Neighboring Others

Compassion In Action

Text: Luke 10:25-37

Introduction

Illustration — D.L. Moody told the story of his conversion this way: “When I was in Boston I used to attend a Sunday school class, and one day I recollect my teacher came around behind the counter of the shop I was at work in, and put his hand upon my shoulder, and talked to me about Christ and my soul. I had not felt that I had a soul till then. I said to myself, ‘This is a very strange thing. Here is a man who never saw me till lately, and he is weeping over my sins, and I never shed a tear about them.’ But I understand it now, and know what it is to have a passion for men’s souls and weep over their sins. I don’t remember what he said, but I can still feel the power of that man’s hand on my shoulder tonight.”

The concern and tears of a godly teacher resulted in the conversion of a man who saw a million souls saved in his evangelistic campaigns. Source: A History of American Revivals, Frank Grenville Beardsley

Compassion is often times misunderstood in today’s culture. Today, showing compassion or empathy has been reduced to having an inward emotion but never developing into anything more than that. Compassion has also been reduced to hitting the “like” button on social media.

When you look into scripture, and especially into the life of Jesus Christ, compassion is defined completely different.

The Greek word for compassion found in verse 33 gives us some great insight.

Compassion: to be deeply moved (bowels) v. — to be affected deeply in one’s inner being, especially in that aspect (the bowels) characterized by sympathy and compassion.

Ask yourself the question, “What in the world do Christian’s do?” Verses 1-24 describe Christians being God’s ambassador. Our text tonight describes Christians as being “neighbors”; living with “active compassion.”

So, what does “neighboring” someone (showing compassion) actually look like?

1) Compassion Comes From Jesus

A. For what purpose was this lawyer asking Jesus this question?

The question — “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

He asked a good question but with a terrible motive.

He was not interested in self reflection, but self promotion.

B. Jesus sends him back to the law

Jesus did this in effort to show this lawyer his need of an inward transformation.

Notice the answer the Lawyer brings back to Jesus:

Luke 10:27 “27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”

Quoting from Deuteronomy 6:5 “5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

He had the right answer, but without any desire to be honest about his own spiritual condition.

Jesus wanted him to see his own lack of love for God, for those who bear his image, and those who are His spiritual children.

C. What this man needed was the compassion of Jesus himself

Notice again the truth the lawyer found from the law — Luke 10:27 “27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”

“love” = to love (care) v. — to have a great affection or care for or loyalty towards.

This kind of love was to be in full control of all the inward parts of who we are. The parts that lead us to certain emotions, thoughts, capabilities, and actions.

It is evident that this level of compassion did not dwell within this man.

(v29) He was using his time with the One who “is” compassion and spending it to try and justify his own self righteousness.

The very One from whom all real compassion flows was standing right in front of Him.

Ephesians 2:1–8 “1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

Jesus’ ministry showcases God’s compassion

Matthew 9:36 “36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”

Matthew 14:14 “14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”

Matthew 15:32 “32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.”

Matthew 20:34 “34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.”

2) Moments For Compassion Are Made Available When Following Jesus

A. Notice the condition this Jew finds himself in the story

a) The road was dangerous

This particular road was indeed dangerous. It was a road many temple workers used. You would think they would have taken time to improve it.

Just the condition of the road tells the story of a culture that maintains more the easier things than the costly.

b) A lack of past empath helped create this present crises in the story

Q — How many of you believe that the actions of today impact how one experiences life in the future?

Example: William Booth was greatly stirred by the needs of the poor of London, and realized that most churches were doing nothing to reach the “undesirables”—drunkards, morphine addicts, prostitutes, and the poor. He set out to reach them with what he called the 3 S’s: soup, soap and salvation. Thousands were saved among those that most churches had no interest in reaching. Booth gave his life for the cause of reaching others.

In his 80s, Booth’s work began to be hindered by blindness. He briefly lost his sight and then recovered it, but later he lost his vision permanently. His son Bramwell came to bring him the bad news that he would never see again. Booth replied, “God must know best, Bramwell. I have done what I could for God and the people with my eyes. Now I shall do what I can for God and the people without my eyes.” Source: The General: William Booth, Volume 2, David Bennet

We need to understand that the moments of compassion we are presented to steward well is not just for the impact of today. Compassion is action and it’s benefits stretch far in to the future.

Q — What acts of compassion from your life will

B. Our world has a dark ruler who seeking to destroy lives in such a way that creates doubt about the compassion of God

The best senerio for the devil is for his work of helping you justify your lack of compassion toward others.

Q — How many of you believe that God is perfectly compassionate?

1 Peter 2:12 “12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

1 Corinthians 6:20 “20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

C. The fallen is in need of a working compassion from you

a) How did the religious neighbors handle the situation?

You can’t help but speculate what thoughts led them away from showing compassion?

Possible thoughts:

Maybe they had a hard day at the temple.

“The bandits may be using the injured man as bait.”

“The road is just too busy. Someone is bound to come along and help him.”

The Priest left it to the next person which did the very same thing he did; left it to the next person.

This gives you the image of how many operate under the same assumption.

The Levite “looked on him” but failed to see him through Heaven’s filter.

3) Sacrifice Is Required When Showing Compassion

A. The Samaritan died to his emotions and “chose” to love

Q — How vulnerable was this Samaritan to see this Jew as an enemy instead of someone in need of compassion?

He could of seen him as someone who rejects him, despises him, who sees him as a dirty half breed, and possibly someone who claims that he is not even a person.

Unlike the two previous religious leads that passed by, when the Samaritan saw the struggling Jew, he saw God’s moment to extend His compassionate through him.

One thing we learn from Jesus, is that love is a choice!

That is exactly what the gospel is all about; God choosing to compassion us through His Son.

B. The Samaritan inconvenienced himself

a) He rearranged his plans to show compassion

There was no logical reason to do this!

This Jew would probably be someone he would never see again.

Quote: “Mercy does not need reasons.” (Warren Wiersbe)

b) He redirected his resources to show compassion

He spent two days wages on a complete stranger who culturally was an enemy.

He would never see that money again.

Quote: “Compassion can’t be measured in dollars and cents. It does come with a price tag, but that price tag isn’t the amount of money spent. The price tag is love.”—J. C. Watts Jr. Source: Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report, Volume 54

He was someone who knew where all good things come from!

Luke 6:34–36 “34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”

Conclusion

Does compassion look different today than it did 20-50 years ago? The University of Michigan state did some research on this. Following studying 14,000 people over a time period between 1979 and 2009, they found that we care 40% less than people did in the 1980’s.

The priest and the Levite lost far more by their neglect than the Samaritan did by his concern. They lost the opportunity to become better men and good stewards of what God had given them. They could have been a good influence in a bad world, but they chose to be a bad influence. The Samaritan’s one deed of mercy has inspired sacrificial ministry all over the world. Never say that such ministry is wasted! God sees to it that no act of loving service in Christ’s name is ever lost. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 212–213.

It all depends on your outlook. To the thieves, this traveling Jew was a victim to exploit, so they attacked him. To the priest and Levite, he was a nuisance to avoid, so they ignored him. But to the Samaritan, he was a neighbor to love and help, so he took care of him. What Jesus said to the lawyer, He says to us: “Go and keep on doing it likewise” (literal translation). Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 213.

Colossians 3:12 “12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”