The Empathetic Christian Romans 12:15

The Empathetic Christian

17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,

And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;

18 Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him,

And He turn away His wrath from him.

God frowns on us enjoying other peoples misfortune. We should not enjoy others suffering, but some do.

3 Lit. it be evil in His eyes

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

People all around us have situations in their life that need our compassion, prayers, and understanding about what they are facing in order for us to be an empathetic Christian.

We, as Christians, do not have to travel a distance in order to carry out God’s work for us and to exercise the teachings of Jesus. People all around us have situations in their life that need our compassion, prayers, and understanding about what they are facing in order for us to be an empathetic Christian.

In order for me to fully understand the meaning, I looked up the definition of a couple of words. Empathetic, when I looked up our verses on the internet to gain some inside , the word empathetic was used and I thought it expressed this verse very well.

vicariously : experienced or realized through imaginative or sympathetic participation in the experience of another

Empathetic: involving, characterized by, or based on empathy: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner;

vicariously : experienced or realized through imaginative or sympathetic participation in the experience of another

: involving, characterized by, or based on empathy: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner;

We show our understanding and compassion toward people and their situations by either having experienced it ourselves or by imagination of how it would affect us if we were in the same circumstance. Sometimes we do not take time to think about other peoples problems, we say we have enough of our own to care about others. I am not saying we meddle in someone else’s affairs, do not get the wrong idea of what I am saying. Spiritually, we need to be involved in others affairs and if asked, then we can help other ways.

The text I will use today is.....

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

: involving, characterized by, or based on empathy: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner;

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Reading these verses, there seems to be no real close connection between them. But they all are rooted in selflessness or self-denial. We can only bless our persecutors and not curse them if we are more concerned about their eternal welfare than we are about our suffering. We can only rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep if our focus is off ourselves and on their situation.

There is another connection between these three seemingly disjointed verses: they all are rooted in selflessness or self-denial. We can only bless our persecutors and not curse them if we are more concerned about their eternal welfare than we are about our suffering. We can only rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep if our focus is off ourselves and on their situation. We can only be of the same mind with one another and not be haughty or wise in our own estimation if our eyes are on the Lord and others, not on ourselves. Selflessness is the thread that ties all three verses together.

To do this rightly-to both rejoice and to weep-requires that we not keep the world at arm’s length.

We can only be of the same mind with one another and not be haughty or wise in our own estimation if our eyes are on the Lord and others, not on ourselves. Selflessness is the thread that ties all three verses together.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.

16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits.

c ; ; [; ];

• Jesus calls us to turn the other cheek, to go the second mile, to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us ().

• He calls us to forgive so that we might be forgiven ().

d

• At the cross, Jesus set the example, praying, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” ().

• As they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them” ().

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

• Paul wrote, “When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure” ().

• Peter advised, “Not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing” ().

The idea of blessing has its roots in the OT, where blessings were treated as having great substance—great value (.). In that context, the person bestowing a blessing was, in a sense, asking God to bless the other person. In the NT, “blessing” translates the Greek makarios, which conveys the idea of fortunate or happy. To meet persecution with blessing turns “eye for eye” legalism on its head (see ; ).

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep“ (v. 15). Our text began, “Let love (agape) be without hypocrisy” (v. 9). Agape love desires what is good for the beloved, so it would follow that we would rejoice or weep with the beloved. Such is often not the case, however, because we find ourselves jealous of other people’s good fortune and judgmental about their bad fortune. To “rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep” requires a high degree of discipleship—something to which we can aspire and for which we must pray.

“Be of the same mind one toward another“ (v. 16a)—to auto eis allelous phronountes—literally, “thinking the same thing toward one another.” While this does not require us to agree at every point, it does require us to be agreeable.

“Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble“ (v. 16b). The central thesis of this epistle is that we are all sinners (3:9) and are saved by the grace of God rather than by anything that we have done (3:24). We are, therefore, equals under God’s grace.

“Don’t be wise in your own conceits“ (v. 16c). This is good advice for every human relationship. Humility draws people near, but conceit repels. Quiet competence trumps loud semi-competence—perhaps not immediately, but certainly in the long run.

Gut-Level Friendship.

The New King James says that we are to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (v. 15). Eugene Peterson offers this version: “Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down” (MSG). Here we have the extremes of life.

To do this rightly-to both rejoice and to weep-requires that we not keep the world at arm’s length. As long as we don’t let anyone get too close to us, this verse won’t apply to us. By definition you have to walk close enough with people so that we know when they are rejoicing or weeping. If we keep them on the other side of the street, we can wave in the distance, and keep on driving while listening to our favorite music on our iPod. We can’t obey this verse long-distance. And we can’t do if we stay super busy.

When our friends weep, take time to weep with them.

We all need someone to laugh and to cry with us. So greatly do we need this that we will do almost anything to get it. If we can’t find this sort of friendship in the church, we’ll go somewhere else. We will go anywhere and pay almost any price to find someone who will care about what we are doing through.

That’s what brotherly love is all about . . . being there! Just being there. Feeling their pain and experiencing their joy.

When I pastored in California, I became friends with a man who had been a policeman for seven or eight years. Pretty tough cop. Got himself into and out of a number of jams. Ended up retiring from the force because of physical injuries suffered on the job. He told me stories that back then I found hard to believe. Now I have come to understand that he wasn’t exaggerating at all. When he came to Christ, his life was transformed.

One day he came to see me at the church and said, “Ray, do you know what the word hell-hole means? That’s what the world is like out there beyond these four walls. You wouldn’t believe the stuff that goes on-the lying, the violence, the dishonesty, the misrepresentation, the abuse of power, the profanity, stuff you can’t even imagine.”

And then he said, “I live six days a week so I can come to church on Sunday. When I cross the street, I say to myself, ‘Ahh, I’ve made it.’”

To do this rightly-to both rejoice and to weep-requires that we not keep the world at arm’s length. That’s what the world desperately needs and can’t seem to find . . . an oasis in a spiritual desert . . . a place where they can find relief . . . a group of people who truly love each other . . . a place where they can connect with God and with people who will help them on their journey . . . a place of healing and hope and real change.

To do this rightly-to both rejoice and to weep-requires that we not keep the world at arm’s length.

That’s what the world desperately needs and can’t seem to find . . . an oasis in a spiritual desert . . . a place where they can find relief . . . a group of people who truly love each other . . . a place where they can connect with God and with people who will help them on their journey . . . a place of healing and hope and real change.

“Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble“ (v. 16b). The central thesis of this epistle is that we are all sinners (3:9) and are saved by the grace of God rather than by anything that we have done (3:24). We are, therefore, equals under God’s grace.

Here is God’s dream for every church. That through preaching the gospel men and women everywhere can experience the life-changing power of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And to be the kind of place where, no matter what kind of week you’ve had, you can come in and say, “Ahh, I’ve made it.”

“Don’t be wise in your own conceits“ (v. 16c). This is good advice for every human relationship. Humility draws people near, but conceit repels. Quiet competence trumps loud semi-competence—perhaps not immediately, but certainly in the long run.

Here is God’s dream for every church. That through preaching the gospel men and women everywhere can experience the life-changing power of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And to be the kind of place where, no matter what kind of week you’ve had, you can come in and say, “Ahh, I’ve made it.”

Where should we begin? Since we are the church, the answer always starts with us. I remind you of the prayer of a Chinese Christian, “Oh Lord, change the world. Begin, I pray, with me.”

Our Father, thank you for calling us out of the world and into your family.

Teach us what it means to truly love each other. We pray that your love might unite us and that your Spirit might break down the barriers that separate us.

May we be a people with a loving purpose-

–Quick to give to those in need, –Eager to reach out to strangers, –Ready to bless our enemies, –Rejoicing with those who rejoice, –Weeping with those who weep.

Fill us to overflowing with your love so that the world may see Jesus in us.

Life Lessons We must always test our motives for everything we do. Do we sacrifice our lives and possessions out of loving obedience to the Lord, or in doing so are we fulfilling a selfish need in our own lives? Do we address our conduct with an attitude of godly service, or are we motivated by personal ambition and conceit? If our actions do not reflect the love of God, they will have no power and will certainly not last ( , ; ; ).

�� And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 12:26 Life Lessons This verse gives the reason for Paul’s instruction: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep”( ). Since we all belong to each other, we should humbly desire and work for each other’s benefit as if doing so for ourselves( ).

Erich Remarque’s book, All Quiet on the Western Front tells of a remarkable encounter between two enemy soldiers during the Second World War. During battle a German soldier took shelter in crater made by artillery shells. Looking around he saw a man wounded, an enemy soldier. He was dying. The German soldier’s heart went out to him. He gave him water from his canteen and listened as the dying man spoke of his wife and children. The German helped him find his wallet and take out pictures of his family to look at one last time. In that encounter these two men ceased to be enemies. The German had seen the wounded soldier in a new way. Not as an enemy combatant but as a father, a husband, someone who loves and is loved. Someone just like him. This is always the path of peace and reconciliation, learning to truly see the other and in them recognising someone just like yourself.

British statesman and financier Cecil Rhodes, whose fortune was used to endow the world-famous Rhodes Scholarships, was a stickler for correct dress--but apparently not at the expense of someone else's feelings. A young man invited to dine with Rhodes arrived by train and had to go directly to Rhodes's home in his travel-stained clothes. Once there he was appalled to find the other guests already assembled, wearing full evening dress. After what seemed a long time Rhodes appeared, in a shabby old blue suit. Later the young man learned that his host had been dressed in evening clothes, but put on the old suit when he heard of his young guest's dilemma. Introduction:

In that encounter these two men ceased to be enemies. The German had seen the wounded soldier in a new way. Not as an enemy combatant but as a father, a husband, someone who loves and is loved. Someone just like him.

The Empathetic Christian 4-16

This is always the path of peace and reconciliation, learning to truly see the other and in them recognising someone just like yourself.

Introduction:

The Empathetic Christian, do we show empathy toward people in todays society? Our Scripture today I read in a devotion this past week and it stayed with me and started me to thinking about the people I have come in contact with in my life time. Sometimes the thoughts I have had wasn’t what a Christian should think. Has someones bad situations ever made you happy?

as...

a. What is indicative of a true transformation?

b. What constitutes God's good, acceptable, and perfect will for the

17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,

Christian?

2. We have seen in previous lessons that it includes...

And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;

a. Fulfilling our function in the body of Christ -

b. Love without hypocrisy, while abhorring what is evil -

18 Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him,

c. Loving brethren with family affection, esteeming one another

highly -

And He turn away His wrath from him.

d. Serving the Lord diligently, with fervency of spirit -

God frowns on us enjoying other peoples misfortune. We should not enjoy others suffering, but some do.

e. Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, steadfast in prayer

-

People all around us have situations in their life that need our compassion, prayers, and understanding about what they are facing in order for us to be an empathetic Christian.

f. Having fellowship in the needs of the saints, pursing hospitality

toward strangers -

Sometimes we do not take time to think about other peoples problems, we say we have enough of our own to care about others. I am not saying we meddle in someone else’s affairs, do not get the wrong idea of what I am saying. Spiritually, we need to be involved in others affairs and if asked, then we can help other ways. In this text we are called to display the virtue of "empathy" towards one another. What this entails will be the focus of our study...

g. To bless those who persecute us -

3. Now we note the twofold exhortation...

Empathetic: involving, characterized by, or based on empathy: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner;

a. "Rejoice with those who rejoice" -

b. "Weep with those who weep" -

We show our understanding and compassion toward people and their situations by either having experienced it ourselves or by imagination of how it would affect us if we were in the same circumstance. Sometimes we do not take time to think about other peoples problems, we say we have enough of our own to care about others. I am not saying we meddle in someone else’s affairs, do not get the wrong idea of what I am saying. Spiritually, we need to be involved in others affairs and if asked, then we can help other ways. In this text we are called to display the virtue of "empathy" towards one another. What this entails will be the focus of our study...

[In this text we are called to display the virtue of "empathy" towards

*****Our text today deals with Bless, Rejoice & weep, and be of the same mind. The text I will use today is.....

one another. What this entails will be the focus of our study...]

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

I. DEFINING EMPATHY

Reading these verses, there seems to be no real close connection between them. But they all are rooted in selflessness or self-denial. We can only bless our persecutors and not curse them if we are more concerned about their eternal welfare than we are about our suffering. We can only rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep if our focus is off ourselves and on their situation.

We have a small community here and we are able to keep each other in mind and prayer and our thoughts. Everyone can get to know everyone else if they want to. Even if they do not want to.

We can only be of the same mind with one another and not be high-and-mighty or wise in our own estimation if our eyes are on the Lord and others, not on ourselves. Selflessness is the thread that ties all three verses together.

I. Defining Empathy

A. Compared to Sympathy...

1. Sympathy - An inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

with an opinion

In order for me to fully understand the meaning, I looked up the definition of a couple of words. Empathetic, when I looked up our verses on the internet to gain some inside , the word empathetic was used and I thought it expressed this verse very well.

2. Empathy - Understanding and entering into another's feelings

Empathetic: involving, characterized by, or based on empathy: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner;

We show our understanding and compassion toward people and their situations by either having experienced it ourselves or by imagination of how it would affect us if we were in the same circumstance.

2. Empathy - Understanding and entering into another's feelings

***** One may be sympathetic while not empathetic; the empathy requires a deeper emotional involvement than sympathy. Where is empathy’s.....

the empathy requires a deeper emotional involvement than sympathy. Where is empathy’s.....

requires a deeper emotional involvement than sympathy. Where is empathy’s

requires a deeper emotional involvement than sympathy. Where is empathy’s.....

B. Place In The Church...

1. The Lord intended such connection between the members of His Body

Body ("if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it")

-

26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

2. "This command grows out of the doctrine stated in , that the church is one; that it has one interest; and therefore that there should be common sympathy in its joys and sorrows."- Barnes

that the church is one; that it has one interest; and therefore

2. "This command grows out of the doctrine stated in

4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

that there should be common sympathy in its joys and sorrows."

j [];

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

- Barnes

that the church is one;

3. If we are truly one, members of the same body, then we will be empathetic towards one another.....

*****In these three verses today we can see a lot of Truth about our attitude toward each other and the people in this community. Let’s look at verse 14.....

empathetic towards one another

V14 “Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse“

II. No Matter how people treat us, we should treat them the way we want to be treated.

the really terrible Roman persecution had not yet started, but Paul’s counsel is useful even in gentler circumstances. Devoted Christians will often attract opponents, and some opponents will be violent. Paul calls us to meet violence, not with violence, but with blessing—a startling idea, but not original with Paul:

A. Paul calls us to meet violence, not with violence, but with blessing. This is against human nature, we are geared to strike back if stricken. Jesus gives us the example, and so does some Disciples.....

• Jesus calls us to turn the other cheek, to go the second mile, to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us

38 “You have heard that it was said, t‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

38 “You have heard that it was said, t‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 uBut I tell you not to resist an evil person. vBut whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever wcompels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and xfrom him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

• He calls us to forgive so that we might be forgiven ().

u []; ; [; ; ]

v ;

• He calls us to forgive so that we might be forgiven ().

w

x ; ;

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.• He calls us to forgive so that we might be forgiven ().

• At the cross, Jesus set the example, praying, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” .

*****Our text commands two ways to demonstrate empathy; we have several examples of individuals.....

• It is said about Stephen as they were stoning him,

60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice,“Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice,“Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Paul wrote, “When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure” ().

l ;

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

• Paul wrote, “When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure” ().

*****Sometimes we are on top of the world. Sometimes we are in the pit.

examples of individuals...]

*****Sometimes we are on top of the world. Sometimes we are in the pit.

V 15 of our text today commands two ways to demonstrate empathy; we have several examples in the Bible of individuals.....

III. V 15 of our text today commands two ways to show empathy; we have several examples in the Bible of individuals.

V 15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep“

*****The first of the two ways of.....

A. Demonstrating Empathy is

II. Demonstrating Empathy

A. Demonstrating Empathy

1. “Rejoice with those who rejoice”,

When your friends are happy, no matter the occasion, rejoice with them. laugh with them, cheer with them, smile with them. Share their joy. Don’t be a party pooper. Life is hard enough for all of us. None of us deserve any of the blessings we receive from the Lord. It’s all of grace. Don’t douse water on the happiness of others. Rejoice with those who rejoice.

1. Neighbors and friends of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist

a. Neighbors and friends of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

-

58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

b. Barnabas at Antioch, when he saw the grace of the Lord at work

-

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.b. Barnabas at Antioch, when he saw the grace of the Lord at work

*****There are several good examples in the Bible of sharing in others' happiness and success without envy or jealousy.....

without envy or jealousy

B. and weep with those who weep.

1. David with his sick friends - ,

1. Jesus wept with the family and friends of Lazarus grieving over his death.

33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?”They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept.

1. Jesus with the family and friends of Lazarus grieving over his death -

They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”

33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?”They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept.

35 Jesus wept.

death -

a. Jesus did not weep because Lazarus was dead, He knew He would raise him. He wept for them, their sorrow over the loss of a loved one.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

C. God will take care of those who suffer,

:3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

C. God will take care of those who suffer,

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.C. God will take care of those who suffer,

C. God will take care of those who suffer,

but even a verse like can seem like cold comfort when the doctor says, “I’m sorry. There’s nothing we can do.” Sometimes the best we can do is simply to weep with our friends in the hour of great sadness.

And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Since we all belong to each other, we are the Body of Christ, we should humbly desire and work for each other’s benefit as if doing so for ourselves

To do this rightly-to both rejoice and to weep-requires that we not keep the world at arm’s length. As long as we don’t let anyone get too close to us, this verse won’t apply to us. By definition you have to walk close enough with people so that we know when they are rejoicing or weeping. If we keep them on the other side of the street, we can wave in the distance, and keep on driving while listening to our favorite music on our iPod. We can’t obey this verse long-distance. And we can’t do if we stay super busy.

D. To do this rightly-to both rejoice and to weep-requires that we not keep the world at arm’s length.

39 And the second is like it: y‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

D. To do this rightly-to both rejoice and to weep-requires that we not keep the world at arm’s length.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.D. To do this rightly-to both rejoice and to weep-requires that we not keep the world at arm’s length.

As long as we don’t let anyone get too close to us, this verse won’t apply to us. By definition you have to walk close enough with people so that we know when they are rejoicing or weeping.

-- People of God truly understanding and entering into the

When our friends weep, take time to weep with them.

We all need someone to laugh and to cry with us.

We all need someone to laugh and to cry with us. So greatly do we need this that we will do almost anything to get it. If we can’t find this sort of friendship in the church, we’ll go somewhere else. We will go anywhere and pay almost any price to find someone who will care about what we are doing through.

We all need someone to laugh and to cry with us.

That’s what brotherly love is all about . . . being there! Just being there. Feeling their pain and experiencing their joy.

To do this rightly-to both rejoice and to weep-requires that we not keep the world at arm’s length.

E. We should be People of God truly understanding when entering into the feelings of our friends and brethren.

feelings of their friends and brethren

We can do so without meddling in their affairs.

*****If we weep and rejoice with those around us, we really have accomplished this next verse. Let’s look at v 16.....

Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

*****This verse is telling us to.....

IV. Behave like a Christian.

A. “Be of the same mind one toward another“ (v. 16a) “thinking the same thing toward one another.” While this does not require us to agree at every point, it does require us to be agreeable. Be Christ-Minded.

d

“Be of the same mind one toward another“ (v. 16a)—to auto eis allelous phronountes—literally, “thinking the same thing toward one another.” While this does not require us to agree at every point, it does require us to be agreeable.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.“Be of the same mind one toward another“ (v. 16a)—to auto eis allelous phronountes—literally, “thinking the same thing toward one another.” While this does not require us to agree at every point, it does require us to be agreeable.

B. “Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble“ The central thesis of this epistle is that we are all sinners (3:9) and are saved by the grace of God rather than by anything that we have done (3:24). We are, therefore, equals under God’s grace.

to those around them. How can we rise above simple sympathy for others to truly become "The Empathetic Christian"...?]

C. “Don’t be wise in your own conceits“ (v. 16c). This is good advice for every human relationship. Humility draws people near, but conceit repels. Don’t be a “Know-it-all”

Here is God’s dream for every church. That through preaching the gospel men and women everywhere can experience the life-changing power of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And to be the kind of place where, no matter what kind of week you’ve had, you can come in and enjoy the peaceful friendship of true friends, people who genuinely care for you.”

*****The quality of empathy prepares us to be of greater service to those around us. How can we rise above simple sympathy for others to truly become "The Empathetic Christian"? Let’s look at ways of.....

Our Father, thank you for calling us out of the world and into your family.

Teach us what it means to truly love each other. We pray that your love might unite us and that your Spirit might break down the barriers that separate us.

May we be a people with a loving purpose-

–Quick to give to those in need, –Eager to reach out to strangers, –Ready to bless our enemies, –Rejoicing with those who rejoice, –Weeping with those who weep.

to truly become "The Empathetic Christian"...?]

Fill us to overflowing with your love so that the world may see Jesus in us.

*****The quality of empathy prepares us to be of greater service to those around us. How can we rise above simple sympathy for others to truly become "The Empathetic Christian"? Let’s look at ways of.....

III. Developing Empathy

A. If You lack the feeling for others, Pray.

‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

A. We should be Transformed by the Renewing of our minds.

B. We should be Transformed by the Renewing of our minds.

2 inaccessible

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.A. We should be Transformed by the Renewing of our minds.

1. We must submit to the transformation that comes by renewing our minds. We hear a lot about submission in obedience to God.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

C. We should be Developing the Mind of Christ...

1 urge

minds - cf.

b ; ,

2 rational

c ; ;

2. Which will involve the development of such graces as:

d ; []

e []

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.2. Which will involve the development of such graces as:

a. Being kindly affectionate to one another in brotherly love-

-

b. Giving preference to one another in honor -

B. We should be Developing the Mind of Christ...

learning to give preference will enable us to rejoice

B. DEVELOPING THE MIND OF CHRIST...

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Ph2:3-5

3 And cthough I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body 1to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

2:3-5

1. We must always test our motives for everything we do.

1 NU so I may boast

a. Doing nothing through selfish ambition or conceit

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.We must always test our motives for everything we do. Do we sacrifice our lives and possessions out of loving obedience to the Lord, or in doing so are we fulfilling a selfish need in our own lives? Do we address our conduct with an attitude of godly service, or are we motivated by personal ambition and conceit? If our actions do not reflect the love of God, they will have no power and will certainly not last ( , ; ; ). a. Doing nothing through selfish ambition or conceit

b. In lowliness of mind, esteeming others better than oneself

c. Looking out for the interest of others

2. Note the goal of having the mind of Christ .

2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of done accord, of one mind.

a. To be like-minded

c

a. To be like-minded

d

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.a. To be like-minded

b. To have the same love

c. To be of one accord, of one mind

***** As one develops the mind of Christ, there will be no envy or jealousy to prevent true empathy; with the mind of Christ, we will be able to truly rejoice and weep!

experience -

a. Consolation in Christ

b. Comfort of love

c. Fellowship of the Spirit

d. Affection and mercy

e. Fullness of joy

-- As one develops the mind of Christ, there will be no envy or

jealousy to prevent true empathy; with the mind of Christ, we

will be able to truly rejoice and weep!

Conclusion:

Where should we begin? Since we are the church, the answer always starts with us. A Chinese Christian’s prayer was recorded once, “Oh Lord, change the world. Begin, I pray, with me.”

It is God's good, acceptable and perfect will that Christians be a people...

Teach us what it means to truly love each other. We pray that your love might unite us and that your Spirit might break down the barriers that separate us.

May we be a people with a loving purpose-

1. It is God's good, acceptable and perfect will that Christians be a

–Quick to give to those in need, –Eager to reach out to strangers, –Ready to bless our enemies, –Rejoicing with those who rejoice, –Weeping with those who weep.

Fill us to overflowing with your love so that the world may see Jesus in us. We pray this in his name, Amen.

1. It is God's good, acceptable and perfect will that Christians be a

people...

Who are glad when others rejoice

Who are moved when others weep

For only then can we be useful in sharing the joy and comfort of Christ with others.

Christ with others.

Are we truly an "empathetic" people?

true empathy will greatly...

of Christ with others.

a. Increase our usefulness to the Master

b. Enhance the fellowship we have in the Lord

We must be able to understand and enter into one another's feelings!

enter into one another's feelings!

*****Develop the mind of Christ, be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and you cannot help but become "An Empathetic Christian"...!

Brené Brown [52 yoa] is a research professor at the University of Houston where she holds the Huffington Foundation – Brené Brown Endowed Chair at The Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent the past sixteen years studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy

and you cannot help but become "The Empathetic Christian"...!

One of her key findings is that empathy – the willingness to go where someone else is living emotionally, rather than try to bring them to where you are – is central to human connection. Which means that when someone is having a hard time, our job isn’t to solve their problem or try to make them feel better or put their difficulty in a better perspective, but just to listen, to understand, to feel with them. Easier said than done!

Our Father, thank you for calling us out of the world and into your family.

One of her key findings is that empathy – the willingness to go where someone else is living emotionally, rather than try to bring them to where you are – is central to human connection. Which means that when someone is having a hard time, our job isn’t to solve their problem or try to make them feel better or put their difficulty in a better perspective, but just to listen, to understand, to feel with them. Easier said than done!

Brené says, “The truth is, rarely can a response make something better — what makes something better is connection.”

Job’s friends came and just sat for 7 days without saying anything, just being with Job. Sometimes it is better not to say a thing, just be with someone suffering.

Our Father, thank you for calling us out of the world and into your family.

And when they raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven. 13 So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.

Our Father, thank you for calling us out of the world and into your family.

r ;

Our Father, thank you for calling us out of the world and into your family.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.Our Father, thank you for calling us out of the world and into your family.

Teach us what it means to truly love each other. We pray that your love might unite us and that your Spirit might break down the barriers that separate us.

May we be a people with a loving purpose-

–Quick to give to those in need, –Eager to reach out to strangers, –Ready to bless our enemies, –Rejoicing with those who rejoice, –Weeping with those who weep.

Fill us to overflowing with your love so that the world may see Jesus in us.

We pray this in his name, Amen.

The Empathetic Christian Romans 12:15

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