DAD'S DAILY BREAD

Sermon notes. Pastor Dustin Slezak

9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Col 3:9–13

Who are you wearing? “OLD self or NEW self” Christ is asking us to always be compassionate! Followers of Christ are called to show compassion to those who are suffering. Compassion: a deep internal stirring of mercy that moves a person to act for the good of those who are hurting. It wont come naturally to most! Compassion flows when we are walking with Christ daily! No one was as compassionate as Christ. EPH 4:32 1 PET 3:8 The closer you get to Jesus the more you will start acting like Him.

Compassion grows out of our own suffering. 2 COR 1:4 Without suffering you will lack character. Those who have suffered in similar ways have more compassion and find it easier to relate or have empathy towards the person suffering. God will not waste your suffering! Great rewards come to those who suffer for the Gospel. Compassion knows how to extend mercy even when it’s undeserved! Christ expects us to extend mercy to everyone, especially those who do not deserve it! MARK 6 JOHN 8 MATT 18:33 MATT 5:7 LUKE 6:36 Saying the words is a whole lot easier then actually doing something! Compassion has to include action! Christ expects us to be compassionate no matter what the situation.

What happens when compassion runs into justice?? MATT 18 Let justice be for the Lord to decide. We should always have mercy toward others just like the Lord has mercy on us everyday we are alive! My job is to be merciful and trust that God will bring Justice when necessary!

APPLICATION:

LEARN TO LISTEN!! Don’t compare their situation to my own. Don’t devalue their experience. Don’t give unsolicited advice. LEARN TO ADVOCATE for the hurting. Words are insufficient without action! JAMES 2:15-16 Compassion requires action! ROMANS 12:9 LEARN TO SERVE. Learn to serve those who are different from me! Instead of unfriending and unfollowing people that are different, try serving them! Have compassion and empathy for those in need just like Jesus reached down and helped me when I didn’t deserve it! WHO AM I WEARING?? Do I have the courage to be compassionate even when I don’t see it or want to…? Lord please help me to serve and to put OTHERS FIRST!

IN HIS NAME!