COMPASSION

“Quality of Life Series”

12/09/04

LEADER: “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.”

George Washington Carver 1864-1943 Educator, Scientist

FROM: http://www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_compassion.html

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #1

http://www.entwagon.com/cgi-bin/quotes/quotes.pl?cat=Compassion

“I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance.”

Pablo Casals, 1876-1973, Spanish Cellist, Conductor, Composer

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #2

http://www.entwagon.com/cgi-bin/quotes/quotes.pl?cat=Compassion

“He who feels no compassion will become insane.”

Source Unknown

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #3

http://www.entwagon.com/cgi-bin/quotes/quotes.pl?cat=Compassion

“The dew of compassion is a tear.”

Lord Byron 1788-1824, British Poet

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #4

http://www.entwagon.com/cgi-bin/quotes/quotes.pl?cat=Compassion

The individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference. He has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the latter.

Norman Cousins 1915-1990, Editor, Humanitarian, Author

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #5

http://www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_compassion.html

“A good heart is better than all the heads in the world.”

Edward Bulwer –Lytton 1803-1873 Poet, Author, Parlimentarian

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Compassion – A definition”

FROM: “Compassion – What It Is Not, What It Is and What It Does” EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=39790&ContributorID=6622

Compassion – “Sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.”
Now that we know the definition, let’s discuss what this does NOT say:
Compassion is not mere sympathy. It is not just “feeling your pain.”
It is not empathy – putting yourself in their position.
It is not agreement – being politically correct at the expense of being Biblically correct.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Abraham Lincoln”

http://www.elbourne.org/sermons/index.mv?illustration+1252

I never cease thrilling at the heart of Abraham Lincoln. There is a story of two women relatives of General Lou Wallace who came to the White House when Lincoln was president asking about General Wallace. He had been involved in a vicious battle and they wanted to make sure he had survived. After learning he had survived they spoke rather glibly of their gladness. There had been a casualty in the battle named Wallace but they were thankful that it was not "our Wallace." Lincoln responded soberly, "Yes, but it was somebody's Wallace, wasn't it?"

LEADER: Were these ladies compassionate?

Perhaps they were, but they thought first of their own and showed little or no compassion for the wounded Wallace.

Do we sometimes out of indifference, relief or gratitude ours is not the loss, fail to see the needs of others and have compassion on them.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Stopped to Help Her Cry”

compassion_frameset.htm

A little girl who was late coming home for supper. Her mother made the expected irate parent's demand to know where she had been.

The little girl replied that she had stopped to help Janie, whose bicycle was broken in a fall.

"But you don't know anything about fixing bicycles," her mother responded.

"I know that," the girl said. "I just stopped to help her cry."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Puppies for Sale”

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon1a/puppies.htm

A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read "Puppies For Sale."
Signs like that have a way of attracting small children, and sure enough, a little boy appeared under the store owner's sign. "How much are you going to sell the puppies for?" he asked.
The store owner replied, "Anywhere from $30 to $50."
The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. "I have $2.37," he said. "Can I please look at them?"
The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, "What's wrong with that little dog?"
The store owner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy and had discovered it didn't have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame.
The little boy became excited. "That is the puppy that I want to buy." The store owner said, "No, you don't want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I'll just give him to you."
The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner's eyes, pointing his finger, and said, "I don't want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I'll pay full price. In fact, I'll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for."
The store owner countered, "You really don't want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies."
To his surprise, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. The boy looked up at the store owner and softly replied, "Well, I don't run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands!"
We ALL need someone who Understands!

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Welcome Home Mr. President”

http://www.ozsermonillustrations.com/frames/compassion_frameset.htm

Hubert Humphrey was a former vice-president of the United States. When he died hundreds of people from across the world attended his funeral. All were welcome, but one - former President Richard Nixon, who had not long previously dragged himself and his country through the humiliation and shame of Watergate. As eyes turned away and conversations ran dry around him Nixon could feel the ostracism being ladled out to him.

Then Jimmy Carter, the serving US President, walked into the room. Carter was from a different political party to Nixon and well known for his honesty and integrity. As he moved to his seat President Carter noticed Richard Nixon standing all alone. Carter immediately changed course, walked over to Richard Nixon, held out his hand, and smiling genuinely and broadly embraced Nixon and said "Welcome home, Mr President! Welcome home!"

The incident was reported by Newsweek magazine, which wrote: "If there was a turning point in Nixon's long ordeal in the wilderness, it was that moment and that gesture of love and compassion."

LEADER: Is there someone you could or should reach out to…

Someone who needs your compassion?

Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all had a little more compassion?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “We Are All Family”

Reported in Tony Campolo, Let Me Tell You A Story

http://www.ozsermonillustrations.com/frames/compassion_frameset.htm

Peter Arnett was a CNN television commentator and reporter. He tells of a time he was in Israel, in a small town on the West Bank, when a bomb exploded. Bloodied people were everywhere. A man came running up to Peter holding a little girl in his arms. He pleaded with Peter to take her to a hospital. As a member of the press he would be able to get through the security cordon that had been thrown around the explosion scene. Peter, the man and the girl jumped into his car and rushed to the hospital. The whole time the man was pleading with him to hurry, to go faster, heartbroken at the thought the little girl might die.

Sadly the little girls injuries were too great and she died on the operating table. When the doctor came out to give them the news the man collapsed in tears. Peter Arnett was lost for words. "I don't know what to say. I can't imagine what you must be going through. I've never lost a child."

It was then that the man said, "Oh, mister! That girl was not my daughter. I'm an Israeli settler. She was a Palestinian. But there comes a time when each of us must realize that every child, regardless of that child's background, is a daughter or a son. There must come a time when we realize that we are all family."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Luke 10:25-37 (ALL TURN TO)
²⁵  And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" ²⁶ And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?" ²⁷ And he answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." ²⁸ And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE."
²⁹  But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
The Good Samaritan
³⁰   Jesus replied and said, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. ³¹  "And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
³²   "Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³  "But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, ³⁴ and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.
³⁵   "On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.' ³⁶  "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?"
³⁷  And he said, "The one who showed mercy toward him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do the same."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Samaritan Kindness” Our Daily Bread 9/23/94

http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/odb/odb-09-23-94.shtml

When he saw him, he had compassion. --Luke 10:33

In her book Kindness: Reaching Out to Others, Phyllis J. Le Peau relates this story: "Some seminary students were asked to preach on the story of the Good Samaritan. When the hour arrived for their sermon, each one was deliberately delayed en route to class. As the students raced across campus, they encountered a person who pretended to be in need. Ironically, not one of the students stopped to help." Le Peau commented, "After all, they had an important sermon to preach."

Followers of Christ can preach powerful sermons to the world when they reflect God's kindness by showing Samaritan kindness to others, and not just talking about it.

What about us? Every time we meet someone in need, we live the parable of the Good Samaritan. Do we take the time and trouble to get involved? Perhaps we can assist a neighbor who is in material need, or lend a sympathetic ear to a troubled person. Maybe we can share the gospel with someone the Lord brings into our lives today. Or will we be like the religious leaders who quickly passed by on the other side and offered no help?

Let's honor our Lord by responding to the needs of others as He would. –(DCE)

Our world around us surges--duties vie
For all our time, our energies, our care;
But greater duty urges: Don't pass by
A hurting heart whose burden we may share. --Gustafson

Kindness is never out of season.

LEADER: Compassion may take the thing we have the least of and sometimes treasure the most…our time. It may take a second thing we may have little of…our resources…it may be for someone know and love or it may be for someone we know not at all.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “William Booth’s Passion for the Homeless”

"Did You Know Men Slept on the Bridges?" Christian History & Biography, issue 82

http://www.preachingtoday.com/index.taf?_UserReference=4AE6497325FAAEB341928329&_function=illustration&_op=show_norm&IID=15455&sr=1

One morning, near the turn of the 20th century, Bramwell Booth visited his elderly father, William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army. The elder Booth didn't even say "good morning" to his son.

"Bramwell!" he cried, when he caught sight of me, "did you know that men slept out all night on the bridges?" He had arrived in London very late the night before from some town in the south of England and had to cross the city to reach his home. What he had seen on that midnight return accounted for this morning tornado. Did I know that men slept out all night on the bridges?

"Well, yes," I replied, "a lot of poor fellows, I suppose, do that."

"Then you ought to be ashamed of yourself to have known it and to have done nothing for them," he went on, vehemently.

I began to speak of the difficulties, burdened, as we were already, of taking up all sorts of Poor Law work, and so forth. My father stopped me….

"Go and do something!" he said. "We must do something."

"What can we do?"

"Get them shelter."

"That will cost money."

"Well, that is your affair. Something must be done. Get hold of a warehouse and warm it, and find something to cover them. But mind, Bramwell, no coddling!"

That was the beginning of The Salvation Army Shelters."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Power of Small Deeds” Our Daily Bread 7/19/01

http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/odb/odb-07-19-01.shtml

Who has despised the day of small things? —Zechariah 4:10

Many great accomplishments for God had small beginnings. When Zerubbabel was called to rebuild God's ruined temple, one of the first things he did, with the help of God's people, was lay a foundation. Then they began building on that foundation, stone upon stone. Many shortsighted citizens balked at those basic efforts and "despised the day of small things" (Zechariah 4:10). But God promised Zerubbabel success, not by mere human might and strength but by His Spirit.

Author Mike Yaconelli illustrated this principle by writing about a teenager who became burdened for homeless people in Philadelphia. He decided to go around his neighborhood and collect blankets, which he gave to people living on the street. The following week he made another collection. Others soon followed his example. As a result of that first small act, there's now an organization that gives blankets to homeless people around the world.

Do you long to have an impact on others' lives but feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the task? Don't despise small beginnings. Like that teenager, start helping people in the name of Christ, one small deed at a time. You'll soon prove that little is much when God is in it. —JEY

The work we do in Jesus' name,
When strengthened by His might,
Can start off small but grow in time
And bring the Lord delight. —Sper

The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Heaven and Hell”

http://www.ozsermonillustrations.com/frames/compassion_frameset.htm

A man spoke with the Lord about Heaven and Hell. "I will show you Hell," said the Lord. And they went into a room which had a large pot of stew in the middle. The smell was delicious and around the pot sat people who were famished and desperate. All were holding spoons with very long handles which reached to the pot, but because the handles of the spoons were longer than their arms, it was impossible to get the stew into their mouths. Their suffering was terrible.

"Now I will show you Heaven," said the Lord, and they went into an identical room. There was a similar pot of stew and the people had the same identical spoons, but they were well nourished, talking and happy.

At first the man did not understand.

"It is simple," said the Lord. "You see, they have learned to feed each other."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Voice of Compassion” By Steve Goodier

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon7/voice_of_compassion.htm

I heard a story about Fiorello LaGuardia who was mayor of New York City during the worst days of the Great Depression and all of WWII. He was adored by many New Yorkers who took to calling him the "Little Flower," because of his name and the fact that he was so short and always wore a carnation in his lapel.
He was a colorful character -- he rode the New York City fire trucks, raided city "speakeasies" with the police department, took entire orphanages to baseball games and, when the New York newspapers went on strike, he got on the radio and read the Sunday funnies to the kids.
One bitterly cold night in January of 1935, the mayor turned up at a night court that served the poorest ward of the city. LaGuardia dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench himself. Within a few minutes, a tattered old woman was brought before him, charged with stealing a loaf of bread. She told LaGuardia that her daughter's husband had deserted her, her daughter was sick, and her two grandchildren were starving.
But the shopkeeper, from whom the bread was stolen, refused to drop the charges. "It's a real bad neighborhood, Your Honor," the man told the mayor. "She's got to be punished to teach other people around here a lesson."
LaGuardia sighed. He turned to the woman and said, "I've got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions. Ten dollars or ten days in jail." But even as he pronounced sentence, the mayor was already reaching into his pocket. He extracted a bill and tossed it into his famous hat, saying, "Here is the ten dollar fine which I now remit; and furthermore, I am going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."
The following day, New York City newspapers reported that $47.50 was turned over to a bewildered woman who had stolen a loaf of bread to feed her starving grandchildren. Fifty cents of that amount was contributed by the grocery store owner himself, while some seventy petty criminals, people with traffic violations, and New York City policemen, each of whom had just paid fifty cents for the privilege of doing so, gave the mayor a standing ovation.

Someone beautifully said, "Sympathy sees and says, 'I'm sorry.' Compassion sees and says, 'I'll help.'" When we learn the difference, we can make a difference.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Special Olympics”

Adapted from Joni Erickson Tada, "It's Called Unity"

http://www.ozsermonillustrations.com/frames/compassion_frameset.htm

Joni Erickson Tada is the president of JET ministries, a ministry which aims to serve the disabled. She is herself a quadriplegic. A few years ago she was a spectator at the Los Angeles Special Olympics. Her husband Ken was an official, coordinator for track and field events. Joni was among a large crowd watching the participants prepare for the 50 meters running race.

Then one of the other competitors noticed, a down syndrome girl with thick bottle glasses. She stopped just short of the finish line and called out to the boy, "Stop, come back, this is the way." Hearing the voice of her friend the boy stopped and looked. "Come back, this is the way" she called. The boy stood there, confused. His friend, realising he was confused, left the track and ran over to him. She linked arms with him and together they ran back to the track and finished the race. They were the last to cross the line, but were greeted by hugs from their fellow competitors and a standing ovation from the crowd.

The downs syndrome girl with the bottle glasses taught everyone present that day an important life lesson, that it's important to take time out form our own goals in life to help others find their way. Reflecting on the episode afterwards Ken was reminded of some verses from Romans 15:

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up . . . May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Psalm 103:13-18 (ALL TURN TO)

¹³ Just as a father has compassion on his children,
          So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
¹⁴ For He Himself knows our frame;
          He is mindful that we are but dust.
¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass;
          As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
¹⁶ When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
          And its place acknowledges it no longer.
¹⁷ But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
          And His righteousness to children's children,
¹⁸ To those who keep His covenant
          And remember His precepts to do them.

LEADER: “God’s Compassion” EXCERPT

FROM: Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, by Jack Deere

http://www.bible.org/illus.asp?topic_id=291

The most common verb used in the Greek New Testament to refer to God’s compassion is splanchnizomai. This verb is used twelve times. Once it is used of the Samaritan’s compassion for the wounded man (Luke 10:33). The other eleven uses refer to God’s compassion. In two separate parables Jesus uses this verb to refer to God’s compassion in saving and forgiving sinners (Matt. 18:27 and Luke 15:20). The remainder of the uses of this verb all refer to compassion as the major motivation for Jesus’ healing and miracles. So in nine out of eleven occurrences where this verb is used of God’s compassion it refers to the compassion of the Lord Jesus Christ as his motivation for healing!

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Lord’s Compassion” By Mark Axelrod

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=72848&ContributorID=9610

EXCERPT

In December 1988, a terrible earthquake hit Armenia. And killed over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. In the moments following the earthquake, a father rushed to his son’s school. When he arrived there he saw that the building was as flat as a pancake.
Standing there looking at what was left of the school, the father remembered a promise he made to his son, "No matter what, I’ll always be there for you!" Tears began to fill his eyes. It looked like a hopeless situation, but he could not take his mind off his promise.
Remembering that his son’s classroom was in the back right corner of the building, the father rushed there and started digging through the rubble. As he was digging other grieving parents arrived, clutching their hearts, saying: "My son! "My daughter!" They tried to pull him away from the rubble, saying: "It’s too late!" "They’re dead!" "You can’t help!" "Go home!" Even a police officer and a fire-fighter told him he should go home.
To everyone who tried to stop him he said, "Are you going to help me or not? I made a promise to my little boy that I would always be there for him. And I’m not going to break my promise now!" And he continued digging for his son stone by stone. He needed to know for himself: "Is my boy alive or is he dead?" This man dug through the rubble for more than a day and a half. Finally in the thirty-eighth hour, as he pulled back a boulder, he heard his son’s voice. He said, "ARMAND!" and a voice answered him, "Dad?" It’s me Dad!" Then the boy added these priceless words, "I told the other kids not to worry. I told them that if you were alive, you’d come and get us. You promised me, ’No matter what, I’ll always be there for you!’ And here you are. You kept your promise!"

LEADER: “The Lord’s Compassion” By Mark Axelrod CONTINUED

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=72848&ContributorID=9610

EXCERPT

Psalm 103:13 says "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him." Just as the father gave everything he had to rescue his son, God gave everything He had to rescue you. Not from the rubble of a building. Not from the ruin of an earthquake. But from the rubble and ruin of our lives! Galatians 1:4 says that He gave everything he had to rescue us from this evil age when he sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. It was the single most beautiful expression of God’s compassion that the world has ever seen.

Psalm 103 goes on to mention three ways God still shows his compassion to us today.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Lord’s Compassion” #2 By Mark Axelrod

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=72848&ContributorID=9610
The first way is that he remembers that we are weak. Verse 14 says "for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust." What do we know about dust? We know that dust is something small and light. Something that gets tossed around by every wind that blows. In other words, God knows what we’re made of. He knows that we can be blown over by every wind of worry. Every wind of fear. Every wind of doubt. Every wind of temptation. He knows that we are frail and that we need him desperately every single day of our lives.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Romans 8:26

²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

LEADER: “The Lord’s Compassion” By Mark Axelrod CONTINUED

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=72848&ContributorID=9610

EXCERPTS

1. Romans 8:26 says that "The Spirit helps us in our weakness." We all have times in our lives when we feel weak. And powerless. Like insignificant pieces of dust in the wind. But God knows how we feel! He knows our weakness! And in His compassion, he will give you the grace to sustain you. And help you to do things that you could never do in your own power! How do I know that?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Psalm 121:1-2

¹ I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
          From where shall my help come?
²  My help comes from the LORD,
          Who made heaven and earth.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Isaiah 50:9a

⁹ Behold, the Lord GOD helps Me;
Who is he who condemns Me?

LEADER: “The Lord’s Compassion” By Mark Axelrod CONTINUED

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=72848&ContributorID=9610

EXCERPTS

2. So God shows his compassion by remembering our weakness. He also shows His compassion by remembering that our days go by quickly. Verse 15 of Psalm 103 says "As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more." When you think about grass, there’s a brief period of time when it’s green. And lush. But before you know it, the wind begins to blow. The temperature drops. The snow falls. And the grass becomes brown and dry and faded.

LEADER: Doesn’t it seem just like yesterday you were young… (coulda been a song) learning to ride a bike, thinking about what you’d like to be when you grow up…I’m still learning to ride a bike and still growing up…the Lord in His grace isn’t through with me yet. His compassions they fail not. Every year is different even if it’s the same….new with new friends, new opportunities, new ways to serve.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Yesterday When I was Young”

Words & Music by Charles Asnavour, English Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer  

Recorded by Roy Clark, 1965 

Yesterday when I was young,

The taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue,

I teased at life as if it were a foolish game,

The way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame;

The thousand dreams I dreamed,

The splendid things I planned I always built, alas,

on weak and shifting sand;

I lived by night and shunned the naked light of day

And only now I see how the years ran away.

Yesterday

When I was young,

So many drinking songs were waiting to be sung,

So many wayward pleasures lay in store for me

And so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see,

I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out,

I never stopped to think what life was all about

And every conversation I can now recall concerned itself with me,

and nothing else at all.

Yesterday the moon was blue,

and every crazy day brought something new to do,

I used my magic age as if it were a wand,

and never saw the waste and emptiness beyond;

The game of love I played with arrogance and pride

and every flame I lit too quickly, quickly died;

The friends I made all seemed somehow to drift away

And only I am left on stage to end the play.

There are so many songs in me that won't be sung,

I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue,

The time has come for me to pay

for Yesterday When I was Young.

LEADER: Anybody do anything foolish in their youth?

Can you count how many times by the Lord’s grace, compassion and love you are here today?

Ever think about the times He could have taken you out?

But He didn’t. Think you might be here for a purpose?

Ever feel like there’s not enough time to get everything done You and the Lord have planned for your life?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “His Compassions Never Fail” By Peter Kennedy

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon5/his_compassions_never_fail.htm

EXCERPT

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23
On September 11, 2001, Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell stepped into a Pentagon hallway when the fireball from the hijacked plane hit him. After recovering from the initial shock, Birdwell realized he was on fire. "Jesus, I'm coming to see you," he remembers praying.

When doctors finally attended to him at the Washington Burn Center, they found second- and third-degree burns over 40 percent of Birdwell's body. To save him, they performed several skin graft operations.

On September 13, while lying in his bed in the burn center, Laura Bush visited Brian's room and spoke to him for about a minute, all the time as if they were life-long acquaintances. She then turned to Brian's wife, Mel, who had been at the hospital for about two-and-a-half days. She was dirty, grimy, and wore a bloodstained shirt. Despite this, Laura gave her a long hug, as if she were a close family member. Laura then told them that there was "someone" there to see him.

The President walked in. Standing by Brian's bedside, the President told Colonel Birdwell that he was very proud of them both and regarded them as heroes. The President then saluted Brian. Brian slowly began to return the salute, taking about 15 to 20 seconds to get his hand up to his head because of his bandaged arms. During all of this, President Bush never moved. He dropped his salute only when Brian was finished with his.

Birdwell lives now with renewed purpose. "I'm a walking miracle. Christ got me out of the fire. In him not taking me, that means I have a mission to complete. He'll tell me what it is in due time."
Our Lord is a compassionate God, one who is with us in our most hurting times. He is one who knows our pain and one who can deliver us for a purpose. Today in prayer, thank Christ for His compassion towards you and seek to be faithful to Him to complete your work in Christ.

LEADER: “The Lord’s Compassion” By Mark Axelrod CONTINUED

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EXCERPTS

3. Psalm 103:17 says "But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children- In other words, your life might zip by faster than you desire. But God’s love is bigger than just your life! God’s love is everlasting! And His righteousness will get passed on to the next generation. And also the one after that. And then verse 18 says that God’s righteousness is "with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts." In other words, ’you can’t ride my coattails into heaven. You have to have your OWN relationship with the Lord. You have to obey God in your own life." When you get to heaven, and Jesus says, "Why should I let you in?" I hope no one says "because I was good friends with Tom McRae or Ike Thomas or Russ Hearn. (supplanted Pastor Marc) If we want compassion and forgiveness, we have to surrender our life to the One person who can give us compassion and forgiveness. Isaiah 55:6 says "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

LEADER: Has this lesson changed the way you feel about compassion?

· Is compassion empathy?

Putting yourself in another’s position and imagining how he feels?

· Is it sympathy?

“I understand how you feel. I’ve been there. That is so sad.”?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Philippians 2:4

⁴ do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Matthew 25:34-40

³⁴ "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵ 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; ³⁶ naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' ³⁷ "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ³⁸ 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ³⁹ 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' ⁴⁰ "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'

LEADER: To repeat George Washington Carver:

from: http://www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_compassion.html

“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.”

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QUOTE #1

“I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance.”

Pablo Casals, 1876-1973, Spanish Cellist, Conductor, Composer

QUOTE #2

“He who feels no compassion will become insane.”

Source Unknown

QUOTE #3

“The dew of compassion is a tear.”

Lord Byron 1788-1824, British Poet

QUOTE #4

The individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference. He has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the latter.

Norman Cousins 1915-1990, Editor, Humanitarian, Author

QUOTE #5

“A good heart is better than all the heads in the world.”

Edward Bulwer –Lytton 1803-1873 Poet, Author, Parlimentarian

“Compassion – A definition”

“Abraham Lincoln”

“Stopped to Help Her Cry”

A little girl who was late coming home for supper. Her mother made the expected irate parent's demand to know where she had been.

The little girl replied that she had stopped to help Janie, whose bicycle was broken in a fall.

"But you don't know anything about fixing bicycles," her mother responded.

"I know that," the girl said. "I just stopped to help her cry."

“Puppies for Sale”

“Welcome Home Mr. President”

The incident was reported by Newsweek magazine, which wrote: "If there was a turning point in Nixon's long ordeal in the wilderness, it was that moment and that gesture of love and compassion."

“We Are All Family”

Luke 10:25-37

“Samaritan Kindness”

When he saw him, he had compassion. --Luke 10:33

Followers of Christ can preach powerful sermons to the world when they reflect God's kindness by showing Samaritan kindness to others, and not just talking about it.

Let's honor our Lord by responding to the needs of others as He would.

Our world around us surges--duties vie
For all our time, our energies, our care;
But greater duty urges: Don't pass by
A hurting heart whose burden we may share. --Gustafson

Kindness is never out of season.

“William Booth’s Passion for the Homeless”

One morning, near the turn of the 20th century, Bramwell Booth visited his elderly father, William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army. The elder Booth didn't even say "good morning" to his son.

"Well, yes," I replied, "a lot of poor fellows, I suppose, do that."

"Then you ought to be ashamed of yourself to have known it and to have done nothing for them," he went on, vehemently.

I began to speak of the difficulties, burdened, as we were already, of taking up all sorts of Poor Law work, and so forth. My father stopped me….

"Go and do something!" he said. "We must do something."

"What can we do?"

"Get them shelter."

"That will cost money."

"Well, that is your affair. Something must be done. Get hold of a warehouse and warm it, and find something to cover them. But mind, Bramwell, no coddling!"

That was the beginning of The Salvation Army Shelters."

“The Power of Small Deeds”

Who has despised the day of small things? —Zechariah 4:10

The work we do in Jesus' name,
When strengthened by His might,
Can start off small but grow in time
And bring the Lord delight. —Sper

The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention.

“Heaven and Hell”

At first the man did not understand.

"It is simple," said the Lord. "You see, they have learned to feed each other."

Romans 8:26

Psalm 121:1-2

Isaiah 50:9a

Psalm 103:13-18

“Voice of Compassion”

Someone beautifully said, "Sympathy sees and says, 'I'm sorry.' Compassion sees and says, 'I'll help.'" When we learn the difference, we can make a difference.

“The Lord’s Compassion” #2

The first way is that he remembers that we are weak. Verse 14 says "for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust." What do we know about dust? We know that dust is something small and light. Something that gets tossed around by every wind that blows. In other words, God knows what we’re made of. He knows that we can be blown over by every wind of worry. Every wind of fear. Every wind of doubt. Every wind of temptation. He knows that we are frail and that we need him desperately every single day of our lives.

“The Special Olympics”

After some time lining up the starters gun fired and off the contestant raced. As they rushed toward the finish line one boy left the track and started running toward his friends standing in the infield. Ken blew his whistle, trying to get the boy to come back to the track, but all to no avail. Then one of the other competitors noticed, a down syndrome girl with thick bottle glasses. She stopped just short of the finish line and called out to the boy, "Stop, come back, this is the way." Hearing the voice of her friend the boy stopped and looked. "Come back, this is the way" she called. The boy stood there, confused. His friend, realising he was confused, left the track and ran over to him. She linked arms with him and together they ran back to the track and finished the race. They were the last to cross the line, but were greeted by hugs from their fellow competitors and a standing ovation from the crowd. The downs syndrome girl with the bottle glasses taught everyone present that day an important life lesson, that it's important to take time out form our own goals in life to help others find their way. Reflecting on the episode afterwards Ken was reminded of some verses from Romans 15:

“The Lord’s Compassion”

“Yesterday When I was Young”

Words & Music by Charles Asnavour, English Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer  

Recorded by Roy Clark, 1965 

Yesterday when I was young,

The taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue,

I teased at life as if it were a foolish game,

The way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame;

The thousand dreams I dreamed,

The splendid things I planned I always built, alas,

on weak and shifting sand;

I lived by night and shunned the naked light of day

And only now I see how the years ran away.

Yesterday

When I was young,

So many drinking songs were waiting to be sung,

So many wayward pleasures lay in store for me

And so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see,

I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out,

I never stopped to think what life was all about

And every conversation I can now recall concerned itself with me,

and nothing else at all.

Yesterday the moon was blue,

and every crazy day brought something new to do,

I used my magic age as if it were a wand,

and never saw the waste and emptiness beyond;

The game of love I played with arrogance and pride

and every flame I lit too quickly, quickly died;

The friends I made all seemed somehow to drift away

And only I am left on stage to end the play.

There are so many songs in me that won't be sung,

I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue,

The time has come for me to pay

for Yesterday When I was Young.

“His Compassions Never Fail” By Peter Kennedy

Philippians 2:4

Matthew 25:34-40