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Nov 08, 2020

The Compassionate Holy Spirit

The Compassionate Holy Spirit

Speaker: Dennis Gallaher

Series: The Compassionate Character of God

Category: Sunday Morning

The plan of God since creation has been the restoration of mankind to a vibrant, lasting, loving, and true relationship with Him.

The plan of God since creation has been the restoration of mankind to a vibrant, lasting, loving, and true relationship with Him. It began at the creation of man. Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living person.

The breath of life here means the gasp of life in this clay figure. Man became a living soul on the Earth. That relationship with God died when Adam sinned. But God never gave up. The relationship was born again when Jesus breathed on mankind as they were dead in their sins. John 20:22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” The Spirit of God came on the disciples.

Jesus’ coming and His purpose was foretold long before His arrival. Isaiah 9:6 For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. This one prophesied was the embodiment of God’s love and His compassion to this world. He entered the void caused by sin and He laid down His life as a bridge between God and man.

Likewise, the announcement of the coming Holy Spirit was foretold long before He came. Before His coming in power (Acts 2), He was declared as the promise from the Father and the provision as the Son.

He was introduced as “Parakletos” - a multi-faceted word meaning the comforter, the advocate, the helper, one called alongside, one who is always there. Jesus declared that this comforter would come. The Father and the Son release the Holy Spirit to be God with us. John 16:7 But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

God with us, The Lord, The Lord God, compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving-kindness and truth, forgiving our sins, healing our diseases, redeeming lives from the pit, crowning us with loving-kindness and compassion, renewing and so much more. The Holy Spirit is:

  • The gift of compassion and companionship.
  • To be honored and submitted to.
  • His presence is to be celebrated.
  • His power is to be recognized.
  • His nature is to be released in the church.

I Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body. Our bodies are homes to the Holy Spirit - He is the owner. We have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body. Colossians 1:27 to whom God willed to make known what the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

How do we show compassion as individuals and as the church? The primary characteristic of the Holy Spirit, an aroma of Christ, should be compassion.

Philippians 3:20 Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  

2 Corinthians 5:20 We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Like an embassy in the middle of another country that is an oasis or sanctuary of home, we hold the values of God as ambassadors of His Kingdom. Our voice needs to declare others to be reconciled to God.

What is appealing about us? Godly compassion! It’s what people outside the kingdom of God are looking for.

Compassion is a sympathetic pity at the suffering and misfortunes of others. How do we show compassion? Compassion is feeling – it comes from the heart. Compassion does not respond with:

  • facts, reasons, and logic
  • judgment or correction
  • instructions or how to’s
  • overlaying one’s pains with a Bible verse

Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus desired compassion and not sacrifice. The world is primed for the revealing of a compassionate church. Start with our homes by being an example of the Holy Spirit’s compassion. If we believe the right thing, but belief does not change our behavior then we are missing the compassion of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Matthew 9:36 Jesus was moved with compassion. 

Hosea 11:8 …my heart is turned over within me. All my compassions are kindled. I will not carry out My fierce anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. In this passage, God struggles with what to do with Israel as they go off the mark of holiness. God’s heart is torn and broken, yet, God gives compassion.

Do these need to take place within you? within me?

  • Repentance? It is one of the greatest gifts God gives to us because when we repent, God forgives, cleanses, and restores. We have turned away from compassion in many ways and need to repent.
  • Release? Releasing the Holy Spirit’s rule in our lives. Have we resisted this control?
  • Decide? Make a decision to be an ambassador of compassion to this world wherever I am.
  • Ask? Ask the Lord to take over our lives, let Him give you compassion.

Do you need Jesus? Do you need His compassion? Turn away from your sin. Ask Him to take up residence. Breathe in the Holy Spirit. Repent. Relax.

Describe what could be the primary characteristic of the Holy Spirit?

From Hosea 11:8, what does “all my compassions are kindled” mean?

Explain an ambassador of compassion.