1. The meaning of compassion is to recognize the suffering of others, then take action to help. To speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…defend the rights of the poor and needy.

2. Compassion is a form of love that is aroused when we are confronted with those who suffer or are vulnerable. Because we are created in God’s image, this characteristic lies within us, thus a lot of humanitarian work is based in this motivation.

3. The word is used twelve times in the New Testament and nine of those refer to God’s compassion to heal. The word describes where this feeling of compassion strikes us…as in the intestines, or the “gut”!

4. So God calls us to share the compassion of our Heavenly Father as His compassion never fails!

1. Compassion is always looking for an opportunity!

2. Compassion never stops looking, no matter how hopeless it may seem.

3. Compassion drives us to go to the need.

4. Compassion calls us to go beyond what is comfortable and reach the world around us.

5. Compassion meets the need right where it is!

6. Compassion shows respect, love, mercy, and kindness.

7. Compassion comes at a price!

“Compassion can’t be measured in dollars and cents. It does come with a price tag, but that price tag isn’t the amount of money spent. The price tag is love.”—J. C. Watts Jr.

“Duke University did a study on ‘peace of mind.’ Factors found to contribute greatly to emotional and mental stability are:
1. Not living in the past. An unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression.
2. Force yourself to stay involved with the living world. Resist the temptation to withdraw and become reclusive during periods of emotional stress.
3. Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change. Cooperate with life, instead of trying to run away from it.
4. Refuse to indulge in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal. Accept the fact that nobody gets through life without some sorrow and misfortune.
5. Do not expect too much of yourself. When there is too wide a gap between self-expectation and your ability to meet the goals you have set, feelings of inadequacy are inevitable.
6. Find something bigger than yourself, to believe in. Self-centered egotistical people score lowest on any test for measuring happiness.
7. The absence of suspicion and resentment. Nursing a grudge is a major factor in unhappiness.
8. Cultivate the old-fashioned virtues—love, humor, compassion, and loyalty.”

1. God commands us to show compassion.

2. We share compassion to others because God has been so compassionate to us.

3. Remember to put on compassion like an article of clothing.

4. Compassion becomes one of the earmarks that demonstrates who we are!

"We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer." — Dietrich Bonhoeffer

1. Be a Listener
2. Be an Advocate
3. Be a Volunteer
4. Be Confidential
5. Be a Giver
6. Be Selfless
7. Be Empathetic
8. Be Considerate
9. Be Genuine
10. Be a Warm Communicator
11. Lighten a Load
12. Let Your Heart Break
13. Treat People with Importance
14. Respond, Always!
15. Be Creative
“‘Tis the Season to be Compassionate!”

Seasonal Sermon Series:“‘Tis the Season…”
“Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!” Ephesians 5:16 The Message
A Sermon Series Focusing on the Virtues of the Season
December 24, 2017 – To Be Full of Faith!
December 31, 2017 – To Be Hopeful!