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HOPE Covenant Sermons

Moved with Compassion

January 31, 2016 Speaker: Yvonne DeVaughn

Topic: General Verse: Mark 1:40–42

Moved with Compassion

Yvonne DeVaughn | 01.31.16

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. Moved with compassion,[a] Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. - Mark 1:40-42 (NLT)

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”... But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” - Mark 2:1-5, 10-12 (NIV)

1) Compassion is an attribute of God.
    I John 3:17-20 (The Message)

2) We are called to serve those who are marginalized.
    Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

3) The kingdom of God includes and welcomes the poor, imprisoned, broken and lost people.
    Luke 4:18 (NIV)

4) Compassion truly implies more than acknowledgement; it is to join with, suffer with.

This week's challenge:   

Three steps I can take to be more compassionate:

1) _____________________________________
2) _____________________________________
3) _____________________________________


GOING DEEPER

1. On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate your level of compassion for others, and what influences your level?

2. In Hosea 6:6 (NIV) it is written "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” What do you think is meant by this passage in light of having compassion?

3. In what areas of your life have you found it easy to have compassion and when has it been difficult?

4. Have you ever been harsh on someone because of limited knowledge of their circumstances and later on got a fuller understanding? What did you do?

5. What three steps can you take to become more compassionate?