Matt 5:7-9

Introduction

In the first three beatitudes Jesus dealt with what we are. John Phillips outlined it this way

poor in Spirit vs. 3

Pressed in soul vs. 4

patient in strife vs. 5

The fourth beatitude Jesus dealt with where we aim vs. 6

The fifth, sixth and seventh Jesus dealt with how we act vs. 7-9

Tonight we are going to look at how we act when facing the world and opposition to kingdom living

Blessed are the merciful vs. 7a

The times in which Jesus lived would not have been described as merciful.

Every Jesus had mercy on someone the religious leaders of that day didn’t want anything to do with it.

I think one of the best pictures of this is John 8:1-11- Turn

Look at their reaction in vs. 58-59

Think about how they reacted when Jesus ate with the publicans and sinners

Mark 2:16 “16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?”

Jesus was the best example of living a merciful life

Hebrews 2:17 “17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”

Mercy is often used the same way love is

We show love as long as love is shown back

We show mercy as long as mercy is shown back

Jesus condemns this behaviour just a little later in the sermon

Matthew 5:43–48 “43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

Mercy is deeper than just forgiveness

God’s forgiveness of our sins flows from his mercy for us

God’s mercy doesn’t just forgive our transgressions but reaches to all of our weakness and need

Lamentations 3:22–23 “22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

Forgiveness flows out of mercy and mercy flows out of love

Ephesians 2:4–5 “4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

The mercy Christ commands us to show can only be shown if He is our source.

We find mercy at the foot of the cross as we see Christ being merciful to us

Like the old hymn says “Mercy there was great and grace was free , pardoned there was multiplied to me, there my burden found liberty, at Calvary”

How do we practice mercy

The most obvious way we show mercy is through physical acts as in the story of the good samaritan

Luke 10:25-37-turn

Mercy is also shown in our attitude

Mercy doesn’t hold a grudge, harbour resentment, capitalize on another’s failure or weakness.

Mercy is to be shown spiritually

First through pity

We should grieve over lost souls

Think about Jesus’ life of mercy

His last words from the cross asked for mercy

on the executioners

Luke 23:34 “34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

To the thief hanging on the cross he showed mercy

Luke 23:42–43 “42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

to his mother and John

John 19:26–27 “26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”

Like Jesus look at Stephens last words while being stoned to death

Acts 7:60 “60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Second we show spiritual mercy through confrotation

2 Timothy 2:25 “25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”

Titus 1:11 “11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.”

Titus 1:13 “13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;”

Love and mercy will be severe when that is necessary for the sake of an erring brother and for the sake of Christ’s church. In such cases it is cruel to say nothing and let the harm continue.

Jude 21–23 “21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

Third we show spiritual mercy by praying

We should pray daily for the lost

One writer said it this way “Our mercy can be measured by our prayer for the unsaved and for Christians who are walking in disobedience

The best way we can show mercy is by proclaiming the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How selfish and unmerciful it is to know the Gospel and not to share it.

For they shall obtain mercy vs. 7b

Mercy is not getting what we deserve

The way we obtain mercy is by the continuous ways God provides for our daily needs.

David sang of the Lords mercy in 2 Samuel 22:26 “26 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, And with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.”

Matt 18:23-35-turn

In this parable Jesus gives a picture of God’s saving mercy in relation to forgiving others (v21-22)

The first man pleaded for Gods mercy and recieved it, then he was unmerciful when someone asked for mercy and was chastised until he repented

MacArthur said it this way “If we have recieved from a holy God unlimited mercy that cancels our unpayable debt of sin — we who had no righteousness but were poor in Spirit, mourning over our load of sin in a beggarly, helpless condition, wretched, doomed, meek before an almighty God, hungry and thirsty for righteousness we do not have and could not attain — it surely follows that we should be merciful to others

Conclusion

If you have been shown mercy, show mercy to others!