This Week’s Experience – 2/28/2021

Message notes

Sympathy is when I have feelings of  for someone else’s pain.

Empathy is when I the pain they are feeling.

When Jesus saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion.

-Matthew 9:36

Compassion is when I not only enter into someone else’s pain but I go to great lengths, at the expense of my own time and resources, to their suffering

One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

 -2 Samuel 9:1

The king asked Ziba, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive but he is crippled in both feet.” “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.” So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home.

 -2 Samuel 9:3-5

Mephibosheth was five years old when the report came that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.

 -2 Samuel 4:4

“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” "Mephibosheth once again bowed his head and said, “Why should you care about me? I'm worth no more than a dead dog."

 -2 Samuel 9:7-8

1 Compassion is when I show kindness to someone even if they can’t .

“When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” Jesus said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

 -Luke 14:12-14

2 Sympathy and empathy turn into compassion when I follow through on what the me to do to help the person who is hurting.

3 Compassion is when I other with the Jesus has given me.

Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share this same comfort with others in trouble.

 -2 Corinthians 1:3-4

LIFE APPLICATION
To discuss during the week with your family or Life Group

1 How have you confused sympathy, empathy and compassion in the past?

2 What stands out to you personally about the story of David showing compassion to Mephibosheth?

3 Which of Gilbert’s 3 mains points do you find most challenging? What can you to do help yourself grow in this area?

4 What is your next step as a result of this message?