The Fruit Of Empathy Series

Ice Breaker: Have you ever wore someone else’s clothes or shoes?

Key verse: 1Corinthians 8:9-13.

INTRODUCTION:

In spite of the fact that we have been called to live in a community, we continue to build walls and to enclose us in our own world. That it is why the virtues of empathy and compassion have gone disappearing.

Jesus was not only a powerful man that walked helping people for a miracle as they asked him. Was Jesus a maker of miracles? Yes but what moved him to do it was the compassion that He felt. Mark 1:40-42.

THREE WAYS TO EXERCISE COMPASSION

1. Extend your Hand

a) Due to that He felt compassion; Jesus extended his hand to this man. Mercy will help you to arrive at places where normally you would not arrive. It will remove you of your circle of comfort. It will carry you beyond your own needs and desires. It is necessary that God "extends" us.

b) Jesus extended his hand. Your hand represents your resources, your abilities and your human effort. Also it represents the blessings or gifts that God has given you. When "you extend your hand" you are extending your influence toward someone in need.

2. Sympathize with Love

a) Compassion will help you open your eyes before people and situations of which normally you would not sympathize with. To sympathize is to put yourself in the place of someone else. Compassion will carry you to places that others avoid.

b) When put yourself in someone else’s shoes, you identify with them. At times the most efficient prescription for emotional health is willing to be related.

3. Speak Words of Life

a) Jesus said, "I want, be clean. And so when He had spoken, instantly the leprosy left, and he became clean." It was not only a miracle that changed the life of the leper, but also to hear the words "be clean" —something he had never heard before.

b) Jesus declared words of life to the leper. It was not but until he spoke, that the leprosy disappeared. Words of compassion can heal the injuries of a broken heart or bring consolation to someone in need. Never underestimate the power of your words.

CONCLUSION:

If you cultivate a compassionate heart, you will be able to reach many people for Jesus. As the saying says: "People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care." Remember, to feel pity for someone does not change anything. Feeling pity is to see from the outside toward inside; is impersonal worry. Having empathy and compassion is to put you in the shoes of others, to feel what feel and to identify you with their situation.

QUESTIONS

Which are some examples that we can show empathy?

What can we do to show compassion to others?

Why do you think to show empathy is not something that we do naturally?

Salem Apostolic Worship Center

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