PLEASE PUT THESE OLD CLOTHES AND RAGS UNDER YOUR ARMPITS

Text: JER. 38 261106
26 November 2006

(I) OPPORTUNITY TO CARE

“Now Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs, who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon….” Jeremiah 38:7

1. Opportunity recognised

2. Opportunity not to be missed

3. Opportunity seized

(II) BEING THAT PERSON WHO WOULD SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY

“So Ebed-Melech took the men with him and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took from there old clothes and old rags, and let them down by ropes into the dungeon to Jeremiah.” Jeremiah 38:11

1. Right time

2. Right place

3. Right person

(III) A SIMPLE ACT THAT REVEALS MUCH

“Then Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Please put these old clothes and rags under your armpits, under the ropes.” And Jeremiah did so. Jeremiah 38:12

1. It reveals kindness

2. It reveals tenderness

3. It reveals thoughtfulness

4. It reveals the heart, mind and spirit of the person

(IV) FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF EBED-MELECH

1. Looking for opportunities to care

2. Seizing opportunities to care

3. Being that right person doing the right thing

4. Committing ourselves to doing small acts of kindness