Father of CompassionFather’s Day ServiceGuam Christian Church

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. (Psalm 68:5)

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him (Psalm 103:13)

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. (Psalm 116:5)

The Father image in Psalms

• One of many images used to describe God in the Book of Psalms.• Let’s think about this father image. How is

God a father of compassion?

• It takes a lot to be compassionate.• First, you have to be in a position to feel

compassion. That is, you must see yourself as more fortunate to have compassion on someone.• Second, to actually show compassion, one

should have the heart to go beyond feelings to action.

One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. (Psalm 62:11)

• Ultimately, it is God’s perfect character that makes him a Great Father.• Facets of strength and love are fused and

balanced.• Power and protection• Command and caring

• As parents, sometimes we can feel insecure about how we handle our kids.• Our imperfections show up in our words or

reactions.

• God is a perfect father, never insecure or unsure about how he ‘parents’ us.

Like God

• We too can show compassion like God.• Actually, the more we become like God, the

more compassion we will naturally display in our lives.

Reflection

• Do I see power or position as opportunities to show compassion?• Do I use my authority/talents/abilities mostly to serve

myself or to help others?• Is my tendency to look to serve others or to expect others

to serve me?• Do I measure or assess people based on their weaknesses

or their strengths?• Do I tend to focus on people’s faults without being aware

of my own?• Do I tend to accuse people immediately, or do I give them

the benefit of the doubt?

•Compassion is a mark of God’s Fatherhood.•Compassion changes

people, builds churches, and opens doors.• Stories…

Closing

• God’s perfect character makes him a Father of Compassion.

• We too can imitate God in his character and actions.

• Be an instrument of compassion today!

Father of CompassionFather’s Day ServiceGuam Christian Church

Thanks for listening!