Blessed are the merciful - Sunday August 10 2025
Notes
Transcript
Introduction (5 Minutes)
Introduction to the Beatitudes
Introduction to the Beatitudes
Spoken by Jesus at the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:1-7:29
By this time:
Jesus had been baptised by John the Baptist
He had been through the temptation by the devil
He had begun to preach, and to say, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Matthew 4:17
He had called his disciples, saying “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”. Matthew 4:19
He had gone “about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan”.
Because of the crowds of people, Jesus went up to the mountain where people could see and hear him.
Once they were set, He began to teach them how members of the kingdom of heaven should live.
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Pastor Theresa began this series four weeks ago with
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Being poor in spirit means recognizing one's spiritual inadequacy and dependence on God, rather than relying on personal righteousness or wealth.
This attitude is contrasted with pride, arrogance, and self-righteousness. But it is also more than humility.
The poor in spirit are described as those who look to God for justice, mercy, and deliverance, acknowledging their need for divine help.
Importantly, being poor in spirit involves emptying oneself of personal self-will and preconceived opinions in a wholehearted search for God (which we will say more about next week), potentially requiring a change in thought patterns, views, and lifestyle.
Jesus emphasized this concept by stating that one must become like a child to enter the kingdom of heaven, suggesting a state of complete dependence on God.
The reward for those who are poor in spirit is a deep spiritual connection with God.
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Three Weeks ago, Pastor Theresa covered
Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that Mourn
Jesus asserts that the way to true happiness comes through a radical shift in thought, a change of mind that first reveals to us as we really are. We are living in a fallen world under the power of sin and death. Only after recognizing this sorrow, that we are lost and without hope. After this mourning, we can recognize the Messiah, Jesus Christ, has come and has paid the price for our sin. We can now be reconciled to God. Once we are born again into the Kingdom of Heaven, we are comforted.
18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
End of Blessed are they that mourn
Two Weeks ago we covered
Blessed are the Meek
Blessed are the Meek
For They Shall Inherit the Earth
For They Shall Inherit the Earth
You have an inheritance from God?
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein.
The will, the testament signed by God, is that we can have a place with Him forever, an inheritance that is “the earth”.
Meekness Defined 5 Minutes
Meekness is a strong and noble trait that involves controlling one's natural impulses to anger or retaliation out of love and obedience to God. Meekness is highly valued by God.
It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Meekness in us is a fruit of the Holy Spirit
Having given ourselves to Jesus Christ, and now living by the work of the Holy Spirit in us, having crucified our flesh with its affections and lusts, now let us walk in the Spirit.
End of Becoming Meek
End of the Introduction
Todays Message Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness
Last Week we covered
Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after Righteousness
Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after Righteousness
For they shall be filled
As we begin to understand what righteousness is, lets read the rest of that chapter.
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of them that seek him, That seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
These receive Righteousness from the God of their salvation because God is Righteous.
These who stand in his holy place:
have clean hands - Represents outward actions
have a pure heart - Represents inward character
have not not lifted up his soul unto vanity
Hosea 4:8 (KJV 1900) “They eat up the sin of my people, And they set their heart on their iniquity.”
have not sworn deceitfully
They turn toward good and turn away from evil.
Righteousness Defined
Righteousness Defined
God is Righteous as it says in Psalm 145:17.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways, And holy in all his works.
God is Righteous, God is Holy, there is no darkness in Him.
All we know about moral uprightness, ethical behavior, and social justice come from Him. Our knowledge and ability to live righteous lives begins with a proper relationship with God. Which means we “do righteousness at all times” Psalm 106:3.
3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, And he that doeth righteousness at all times.
Two Ways Righteousness Comes
Two Ways Righteousness Comes
Righteousness comes through obedience to the law as brought by Moses or through faith in Jesus Christ
Righteousness Comes Through The Law
Righteousness Comes Through The Law
Moses brought the commandments from the mountains where He met with God. Moses brought the ten commandments in Romans 10:5
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
But the law required absolute obedience in all things.
Righteousness is Given (Imputed) (Received by Faith)
Righteousness is Given (Imputed) (Received by Faith)
Righteousness comes through faith as exemplified by Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3
1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Abram listened to God and began his journey to receive the blessing God had promised. There were challenges Abram faced, but God helped him. Later it says in Genesis 15:6
6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Abram believed the Lord and acted on what he believed. God responded and called Abram righteous.
End of Message Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness
This Weeks message
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
The merciful are those who relate to others with a forgiving and compassionate spirit. God will show mercy to the merciful.
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Righteousness requires judgement, a just penalty for wrongs done. But it says in Psalms 85:10
10 Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Gods mercy meets the true judgement that is to be meeted out and pays the price so peace and reconciliation can occur.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
The Pharisees were watching Jese. They were bewildered that He would eat with sinners in Matthew 9:10-13
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
It is OK to be in the presence of sinners, that is exactly why Jesus came.
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
End of Blessed are the Merciful
Next Weeks Message
Blessed Are the Pure in Heart
Altar Call (5 Minutes)
The Road to Salvation
The Road to Salvation
1. None is Righteous
1. None is Righteous
As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
2. All Have Sinned
2. All Have Sinned
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
3. But God Shows His Love for us
3. But God Shows His Love for us
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
4. Sin Came in Through One
4. Sin Came in Through One
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through
sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—
5. The Wages of Sin is Death
5. The Wages of Sin is Death
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
6. If You Confess Your Mouth that Jesus is Lord
6. If You Confess Your Mouth that Jesus is Lord
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart
one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
7. Everyone who Calls on the Name of the Lord
7. Everyone who Calls on the Name of the Lord
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Have you called on the Lord? Do you know you are saved?
Salvation Prayer
Salvation Prayer
Repeat after me:
Father, I come to you in the precious name of your Son, Jesus. You said in Your Word that if I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Savior and I believe in my heart that God has raised Him from the dead, I will be saved. I make the decision today to surrender every area of my life to the lordship of Jesus.
Jesus, come into my heart. Take out the stony heart and put in a heart of flesh. I turn my back on the world and on sin. I repent and I put my trust in You. I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I would like to thank You for dying on the cross for my sin and shedding Your blood for me so that I might be forgiven of my sin. Thank You that You rose from the dead and that one day, You are coming back for me. I confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and that He is my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me. I accept by faith the free gift of salvation. Amen (so be it).
End of Altar Call
Closing Prayer
Pray for the Word to be implanted
Pray for the Word to be implanted
Lets Pray
Father, we acknowledge the power of your word spoken in Isaiah 55:11
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: It shall not return unto me void, But it shall accomplish that which I please, And it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
and we set ourselves in agreement with your plan and purpose for our lives.
Lord Jesus you said in John 14:23
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
We invite you to come.
You also said in John 14:26-27
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Holy Spirit, we ask you to seal these words in our hearts and bring them to our minds as we go out into the world around us.
In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.
Tithes and Offerings
Tithes and Offerings
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, And he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; Neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
Pray for Jerusalem
Pray for Jerusalem
Lets read Psalm 122
1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
2 Our feet shall stand Within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is builded As a city that is compact together:
4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, Unto the testimony of Israel, To give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
5 For there are set thrones of judgment, The thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee.
7 Peace be within thy walls, And prosperity within thy palaces.
8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
9 Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.
Father, we pray for the protection and peace of Jerusalem In Jesus Name, Amen
The Priestly Blessing
The Priestly Blessing
Please lift your hands to the Lord.
24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Father, we ask that you bless and keep these. Make your face shine upon them, and be gracious to them. Lift up your countenance upon them and give them peace. In Jesus Name, Amen
End of Closing Prayer
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