Embodying Christ's Compassion: A Call to Humility

Today, we gathered to remember the surpassing worth of Christ, who, above all kings and kingdoms, chose to lay down His life for us. In communion, we reflected on His body broken and His blood poured out, proclaiming His death until He comes again. This act of remembrance is not just a ritual, but a call to embody the compassion and humility of Christ in our daily lives.

Turning to the book of Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, we explored a powerful lesson delivered not to Edom, but about Edom, for the benefit of God’s people. Edom, a neighbor and relative of Judah, failed to show compassion when Judah was at its lowest, instead taking advantage and gloating over their misfortune. The heart of the message is a warning: unchecked pride leads to deception, arrogance, and ultimately destruction. Edom’s pride made them feel invincible, but God declared that their overconfidence would be their downfall.

This warning is not just historical; it is deeply relevant today. In a society marked by competition and division, it is easy to lose sight of compassion, especially toward those we perceive as being “against God” or different from us. The call is to resist the temptation to gloat over others’ failures or to see ourselves as superior. Instead, we are to cultivate a heart of compassion, remembering that we too were once far from God, and it was His mercy that drew us near.

Unchecked pride is subtle and deceptive, often masquerading as wisdom or justified self-confidence. It can rob us of relationships, empathy, and even our own sense of peace. The antidote is humility and a willingness to see others through the lens of God’s compassion, even when they are at odds with us or with God’s ways. We are challenged to reach out, to be present, and to show the same grace that we have received.

As we closed, we were reminded of the woman who anointed Jesus with costly perfume—a beautiful act of sacrificial love misunderstood by others but cherished by Christ. True giving, whether of compassion, forgiveness, or resources, is measured not by practicality but by the love and devotion behind it. Let us go out this week determined to be agents of compassion, humility, and extravagant love, reflecting the heart of Christ to a world in need.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Compassion is not optional for God’s people, even toward those we believe are far from God. The example of Edom warns us that withholding compassion, especially when we are in a position of strength, is a grave error that grieves the heart of God. We are called to reflect God’s mercy, remembering that we too have received undeserved grace. [49:19]
• 2. Unchecked pride is a silent destroyer, deceiving us into false security and self-righteousness. It can make us believe we are untouchable or superior, blinding us to our own vulnerabilities and the needs of others. True wisdom is marked by humility and a willingness to learn from God’s warnings, not by arrogance cloaked as insight. [53:59]
• 3. Gloating over the misfortunes of others reveals a heart disconnected from God’s compassion. When we rejoice in the downfall of those we consider enemies or rivals, we align ourselves with the spirit of Edom and Jonah, missing the redemptive heart of God who desires repentance and restoration for all. Our calling is to mourn with those who mourn, not to celebrate their pain. [63:06]
• 4. Healthy community and spiritual maturity require us to resist unhealthy competitiveness and the drive to be “better than others.” When our identity is rooted in Christ, we are freed from the need to compare, compete, or prove ourselves at the expense of others. Instead, we can use our blessings and strengths to lift others up and foster unity. [67:49]
• 5. True worship and giving are defined by sacrificial love, not by outward value or recognition. The woman who anointed Jesus with costly perfume demonstrated that the most meaningful gifts are those given from the heart, regardless of how they are perceived by others. God cherishes acts of devotion that flow from love, even when misunderstood or criticized by the world. [79:24]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [37:59] - Above All: Worship and Communion
• [39:29] - The Bread and the Cup: Remembering Christ
• [40:09] - Thanksgiving and Worship
• [41:29] - Introduction to Obadiah
• [42:49] - Why Obadiah Matters
• [44:09] - Edom and Judah: Geography and History
• [45:30] - The Prophecy About Edom
• [47:24] - Learning from Edom’s Mistake
• [49:19] - Cultivating Compassion in a Divided World
• [53:22] - The Danger of Unchecked Pride
• [55:50] - Pride’s Deception and Downfall
• [61:03] - Do Not Gloat Over Others’ Misfortunes
• [67:49] - Unhealthy Competitiveness and Compassion
• [70:12] - God’s Deliverance and the Call to Compassion
• [72:50] - The Compassion of Christ and Our Response
• [78:01] - The Costly Gift: Worship Through Giving
• [82:47] - Building Pledge and Community Vision
• [84:05] - Closing Worship and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

Obadiah 1:1-14 (ESV) — > The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom: We have heard a report from the LORD, and a messenger has been sent among the nations: “Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!” Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you shall be utterly despised. The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?” Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD. ... (read through verse 14)

Matthew 26:6-13 (ESV) — > Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Obadiah, what was the main sin of Edom, and how did it affect their relationship with Judah? ([53:59])
2. In the story of the woman with the alabaster jar (Matthew 26:6-13), how did the disciples react to her act of devotion, and how did Jesus respond? ([01:19:24])
3. What does the sermon say about the connection between pride and a lack of compassion? ([53:22])
4. How did Edom’s actions during Judah’s time of trouble reveal the state of their hearts? ([47:24])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chose to deliver a message about Edom to Judah, rather than directly to Edom? What lesson was Judah supposed to learn from Edom’s downfall? ([45:30])
2. The sermon describes unchecked pride as “a silent destroyer.” In what ways can pride deceive us into thinking we are secure or superior? ([53:59])
3. The woman’s act of pouring perfume on Jesus was misunderstood by others but cherished by Christ. What does this teach us about the nature of true worship and giving? ([01:19:24])
4. How does gloating over others’ misfortunes reveal a heart disconnected from God’s compassion? ([01:03:06])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to show compassion even to those we feel are “far from God” or different from us. Who in your life fits this description, and what is one practical step you can take to reach out to them this week? ([49:19])
2. Have you ever found yourself feeling superior or “better than” someone else, especially when they are struggling? How did that affect your ability to show compassion? ([53:59])
3. The message warns against gloating over others’ failures. Can you recall a recent situation where you were tempted to do this? How could you have responded differently? ([01:03:06])
4. In what ways does competition or the drive to “be better than others” show up in your daily life (work, family, church)? How can you shift your focus from comparison to compassion? ([01:07:49])
5. The woman who anointed Jesus gave a costly gift out of love, not for recognition. What is one “costly” act of love or service you could offer this week, even if it goes unnoticed by others? ([01:19:24])
6. The sermon suggests that unchecked pride can rob us of relationships and peace. Are there areas in your life where pride might be quietly at work? What would it look like to invite God to humble you in those areas? ([53:22])
7. Communion is described as a call to embody Christ’s compassion and humility. How can you make this more than a ritual in your life—what is one way you can “proclaim the Lord’s death” through your actions this week? ([39:29])