2. God is Compassionate

3. Heb 1 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory & the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven. NIV

4. Compassion a temperament that fuels acts of kindness & mercy. It is a form of love, aroused within us when we are confronted with those who suffer or are vulnerable. Compassion produces action to alleviate the suffering.

5. 1) God is Full of Compassion- Psalm 145 7 They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, & shall sing of Your righteousness. 8 The Lord is gracious & full of compassion, Slow to anger & great in mercy.

6. 1) God is Full of Compassion- Psalm 145 9 The Lord is good to all, & His tender mercies are over all His works.

7. Our view of God is often that He is eager to point out our wrongs, is constantly disappointed with our character and takes pleasure in punishing our sins.

8. God however takes pleasure in His people, loving to show them His compassion.

9. God’s compassion is based on His character… Psalm 103 8 The LORD is compassionate & gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; NIV

10. God’s compassion is based on His character… Psalm 103 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. NIV

11. God’s compassion is based on His character… Psalm 103 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. NIV

12. God’s compassion is based on His character… Psalm 103 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. NIV

13. God’s compassion is not based on our worthiness to receive it… Psalm 78 36 Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouth, & they lied to Him with their tongue; 37 For their heart was not steadfast with Him, Nor were they faithful in His covenant.

14. God’s compassion is not based on our worthiness to receive it… Psalm 78 38 But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, And did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, & did not stir up all His wrath;

15. God’s compassion is not based on our worthiness to receive it… Psalm 78 39 For He remembered that they were but flesh, A breath that passes away & does not come again.

16. Do I see God as compassionate towards me or menacing?

17. 2) Jesus Demonstrates God’s Compassion- Matt 14 14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; & He was moved with compassion for them, & healed their sick…

18. 2) Jesus Demonstrates God’s Compassion- Matt 14 19 Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves & the two fish, & looking up to heaven, He blessed & broke & gave the loaves to the disciples; & the disciples gave to the multitudes.

19. 2) Jesus Demonstrates God’s Compassion- Matt 14 20 So they all ate & were filled, & they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.

20. Jesus shows God’s compassion for the multitude, the hurting and the sinner. It stands in stark contrast to the harshness and judgment of the Pharisees.

21. Mark 1 40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him & saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean."

22. Mark 1 41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand & touched him, & said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." 42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, & he was cleansed.

23. Jesus shows that compassion is a sign of spiritual & moral strength, as well as a necessary part of a life dedicated to God.

24. Anybody can be judgmental towards those in need, but selflessly giving God’s love away shows faith in God’s provision & trust in God’s care.

25. Do I reflect the compassion that Jesus showed or is my heart more like that of the Pharisees?

26. God is Compassionate