Christians Must Have Compassion for One Another (1 Peter 3: 8)
Introduction:
1.In 1 Peter 3:8 Christians are given 5 responsibilities. 2.While they are all important, today we are concentrating on the second responsibility -- Christians must have compassion for one another. 3.As we study the life of Christ in the Gospels, we see that "compassion" played an important role in His ministry. 4.Jesus often demonstrated compassion, and He included it in His teaching. 5.In our lesson we are examining: a.six occasions when Jesus demonstrated His compassion b.two occasions when Jesus included compassion in His teaching. 6.Doing so will help us to understand: a.what compassion is b.what the Lord requires of His people.
Discussion:
I.SIX 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.The Lord's 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 three days, and there was nothing to eat. 2.Jesus fed this crowd with seven loaves and a few little fish (vs.33-38). D.(Matthew 20:34) Jesus demonstrated His compassion when He gave sight to two 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.TWO OCCASIONS WHEN JESUS INCLUDED COMPASSION IN HIS TEACHING
A.(Luke 10:33-35) The Good Samaritan had compassion on the abused man. B.(Luke 15:20) The father had compassion on his youngest son.
Conclusion:
1.The passages we have studied illustrate what compassion is -- being aware of someone else's misfortune with the desire to alleviate it. 2.The verses we have studied also illustrate what the Lord requires of His people -- to have compassion for one another (1 Peter 3:8).