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Stewardship of Compassion #1

Introduction:

Stewardship = God- given ______with ______!

Q: What are the 4 factors in stewardship? [Matthew 25]

#1: God Owns ______, and I Own ______.

#2: God ______Me with Everything I Have.

#3: I Am Responsible to ______What God Has Given to Me. I May ______It or ______It.

#4: God Can Call Me into ______at Any Time.

Input: When you hear the word stewardship, what do you typically think about?

1. Let’s look at a few verses that help us to think about the Compassion of God!

Psalm 69:16 Answer me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good; according to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to me.

James 5:11 We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

Matthew 20:34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

2. Believers are to be ______of compassion!

Colossians 3:12- 14 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Philippians 2:1- 4 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Lesson: Since our God is a God of compassion, and He tells us in His word that we are to “______” a heart of compassion, we need to talk about our stewardship of compassion.

#1 What Is Compassion?

  1. A survey of Scripture reveals various ______of compassion: Genesis 19:16

1. There is a provider and a recipient; both are ______.

2. The recipient(s) may not ______compassion or ______it.

3. The provider of compassion uses gentle force to ______the recipient.

4. The recipient may ______or ______the compassion.

5. Compassion is shown toward a person or group of people who made ______choices, forsook God, but who call out to God, desiring to return.

Isaiah 55:6- 7

Input: Can compassion ever be misdirected? Jonah 4:4- 11

ANSWER: You can ______your compassion.

6. Compassion involves______! Matthew 15:32

feel compassion = “a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the pain and remove its cause” (MacArthur)

“Jesus had compassion for people’s spiritual needs, which were eternal in their consequences. He had compassion for their physical afflictions, which were often lifelong in their effect. But He also had compassion in regard to their food, which sustained them from day to day. In His model prayer the Lord tells us to ask our heavenly Father to “give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11), because He cares about the practical needs of our daily lives.”(MacArthur)

7. Compassion is shown toward people who have a physical need/helplessness!

Mark 1:40- 42

8. Compassion responds with ______!

  1. Basic meaning of the word compassion

1. O.T most used word translates as “pity,” “mercy,” and “love” (Genesis 19:16)

2. NT most used word translates as “inward affection” and “tender mercy”

Matthew 20:34

3. ______definition of compassion

* The active and emotional response on the part of God or one of His children to meet the physical and spiritual need of a broken and hopeless person who wants, or is willing to receive help.

#2 What Does It Look Like to Be a Good Steward of Compassion?

  1. You have to ______the God of compassion before you can possess and be a steward of compassion.Psalm 51:1; John 3:16
  1. ______God for His compassion toward you throughChrist!2 Corinthians 9:12- 13
  1. Position yourself to ______in compassion.
  1. Be ______God’s word!
  2. Be ______and asking God to open your eyes to the needs of people all around you!
  3. Be willingly______the needy, broken people!
  1. What needs are there that exist in our ABF and what can we do to work together to meet the needs of that person(s)?

Conclusion:Homework!

  1. Memorize Stewardship principles
  2. Further discuss and act on this lesson with a friend, your family, or Bible study group
  3. Invite a friend next week
  4. NEXT SUDNAY, BE READY TO GIVE ONE EXAMPLE OF SHOWING COMPASSION TO SOMEONE THIS WEEK