Strengthen Your Core Series

God’s Compassion makes a difference

December 22, 2019

Pastor John Lloyd

Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices, and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. The journey of becoming like Jesus begins by thinking like Jesus. When we start thinking like Jesus, we are well on our way to becoming like Jesus. Today, we will look at the belief of compassion. Living out the compassion of Christ not only changes us but makes a difference in the lives of those who receive it.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Hebrews 4:14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Memory Verses: Psalm 82:3 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.

Key Question: What is my responsibility to other people?

Key Idea: I believe God calls all Christians to show compassion to

people in need.

I. Christmas is about the great compassion of God for all people.

II. Christmas is a great opportunity to show compassion.

III. Christ changes us to be a people of compassion.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Jesus made our mission abundantly clear in meeting the needs of the forgotten, unlovely, and unpopular — “the least of these.” His declaration that to serve them is to serve him is both counter cultural and life-changing." Frazee, Randy. Think, Act, Be Like Jesus

I. Christmas is about the great compassion of God __________.

Luke 1:76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Philippians 2:7-8)

When I was sinking down… Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.

Romans 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Receive in your soul the great compassion God has expressed to you through His Son Jesus Christ. His compassion makes a difference!

II. Christmas is a ______ __ __________ to show compassion.

Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 12:20 a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;

· Keep your standards high and your grace deep.

Matthew 5:28, Romans 3:23, Psalm 130:3

· Accept behavior without approving of behavior

John 8:7, 10, 11 NLT

· Never let your tone become contentious. Prov. 15:18, Col. 4:6

· Lead people to truth by identifying with their struggle. I Peter 1:14

· Paint a picture of what it looks like to come home. Luke 15

· Look for opportunities to build bridges and care for people every chance you get. Showing Compassion makes a difference!

III. Let Jesus _________________ into a person of compassion.

Conformation- spiritual process of molding the believer into the image of Jesus.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name.

“Man may dismiss compassion from the heart but God never will.” Cowper

Luke 7:12 As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” (Luke 19:41)

John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

“To keep the golden rule we must put ourselves in other people’s places, but to do that consists in and depends upon picturing ourselves in their places.”

Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

Lamentations 3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Psalm 82:3-4 Defend the weak and the fatherless, uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

No matter how low down you are; no matter what your disposition has been; you may be low in your thoughts, words, and actions; you may be selfish; your heart may be overflowing with corruption and wickedness; yet Jesus will have compassion upon you. He will speak comforting words to you; not treat you coldly or spurn you, as perhaps those of earth would, but will speak tender words, and words of love and affection and kindness. Just come at once. He is a faithful

Spiritual Growth Questions for December 22, 2019

(take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)

Use a scale of 1-6 to rate how strongly you believe the statements below (1= no belief at all, 6 complete confidence)

___ I believe that God calls me to be involved in the lives of the poor and

suffering.

___ I believe I am responsible before God to show compassion to the sick

and imprisoned.

___ I believe I should stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

___ I believe that Christians should not purchase everything they can afford,

so that discretionary money might be available to help those in need.

1. In what ways have you experienced compassion from a family member, friend or stranger?

2. What is the difference between trying to “fix” poverty and injustice and “suffering with” someone who is experiencing it?

3. Read Luke 7:13,47-48 and Hebrews 4:14-16. How does Jesus model compassion in the Luke passages? What makes Jesus a more compassionate high priest? How is this helpful to us?

4. Read Deuteronomy 24:10-15, 17-22. (Israel: Called to Compassion). Pick a specific situation (widow, orphan, refugee, homeless person, addict) and discuss what it would look like to “suffer with” the individual in need.

5. Read Psalm 82:3-4. List some reasons why many people choose to ignore the needy and oppressed. Then discuss what it would take to break free from the status quo and be a defender of the weak and oppressed.

6. Read Matthew 25:31-46. In your own words, describe how love for God and love for others is related.

7. Read James 1:19-2:13. What are the attitudes that James advocates? How can you adopt these same attitudes?

8. In addition to a financial gesture, what other compassionate ways are there to comfort someone in need?

Memory Verses: Psalm 82:3-4 Defend the weak and the fatherless, uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Sermon Podcast

John Lloyd - God's Compassion Makes a Difference

Dolores Park Church