Pray Factor 2.4

Lastly Have Total Compassion

A humorous story is told of a man who repeatedly prayed aloud during a weekly prayer service; “Lord fill me with your compassion.” He repeated that phrase several times until his wife screamed out: “don’t do it Lord, he leaks.”

 

Ephesians 5:1-2 “Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

When Jesus came, he came to fulfill the whole law. Christ said, “I will show you a more simple way. If you love, you will unconsciously fulfill the whole law.”  I think we are all familiar with Galatians 5:22-23. Do you know what the nine ingredients of the spectrum of love are: patience, kindness, generosity, humility, courtesy, unselfishness, good temper, meekness, and sincerity?

Think about this: they are all in relation to men, in relation to life, in relation to the know today, and the near tomorrow and not to the unknown eternity.

Mark 8:1-2 “In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said unto them, 2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:”

Here is The Biography of Jesus in Six Words is this: I Have Compassion on the Multitude. Do you know what that is called…Love in Action.

When you love in action You become an Involved Christian.

I love when the light bulb goes off in new Christians and they realize that God has a plan for them and then they live that plan out. They love so others may know the love they have.

There are three steps for developing compassion…

a.   Intensity

Luke 9:51 “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” He had a resolve or intensity.

 B. Sensitivity

Luke 10:30-37 “In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' 36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" 37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Be sensitive to the Lords leading. People you come in contact with may be beaten and robbed, or someone who has lost control inside. You never know who God is going to give you opportunity to minister to.

c.   Generosity

Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, and cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Be generous with all you have, big or small.

What’s the bottom line: Become like Jesus.

You are Loved!