this study, we explore how Jesus models compassion not for a select few but for the needs of the many—feeding the crowds and inviting the early church to grow in generosity and community. Drawing from the feeding miracles and the early Acts narrative, we reflect on viewing people as a community to serve rather than a distant crowd to be managed. The goal is to cultivate a posture of generous, practical compassion that meets real needs and builds up the body of Christ.

Key Points

  1. Compassion moves to action: Jesus responds to the crowd’s need with tangible provision, not just words.

  2. From crowd to community: The miracle demonstrates how a multitude can be organized into a sharing, communal effort.

  3. God’s abundance through little gifts: Small offerings (bread and fish) become enough when placed in God’s hands.

  4. Generous service builds the church: When believers share what they have, the church grows in unity and capacity to bless others.

  5. Seeing people as individuals within a group: Each person in the crowd is known and valued even as their needs are communal.

    • Scripture References

    • Matthew 14:13-21 (Jesus feeds the five thousand)

    • Mark 6:30-44 (parallel account)

    • Luke 9:12-17 (another account of the feeding)

    • Acts 2:42-47 (early church as a model of community life)

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this study invites us to move beyond viewing the crowd as a mere statistic and to see each person as a valued member of a larger community in need of practical compassion. By reflecting the model of Jesus’ generosity—simple offerings placed into God’s hands, shared among many—we cultivate a spirit of communal care that strengthens the church, meets real needs, and demonstrates God’s abundant provision at work through us.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What motivates Jesus to act in compassion in the feeding of the crowd, and how does this shape your view of ministry to large groups?

  2. In what ways can we move beyond seeing people as a crowd to be managed to a community to be served in our own context?

  3. In Matthew 14:16-21, how do the disciples’ initial reaction and Jesus’ response reveal different approaches to ministry? What lessons can we apply when resources seem insufficient?

  4. Acts 2:44-47 describes a radical sharing of possessions. How does that model challenge or affirm your current understanding of generosity and community life in your context?

Guided Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for modeling true compassion that reaches people where they are. Teach us to see individuals within the crowds we encounter and to respond with practical generosity that meets real needs. Help us to trust Your provision, even when resources seem small, and inspire us to build communities that reflect Your hospitality and care. Open our hearts to share what we have, support one another, and invite others into the grace-filled life of Your church. May our actions reveal the love of Christ to the world and cultivate unity, service, and abundant mercy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

One Church