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  THE MINISTRY OF SYMPATHY
  by D.L. Moody
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Summary: D.L. Moody emphasizes the importance of calm and patient
attention in ministering to others, as exemplified by Christ's ministry.

Topics: "Compassion in Ministry", "Sympathy"
Scripture References: Matthew 10:42, Matthew 25:40, Mark 10:49, Luke 6:36, Romans 12:15, Galatians 6:2, Philippians 2:4, Colossians 3:12, James 1:27, 1 Peter 3:8

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DESCRIPTION
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D.L. Moody emphasizes the importance of taking time to show sympathy and
compassion to others, as exemplified by Jesus, who paused to attend to
the needs of a blind beggar despite His own impending suffering. Moody
encourages believers to adopt a Christlike attitude of calmness and
focused attention in their ministry, rather than rushing through life
and missing opportunities to serve. He highlights that true ministry
involves being present for others, even amidst our own troubles, and
that small acts of kindness done with love are more valuable than busy
activity without purpose.

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CONTENT
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Mark 10:49

"And Jesus stood still." Do we not need, in reading the life of the
great Exemplar, to note how His ministry was without haste. In these
busy lives of ours, we are so apt to miss this part of sympathy in
ministering to others, which is more especially Christlike. He never
came across suffering, but He gave it calm, patient, concentrated
attention. "He stood still" yet if ever He might have passed by or given
but hurried consideration to a case of distress, surely it was then,
when the weight of anticipated woe lay heavy upon Him, but He had still
a heart at leisure from itself: for the need of a poor blind beggar.

Let us seek to do likewise: to be able to turn from our own cares and
sorrows to soothe the grief of another, to be unruffled amid plans upset
and projects delayed, that we might minister a cup of cold water, as
Jesus would have done it. Better be content with a small service done
thus after the Master's example, than let much effort and activity so
overcrowd our lives that there is no time for "standing still."

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/dl-moody/the-ministry-of-sympathy/
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