Moved With Compassion

Text: Matthew 9:35-38

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (10/07/01)

Introduction:   

ILLUS: After the events of September 11th, many millions had feelings of empathy, sympathy and compassion for those who suffered loss.  However, only a few have done something physically and tangibly to help the victims.

The Bible says when Jesus saw the multitudes He was moved with compassion

DEF - "to be moved as to one's inwards (splanchna), to be moved with compassion, to yearn with compassion,"

What he saw affected both His eye and His heart.

Hebrews 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Christ not only saw the multitude.  He had compassion that moved Him to action, and He urges human instrumentality in the reaching of the world’s vast multitudes.

Will you share His vision?  His compassion?  Will you respond to His invitation?

Christ was personally involved with people.  That is what ministry is all about!   God’s work requires our personal involvement with people, with the lost and dying.

I. Christ’s Vision of the Multitudes vs.36

Christ saw the throngs not merely as a mass of people, but as individual who were just like the people healed and delivered in the previous verses.

Their various conditions and need does not describe four different categories of lost people, they describe the same people in a four-fold manner.

A. The Dead vs.18-19 & 23-26

This si the daughter of Jairus, a ruler of the Synagogue.

This speaks of the very nature of sin and the sinner.

Ephesians 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

B. The Diseased vs.20-22

This woman had an issue of blood for 12 years.

She had sought the help of physicians at the expense of her life savings.  Yet she had found no cure, hopeless & incureable by human standards she comes to Christ.

The debilitating effect and misery caused by sin.

C. The Blind vs.27-31

Two blind men were following Jesus.

Inability to see spiritual truth.

2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

These men acknowledged their blindness and their need, however it is not always the case……

Spiritual blindness is pride (See John 9:39-41)

Romans 2:17-19  Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

18  And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;

19  And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

Matthew 15:14  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

D. The Bound vs.32-34

Here was a demon possessed man.

Illustrates man’s hopelessness and inability to change.  This was the only one who could not even cry out for help.

Isaiah 61:1  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

II. Christ’s Compassion on the Multitudes vs.36

A. The Faint

The word used here refers to the weariness and fatigue which results from labour and being burdened. He saw the people burdened with the rites of religion and the doctrines of the Pharisees; sinking down under their ignorance and traditions, and neglected by those who ought to have been enlightened teachers, scattered and driven out without care and attention.

B. Those Scattered abroad

LOOK UP & READ Ezekiel 34:1-6

C. Sheep without a Shepherd

With great beauty, he compares them to sheep wandering without a shepherd. Judea was a land of flocks and herds. The faithful shepherd, by day and night, was with his flock, He defended it, led it to green pastures, and beside the still waters. Without his care they would stray away. They were in danger of wild beasts. They panted in the summer sun, and knew not where was the cooling shade and stream.

LOOK UP & READ Numbers 27:15-17

Psalms 23:1   The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Isaiah 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Was there any hope? Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!

Vs.18 “She shall live”

Do we have this kind of faith?

Vs. 21 “I shall be whole”

The least contact with the master is capable of transforming a life of misery.

“From that hour” – A life-changing moment!!  What memorable moments has Christ brought to your life, to others through you!!

Vs. 27-28 “Have mercy on us”  Jesus’ response “I am able”

Vs. 33 “It was never so seen in Israel!”

III. Christ’s Invitation to Reach the Multitudes vs.37-38

A. The Need for Labourers vs.37

The Harvest is Plenteous

John 4:35  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

LOOK UP & READ Acts 18:9-10

The Labourers are few

It Wasn’t Always so…….

Acts 8:4  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Why are there not more labourers?

Not Lack of Need

Not Lack of God’s Call

But Lack of Hearing

And Lack of Response.

90% of the work done by 10% of the people.

90% of Christian workers cater to 10% of the mission field in North America.

Acts 16:9 “Come over into Macedonia and help us!!”

B. The Prayer for Labourers vs.38

There is a Lord of the Harvest – It is HIS harvest!!

There is a Lord of the Labourers – He will SEND them!

Acts 13:2  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

John 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Man-made ministers are useless!!

When we pray for the Lord to thrust forth laborers into His harvest, pray that He will give them the heart of a shepherd. Pray that the Lord will give you a heart of compassion for the lost.

We need to pray “Lord, Send Me!”

ILLUS: An old bishop in the Methodist church in Georgia years ago said, "When a man prays for a corn crop, the Lord expects him to say 'Amen' with a hoe." I have always believed that you should not pray about anything unless you are also willing to do it yourself.

Conclusion:     (Review)