Blessed are the Merciful

Part 5 in series on Beatitudes

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Topic # 09

Introduction:

A. What do you think of the following statement?

1. one must first be a Christian before he can act as a Christian.

2. Christianity is more a matter of attitudes than actions.

a) what you are – more than what you do or don’t do is a determining point.

b) Attitude = everything when coming to Christ & serving Him.

c) My mind must be changed. My outlook on life must be changed.

B. In today’s text: Jesus says…blessed are the merciful.

1. it seems that the beatitudes are carefully selected & phrased and our placed in order.

a) not haphazard

2. We must take a look squarely at self.

a) 5:3 – we must be poor in spirit

b) 5:4 – we must mourn because of our sin.

c) 5:5 – we are to become gentle in our relations with others.

d) 5:6 – we are to hunger/thirst after righteousness.

C. But now let us look again at 5:7.

1. What = difference b/t 5:5 & 5:7?

a) E. Stevens: we not only to be meek in a passive sense – but merciful in an active sense. This is the big difference between the 3^rd & 5^th beatitudes.

b) These are powerful statements by Jesus Christ.

c) They are meant to penetrate the heart & to make us think about the person we really are – and the kind of person we need to be!

D. Let’s talk about what Jesus had in mind about being merciful:

I. What being merciful does not mean:

A. Does not mean being “easy going.”

1. roll w/the flow…..no worries…..no problems. (yawn yawn..)

B. Does not mean that we must ignore problems or pretend that they do not exist.

1. Some: mistaken idea that being merciful means one must:

a) smile at transgression/lawbreaking

b) permissive/carefree

2. Beatitudes do not deal w/natural characteristics/disposition. Some people are easy going…but that NOT what being discussed here.

C. The error w/equating mercifulness w/overlooking or winking at sin is clearly seen when looking at Almighty God:

1. Psa 103:17 – merciful…on those who fear (treat w/reverence) Him.

2. Psa 108:4 – loving kindness great above heavens

3. Joes 2:13 – gracious/compassionate/ abounding in loving kindness

4. Titus 3:5 – we’re saved b/c of His mercy.

D. In all of these cases – God not overlooking sin – but will be merciful toward those who have a humble attitude & are remorseful over their sin.

II. What being merciful does mean:

A. We might compare mercy w/grace.

1. grace associated with men in their sins & looks upon sin as a whole.

2. mercy associated with men in their miseries & the terrible consequences of sin.

B. Mercy = a sense of pity + a desire to help. Pity + action.

1. Amer Heritage Dict: kindness; compassion, and forbearance shown to someone, such as an offender who expects are rates severe treatment.

C. Here’s where mercy hits home:

1. someone deliberately transgresses against me; and deliberately harms me. Now I have that person in my power….what am I going to do? How do I feel?

a) temptation: “Now it’s my turn…” Vindictiveness or…

b) pity; sorrow; kindness?

c) Personal experience says this can be a hard thing to learn!

III. Bible examples of mercy:

A. Joseph: Gen. 45:4-5; 50:15-21 – can you imagine? If ever opp to strike back…here tis.

1. Reason for his mercy: He realized that he was part of God’s plan & a tool to be used in God’s overall task. Wow!

B. David: 1 Sam 26:8-10

1. here = someone (Saul) that only purpose in this place – was to kill him. (David)

2. Saul tried to kill him on numerous occasions.

3. But…David trusted in God that Saul would get what was coming.

C. Stephen – Acts 7:59

D. Jesus:

1. Lk. 9:51-56 – after Samaritan village rejected Him.

a) James/John exhibit the natural reaction.

b) Jesus words….mercy all over that.

2. Jhn. 8:3-11 – w/adulterous woman.

a) here = sinner; a terrible woman as far as society concerned…

b) world: evil; terrible person; good for nothing.

c) Jesus: 8:10-11 – mercy all over that…

3. Lk. 23:34 – on the cross … if ever a time to “strike back..” here tis.

E. Almighty God:

1. Jhn. 3:16 – he saw man’s suffering/hopelessness b/c of sin.

2. Rom. 5:8-10

F. No quality is more exalted – nothing seems more important…

1. Micah 6:8 – to do justice; to love kindness/mercy & to walk humbly w/God.

2. Mercy = part of the weightier matters of God’s law. Mt. 23:27

3. Solomon’s writing: Prov. 3:3

4. Jesus’ saying: Lk. 6:36

IV. Merciful people shall obtain mercy.

A. Bible reminds us that we usually receive back that which we have sent out. Demonstrated in all of our lives…. Just look…

B. Merciful now? Receive forgiveness of sin.

1. Mt. 6:12, 15

2. Mt. 18:23-35

a) Peter: how many times should I forgive someone? 7 times?

b) Jesus: 70x7.

c) Story: one man owed 10,000 talents (1 talent w/15 yrs of labor) impossible to repay

1) master had mercy – forgave debt.

2) Yet this person wouldn’t forgive someone who owed him a days wages – 18:28-30

d) application: 18:34-35…

C. We must understand we are all sinners b/f God. NO ONE IS BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE! Must remember this as we deal w/others.

D. Merciful now? Shall receive mercy on judgment day.

1. Onesiphorus – 2 Tim. 1:16-18 – went to Paul – helped in a desperate situation.

2. Js. 2:13

3. Mt. 25:31-46 – nothing more obvious is Christ’s picture of judgment day:

a) 25:34-36

4. Oh how we shall want mercy on that day,

Conclusion:

A. We must look deep in to our heart – are we really merciful?

B. Ask: Do I feel deep pity, love, kindness, a desire to help, at ANY sign of suffering or sorrow – even on the part of those not very loveable? Even my enemies?

C. How bout you? Are you in a position to obtain mercy on the Day of Judgment?

1 b/c a Christian today!

2 Take advantage of the mercy of God!