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CONTROVERSIAL COMPASSION
by Pastor Mike Fortune
August 22, 2015
- Love your enemies (Luke 6:27-28; Luke 23:34; Cartoon)
- Vulnerably but responsibly (Luke 6:32-34; 2 Corinthians 5:15,17; Jared Fogle)
- Relationship is the rationale and reward (Luke 6:35-36; Genesis 50:14-20; Colossians 3:12 NIV)
Luke 6:27-28
27 "But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.
Luke 23:34
34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."
Luke 6:29-34
29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back. 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you. 32 "If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! 34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.
2 Corinthians 5:15,17
15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view...17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Luke 6:35-36
35 "Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.
Genesis 50:14-20
14 After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father's burial.15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers became fearful. "Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him," they said. 16 So they sent this message to Joseph: "Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: 'Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.' So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin." When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept.18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. "Look, we are your slaves!" they said. 19 But Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don't be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children." So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
Colossians 3:12 (NIV) Scripture Reading
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.