Be the Good Samaritan To the Least of These - Audio

If you were asked to describe God in one word, what would you say? God is love is a popular answer. But our definition of love can be watered down – I love that house, your earrings, shag carpeting… A word I think will help us more clearly understand the kind of love God is: God is a God of COMPASSION – When God declared nature to Moses He said, “gracious and compassionate” Compassion: Greek – To suffer with. The connection of suffering with another person brings compassion beyond sympathy into the realm of empathy. You feel what the suffering person feels. Some of you are uncomfortable with emotions. It makes you feel out of control. But this is how God feels about you. 10 day fast. Do we want to live comfortable lives or radical lives of love? Do we want to be the people of God? Must have God’s compassion. If don’t have it, ask for it. Compassion: Hebrew – Womb. – What you would feel if someone you love is hurt. God loves everyone. “For the love of Christ compels us…” 2 Corinthians 5:14a NKJ Love = an undefeatable benevolence and unconquerable goodwill that always seeks the highest good of the other person, no matter what he does. It is the self-giving love that gives freely without asking anything in return and does not consider the worth of its object. Compels = a tight grip that prevents escape – This is how Jesus gets His SOZO to others. Matthew 14:13-14 NKJ “When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” Jesus’ compassion for the hurting, lost crowd overrode His grief of his cousin’s murder.