2. A Heart of Compassion Colossians 3:12-13 Not overlooking or tolerating sin “to have pity, a feeling of distress through the ills of others” (Vine) Compassion is the seed bed of mercy (the outward manifestation of pity), Matt. 5:7 We need it – and we are to have it, 1 Pet. 3:8 2

3. 3 The Compassion of a Shepherd Isa. 40:11; Ezek. 34:15-16 (Matt. 15:24) Help to the helpless, Lk. 15:1-7 Mercy for the fallen, Lk. 6:36-38 Sacrifices for safety of others, Jno. 10:11-15 Committed care like Jesus had Like Jesus, compassion seeks to save at the expense of self, Matt. 18:11-14

4. 4 The Compassion of a Savior Isaiah 53:4 Willingly acts out of pity, Matt. 8:2-3 Jesus moved with compassion to heal, Matt. 14:14 Jesus in pity touched their eyes… (ESV), Matt. 20:34 Those without compassion tried to stop their pleas for mercy! (Matt. 20:31) Do we silence sinners’ pleas for mercy by our lack of compassion toward them?!

5. 5 The Compassion of a Savior Isaiah 53:4 Willing to act out of pity, Matt. 8:2-3 An action that only comes from a decision of the mind A compassionate, forgiving heart in the face of abuse is a test of faith and character, Lk. 23:34 Remembering what sin does to the soul helps move us to compassion, Acts 7:59-60

6. 6 The Compassion of a Savior Isaiah 53:4 Recognizes the trouble that exists, Matt. 9:36 Sympathy: Shared sorrow, agreement with, the ability to understand and give support (Rom. 12:15-16) Empathy: To identify with the experiences, emotions and trials of another (1 Cor. 12:25-26) “Empathy means understanding and entering into another’s feelings while sympathy is an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion.” (kgbanswers.com)

7. 7 The Compassion of a Savior Isaiah 53:4 Recognizes the trouble that exists, Matt. 9:36 Jesus understands our plight and fight, Heb. 4:15-16 As those who sin, we ought to empathize with the pain and trials of sin faced by others, 1 Pet. 3:8 We know the personal pain of sin and our need for compassion from God and others, Matt. 18:23-27

8. 8 The Compassion of a Savior Isaiah 53:4 Recognizes the trouble that exists, Matt. 9:36 Compassionate heart remembers to show it, Matt. 18:33 We must not be too quick to condemn or too slow to have compassion, Jno. 8:7; Gal. 6:1-2

9. 9 The Compassion of a Shepherd Isa. 40:11; Ezek. 34:15-16 (Matt. 15:24) It takes devoted effort, Matt. 18:11-12 Christ’s compassion moved him to teach, Mark 6:34 See the effort expended in Jude 20-23; Jas. 5:19-20 Compassion moves us to teach and warn Toward the fallen Christian, 2 Ths. 3:14, 6, 15

10. Exists in the heart that has not given up, Heb. 12:12-13 Exists in the heart that grasps its own need for mercy, Matt. 5:7 Exists in the heart that also looks for mercy, Jude 21 10