Moved with Compassion

Moved with Compassion / Sermon by Pastor Bob Johnson

Text: Matthew 9:36

What moves you? Everyone is moved by something, such as motivated, stirred, or compelled to action.

The phrase “moved with compassion” is found in our English Bible five times. However, the phrase comes from one Greek word, which means to have the bowels yearn, figuratively to feel deep sympathy and profound pity. (Bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity)

This takes us to our text in Matthew 9:35-38.

(35) And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.  

(36)  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  

(37)  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;  

(38)  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Background:

This was at the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry, which started in the cities and villages around Galilee. He had just called Matthew, the tax collector, to be one of His disciples; he healed the woman who touched His garment, raised a girl from the dead, healed two blind men, and healed a possessed man.

From our text this morning, I want you to notice six reactions regarding Jesus’ compassion for people that moved Him into action. And I want you to feel the impact of this life statement:

Compassion for people should move you to action!

Jesus got His feet . “And when Jesus went about all the cities and villages”

Area around Galilee: Capernaum, Bethsaida, Magdala, Tiberias, and Nazareth

He went to where the people lived. He crossed the street; he went to his neighbors and strangers.

Jesus got His mouth . “teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom”

Teaching and preaching involved speaking.

His message was the most important – the gospel!

Memorize the transition question and bridge question.

-Transition: May I ask you a more serious question?

-Bridge: When a person dies, what do you think is on the other side?

Jesus got His hands . “and healing every sickness and every disease among the people”

Jesus touched the leper who asked to be made clean. He touched the eyes of the blind, and ate with sinners and publicans.

Jesus got His eyes . “But when He saw the multitudes”

Feeding the 5000 – after seeing the multitudes.

Jesus got His heart . “He was moved with compassion on them”

Moved – stirred, felt the ache in his gut, strong pity

-They were like sheep without a shepherd – lost – wandering around with no direction and purpose.

Jesus got His followers . “Then saith He unto His disciples”

Jesus pointed out the need to His disciples.

Compassion is contagious.

What robs you of compassion for people?

Negative Mindset

Judgmental Attitude

Critical Spirit

Unforgiving Heart

Selfish approach to life