Series – Right Attitudes needed for Ministry
	“The Attitude of Compassion”

Introduction: Story of a run in a unique Marathon

*This burden keeps us from winning the praise of men, but it will win for us the blessing of God!

Note: Jesus’ examples of compassion

Matthew 20:34 – compassion on two blind men

34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him. 

Mark 1:41 – compassion on a leper who needed cleansing

41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out [His] hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."

Mark 5:19 – compassion on a demon possessed man

19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." 

Mark 6:34 – compassion upon the 5,000 who needed fed

34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. 

Matthew 9:37

37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly [is] plentiful, but the laborers [are] few. 

Prime example of compassion that creates spiritual burden is found in Acts 17:1-17

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.    
2  Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,    
3  explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and [saying,] "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."    
4  And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
5  But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6  But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.    
7  "Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king -- Jesus."    
8  And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things.    
9  So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.    
10  Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.    
11  These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily [to find out] whether these things were so.    
12  Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.    
13  But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds.    
14  Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.    
15  So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.    
16  Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.    
17  Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the [Gentile] worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.
	
Conclusion: Psalm 126:6

6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves [with him.] 
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