Merciless Prison

Mercy & Forgiveness

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Matthew 18:21–35 “Then Peter approached him and asked, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times?” “I tell you, not as many as seven,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven. “For this reason, the kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle accounts, one who owed ten thousand talents was brought before him. Since he did not have the money to pay it back, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt. “At this, the servant fell facedown before him and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything.’ Then the master of that servant had compassion, released him, and forgave him the loan. “That servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him, started choking him, and said, ‘Pay what you owe!’ “At this, his fellow servant fell down and began begging him, ‘Be pat…”

Matthew 18:34 “And because he was angry, his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed.”

So much of what we miss in the SOM comes down to this misunderstanding:

Jesus did not come to create a “nice” people…he came to awaken the church to God’s divine design for humanity.

Just to paraphrase the first 4 beatitudes....

Those who have Jesus and nothing else experience heaven on earth.

Those who walk the road of loss who know what its like to be near God.

Those who live a surrendered life who will inherit the earth.

Those who are a part of making the world right again who live the best life.

*I’ve insisted from the start that Jesus is a livable model for the church…he is who we are and how we should be in the world.

*Resurrection is an invitation (to all) to participate in the divine life.

So when we read blessed are the merciful, its not about being “nice” to people.

Psalm 23:1–6 “The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and faithful love (MERCY) will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.”

*The Hebrew & Greek word translated as MERCY is the same as the word for God’s (hesed)

Principle: Mercy is God’s very nature.

Not just being kind or gracious...

Mercy is the state of mind where we see the world through the loving eyes of Jesus.

The Church often suffers from Mercy Blindness

What are the things that cause mercy blindness?

Idealism & Agendas

When we become so absorbed in our view of the world that that “view” becomes synonymous what we mean by “the Kingdom.”

Hurt & Disappointment

The enemy will use your pain and disappointment to create bitterness and anger that festers.

Pride

When we become so convinced that the way we see the world MUST be the right way. We become judgmental and fail to see our own brokenness.

Privilege & Apathy

We begin to confuse “blessings” as God’s approval.

We are all Debtors

Matt 18...

Have you ever asked a question, and then later realized how asking that questions revealed where your heart was?

Jesus tells this story to show just how petty we can be, and how absurd it is that we might withhold mercy and forgiveness....

10K Talents = 200,00 years of income

100 Denarii = 100 days of income

Jesus makes this story plain...

The point of his parable is NOT to be nice and kind and generous...

The point of the parable is that YOU ARE THE HOPELESSLY IN DEBT sinner who has a master who has forgiven you.

The Greek word translated as “mercy” (v.33) is most often the word used for describing God’s faithful love (hesed).

How are we a merciful people? (2 Parts)

By seeing others through the eyes of compassion, and....

Matthew 25:35–40 ““ ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’ “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

By offering the grace and forgiveness that has been unconditionally given to us.

*BOTH are necessary!

This is the meaning of God’s love.

Blessed are those who see the world through the eyes of mercy & compassion. Forgiveness and compassion will pursue them all the days of their life.

Confessing the Beatitudes

*Church Response in Bold

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

For they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

For they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice,

For they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

For they will receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,

For they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they will be called sons and daughters of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of justice,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.