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Pastor Rob Carlson: 
"Compassion In Action" 
series: Believing - Building - Belonging
Sunday, May 16, 2004 

WE ARE CALLED TO REACH OUT WITH COMPASSION 

Matthew 9:35-38 --“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  

1. Like Jesus, we must be deeply moved with compassion. 

A. Jesus was deeply moved by the world’s pain. 
(Matthew 14:14; Matthew 20:34; Mark 9:22) 

B. Jesus was deeply moved with compassion by the world’s sorrow. 
(Luke 7:13; John 11:35) 

C. Jesus was deeply moved with compassion by the world’s hunger and need. 
(Matthew 15:32) 

D. Jesus was deeply moved with compassion by the world’s loneliness. 
(Mark 1:41; Luke 8:43) 

E. Jesus was deeply moved to compassion by the world’s hopelessness. 
(Matthew 9:36) 

2. Like Jesus, we must be deeply moved by compassion. 

A. Jesus’ compassion was activated. 
(Matthew 9:36; Luke 4:18-19;) 

B. Jesus is counting on us to activate our compassion. 

• We are Christ’s ambassadors. (2 Cor. 5:20) 
• As the Father sent me, so send I you. (John 20:21) 
• Go into all the world... (Matt. 28:19-20) 
• The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37-38) 

STEPS TO ACTIVATING YOUR COMPASSION:  

• SERVE WITH COMPASSION 
• PRAY WITH COMPASSION 
• GIVE WITH COMPASSION 

Small Group Discussion Questions: 

*Scripture is quoted from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.
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