Motivated By Compassion

Motivated by Compassion

Matthew 9:36

NIV – Matthew 9:36

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

King James Bible - Matthew 9:36

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.

Tonight, I would like to speak a message entitled “Motivated by Compassion…”

What does it mean to be Motivated?

mo·ti·vate

1) To provide with an incentive; move to action; impel.

2) to provide with a motive or motives;

3) give an incentive for action;

There are 2 different types of Motivation...

1 - Extrinsic motivation

Extrinsic Motivated refers to motivation that comes from outside an individual. The motivating factors are external or outside rewards such as money, trophy, certificate or even acknowledgement.

These rewards provide to the individual a satisfaction and joy that the task itself may not provide.

An extrinsically motivated person will work on a task even when they have little interest in it because of the anticipated satisfaction they will get from some reward.

For example, a person who dislikes their job may work hard at their job because of the reward they get getting paid at the end of the month. That is being extrinsically motivated.

2 - Intrinsic motivation

Intrinsic Motivation is a motivation that comes from within, it is a motivation that is interested in doing a task because it is a passion in your heart.

Intrinsic motivation refers to motivation that comes from inside an individual rather than from an external or an outside reward, Such as a trophy, recognition or money.

This type of motivation comes from the joy one gets from the task itself.

For Example: an intrinsically motivated person will work on music, drawing, cars or even cook not for outward rewards, but because it is a passion in the heart.

When you are motivated from an intrinsic motivation or from a passion it doesn’t that a person will not get rewarded, but It just means that such external rewards are not what motivates this person to action.

I look at it like this - You love what you are doing so much, that you are motivated by the passion within your heart.

Somebody say motivation.

Have you ever seen someone who is so excited about what they do?

Have you ever seen someone doing something, but they just don't seem excited?

Have you ever done something that you were not excited about?

The challenge when doing something that we are not passionate about, we begin to be moved by pressure.

When someone is not motivated about what they do, they are moved by pressure from the outside.

You have to keep reminding them to do what they were responsible in doing.

For Example: Don’t forget to do the dishes or don’t forget to clean your room, or don’t forget to do this or don’t forget to do that.

The unfortunate thing is this sometimes happens in ministry.

We must be reminded, or we don’t follow through in our responsibilities in the House of God.

Did you remember to do this, or did you remember to do that, and the person responds with oh I didn’t have the time, or I forgot.

Come on Somebody!!!

Now on the other hand when someone is motivated you don’t have to remind them or beg them, it is a passion.

They get the job done and don't have excuses of oh I forgot or oh I didn't have time.

You don't have to keep reminding them to get the job done. They are a mover and they make it happen because it is a passion within their heart.

I believe Jesus is the best example of Someone who was motivated by compassion.

Over and over again in the Bible we see that before Jesus performed a miracle the Bible says that He was moved with compassion.

Matthew 14:14

When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Mark 6:34 - New International Version

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

You and I should be moved by a compassion to see hurting and lost young people reached for the honor and glory of Jesus.

The Bible also says in Luke 19:10 - that Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.

What I get from this passage of scripture is that Jesus was motivated by seeing others reached.

He went through all that He did, not for His own benefit, but for the benefit of you and me.

He didn’t go to the cross, so he could get a lot of money, a lot of fame or even a lot of recognition, but Jesus went to the cross for you and me.