Church of the Nazarene – East Rock
The Relationship Keys: Empathy
Empathy acts on an attitude of selflessness and sacrifice
What if today one of the greatest stands we could take against the enemy in our lives was to cultivate God honoring relationships? That’s exactly what our new teaching series is all about.
It’s focused on God honoring relationships that are an offensive attack against the enemy of our souls.
I want to welcome you back to our teaching series Relationship Keys
Through this series we are committed to seeing God’s emphasis on the importance of our relationships- with family, members of the church, our community and friends
As we continue today, we are taking the next step or the next key in our relationships. That key is Empathy.
Empathy is the relationship key that acts on an attitude of selflessness and sacrifice
Part of growing God honoring relationships is to feel what others are feeling, too walk in their shoes, and respond in compassion.
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Paul’s first relationship key- “clothe yourself with compassion.”
Compassion there is a unique word- it’s very close to what Jesus felt in Matthew 9Some translations have “sympathetic”, “Heartfelt compassion” or I like the old KJV “Bowels of Mercy.”
What these translations are pointing to, is not just a kind response, it’s not a smile and nod until they leave you alone, but a compassionate response of love from deep within our being.
Empathy is a sacred space
Empathy fuels connection- sympathy drives dis-connection.
Sympathy keeps a safe and comfortable distance, but Empathy has the courage to get close.
Luke 10:30-37
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
To show what God honoring love looked like- Jesus told a story about empathy and compassion.
The empathy we’re talking about – the compassion Jesus calls for – crosses any boundary you can think of.
Through empathy we can open the door of God’s compassion and grace. We can drive connection.
Will you commit to seeing that happen in your relationships?
Our response this week is simple- a simple prayer- Lord, give me the courage (and conviction) to love the people in my life with your selfless love.
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