Matthew 9:35-38 NIV
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Main Idea: You can’t follow Jesus without .
1. Cultivate Compassion: See
“We are too apathetic: we do not share the compassion of Jesus. The Gospels repeatedly tell us that when Jesus saw, he had compassion. Perhaps we do not even look, let alone care.” -Michael Green
2. Shape Compassion: Start with
3. Unleash Compassion: Move Toward the
Matthew 25:34-40 NIV
Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” 37 Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” 40 The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
“Martin of Tours was a Roman soldier and a Christian. One freezing day a beggar asked him for alms. Martin had no money, but, seeing the man blue with cold, he ripped his soldier’s cloak in half and gave one part to the beggar. That night he had a dream. He saw Jesus in the courts of heaven, wearing half his cloak. He heard an angel ask, ‘Master, why are you wearing that battered old cloak? Who gave it to you?’ And Jesus replied, ‘My servant Martin gave it to me’.” –William Barclay
Four ways compassion can become part of your everyday life:
1. Pray
“Intercession is impossible until we allow the things that break God’s heart to break our hearts as well.” -Pete Greig
2. Advocate
Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
3. Serve
- Job search assistants: help clients find jobs
- ESL TA’s (virtual)
- Family Sponsorship (long-term and short-term commitments)
- Good Neighbor Team
4. Give
You can’t follow Jesus without Compassion
Answer Key: compassion, people, prayer, vulnerable