The Impact of Seeing and Hearing

A message from Lamentations 3, Pastor Tommy Boring explores the compassion of the prophet Jeremiah and the importance of allowing what we see and hear to affect our hearts for the glory of God. Jeremiah witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem, the suffering of his people, and the consequences of sin and rebellion, yet he never lost his tenderness, compassion, or burden for souls. Drawing from Lamentations 3:51, “Mine eye affecteth mine heart,” Pastor Tommy challenges believers not to become hardened or indifferent to the hurting world around them. Jeremiah saw starvation, captivity, broken homes, and suffering, and instead of turning away, he wept before God. Though he preached faithfully for decades with little visible response, he continued to stand in the gap for the people because his heart was moved by what he saw and heard. This sermon emphasizes that what enters through the eyes and ears should lead believers to prayer, compassion, and action. Pastor Tommy shares moving examples of people witnessing tragedy, broken families, addiction, and suffering, only to realize afterward that God was calling them to pray and care more deeply. The message warns against protecting the heart to the point of becoming cold toward the needs of others. The compassion of Christ is woven throughout the message. Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb. Jesus showed mercy to the hurting, healed the broken, and even prayed for forgiveness for those crucifying Him. Pastor Tommy reminds the church that if we truly follow Christ, our hearts should be affected by the pain, struggles, and lost condition of humanity. The sermon also points to the comforting voice of God in times of affliction. Jeremiah cried out from the “low dungeon,” and God answered him with the words, “Fear not.” Pastor Tommy encourages listeners that when every other voice brings fear, confusion, and discouragement, the voice of God still brings peace, courage, hope, and rescue. This message is a call for believers to care again, pray again, and engage with the needs around them instead of ignoring them. Souls are worth crying over. Hurting people are worth loving. The church has a responsibility to reflect the compassion of Jesus Christ to a broken world. “The Impact of Seeing and Hearing” is both a challenge and an encouragement to let God soften the heart, deepen compassion, and move believers into prayer and action for those in need.