The Power of Jesus

Pastor Akin opened by encouraging the church to go all-in with Jesus as they begin a new school year. He shared about visiting Don Rice in hospice care and his wife Julia's prayer asking God to show her what to do. The main passage tells of Jesus encountering a funeral procession for a widow's only son. Pastor Akin emphasized that Jesus saw the woman, had compassion on her, and initiated contact without being asked. He explained that Jesus draws near to the brokenhearted and has power to do what we cannot do for ourselves. The sermon stressed that believers need church community to bear burdens together rather than living as lone ranger Christians.

In this message:

Jesus has the power to do for you what you cannot do for yourself.Jesus draws near to the brokenhearted and sees individuals, not just crowds.The word compassion means pain that makes you sick to your stomach over another's suffering.Jesus is a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief who understands what we go through.The church is to be the hands and feet of Jesus, bearing burdens together.