Compelled by Compassion: The Heart of Christ for the Lost

Compelled By Compassion, Matthew 9:35-38, NKJV.

Invocation Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, We gather today in Your holy presence, humbled by Your goodness and mercy. Lord, we thank You for Your Word that reveals to us the compassionate heart of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Open our hearts and minds now to hear and embrace the message You have for us in Matthew 9:35–38. May Your Spirit guide us, teaching us to see others as You see them—broken, weary, and in need of the Good Shepherd. Let our hearts be moved by compassion, and empower us to be faithful laborers in Your great harvest.

Father, on this Memorial Day weekend, we also pause to remember and honor the men and women who have laid down their lives in service to this great nation. We are grateful for their courage and their ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom. May their memory inspire us to live lives of service and sacrifice, not just for our country but for Your kingdom.

Bless the families of those who have lost loved ones in service, and comfort them with Your peace. And Lord, as we look to our mission field—our communities, workplaces, and beyond—remind us that You call us to be Your hands and feet, to carry the message of hope and healing to those who are lost and hurting.

May all we do today bring glory and honor to Your name. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Bible Passage: Matthew 9:35–38 "Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'"

Summary: In Matthew 9:35–38, we see Jesus actively ministering—teaching, healing, and feeling compassion for the lost and weary crowds. This passage reveals His deep love and concern for both spiritual and physical needs, setting the stage for the call to serve others as laborers in the harvest.

Application: This sermon challenges Christians to examine their own hearts and responses to the lost and hurting around them. It calls us to become active participants in God’s mission, reflecting Christ’s compassion in our daily lives and communities.

Teaching: From this passage, we learn that compassion must drive our engagement with the world. Jesus models ministry, showing that effective outreach flows from a heart aligned with His compassion.

Big Idea: The heart of Christ compels us to act in compassion for the lost and to serve as His hands and feet in a world desperate for hope and healing.

Recommended Study: To enrich your understanding, explore the cultural and historical context of the Matthean audience in your Logos library. Examine how the Jewish understanding of the harvest ties into Jesus' metaphor, and how His healing and teaching ministry shapes our modern understanding of compassionate ministry.

1. Christ’s Compassionate Commitment

Matthew 9:35 "Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people."

Jesus ministered tirelessly—teaching in the synagogues, likely reading from the prophets to reveal how He fulfilled them, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness brought to Him.

But what is the “gospel of the kingdom” that Jesus preached?

The gospel of the kingdom was the message that:

The Kingdom of God was near. Jesus announced that God’s reign was breaking into the world through His ministry (Matthew 4:17, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”).

God was acting through Him. Jesus Himself embodied the kingdom—His teachings, miracles, forgiveness of sins, and compassion demonstrated the character and power of God’s rule.

There was an invitation to enter the kingdom. Jesus called people to repentance, faith, and discipleship. Sinners, the marginalized, and the broken were invited to be part of God’s kingdom.

A reversal of worldly values. The kingdom uplifted the poor in spirit, the meek, and the merciful (Matthew 5). It was not about political power or external religion but about inner transformation and righteousness.

A call to follow Him. To accept the gospel of the kingdom meant to follow Jesus and embrace a new life under God’s rule.

In summary: The gospel Jesus preached was the announcement that God’s reign had come near in His own person and work—a message of hope, healing, repentance, and inclusion, calling people into a new relationship with God and with others. It prepared the way for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which brings salvation through faith in His finished work on the cross.

Jesus models a life of compassion and service, teaching us to live out the gospel in our lives—proclaiming the good news and demonstrating it through how we treat others.

2. Christ’s Heartfelt Yearning

Matthew 9:36 "But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd."

Jesus’ response was not merely emotional but deeply compassionate. He saw those whom “religion” had cast aside:

The unclean and sick, deemed unworthy to worship in the temple.

The poor, who couldn’t afford temple sacrifices.

The marginalized and overlooked—like shepherds, fishermen, and widows.

These were the people that the religious leaders had written off. But Jesus drew near to them, called them to repentance, and through His sacrifice on the cross, atoned for their sin and adopted them into God’s family.

His compassion for the weary and scattered was not just pity—it moved Him to action. And knowing His earthly ministry would soon end, Jesus left us a framework to continue the work of compassion and ministry.

3. Christ’s Call to Labor

Matthew 9:37–38 "Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'”

Jesus told His disciples to pray for more laborers—and that prayer is answered in us. We are the laborers He spoke of, called to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ:

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

The Great Commission Matthew 28:18–20 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”

We don’t have to look far to find the lost and weary. All around us—in our own communities—are those who are broken, sick, marginalized, and shunned. Like Jesus, we are to respond with compassion, seeing them as sheep without a shepherd and introducing them to the Good Shepherd—our Lord and Savior.

I spoke yesterday at the going away fish fry for Deacon Bob and Sherry Koehn, I told everyone that Bob and Sherry were godly people, doing God’s work and they are. I mentioned that a large number of guests and some new members, could be attibuted to Bob, because Bob was always meeting people, and inviting them to church or sharing the gospel with them and then inviting them to church. It was so prevalent that probably for the better part of a year over half of the guests we had here were people Bob had invited….that folks is being a laborer and bringing in the harvest! Thats what we should all be doing, talking to people where they are about the God who is everywhere and wants to have a relationship with them. We should all be like Christ and have a heart for the lost, and if you want to know what that looks like today, just look at Deacon Bob.

The harvest is plentiful, and we are the laborers. Let’s act like it. Let us go out with the same compassion and purpose as Jesus, sharing the good news and living it out in how we love and serve those around us.

Applications:

1. Christ’s Compassionate Commitment

Application: As Jesus went out to teach, preach, and heal, we are called to actively engage our communities. Look for opportunities this week to share the love of Jesus in tangible ways—whether through acts of kindness, sharing the gospel, or praying for someone in need. Let your commitment to serve flow from the same compassion that drove Jesus.

2. Christ’s Heartfelt Yearning

Application: Jesus was moved with compassion because He saw the people as sheep without a shepherd. Take time to see people as Jesus does: not as problems to avoid or burdens to bear, but as precious souls who need hope and healing. Ask God to give you His eyes to see the lost and weary around you and to respond with love rather than indifference.

3. Christ’s Call to Labor

Application: Jesus calls us to pray for and be the laborers in His harvest. This week, identify one specific way you can be a laborer—maybe by inviting someone to church, sharing your testimony, or simply offering to pray with a neighbor or coworker. Commit to stepping out in faith, knowing that the Lord of the harvest will guide and empower you.

What specific actions did Jesus take as He ministered in the cities and villages according to Matthew 9:35?

In what ways does the 'gospel of the kingdom' announced by Jesus differ from worldly concepts of power and authority?

How can you cultivate a heart of compassion like Jesus in your daily interactions with others?

What steps can you take this week to actively engage with those who are weary and in need, as Jesus did?

According to the sermon, what does Jesus mean when He refers to the people as 'sheep having no shepherd'?

What did Jesus see in the crowds that moved Him with compassion?

What does it mean to be a 'laborer in the harvest' in a modern context?

How can you show compassion to friends or classmates who may feel lost or alone?

What is one action you can take this week to invite someone to church or share your faith?

What were some of the groups of people that Jesus reached out to during His ministry?

How does understanding the cultural and historical context of Matthew's audience enhance our interpretation of Jesus' ministry?

Why is it important to see others as 'precious souls' in need of hope, rather than burdens to bear?

In what ways can you help create a community that reflects Christ’s compassion and inclusivity?

What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between prayer and being sent as laborers?

How can we balance our busy lives with the call to serve others compassionately?

What specific qualities characterized Jesus' response to the multitudes according to Matthew 9:36?

What does the 'Great Commission' teach us about our role as believers in spreading the gospel?

How can we practice being the 'hands and feet' of Jesus in our local communities?

What are some practical ways to invite friends to church or share your faith this coming week?

In what way did Jesus demonstrate that compassion must drive our engagement with the world?