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Compassion for the Lost

Text: Matthew 9:32-38
5 February 2006

(I) WHAT IS COMPASSION?

1. Feelings of the deepest kind

2. Feelings that move the soul

(II) WHAT CAUSES COMPASSION TO ARISE?

The plight of the following:-

1. The spiritually ignorant

“Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom” Matthew 9:35

2. The sick

“Healing every sickness and every disease among the people” Matthew 9:35

3. The tormented

“As they went out, behold, they brought Him a man mute and demon-possessed” Matthew 9:32

4. The Multitudes

“When He saw the multitudes…” Matthew 9:36

5. The lack of shepherding care

“They were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd”

6. The vastness of the harvest field

“The harvest truly is plenteous…” Matthew 9:37

7. The Scarcity of Labourers

” The labourers are few..” Matthew 9:37

(III) HOW DOES ONE EXPRESS COMPASSION APPROPRIATELY?

1. A Call to Pray

“Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest…” Matthew 9:38

2. A Call to Pray for Labourers to be sent by the Lord

“To send out labourers into His harvest” Matthew 9:38

(IV) FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE HARVEST FIELD NECESSARY

1. There will be powerful demonic forces at work against us

2. The needs are great, grave and unending

3. Much is required of the Labourer if he is to succeed

a) The concept behind the labourer is one of extreme hard work

b) The need to be spiritually empowered has to be addressed

c) Spiritual criteria must first be met