The Compassion Of Christ

Illustration - story about prodigal. I felt his pain, loss, fear, helplessness and hopelessness.

We Have A Great High Priest

Hebrews 4:14–16 “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.”

People Are Valuable

The Lost Sheep

Luke 15:1–7 (ESV)

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Jesus left the 99 for the 1

He didn’t sacrfice the 99 but went after the lost.

People are unique, precious, and priceless one of a kind creations of Christ. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? A soul is more valuable than all the riches of the world.

Embracing Your Value You matter to God, others, and everyone in this room.

Some people have a hard time with this because people meant to value them didn't make them feel valued.

Embracing Others’ intrinsic value

Only you can make the decision to see others and value people

Love, care, and believe in others

There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons.

The Lost Coin

Luke 15:8–10 (ESV)

8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents.

His Son, Jesus, Who only did and said what He saw the Father do was often moved with compassion.

The woman sought the coin diligently.

The shepherd left the 99 for the 1

The Lost Son

Luke 15:11–32 (ESV)

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”

We are to emulate His work.

Shepherd went after the lost sheep until it was found

The woman sought diligently until it was found

The father was looking for the son.

*Few things are more rewarding than helping another human being.

People are valuable

Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents.

We are too emulate His work

Matt 14:14 and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick

Matt 18:27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt

Mark 1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion put out His hand and touched him (the leper), and said to him, “I will; be clean”

Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd