2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NLT)
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
CARE and COMPASSION are CORE COMMANDMENTS of CHRISTIANITY.
Luke 10:25-28 (NLT)
One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”
James 1:27 (NLT)
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
3 reasons we lack compassion and care:
- Our CULTURE could CARE LESS.
Our Culture = It’s not your responsibility, it’s not your problem.
God’s Kingdom: It’s not an OBLIGATION, it’s an OPPORTUNITY to show God’s LOVE.
John 3:16-17 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
- We can’t CARE if we aren’t AWARE.
Lack of personal INTERACTION makes it easy to IGNORE.
- We don’t think we can MAKE a DIFFERENCE.
Do for ONE what you wish you could do for EVERYONE.
Luke 19:8-10 (NLT)
Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
The 4 COMMITMENTS of COMPASSION:
- COMPASSION demands ACTION.
James 2:14-20 (NIV)
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
Our BELIEFS must be backed by our BEHAVIORS.
To say you CARE, but not ACT, is to NOT CARE at all.
Jesus HAD & SHOWED compassion.
Mark 1:40-41 (NLT)
A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”
Matthew 14:14 (NIV)
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Matthew 20:34 (NIV)
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
- COMPASSION requires AVAILABILITY.
True compassion will INTERRUPT your LIFE and PLANS.
Jesus was PASSIONATE about PEOPLE because PEOPLE were His PURPOSE
- COMPASSION will COST you.
Luke 10:35 (NLT)
The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins (two days wages), telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
- Our COMPASSION changes LIVES.
Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:10 (NLT)
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”