Growing in Christ - Put on compassionate hearts.
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Intro
Intro
You don’t have to raise your hands but I would like you to think this morning,
Am I a compassionate person?
Ask yourself this question.
As I have been asking myself this question this week I have come to the realization that this is truly an area that I need to grow.
It is easy for me to have compassion for those that I know and care about. I would jump in and help in a heartbeat if I am able to do so.
It is much more difficult though when it comes to strangers.
Questions arise in my mind, especially with people seeking money or other things of the sort, are they really in need or are they just lazy living off of other people’s generosity.
I have seen much of this which more often than not has caused more of a callous to form rather than a compassionate heart.
What is the line between having and showing compassion and being taken advantage of.
That is why I believe many of us err on the side of not showing compassion rather than moving with compassion.
We don’t want to be taken advantage of.
We don’t want to be used.
We work hard for what we have earned.
That statement there in itself though is the beginning of the issue.
We must though also break the boundary of compassion being something that is shown monetarily.
While yes we can show compassion with our money.
We also can show compassion through our presence. Through our actions. Through our speech.
Where do we begin to grow in compassion?
How do we put on compassionate hearts?
When many examples, especially in scripture.
When we look to those examples, we will grow in compassion when we put on what we see modeled.
Paul’s command to his readers.
Paul’s command to his readers.
We must begin understanding this call by first observing the person making it.
Paul’s background.
Paul’s background.
The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Paul (Person)
Before his conversion Paul actively preserved and protected the religious traditions of his forefathers. Considering himself an “orthodox” Jew, he was zealously committed to eradicating apostasy. Going further than his peers, he became a member of the Pharisaic sect (see Saldarini 1988: 134–43) and took it upon himself to persecute the Christian church
We see from the book of Galatians a bit of Paul’s zeal.
14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
And in Acts we see how Paul took his faith very seriously.
9 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
Paul’s life before he came to Christ certainly does not appear to be one of compassion.
He ravaged the church, drug men and women off to prison and approved of the execution of Christians.
Paul was convinced he was doing what he must to protect his way of life.
That mean being ruthless in his actions, no mercy, no compassion. If you were a Christian you were a threat and must be dealt with accordingly.
Something extremely significant and dramatic would have to happen to get Paul to change his path, his mind, his faith.
This direction change of course began on the road to Damascus.
At Paul’s conversion he was confronted by Jesus.
What I am not trying to say is that Paul went from hardened killer to sniveling baby.
Paul’s conversion did not change his personality.
That is though one of the thoughts for the thorn in Paul’s flesh, that it was the memories of all the Christians that he had persecuted.
All we have to do to see this look to the letters that he wrote and the travel that he did.
Paul’s zeal for Jewish religion transferred to a zeal for Jesus and for His church.
In the December 1956 issue of the National Geographic Magazine, there appeared an article, under the title, “In the Steps of Paul.” The author or authors, who had done considerable research on Paul’s travels, estimated that his missionary endeavors consumed some twelve thousand miles, some by ship on the mighty Mediterranean Sea, and also across its “arms”—the Aegean and Adriatic Seas. In addition, hundreds of miles were traversed by land. He visited approximately fifty cities in his evangelistic endeavors (McRay 2003, 11)
Paul desired to see people begin a relationship with Jesus and as Christians grow in their love for the Lord.
The way he did this was through example and instruction in Christian living.
Paul does not mince words, he is not wishy washy when it comes to instruction.
That is one of the main reasons why he is writing to the Colossians here. To head off trouble at the pass so to speak.
The way he did this was by encouraging fellow believers to become more like Jesus.
He encouraged them to put on traits of Jesus that they might become more like Jesus.
Paul’s command to the Colossian believers.
Paul’s command to the Colossian believers.
Bringing us in specifically to our text Paul instructed to Colossian believers to put on compassionate hearts.
What does this mean?
What does it mean to put on a compassionate heart?
To define compassion -
sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it
compassion n. — a deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering.
The Greek word here points to where this comes from.
It is something that is deeply seated within us.
Striving of the bowels - deep seated emotion. Yearning of the innermost nature.
Paul here is instructing his readers to have this in their lives.
To have compassion that flows from inside of you.
But what exactly is compassion?
We need a few other definitions to really help us to understand.
Beginning with the opposite of compassion.
Apathy - is a lack of feeling, emotion, interest, or concern. It is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum.
Sympathy - Having similar feelings as another person.
An example of this might be - Oh I’m sorry your dog died, that is such a sad thing.
Empathy - Being aware of, sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing another persons feelings, thoughts, and experiences. It is as if their feelings have been projected on to you.
An example of this could be “Oh, I’m sorry to hear your family member passed away. I know some of what you are feeling because I lost my family member.
Compassion - One way to understand compassion could be sympathy and empathy sort of combined together but with an added bit of desiring to alleviate the other persons distress if possible.
It is pity with an urgent desire to aid or spare.
What situations can you think of that a person may be in where another might have a compassionate response.
Perhaps you see someone struggling to haul their groceries out to their car.
Perhaps you see someone struggling to carry their groceries because they didn’t grab a basket.
Perhaps its asking a friend or coworker how they are doing with a specific situation, offering encouragement, letting them know you are there if they need you.
Maybe its showing the new person a few tricks of the trade to help them get a better start.
Compassion isn’t simply about being friendly, its about caring for others, truly caring. You never know what even a simple hello or smile might do for someone’s day.
This is the idea of what Paul is calling his readers to, to put on compassionate hearts.
He is calling his readers to this out of his own example and the example he has in Christ.
Paul is calling his readers to grow in Christ by putting on the compassion that Jesus modeled.
Christ our example.
Christ our example.
If it is true that when we are putting on these traits that we are in essence putting on Christ, we must look to know what that means and how it ought to affect us.
Jesus is our great example for putting on compassionate hearts because he is the only one that has a truly compassionate heart.
To do this I want to look at Jesus examples from his ministry.
When we read through the gospels we get many examples of Jesus compassion.
His compassion always had purpose and intention.
Compassionate heart of action.
Compassionate heart of action.
The first example I would like to look at is the feeding of the 5000.
In Marks account in chapter 6, we learn that the apostles had returned to Jesus after having been sent out and done many great things such as casting out demons and healing sick in Jesus name.
They had also learned of the death of John the Baptist.
Jesus called them to go away to a desolate place and rest for a while, but many people saw them leave. The people ran ahead to where they would be.
34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
Jesus had compassion on these people and recognized that they had a great need. They needed someone to teach and lead them.
Also as the day went on, they needed more.
35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all.
Jesus had compassion, he more than just recognized the spiritual need that they had, he felt it himself and acted out of a desire to help.
Flocks that have been left unattended are a sorry sight. Their un-sheared wool is heavy, dirty and full of parasites bothering them. They are heavily infected with internal worms, stumping their growth and survival. Often their un-cared for feet are so infected and the hoofs so long that they can’t walk, and their knees are inflamed. The weak ewes don’t have enough milk for their lambs who die from malnutrition and exposure.
Even though they were tired from all they had already done, Jesus continued teaching and healing the people who so desperately needed it.
Jesus example here of a compassionate heart is that of action.
He put on a compassionate heart of action.
Mark chapter 5 also has a couple of examples that I would like to look at.
Compassionate heart for the lost.
Compassionate heart for the lost.
The chapter begins with Jesus and the disciples crossing the sea of Galilee to the country of the Gerasenes.
This was pagan country.
They were known for idol worship and the Jewish people considered it to be an evil place.
This is where Jesus runs into a demon possessed man.
3 He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8 For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”
This man ran to Jesus.
This could be an example of demons submitting to Jesus, or it could be an example of the man, with what little control he had, running to the only person he knew could help.
Either way Jesus saw the man’s need, he recognized the demon possession and commanded the spirit to leave.
Jesus had compassion for this man, for a purpose.
The story continues in verse 19-20
English Standard Version Chapter 5
Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.
The ESV Study Bible Chapter 5
Jesus wanted the restored man to be a witness to God’s power in the Decapolis—an example of Jesus intentionally instructing a restored person to proclaim what had happened to him
We learned the other day in the Ray Vander lan series that largely because of this man, this region became one of the strongest areas for the early church. There were many solid believers that grew out of Jesus having compassion on this demon possessed man.
Jesus putting on a compassionate heart caused the message he proclaimed to grow.
Compassion that radiates outward.
Compassion that radiates outward.
A third example of Jesus compassion I want to look at continues in chapter 5 of Mark.
As Jesus was going to heal Jairus’ daughter, a woman approached him unknowingly.
25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.”
Both Jairus, who was seeking healing for his daughter, and this woman had heard the reports about Jesus, how he healed the sick, taught the lost.
The woman knew though of the compassion that radiated out from Jesus, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.”
Jesus genuine compassion was so noticeable that she believed all she had to do was touch him.
When she did, and Jesus called her out on it she was terrified. But Jesus told her.
34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
Jesus had compassion that radiated outwards for all to see. He was know for it.
Jesus compassion extends to all, especially those who ask.
Jesus compassion extends to all, especially those who ask.
The final example I want us to look at is of a Canaanite woman.
21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
What I would like us to pull from this example is where the woman is from.
Jesus describes his mission as being one to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
But this woman, a Canaanite, a gentile, has the faith to ask Jesus for even the crumbs.
Jesus compassion in this instance crosses strict cultural barriers.
Jesus compassion does not have boundaries, does not have barriers.
Jesus compassion is available to all who seek Him.
When we take these examples of Jesus compassion, as well as many other recorded in the New Testament, these are some very tall tasks for us.
Paul instructs us as readers to put on compassionate hearts, looking to these few examples we see compassion for action, compassion for the lost, a compassion that is seen by others, and compassion that does not have boundaries.
This is a lot to swallow.
We are though called to grow in Christ by putting on compassionate hearts.
Put on compassionate hearts.
Put on compassionate hearts.
If I am being honest in this, it is very difficult for me to model this, especially with people that I don’t know.
We were talking about this in men’s bible study a little bit on Wednesday, about how the jobs we have worked shape how we act and feel towards others.
Especially those who have worked in a service industry, and have dealt with people who place themselves in difficult situations, it can be hard to show compassion to others, especially that you don’t know.
It is very hard to help people who don’t appear to want to help themselves.
It is also very hard to help when there are people who make a living by traveling around and taking advantage of the generosity of others.
The reality of it boils down to this, we are called to be compassionate.
For some of us, that hurts to say or perhaps even think about.
Compassion is not solely in regards to money but it does involve giving something of yourself.
Compassion makes us vulnerable.
Compassion can be visiting someone who can’t get out of their home.
Compassion can be giving the person in front of you an extra few dollars because they are short.
Compassion can be
Compassion can also be saying no to a destructive behavior.
We have compassion when we set aside indifference and connect with others in pain.
It’s impossible to be annoyed and compassionate at the same time. Frustration, suspicion, irritation, bitterness, dislike and anger are all signs that we may be looking at others without compassion.
Jesus had a great advantage in that he knows peoples hearts.
This is why we must be in communication with him.
We must rely on the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us.
God knows peoples hearts, if we are seeking Him, He will guide us.
To do this we must be working on our own personal relationships with Jesus.
Compassion in the church is extremely important.
As we attend church together, we grow as a family of God.
Compassion between believers grows harmony in the church.
When we show compassion towards one another we will grow in Christ.
More than that though, when we put on the compassion that Jesus modeled, we will grow together in the image of Him.
I would like to leave us with a few challenge questions for the week.
How can I put on a compassionate heart this week?
How can I show compassion to someone in the church?
How can I show compassion to someone I know that doesn’t know Jesus?
How can I show compassion to a stranger?
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