Compassion | BELIEVE | Rob Wegner
Key Question: What about the poor and injustice?
I tell you the truth whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me. Matt 25:40
Key Verse: Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 82:3-4)
35 passages of scripture about the orphan.
Over 2000 passages of scripture about the underdog.
Key Idea: I believe God calls all Christians to show compassion to people in need.
The continuum of compassion begins with involvement moves toward identification.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion..
Luke 10:33 (ASV)
Involvement Step #1: Stop, Notice and Come Near.
Where do you start? Wherever you are.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion..
Luke 10:33 (ASV)
Involvement #2: Be Moved with Compassion
There are approximately 24 specific, unique events where Jesus emotions are explicitly recorded. The emotion Jesus is described having the most? Compassion.
When you read in the Gospels that Jesus was moved with compassion, it is saying that His gut was wrenched, His heart torn open, and the most vulnerable part of his being laid bare. The ground of all being shook, the source of all life trembled, the heart of all love burst open, and the unfathomable depths of the relentless tenderness was laid bare. Your Christian life and mine don’t make any sense unless in the depth of our beings we believe that Jesus not only knows what hurts us, but knowing, seeks us out whatever our poverty, whatever our pain. His plea to His people is, 'Come now, wounded, frightened, angry, lonely, empty, and I’ll meet you where you live. And I’ll love you as you are, not as you should be, because you’re never going to be as you should be.' Do you really believe this? Brennan Manning
As I receive Jesus’ compassion for me, I will release Jesus’ compassion to others.
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:5 NLT
Involvement Step #3: Do Something
Turn to pg 138,
34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' Luke 10:34-35 (NIV)
I don’t have to do everything, I need to do something.
Turn to page 139
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’” Matthew 25:34-36
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