Consider one Another
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Be Compassionate
Be Compassionate
What is compassion? Definition is: concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
Compassionate is a verb. It takes action.
Quote by someone unknown.
“Compassion is at the heart of every little thing we do. It is the dearest quality we possess. yet all too often it can be cast aside with consequences to tragic to speak of. To lose our compassion, we lose what it is to be human.”
All too often people, religious people, are not compassionate because they do not want to associate themselves with people in the world who are suffering from misfortunes. We can easily fall into the trap of being selectively compassionate. I am only going to show compassion to those in my inner circle.
Jesus called us to show the world love, His love. Jesus is the most compassionate man we can read about in the Bible. And we are to be like him.
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
The back of our book has a quote. How do you increase empathy on the earth? one thoughtful person at a time.
We have to understand that we can only control us, how we behave, react and treat the world. If we as a people will stop worrying about how we will be recieved or how someone else acts, and just concern ourselves with living how Jesus said and treating others how Jesus did, the world will improve.
I tell my kids daily, people will do and say things, sometimes mean and wrong, but you are in charge of you. You control how you respond and behave. I don’t care what someone has done, I can still be a good person.
our chapter begins with a moving story about the coast guard that despite many problems and obstacles, rescued sailors that were sinking.
Our author brings up that we should be willing to cross over any obstacle to reach the lost.
Our attention is brought to Paul. Let’s read
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Paul had to travel a long ways to get to Macedonia, he knew God was calling him to preach the gospel to men who needed hope that we can only get from the gospel.
travel back then wasn’t getting on a plane or driving a car. It took alot more effort and dedication for people then to get places.
We are given a call as well. We are called to be lights to the world.
Matthew
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Both these passages are found in the sermon on the mount. Jesus was sitting preaching, giving practical wisdom and commands to live a Godly life. Want to learn some amazing lessons, go back and study the best sermon ever given, from Jesus himself.
The basic foundation of living a Godly life is to have love. Without love we cannot be like Jesus. Our job is to share the love of Jesus with others, with our words and our works. Before I can love someone I must know you. Love is about filling human needs, if I am to know what you need, I must get close enough to find out what those needs are.
We
Our author tells us we must cross over. It is a key phrase he uses, I think it emphasizes it takes effort. He helps us understand this concept with the parable of the good Samaritan. Crossing over can be tiring and not fun. I am more comfortable with my side. If we cross over we can experience the blessings of charity. In contrast if we do not cross over we become selfish. Oddly, our author tells us that self-centeredness can be masked as a life of religious devotion. (illustration about Haiti. it changed me and I went to help them)
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
This lawyer, in typically lawyer fashion wanted to trick Jesus, but Jesus used it as a chance to teach. he even tried to use the written word to trap him, this is a tactic we see many people use. We must know the word to not misuse it. Jesus used the lawyers questions to tell a life changing story.
Our book breaks down this passage for us to help us get the whole picture.
The Set
It was known this road was dangerous to travel and often people were robbed.
THE CAST
the traveler who was ambushed
A priest (passed by)
A Levite (hurried by without helping)
The Samaritan
Jesus chose an unlikely hero of this story. Samaritans were hated. Jesus didn’t agree with everything the Samaritans did but he used them to tell a story about the difference is saying we are religious and being righteous people. The Samaritan had a good heart. We are warned in 2 Tim about falsely saying we are godly.
having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
THE CLIMAX (the height of the story)
The Samaritan happened upon the wounded man. He crossed to his side of the road, compassion led him to help this man in need. He bandaged him, took him to safety and paid for his care and stay.
The neighbor was the one who showed mercy.
The priest and levite were asking “what will happen to me if I help?” they should have asked “what will happen to me if I do not help?” The first question is selfish focused on me. The 2nd is about the human need. When we see people suffering what is our response? Are we thinking about how it would effect me? or do we love them enough to help them?
Compassion is a verb.
He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
This is a command that we should all follow. God and do likewise. We cannot let our hearts be hardened so that we do not have empathy for those that are hurting.
Sinning is doing wrong but also failing to do what is right.
james
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
We cant be the thieves in this story that actively hurt the man, but we also can’t be the priest or the levite. They failed to do what was right.
What does compassion look like?
Helping those who suffer.
Suffering can be physical- we can provide food, shelter, clothing, or medicine.
Suffering can be emotional- we provide comfort, encouragement, and good company.
Suffering can be spiritual- we provide hope and peace through Jesus
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
Phil
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Paul gives us great advice that we can share with those that are hurting.
Paul gives us great advice that we can share with those that are hurting.
Rejoice in the Lord.
Do not be anxious
Pray
we can have peace in Jesus
Think on the good.
Practice the good.
We cannot be people who pick and choose places in the text to follow and ignore others. We must all be at worship at any time we can. Being at services doesn’t mean we are done there. We are called to share the gospel, to love the people of the world. We cannot do those things if we are not being active. Pew sitter is not a job Jesus has called anyone to do. We are to worship (active) we are to work (active) being a christian is a active word!
the good Samaritan had compassion on the injured man, likewise, Jesus had compassion on us and came to save us. Jesus came and died for us, because of us, we Must become more like him and show the world Him.