Compassionate

• Americans have been having a real problem with

dehumanizing people. We generalize, and label other people

to create a “lesser-than” mentality. We call people racist, or

ignorant, or some other title, so that we can absolve ourselves

of guilt when we judge them.

• Jesus was different. He loved all people, and saw them as

worthy of His time. He would confront His critics, showing

them how to be compassionate in the process.

• Can you disagree with someone and still love them? Explain

• Context

• Today’s study comes from what has been called the Sermon

on the Plain. Luke 6:17 since it says it “took place on a level

place”

• It has some common themes from the Sermon on the Mount

• There is a variation of the beatitudes

• The central idea is to love other people through mercy and

forgiveness

• Love All

• Luke 6:27-28

◦““But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do

good to those who hate you, bless those who curse

you, pray for those who abuse you.”

• Jesus emphasizes the difference between non-believers and

His followers.

• One of the primary differences between believers and non-

believers is how we view our enemies. We aren’t to return evil

for evil. We are to do good to those who hate us.

• This is hard to do, but we should really pity those that hate us.

They don’t have our peace, our love, or our salvation.

Returning good to them may be what they need to see what it

means to be a Christian.

• When it says bless those who curse you, this is more than just

us doing good to them. It’s a desire for God’s blessings for

these people.

• What makes it so difficult to pray for someone who mistreats

you?

• Luke 6:29-31

◦“To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other

also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not

withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs

from you, and from one who takes away your goods do

not demand them back. And as you wish that others

would do to you, do so to them.”

• We need to be willing to suffer for Jesus’ sake.

• We need to be willing to give more than is our natural

tendency to do so.

• When someone asks for a handout, we shouldn’t judge their

motives, but give generously to them.

• The sayings in these verses aren’t necessarily a set of rules to

be followed, but rather a reflection of the type of attitude

Christians should have.

• We should react to circumstances differently than the rest of

the world.

• With a Pure Heart

• Luke 6:32-36

◦““If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to

you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if

you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit

is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you

lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what

credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to

get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and

do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and

your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the

Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

• These verses are a call to question our motives in how we

respond to people.

• We should do good to people, wether we are going to gain

something in return or not.

• Christianity isn’t quid pro quo. We recognize that nothing we

have is truly ours. It all comes from God. So we should give

freely.

• The verses go on to show that this is the same way God

reacts to us and others.

• He is gracious to those who are ungrateful.

• He is merciful to us, even though we don’t always deserve it.

So, we should grant mercy to others, just as we have received

mercy.

• Which of these commands is most difficult to follow?

• And With Mercy

• Luke 6:37-38

◦““Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not,

and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be

forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good

measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over,

will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use

it will be measured back to you.””

• Only God is in a position to judge others. We can’t sit as

judge and jury.

• The part that says you will not be judged is qualified in the

Sermon on the Mount

• Matthew 7:2

◦“For with the judgment you pronounce you will be

judged, and with the measure you use it will be

measured to you.”

• So it would benefit us to extend a lot of forgiveness and mercy

• I find it surprising, though, that Christians often times are the

most judgmental.

• It turns a lot of people off from church.

• Conclusion

• Believers are to treat all people with dignity and respect

• Believers are to love all people with pure intentions

• Believers are to exhibit God’s character in this world