Blessed Are The Merciful
Notes
Transcript
Intro; The first four Be-Attitudes we have looked at deal with the inward man, his spiritual condition.
Poor in spirit- recognizing the desperate state of our soul due to our sin
Mournful spirit- grieving because of our sin, sorrow to the point of brokenness, repentance.
Meek spirit- yielding spirit to Christ, humbling ourselves
Hungering spirit- craving for new found righteousness in the things of Christ
The last four Be-Attitudes we will look at deal with the outward attitude (actions) that come from the inward character. For example;
Poor in spirit becomes merciful, why? Because of receiving mercy from God.
Mourning over sin brings about the pureness of heart through repentance.
Meek attitude becomes the peacemaker.
Hunger and thirsting righteousness, is willing to be persecuted for whom he believe’s in.
Tonight we will look at the first active Be-Attitude, “The Merciful”
Text; Mt. 5:7
Matthew 5:7 (NKJV)
7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
WHAT IS MERCY? Compassion shown to an offender. It is sorrow at the suffering of our fellow-man, and along with that sorrow, an earnest desire, if possible, to relieve him of it.
Mercy does not ask the question, "Is the sufferer of my nation, race, party, or Church; does the man deserve relief?" It simply asks the question, "Does he suffer?"
God shows mercy to sinful man
11 Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
1. Mercy is a Gift;
1. Mercy is a Gift;
Mercy does not come from the natural man. Mercy is a gift from God; You cannot give what you do not have or which you have not received.
Romans 12:6, 8d (NKJV)
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them… he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness
Mercy becomes a part of our spiritual works of faith
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,
2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
“Blessed is the man who shows mercy for he will receive it from the Lord”
2. Mercy as a Lifestyle; Luke 10:25-37
2. Mercy as a Lifestyle; Luke 10:25-37
Luke 10:25–37 (NKJV)
25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.
34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’
36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
This parable begins with the question about eternal life, [v.25-27]
Eternal life comes from our loving God through His Son Jesus Christ. And is evidenced by loving your neighbor.
Who is my neighbor to whom I can show mercy, [v.29]
Jesus tells the story of a Samaritan, and reveals who your neighbor is and what mercy does! [v.30-37]
Who is a priest? One who is authorized to minister in sacred things, particularly to offer sacrifices at the altar, and who acts as mediator between men and God.
1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.
3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.
4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.
Who is a Levite? Assistant to the priest in matters dealing with the priestly duties in the temple and with the people. David also set aside a group of Levites to lead the music in the temple worship. [Num. 3-4, Deut. 10, 1 Chron. 15]
So what we have here with the Levite is a music director/deacon walking by someone who needed help because they were to busy with the work of religion to notice they weren't doing the work of the Lord!
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
Who is a Samaritan? Half-breed, Jew/Assyrian, despised by Jews, considered an enemy. Yet he saw the suffering Jew and knew he could help.
He went to him in his suffering; mercy, compassion
Gave of his essentials; bandages, oil and wine
Put the mans need before his own; he put himself in harms way by stooping and attending to this man. He put him on his animal and he walked
Counted the injured as equal; he gave him shelter
Gave of his time and finances; he set aside his journey to meet the needs of the injured man. He paid for accommodations for the night and longer for the man to be able to recover.
He cared; he promised he would be back through to check on the injured man and pay anything that was owed to the innkeeper.
[A tidbit of the story] The road from Jerusalem to Jericho descends approximately 3,000 feet in about 17 miles. It was a dangerous road to travel because robbers hid along its steep, winding path waiting to pounce on their prey.
Life is a dangerous road we travel. It’s full of steep and winding curves and for sure there are trials and tribulations along it’s journey, and for sure the enemy is waiting to devour us. This is why Jesus says mercy is needed!
Mercy is not talking about doing good, it's acting out of the love of Christ towards others in need. [v.36-37]
The church of Jesus Christ ought to be a place where wounded people can come to receive love, healing and a new life!
Close;
In all reality, these two men were enemies, yet mercy changed that.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
Wretched are the merciless, for no mercy will be shown to them.