Okoboji 2012. Jodi Blick. August 6

Dr. Lyle Dorsett. Day Four. The Supremacy of Christ.

Intro. The Greek word for compassion is used in the gospels to describe Christ.

The big idea: Jesus had a huge heart of compassion for people – if we are honest, he had compassion on people like you and me. Let that melt your heart as the Holy Spirit uses that to change you from the inside-out.

I. Read the gospels asking questions – i.e. what stirred Jesus’ heart? Here are five examples:

A. People’s confusion or bewilderment. Matt 9:36, 14:14
B. People’s maladies and pains. Matt 20:34
C. The demon possessed. Mark 9:22
D. The grief-stricken people. Luke 7:13
E. The ostracized, marginalized and lonely. Mark 1:41

II. What does Scripture teach about God’s compassion? Toward a Biblical theology of compassion:

A. God’s compassionate heart. Psalm 86:15. He is a slow to anger, compassionate God. As in Keller’s Generous Justice book, God has a special place in his heart for the widows, the fatherless, the poor, the misfits, the strangers, the sinners.
B. Jesus’ words: if you have seen me you have seen the Father. We are both compassionate 🙂 the cmpassionate triune God – John 14:9 C. Matt 25:31 – when we do compassion to others, it is really done to Christ.
D. John 20:21. As the Father has sent Jesus, so Jesus sends us. The Father sent a Son who was compassionate and lived incarnate with people. That is just how he sends us!