Blessed are the Merciful

Introduction:
One must first be a Christian before he can act as a Christian. Christianity is more a matter of attitudes than actions. Attitude is everything when coming to Christ and serving Him. One attitude the Christian must put on is one of mercy. (Matthew 5:7) We are not only to be meek in a passive sense, but merciful in an active sense. This is the big difference between the 3rd and 5th beatitudes. The beatitudes are meant to penetrate the heart and to make us think about the person we really are– and the kind of person we need to be. What did Jesus have in mind about being merciful?

I.. What being merciful does not mean:
    A. Does not mean being “________ __________.”
        1. Roll w/the flow...no worries….no problems….
    B. Does not mean that we must _________ problems or pretend they do not exist!
        1. Some believe mercy involves smiling at _________________/__________________.
        2. That it might involve being permissive or __________________.
    C. Consider the mercy of God. This gives an accurate picture as to what it is:
        1. Psa. 103:17—But the loving kindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
        2. See also Psa 108:4; Joel 2:13; Titus 3:5

II. What being merciful does mean:
    A. Mercy is associated with men in their _____________ & the terrible ________________ of sin.
        1. It is a sense of pity + a __________ ______ _________.
    B. How do we handle someone who has hurt us? Spiteful? Vindictive?
        1. OR,...pity; sorrow; kindness?

III. Bible Examples of Mercy:
    A. Gen. 45:4-5; 50:15-21—________________.
        1. He realized that he was part of God’s plan & a tool to be used in God’s overall task.
    B. 1 Sam. 26:8-10—_________________.
    C. Acts 7:59—__________________.
    D. Jesus:
        1. Lk. 9:51-56 after Samaritan village rejected Him….
        2. Jhn. 8:3-11—w/adulterous woman
        3. Lk. 23:34—on the cross.
    E. Jhn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8-10—_____________.
    F. No quality is more exalted—nothing seems more important:
        1. Micah 6:8—to do justice; to love ___________; to walk humbly.
        2. See also Mt. 23:37; Prov. 3:3; Lk. 6:36

IV. Merciful people shall obtain _______________.
    A. Merciful now? Shall receive _________________ of _________________.
        1. Mt. 6:12, 15; 18:23-35
    B. Merciful now? Shall receive ______________ on the ______________ day!
        1. 2 Tim. 1:16-18; Js. 2:13; Mt. 25:31-46
        2. Oh how we shall want mercy on that day!

Conclusion:
A. Are you in a position to obtain mercy on the judgment day?



Blessed are the Merciful Introduction: One must first be a Christian before he can act as a Christian. Christianity is more a matter of attitudes than actions. Attitude is everything when coming to Christ and serving Him. One attitude the Christian must put on is one of mercy. (Matthew 5:7) We are not only to be meek in a passive sense, but merciful in an active sense. This is the big difference between the 3rd and 5th beatitudes. The beatitudes are meant to penetrate the heart and to make us think about the person we really are– and the kind of person we need to be. What did Jesus have in mind about being merciful? I.. What being merciful does not mean: A. Does not mean being “________ __________.” 1. Roll w/the flow...no worries….no problems…. B. Does not mean that we must _________ problems or pretend they do not exist! 1. Some believe mercy involves smiling at _________________/__________________. 2. That it might involve being permissive or __________________. C. Consider the mercy of God. This gives an accurate picture as to what it is: 1. Psa. 103:17—But the loving kindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, 2. See also Psa 108:4; Joel 2:13; Titus 3:5 II. What being merciful does mean: A. Mercy is associated with men in their _____________ & the terrible ________________ of sin. 1. It is a sense of pity + a __________ ______ _________. B. How do we handle someone who has hurt us? Spiteful? Vindictive? 1. OR,...pity; sorrow; kindness? III. Bible Examples of Mercy: A. Gen. 45:4-5; 50:15-21—________________. 1. He realized that he was part of God’s plan & a tool to be used in God’s overall task. B. 1 Sam. 26:8-10—_________________. C. Acts 7:59—__________________. D. Jesus: 1. Lk. 9:51-56 after Samaritan village rejected Him…. 2. Jhn. 8:3-11—w/adulterous woman 3. Lk. 23:34—on the cross. E. Jhn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8-10—_____________. F. No quality is more exalted—nothing seems more important: 1. Micah 6:8—to do justice; to love ___________; to walk humbly. 2. See also Mt. 23:37; Prov. 3:3; Lk. 6:36 IV. Merciful people shall obtain _______________. A. Merciful now? Shall receive _________________ of _________________. 1. Mt. 6:12, 15; 18:23-35 B. Merciful now? Shall receive ______________ on the ______________ day! 1. 2 Tim. 1:16-18; Js. 2:13; Mt. 25:31-46 2. Oh how we shall want mercy on that day! Conclusion: A. Are you in a position to obtain mercy on the judgment day?