Building Character COMPASSION Part 2

Building Character Constitution of one’s real self Who you are Conformed to image of Christ, Col 3:10 Christian’s character is expressed by his or her faith, 2 Peter 1:5-7 Building character: Shaping our hearts Col 3:12-17 (Rom 12:2) Determined action (“put on”), Col 3:12 2

Compassion (oiktirmos) “To have pity, a feeling of distress through the ills of others” (Vine) “bowels of mercy” (KJV) Mercy grows out of compassion –“the outward manifestation of pity”, Matt 5:7 3

Compassion God’s elect have received compassion, Col 3:12; Rom 9:15 –Do the same, 1 Jno 4:19, –Or we condemn ourselves, Luke 6:38 Trait of holiness, Col 3:12 –God’s compassion, Rom 5:8 –Be holy as He is, 1 Pet 1:15-16 CHARACTE R OF CARING 4

Compassion We all need to be more evangelistic, Lk 15:1-7 Sacrifices to try to save others, 1 Cor 9:22, 19 –Foregoes liberties –Labors to save others Produces a commitment to teach, Acts 20:18-20 –Peter and Paul, Ac 8:20; 24:25 CHARACTE R OF EVANGELIS M Matt 9:35-38 Acts 15:36 Acts 16:9-10 5

Compassion Removes the limits from our willingness to forgive, Matt 18:21-35 (Gen 50:15-21) Such forgiveness is harder than it may appear, Luke 6: 27-28, –Being compassionate in the face of abuse is a great test of faith (character), Luke 23:34 –What sin does to those who sin against us, Acts 7:59-60 CHARACTER OF FORGIVENE SS 6

Compassion We can learn compassion, Isaiah 1:16-17 If you are willing… (Isa 1:19) –Brotherly love, 1 Jno 3:16-17 –Help needy, Lk 10:33-34 –Comfort the mourner, Lk 7:13 –Remember the distressed, Heb 13:1-3 (10:34) Sees itself in others and acts, Matt 7:12 (Psa 35:11-14) CHARACTER OF HELPING THE LESS FORTUNATE Mark 1:

Compassion Pity toward the distress of others even when they refuse to show the same pity to you, Psa 35:15-16 Build hearts of compassion Compassion is the character of godliness…the character of God’s holy ones 8