Guided by Compassion: Aligning with Christ's Mission

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound connection between compassion and direction, as symbolized by the word "compass." Jesus Christ, during His time on earth, exemplified a life guided by a divine compass, a life of compassion and purpose. As believers, we are reminded of our own journey from being lost to being found, and the importance of maintaining our spiritual compass. In Matthew 9:35-38, we see Jesus moved with compassion for the weary and scattered multitudes, likening them to sheep without a shepherd. This passage challenges us to renew our hearts and align our lives with the compassionate mission of Christ.

The question "What would Jesus do today?" invites us to reflect on our actions and align them with the teachings and example of Jesus. We are called to stop doing what is wrong, realign our lives to do what is right, and persist in doing good. Jesus' ministry involved teaching, preaching, and healing, and He calls us to do the same. Though it may seem daunting, Jesus promises that through faith in Him, we can do even greater works, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The heart of Jesus is revealed in His compassion for the lost. He saw the multitudes not just as a need to be met, but as individuals deserving of love and care. We are challenged to see people through God's eyes, to feel His compassion, and to be moved to action. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. We are called to pray for more laborers and to be willing to be the answer to that prayer.

Prayer evangelism is a powerful tool, where we pray for those we encounter, asking God to open their hearts to the gospel. As we wait on the Lord, we prepare ourselves to be effective witnesses, learning to share the gospel in various ways. Ultimately, God calls us to work for the harvest, to be laborers in His field, sharing the good news and extending His love to those around us.

Key Takeaways:

- Compassion as a Compass: Compassion directs our lives, much like a compass. Jesus exemplified this by living a life of purpose and compassion. We are called to renew our spiritual compass and align our lives with His mission of compassion for the lost. [00:48]

- What Would Jesus Do Today?: Reflecting on this question helps us align our actions with Jesus' teachings. We are called to stop doing wrong, realign with what is right, and persist in doing good, following Jesus' example of teaching, preaching, and healing. [02:30]

- Seeing Through God's Eyes: Jesus saw the multitudes with compassion, recognizing their need for a shepherd. We are challenged to see people through God's perspective, not just as needs to be met, but as individuals deserving of love and care. [14:44]

- Prayer Evangelism: Prayer is a powerful tool in evangelism. By praying for those we encounter, we invite God to open their hearts to the gospel. As we wait on the Lord, we prepare ourselves to be effective witnesses, ready to share the good news. [22:48]

- Working for the Harvest: The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. We are called to be laborers in God's field, sharing the gospel and extending His love to those around us. God calls us to pray, wait, and work for the harvest. [27:06]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:48] - Compassion and Direction
- [01:54] - What Would Jesus Do Today?
- [02:30] - Aligning with Jesus' Actions
- [03:57] - Jesus' Ministry of Compassion
- [05:26] - Restoring Our Spiritual Compass
- [06:43] - Greater Works Through Faith
- [07:57] - Teaching Like Jesus
- [08:45] - Preaching the Gospel
- [09:59] - Healing Like Jesus
- [12:26] - Seeing People Through God's Eyes
- [13:17] - Jesus' Heartbeat of Compassion
- [14:44] - Looking Beyond the Need
- [15:39] - Feeling God's Heartbeat
- [16:44] - Being Moved with Compassion
- [17:54] - Being the Solution
- [18:21] - Praying for Laborers
- [21:42] - Prayer Evangelism
- [22:48] - Waiting on the Lord
- [23:48] - Working for the Harvest
- [27:06] - Personal Testimonies of Faith

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 9:35-38
- James 4:17
- John 14:12

#### Observation Questions
1. In Matthew 9:35-38, what specific actions did Jesus take as He went through the cities and villages? How did these actions reflect His compassion? [03:57]
2. According to the sermon, what does the word "compass" symbolize in relation to compassion and direction in a believer's life? [00:48]
3. What is the significance of the question "What would Jesus do today?" as discussed in the sermon? [01:54]
4. How does the sermon describe the current state of many Christians in terms of their spiritual compass? [05:26]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the passage in Matthew 9:35-38 challenge believers to align their lives with Jesus' mission of compassion? What does it mean to have a "spiritual compass"? [00:48]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest believers can do "greater works" than Jesus, as mentioned in John 14:12? How does this relate to the empowerment of the Holy Spirit? [06:43]
3. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few"? What implications does this have for believers today? [19:12]
4. What role does prayer play in evangelism according to the sermon, and how can it be a tool for preparing believers to be effective witnesses? [21:42]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Have you lost your spiritual compass? What steps can you take to renew your heart of compassion for the lost? [05:26]
2. Consider the question "What would Jesus do today?" How can this question guide your daily decisions and actions? Are there specific areas in your life where you need to realign with Jesus' teachings? [01:54]
3. The sermon emphasizes seeing people through God's eyes. Think of a recent interaction where you may have focused on the need rather than the person. How can you change your perspective to see individuals as deserving of love and care? [14:44]
4. Prayer evangelism is highlighted as a powerful tool. Identify one person in your life you can start praying for regularly. How can you incorporate prayer evangelism into your daily routine? [22:48]
5. The sermon calls believers to be laborers in God's field. What practical steps can you take to actively participate in the harvest? Is there a specific ministry or outreach you feel called to join? [27:06]
6. Reflect on the promise of doing "greater works" through faith in Jesus. What is one area in your life where you feel called to step out in faith and trust the Holy Spirit's empowerment? [06:43]
7. How can you cultivate a heart of compassion like Jesus in your community? Identify one tangible way you can extend Jesus' love to someone in need this week. [12:26]

Devotional

Day 1: Compassion as Our Guiding Compass
Compassion is not just an emotion but a guiding principle that directs our lives, much like a compass. Jesus exemplified this by living a life of purpose and compassion, always attuned to the needs of those around Him. As believers, we are called to renew our spiritual compass and align our lives with His mission of compassion for the lost. In Matthew 9:35-38, Jesus is moved with compassion for the weary and scattered multitudes, likening them to sheep without a shepherd. This passage challenges us to see beyond our own needs and to be guided by compassion in our interactions with others. [00:48]

"Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart." (Zechariah 7:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life is in need of compassion today, and how can you be a guiding light for them through your actions?

Day 2: Aligning Actions with Jesus' Teachings
The question "What would Jesus do today?" invites us to reflect on our actions and align them with the teachings and example of Jesus. We are called to stop doing what is wrong, realign our lives to do what is right, and persist in doing good. Jesus' ministry involved teaching, preaching, and healing, and He calls us to do the same. Though it may seem daunting, Jesus promises that through faith in Him, we can do even greater works, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This alignment with Jesus' actions is not just about avoiding wrong but actively pursuing what is right and good. [02:30]

"Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." (1 John 2:6, ESV)

Reflection: What specific action can you take today to align your life more closely with the teachings of Jesus?

Day 3: Seeing Through God's Eyes
Jesus saw the multitudes with compassion, recognizing their need for a shepherd. We are challenged to see people through God's perspective, not just as needs to be met, but as individuals deserving of love and care. This perspective shift requires us to look beyond the surface and see the inherent value in every person. By doing so, we can be moved to action, just as Jesus was. The heart of Jesus is revealed in His compassion for the lost, and we are called to emulate this in our own lives. [14:44]

"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." (John 7:24, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone you encounter regularly. How can you begin to see them through God's eyes and respond with compassion?

Day 4: The Power of Prayer Evangelism
Prayer is a powerful tool in evangelism. By praying for those we encounter, we invite God to open their hearts to the gospel. As we wait on the Lord, we prepare ourselves to be effective witnesses, ready to share the good news. Prayer evangelism is not just about speaking to others about God but also about speaking to God about others. This practice helps us to be more attuned to the needs of those around us and to be ready to share the gospel in various ways. [22:48]

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ." (Colossians 4:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person you can commit to praying for this week, asking God to open their heart to the gospel?

Day 5: Working for the Harvest
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. We are called to be laborers in God's field, sharing the gospel and extending His love to those around us. God calls us to pray, wait, and work for the harvest. This involves being proactive in our faith, seeking opportunities to share the good news, and being willing to be the answer to our own prayers for more laborers. As we work for the harvest, we are participating in God's mission and extending His kingdom on earth. [27:06]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to be a laborer in God's harvest field?

Quotes

1. "Today, as believers, we know that we were once lost, but now we are found. But have you lost your compass in life? Have you lost your compassion for people? I invite you today to look into God's Word at Matthew 9. Matthew 9, verses 35 to 38, to renew a heart of compassion for the lost." [00:00:39] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We know that what would Jesus do is something that we need to do today. If what you're doing is not what Jesus is doing, then you need to realign your life to do what Jesus did. And there are three major things we can learn from this passage. First and foremost, if you're doing not the right thing, if you're doing the wrong thing, you've stopped doing it. Secondly, if you know the right thing to do and you're not doing it, you need to realign your life to do the right thing. And last but not the least, if you know the right thing and you're doing it, keep doing it. The Lord is calling upon you and me to do the right thing. And what is the right thing we should do? That we should do what Jesus did. To live a life of compassion for the lost." [00:02:40] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Today, many Christians have lost their compass in life. And today, this passage is going to challenge us. It's going to remind us what should be our compass in life. How do we restore a heart of compassion for the Lord Jesus Christ, for the lost souls of men out there? There are three important things that we can learn from this passage. The first thing we can learn is found in verse 35. Jesus reveals what we can do. Jesus reveals what we can do. Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." [00:04:59] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The Lord Jesus reminds us if we truly believe in Him, what He has done is something we ought to be doing. And He promises that we will do greater things than what He has done because He's going to the Father and He's sending the Holy Spirit to empower us to be His witnesses. So, can we do what Jesus did? That's the promise of the Lord Jesus. You can do what Jesus did. There are three sub-points from our first point. First and foremost, God can use you and me so that we could teach like Jesus." [00:07:03] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "God called us out of darkness, out of a dark period of our lives. God saved us. We're survivors, and God calls upon you and me, not just to survive in this world, but to reach out to those people who are lost and dying, those who are longing for a Savior, those who are longing for a Messiah. So the Lord Jesus knew that they were waiting for a Messiah, and He is the Messiah. Messiah that the people are looking for. So He went and searched for all of them. He went and sought the lost. And as He went and sought the lost, He taught in the synagogues." [00:08:37] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Today, people are harassed and helpless. They are longing for someone to reach out to them. And all we have to do is to extend the love of Jesus, to show the kindness of Jesus by teaching to them the Word of God, sharing the gospel of the kingdom, and asking the Lord Jesus to grant them wholeness of life. So today, if there's something I'd like you to remember, let us do today what Jesus did. Let us do today what Jesus did." [00:12:26] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The Word of God says in verse 36, but when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them because they were weary and scattered like sheep having no shepherd. Secondly, aside from Jesus reveals what we can do, Jesus reveals the gospel. Jesus reveals the tendency of what we may do. When He saw the multitudes, God allowed the Lord Jesus to see the people from His perspective, and He was moved with compassion for them. He reveals to us His heartbeat. He reveals to us what is in His internal being, that He has compassion for people because these people were weary and scattered. There's a problem that He faced." [00:13:17] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "God calls you not just to look at the need, but to look at people. God calls you not just to feel the need, but you need to feel what God's heartbeat is for people out there. The heartbeat of the Lord Jesus, He was moved with compassion for them because they were weary and scattered. They're harassed. They're helpless. You see, life without Jesus you'll be harassed. Life is full of stress. But with Jesus God gives you the strength to face life in midst of whatever difficulties that you face in life." [00:16:17] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "God calls us to pray to the Lord of the harvest, to send out laborers into His harvest. First and foremost, the Lord Jesus reminds us that we can pray to the Lord of the harvest. How do we solve such a huge crisis of this world? See, in the Philippines, we know that the Philippines is known to be the only Christian nation in Asia. If we have about 110 million or in growing in population, if only 10 % of the population gets saved, that's about 100 million people. You know, many people are going to the unreached nations, but the Philippines is not reached yet until 100 million people more hears the gospel and be offered the opportunity to respond to the gospel." [00:20:37] (64 seconds) ( | | )

10. "God calls upon you to pray to the Lord of the Harvest to wait eagerly for the Lord of the Harvest to send out laborers into this harvest and finally God calls you to work for the Lord of the harvest. Work for the Lord of the harvest. He said to His disciples, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." [00:27:06] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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