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Message Notes

“But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’” —Luke 10:29

“He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.’” —Luke 10:37

“But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to Him.” —Romans 5:8 (Message)

Two big questions about compassion

Question #1 - Who is my neighbor?

Anyone God brings across my path.

Question #2 - What does it mean to “Love Your Neighbor”?

The Golden Rule – Treat others as you would like others to treat you.

“I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.” —Matthew 25:45

How Does God’s Word Define Compassion?

Compassion - A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

Compassion is seeing something wrong and doing something about it.

A Theology of Compassion

We cannot have an impact without contact.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. ‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’” —Matthew 5:13-16

Compassion without Jesus is just a band-aid.
Jesus calls us to show compassion in our own community first.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” —Acts 1:8

How Can I Unleash the Power of Compassion in My Own Life?

Ask God to break your heart for things that break His heart.

Prayer – “God, give me a compassionate heart and a love for people.”

Break down the barriers.
Reject isolation.

“If we are going to love our neighbor, we have to be willing to love the whole neighborhood – not just those who look like us, act like us, or think like us.” —Brian Bloye

Open your heart to be sacrificial and generous with your life and resources.

Compassion without sacrifice is just convenience.