TOGETHER (2)

IN COMPASSION

1 Peter 3:8–15 KJV 1900

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

God has called all of us to extend His compassion for us to one another. But demonstrating compassion in our busy, daily lives is often easier said than done, especially in the selfish and indifferent society in which we live. In this study, we look at how we can purposefully make a difference in the lives of others by showing compassion through our words and deeds.

GOALS

At the conclusion of this lesson, group members should:

Understand what it means to be compassion- ate. 

Determine to show compassion in their daily lives. 

Persevere in their commitment to live compassionately.

1. Compassion’s Extent

The Realm of Compassion

A Unified Mindset A Loving Mindset 

2. Compassion’s Expression

Reach Verbally Reach Thoughtfully

3. Compassion’s Expectation

The Reward of Compassion

He Knows Our Testimony He Rewards Our Faithfulness

Introduction

In our fast-paced world, we hurry along through our daily activities, often taking for granted the many blessings God has given us.

Indeed, God has given us many blessings. And He calls us to purposefully give Him thanks for them.

Psalm 100:4-5

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is ever-lasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Cultivating the habit of giving thanks helps us in many areas of our life. When our hearts are filled with gratitude, we are less inclined to covetousness. Additionally, when we are thankful for the blessings of God, we are less self-focused and more aware of the needs of those around us.

When we are focusing on what we wish we had, we fail to see the needs of others.

So often, we hear of tragedies on the news or the plight of those in some kind of need, but because of our self-focus, we are desensitized to their needs and fail to offer help, support, or our presence.

** Discussion

What are five blessings God has given you for which you can give thanks?

Learning to be thankful helps us nurture a heart of compassion as we consider the needs of others.

Compassion has been defined as "your hurt in my heart." It is easy for us to feel momentarily sad about something-it could be tragic news we read on social media or a prayer request of someone in our church group—but we quickly move on without ever acting on that feeling. Jesus, however, upon seeing the multitudes, was moved with compassion and acted because of it. He felt their hurt keenly and expressed His compassion in active care.

Matthew 14:14

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

In today's study, we'll look at three aspects of the compassion God calls us to show to one another.

1. Compassion’s Extent

To whom should our compassion extend?

We find at least a partial answer to this question in verse 8 of our text in the phrase "having compassion one of another."

We are to show compassion to each other within the body of Christ.

The phrase compassion one of another in this verse means, "to feel with another; to suffer with an-other; to identify with another." God wants us to have a heart of compassion that leads to action.

This is about seeing someone's need and taking the lead to meet that need.

Jesus Christ demonstrated this compassion toward us when He saw our need for salvation and came down to earth to meet our need. Likewise, we ought to have a heart of compassion toward others.

Verse 8 gives us two keys to developing this kind of compassion within the church family.

A Unified Mindset

This verse begins with the instruction, "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another." We are to be united in having the mind of Christ. In fact, the phrase one mind means "to be likeminded, harmonious, and with concord." It gives the idea of musical harmony. This isn't uniformity but unity.

Our world is so often divided, but the church should be a place where we are all united around shared doctrine and care for each other. We may have differences, but what brings us together in Christ is stronger than what divides us.

Philippians 2:2-3

Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Suppose someone came to your church and you asked him ten years later what impact the church had on his life. Would the reply be, "Somebody cared for me there"?

Jude 22

And of some have compassion, making a difference:

Compassion makes a difference in people's lives; and we must have a unified mindset in showing compassion to one another.

A Loving Mindset

When we have a unified mindset, we will be loving to one another. Verse 8 instructs us to "love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous." There are three aspects mentioned in this verse:

Love as brethren. The love we ought to show to one another is a brotherly, fraternal kind of love.

What are tangible, practical ways to demonstrate compassion to those in need?

Be pitiful. God also wants us to be pitiful. The word pitiful does not mean "weak" or "lame," but rather, "being tenderhearted, full of pity and inward affection." As believers, our heart should be full of care for others.

Ephesians 4:32

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Suggestion

Ask those in your group to consider who in your church family they know of with a need, and encourage them to do something practical toward meeting that person's need this week.

Be courteous. The word courteous means "friendly or kind." Literally, it means "to be humble-minded." Courtesy is putting others before yourself and giving preference to others. When we see someone in need, do we consider how we can be a blessing to that person? When we have the mindset of compassion, we will have the desire to show love toward others.

1. Compassion’s Extent

2. Compassion’s Expression

All Christians ought to be involved in showing compassion to one another, but how can we demonstrate this compassion?

Our Words

Slide 2A

Verses 9-11 tell us that we can reach out with compassion through the use of our words.

Because of the powerful influence our words have, we need to be mindful of how we use them.

When we speak kindly, we can encourage others.

But when we speak unkindly, we can hurt others and cause strife.

We can reach out with compassion verbally through the use of positive words. Verse 9 tells us that instead of "rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing," we are to give a "blessing."

The word blessing translates from the Greek word eulogeó from which we get the word eulogy. It means "praise, a good word, or a benediction." In a funeral, a family member or friend gives a eulogy, speaking words of blessing about the deceased.

God wants our words to encourage and uplift others.

Proverbs 25:11

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

(Share a story of a time in your life when someone's simple word of comfort or encouragement made a big impact on you.)

Perhaps you have had someone say just the right word at the right time in your life, and that made a difference for you. That is what Proverbs 25:11 is speaking of. Words that are rightly spoken are valuable and pleasant to the hearer.

Our words should not only encourage others, but they should also bring peace in our relationships with one another.

Romans 12:18

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Notice the phrase in Romans 12:18 "as much as lieth in you." Living peaceably with everyone can be a challenge indeed, but we need to try our best to live agreeably with others.

Romans 14:19

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

The phrase "follow after the things which make for peace" suggests that peace will not happen automatically; we must choose to pursue it intentionally. It takes active effort on our part. When our speech is seasoned with positive words, we can bring peace in our relationships with one another.

Words

Reach Thoughtfully

Sometimes it is not only our manner of speech that brings peace but also the withholding of unkind words. When we meet angry or contentious people who rail at us, our natural response is to rail back at them. The Bible, however, instructs us to repay evil with blessing. Verse 9 tells us what our response should be: "not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing."

To render means "to deliver, recompense, or repay.' Railing is defined as "reviling, slander, or reproach."

Do you ever have people speak evil of you? It's so easy to respond with vengeful, hurtful words. But Jesus told us to respond differently.

Matthew 5:44

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

When we respond in anger, we end up causing more strife. We need to exercise restraint in our speech and withhold the use of ungodly words.

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Discussion

It's always easier to feel compassion toward those who are kind to us. How can we increase our compassion for those who are unkind to us?

The next time someone speaks evil of you, try responding with kindness and compassion. This often puts an end to a dispute.

Here, Peter is specifically warning against hurtful speech that is premeditated, not just a spur-of-the-moment reaction. He says, "Let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil...."

Job is an example of a man in the Bible who feared God and because of that, eschewed—hated and turned away from-evil.

Job 1:1

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

Despite his wife telling him to "curse God and die" and his friends falsely accusing him of secret sin, Job remained focused on the Lord and maintained a godly testimony.

Even when others falsely accuse or speak evil of us, if we restrain our words, we will have opportunity to show compassion.

We've seen to whom our compassion should reach and how we can exercise it. But now notice how compassion is rewarded.

Compassion’s Extent

Compassion Expression

3. Compassion’s Expectation

It may seem like our acts of compassion often go unnoticed; when someone reviles us, we turn the other cheek, but no one seems to see.

Gal 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

2Th 3:13  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

Godknows, however, and He takes note of our acts of compassion.

We may feel all alone in doing right, but we can take heart knowing that God will reward us for living a life of compassion.

Slide ЗА

He Knows Our Testimony

Verse 12 tells us that God sees our actions: "the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous." We serve a living God who sees our lives and is acquainted with all our ways. He notices our faithfulness even when no one else is watching.

God not only watches us, but He also hears us. The second part of verse 12 goes on to say that "his ears are open unto their prayers." God delights in hearing and answering His children's prayers.

When we come before God in prayer, we can be confident that He hears our requests and will answer us according to His time.

Matthew 7:7-11

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Our connection in prayer to God can be limited by sin, but God never simply ignores us. He always desires our unhindered fellowship with Him in prayer.

Psalm 66:18-20

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: 19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

God sees, He hears, and He judges too.

You might have wondered why the wicked seem to go unpunished while the righteous suffer.

But verse 12 tells us that "the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."

In our human wisdom, we can never explain God's ways or fully understand His sovereignty, but God judges the unrighteous and will make all things right in His Though God judges the wicked, He does not take pleasure in it but rather delights in showing mercy.

Micah 7:18-19

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. 19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

While God extends patience toward those who mock and oppose Him, He will eventually judge them. Nothing is ever out of His control or His plan, and no one will ever get away with mocking God or attacking His people. We can trust that God will always judge in the right way and at the right time.

2 Thessalonians 1:6–7 KJV 1900

6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

We may not be able to control what others do to us, but we can control how we respond. God wants our actions and reactions to be compassionate. Our responsibility is to be faithful in showing compassion to one another and leave Him to judge those who have done wrong.

He Knows Our Testimony

He Rewards Our Faithfulness

As we demonstrate compassion in our daily lives, God knows our testimony, He sees our longsuffering, and He will reward our faithfulness. At times, our patience may be tested, and we may feel alone in doing right or discouraged by the unkind treatment from others; but we must persevere in showing compassion to one another because our efforts are not in vain.

Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Even when we do right, we will still face opposition. Verse 14 says, "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled."

Sometimes, we might suffer even when we are just trying to be a blessing, or to witness by giving out a gospel tract. The reality is that we live in a society that is becoming more ungodly, and we will suffer for our faith. Perhaps you took a stand and turned down an invitation to attend a worldly party. Your friends may laugh at you, but God says that you can still be "happy" even when faced with persecution. The word happy in verse 14 means "supremely blessed" or "well off."

God's Word tells us that we need not fear or be troubled by persecution. We can rejoice in taking a stand because we are doing what is right in God's eyes. And because of our faithfulness taking a stand for what is right, God will reward us.

Luke 6:22–23 KJV 1900

22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Conclusion

When others wrong us, we can either get even or ask the Lord to give us a compassionate heart and repay evil with a blessing. When we see someone in need, we can choose to remain indifferent or step forward to meet that need.

As we demonstrate compassion in our lives, doors will begin to open for us to present the gospel.

1 Peter 3:15 KJV 1900

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Wouldn't it be wonderful if your testimony of compassion made someone notice you and ask you, "What makes you different from the rest?" That would be the perfect opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ!

God has called all of us to extend His compassion for us to one another. But demonstrating compassion in our busy, daily lives is often easier said than done, especially in the selfish and indifferent world.