Transformative Love: Acting with Compassion Like Jesus
Summary
In today's gathering, I shared my personal journey of learning to love like Jesus, a path that is both challenging and transformative. I began by reflecting on my past, growing up in an alcoholic home and being part of an abusive church environment. These experiences, combined with my type A personality, led to a moment of revelation when I was confronted with the fact that my staff was afraid of me. This was a turning point that led me to seek a deeper understanding of Jesus' way of love.
I recounted the story of Jesus and the widow of Nain from Luke 7:11-15, emphasizing the depth of Jesus' compassion as he resurrected her only son. This biblical account prompted me to ask whether we are moved to action when we see someone in need, just as Jesus was. I urged us to be aware of the needs around us and to meet them with humility, kindness, and respect, embodying Christ's hands extended.
Drawing from 1 John 3:16-18, I highlighted the call to practical love, which involves giving our lives for others and aiding those in need. I shared my own struggles and growth opportunities, including a challenging year that reminded me that none of us have fully mastered loving like Jesus. I invited the congregation to stand and join me in a prayer for a fresh stirring of God's love within us.
I emphasized that love is an active force, as demonstrated by Jesus' ministry. He saw people's needs, forgave sins, comforted the grieving, healed the sick, and reached out to the marginalized. I shared the parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate that compassion acts and gets involved, even when it's inconvenient or unappreciated.
I also spoke about the importance of touching the untouchables, sharing a personal experience from the Smoky Mountain Dump in Manila, where I learned to hug and touch children living in extreme poverty. This act of compassion changed me profoundly and exemplified Jesus' willingness to touch a leprous man, breaking societal barriers to show God's love.
Finally, I called us to ask God for His love and compassion, to develop it actively in our lives, and to make compassion our motivation for everything we do. I concluded by encouraging us to be alert for daily opportunities to show compassion, as this is a command from Jesus, not an option.
Key Takeaways:
- True compassion moves us beyond empathy into action. It's not enough to feel the pain of others; we must be willing to act to alleviate it. This is the love Jesus demonstrated, a love that is active and sacrificial. Reflect on how you can turn your empathy into compassionate actions in your daily life. [56:57]
- Love in action is often inconvenient and may not be met with gratitude, but it is our calling as followers of Christ. We must be prepared to love and serve others even when it's challenging, trusting that our acts of love are transformative, regardless of immediate recognition or reward. [01:13:04]
- Compassion should be the motivation for all our actions, not duty or a desire for approval. When we act out of genuine compassion, our service becomes a reflection of God's love and has the power to transform lives, including our own. [01:23:14]
- Touching the untouchables, both literally and figuratively, is a powerful expression of Jesus' love. Consider who the 'untouchables' are in your community and how you can extend God's love to them, breaking down barriers and demonstrating that no one is beyond the reach of His grace. [01:15:13]
- Daily, we should ask God to show us how to love like Jesus and be alert to the opportunities He provides. This practice will not only change the lives of those we serve but will also transform our own hearts as we become more like Christ. [01:27:44]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 7:11-15 - The story of Jesus and the widow of Nain.
2. 1 John 3:16-18 - The call to practical love.
3. Mark 1:40-41 - Jesus heals a man with leprosy.
#### Observation Questions
1. In the story of Jesus and the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-15), what was Jesus' immediate reaction when He saw the widow? How did He demonstrate His compassion? [01:03:13]
2. According to 1 John 3:16-18, what is the evidence of real love? How does this passage define the actions of a believer? [01:06:13]
3. In Mark 1:40-41, what did Jesus do when the man with leprosy asked to be healed? What does this tell us about Jesus' approach to those considered untouchable? [01:13:04]
4. The sermon mentioned a personal story about the Smoky Mountain Dump in Manila. What was the significant lesson the pastor learned from this experience? [01:19:03]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus' heart broke when He saw the widow of Nain? How does this reflect His understanding of human suffering? [01:03:13]
2. How does 1 John 3:16-18 challenge the common perception of love as merely a feeling? What practical steps does it suggest for believers? [01:06:13]
3. What is the significance of Jesus touching the man with leprosy in Mark 1:40-41? How does this act go beyond just healing? [01:13:04]
4. Reflecting on the pastor's experience in the Smoky Mountain Dump, how can acts of compassion transform both the giver and the receiver? [01:19:03]
#### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you saw someone in need but did not act. What held you back? How can you overcome these barriers in the future? [01:03:13]
2. 1 John 3:16-18 emphasizes love in action. Identify one specific way you can show practical love to someone in your community this week. [01:06:13]
3. Jesus touched the untouchables, breaking societal barriers. Who are the 'untouchables' in your community, and how can you extend God's love to them? [01:13:04]
4. The pastor shared about learning to love like Jesus through personal struggles and growth. What personal challenges have you faced that have taught you about love and compassion? [01:19:03]
5. Compassion often requires inconvenience and sacrifice. Reflect on a recent situation where you chose convenience over compassion. How can you prepare yourself to choose compassion next time? [01:13:04]
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of daily asking God for opportunities to show compassion. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily routine? [01:27:44]
7. The pastor mentioned that love should be the motivation for all our actions. What are some actions you currently do out of duty or for approval, and how can you shift your motivation to compassion? [01:23:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Empathy Ignites Compassionate Action
Compassion is not a passive emotion but a catalyst for change. True empathy is the kind that feels the pain of others and then moves beyond those feelings to take action. It's the kind of love that Jesus demonstrated throughout His ministry—a love that is active and sacrificial. It's easy to say one cares, but the real test of compassion is in the actions one takes to alleviate the suffering of others. This means being willing to step out of one's comfort zone, to help someone in need, and to do so without expecting anything in return. It's about making a tangible difference in the lives of others, just as Jesus did. [56:57]
"But when the crowd saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men." - Matthew 9:8 ESV
Reflection: What is one specific way you can move from feeling empathy to taking action in your community this week?
Day 2: Love Beyond Convenience
Love in its truest form often calls for sacrifice and inconvenience. It's easy to serve others when it fits into one's schedule or when there's something to gain. However, the calling of a Christ-follower is to love and serve others even when it's challenging, without seeking gratitude or recognition. This love is transformative, and it's the kind of love that can change the world—one act of kindness at a time. It's about being the hands and feet of Jesus, serving those in need regardless of the cost to oneself. [01:13:04]
"Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered." - Proverbs 21:13 ESV
Reflection: Can you recall a time when helping someone was inconvenient for you? How did you respond, and how might you respond differently in the future?
Day 3: Compassion as Our True North
Compassion should be the driving force behind every action, not a sense of duty or a desire for approval. When actions are motivated by genuine compassion, they become a powerful reflection of God's love. This kind of service has the potential to transform not only the lives of those being served but also the heart of the one serving. It's about letting compassion guide decisions and interactions, ensuring that every act of kindness is rooted in love and a desire to reflect the heart of God. [01:23:14]
"Let all that you do be done in love." - 1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV
Reflection: How can you ensure that compassion, rather than obligation or approval-seeking, motivates your actions today?
Day 4: Embracing the Untouchables
In every community, there are those who are considered 'untouchables,' whether due to social status, health, or other factors. Jesus' love knew no bounds, and He touched the lives of those whom society had rejected. To love like Jesus means to break down barriers and extend God's love to everyone, especially those who are marginalized. It's about recognizing the inherent worth of every individual and demonstrating that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. [01:15:13]
"But he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.'" - Luke 6:20 ESV
Reflection: Who are the 'untouchables' in your life or community, and what is one way you can extend God's love to them this week?
Day 5: Alert to Opportunities for Love
Asking God to show us how to love like Jesus is a daily practice that can transform lives. It's about being open and alert to the opportunities God provides to serve and show compassion. This requires a willingness to be used by God and to see every interaction as a chance to demonstrate His love. By being intentional in seeking these opportunities, one can make a significant impact in the lives of others and experience personal transformation in the process. [01:27:44]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." - Hebrews 10:24 ESV
Reflection: What opportunity has God given you today to show love, and how can you act on it?
Quotes
Personally, I think that it all begins with the person right in front of you. If you're standing in line and the person in front of you is struggling to pay for the groceries that they have, then help. I mean, casually help them. I think it would be a great idea if you purchased some gift cards, invested in some gift cards, so you have them on hand. So when you see someone in need, you have something that you can give to them without pump and without circumstance. Just casually give to them. [01:10:55]
I feel like I need to warn you that sometimes you won't feel like helping. You won't feel it. You might be tired, stressed, overwhelmed, but just do your best anyways. Don't put it off to when you're feeling better. Who knows when you're going to be feeling better? Do it now. Because it might be inconvenient. No, take that back. Erase it. It will be inconvenient. Not might be. You may really have to give of yourself. [01:13:04]
Every day, ask God, ask God, God, show me, help me, and then listen to him and then obey him. I know that sometimes your own personal pain and suffering makes it hard for you to see the pain and suffering of other people. I know. But if you make the attempt, everything will change, including yourself. [01:23:14]
Common people, common people like you and me will be compelled by the compassion of God to meet the needs of others. And God will use us. He will. He will use you. He will use you to transform multitudes. Now, does that seem too big to be believed? It's not because that's what compassion can do. It can change multitudes. [01:24:59]
Another thing that we need to do is just make sure that compassion, you know, it's throughout the week because we can't turn compassion on and off. We can't just have it in church or with family or friends. We need to make it an everyday thing so it becomes a lifestyle. So it begins, becomes who we are. [01:27:44]
Every one of us need to be compassionate. And it should move us to aid those that are in need and to leading suffering wherever we can and uphold the dignity of every person. We can reach out and heal and comfort and aid. Support people with love of Christ. And we need to be asking him daily for opportunities until we see Jesus face to face. [01:29:11]
But there are some things that I'm learning about how to love like Jesus that I want to share with you today. Beginning with Matthew chapter number 14, verse 14. It says when Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion in them and healed their sick. So the first point is love sees. I don't think that we can really love like Jesus unless we slow down and really see the needs of people. [01:00:15]
The love that Jesus demonstrated in Bible really is nothing like that. It doesn't describe the kind of love that Jesus showed. I think the love that Jesus showed his ministry could probably be summed up in one word. And that is compassion. And compassion comes from the Latin word compati, which means to suffer with, to see the sufferings of others and to do something to stop it. [56:57]
It is an active force. Because Jesus, he healed the servant of the Roman centurion, extending mercy to Gentiles when Jews and Gentiles had nothing in common. But he stepped over the line. And he did it. Jesus' love, everybody said was active. Everybody say active. It was active. [01:00:15]
Jesus is trying to teach me that. Because when he saw the crowds and saw their needs, he did whatever he could to meet those needs, whatever they were. One of my favorite passages is found in Luke chapter number seven, verses 11 through 15. As they approached the village gate, they met a funeral procession. A woman's only son was being carried out for burial, and the mother was a widow. [01:03:39]
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