Compassion

1. Compassion is not just an emotion but

- a drive to bring about change and move us to action.

- change the way we love

- to suffer and the ability to emphatize with the emotional state of another person.

2. Compassion has no boundaries 

Matthew 9:35 (KJV):

"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people."

Compassion and grace is interchangeable.

Compassion is rooted in the love of God.

Compassion does not mean you will be loved or rewarded by them.

2) Compassion sees and feels the need

Matthew 9:36 (NIV) says:

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Harrased - they are defeated by life

Helpless - they are broken and without purpose.

sheep without a shepherd - they would follow any fad, guru or ideas that lead them into destruction.

3) Compassion leads to a sense of urgency 

Matthew 9:37 (NIV) says:

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.’”

John 4:35 (NIV) says:

“Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

Situation is desperate but we are not desperate. Desperate time need action.

4) A movement of prayer. 

Matthew 9:38 (NIV) says:

“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Prayer flow from a heart of compassion 

God is the owner of the harvest, not us

God uses us as the vessel to work out the harvest

God uses prayer to reap the harvest .

Don't do anything until we hear from the Lord. Don't get involved until you are prepared.

We need intercession from our church and community.