Lord, Help Us Learn about Compassion (Psalm 145:8)
Introduction:
1. In Psalm 145:8 David listed 4 of the Lord's great virtues -- He is "gracious,""full of compassion," "slow to anger," and "of great mercy." 2. Because the Lord possesses these virtues, He deserves our gratitude and praise. 3. According to the Scriptures, the Lord requires His people to develop these same virtues. 4. To help us understand what the Lord requires of us we need to examine: a. occasions when He demonstrated these virtues b. His teaching on these subjects. 5. Today we are concentrating on the fact that the Lord is "full of compassion." 6. As we study the Lord's ministry we see that He often demonstrated His compassion, and He included compassion in His teaching. 7. In our lesson we are examining: a. 6 occasions when Jesus demonstrated His compassion b. 2 occasions when Jesus included compassion in His teaching. 8. Doing so will help us to understand: a. what compassion is b. what the Lord requires of His people. 9. As we study the Scriptures let us ask the Lord to help us learn about compassion.
Discussion:
I. LET US EXAMINE 6 OCCASIONS WHEN JESUS DEMONSTRATED HIS COMPASSION
A. (Matthew 9:36) Jesus demonstrated His compassion when He gave the limited commission. 1. Jesus had worked diligently to reach as many people as possible (vs.35). 2. However, when Jesus observed the multitudes, He was moved by what He saw (vs.36). 3. Jesus made His followers aware of the situation (vs.37-38). 4. Jesus sent His apostles on "the limited commission" (ch.10). B. (Matthew 14:14) Jesus demonstrated His compassion when He healed sick people. 1. Jesus had just learned some bad news and wanted to be alone (vs.10-13a). 2. The people followed Jesus on foot (vs.13b). 3. Jesus' compassion led Him to heal "their sick." C. (Matthew 15:32) Jesus demonstrated His compassion when He fed the 4,000. 1. These people had been with Jesus 3 days, and there was nothing to eat. 2. Jesus fed this crowd with 7 loaves and a few little fish (vs.33-38). D. (Matthew 20:34) Jesus demonstrated His compassion when He gave sight to 2 blind men. 1. These men asked Jesus to have mercy on them (vs.29-33). 2. Jesus fulfilled their request. E. (Mark 1:41) Jesus demonstrated His compassion when He cleansed a leper. 1. This man asked Jesus to heal him (vs.40). 2. Jesus fulfilled His request (vs.42). F. (Luke 7:13) Jesus demonstrated His compassion when He raised a widow's son. 1. This woman had lost her only son (vs.12). 2. Jesus raised the young man (vs.14-15).
II. LET US EXAMINE 2 OCCASIONS WHEN JESUS INCLUDED COMPASSION IN HIS TEACHING
A. (Luke 10:33) The Good Samaritan had compassion on the abused man. B. (Luke 15:20) The father had compassion on his youngest son.
Conclusion:
1. These passages illustrate what compassion is -- being aware of someone else's misfortune with the desire to alleviate it. 2. They also illustrate what the Lord requires of His people (1 Peter 3:8).
