Being an Agent of Mercy
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Intro
I want to talk about being an agent of Mercy tonight.
If you think about it, mercy impacts every area of our lives.
We have received mercy from God.
When we show mercy to other people, it’s actually an act of worship. It shows you love God.
When we show mercy, it’s an act of fellowship that brings people together.
When we show mercy, it shows we are growing in our relationship with the Lord… mature.
The Bible also teaches that when we show mercy, it’s an act of service or ministry to other people.
When we sho mercy, it’s part of our mission in sharing the Gospel.
Talk about when we made kids agents at the Get Smart in Gatlinburg.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
In a mean world, our greatest witness is showing mercy.
In a mean world, our greatest witness is showing mercy.
Principles of Mercy
Principles of Mercy
1. Begin looking and listening for people’s needs.
1. Begin looking and listening for people’s needs.
Look at the needs of people beginning in your family / neighborhood / people you work with / encounter out and about… Mercy begins with being aware. If you care, you will be aware.
The Reason Why We’re Not Merciful is that We are Too Busy
The Reason Why We’re Not Merciful is that We are Too Busy
It’s not that we are a bad person. We just get busy and we tend to focus on ourselves. We become too busy to be merciful… to show merch towards each other. We go from one thing tot the next and don’t take into account the people we run into.
If we don’t pay attention, if we are not looking and listening we we can’t be merciful.
Look at what Paul said,
And look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own.
Mercy begins with paying attention. Someone once said,
Giving Attention is the Highest Form of Love
Giving Attention is the Highest Form of Love
Think about small children. they want your attention. My daughter when she was little, would grab my face and want me to look at her.
Attention says that you matter to me. You can always give stuff, but your time and attention says that the person you are focused on is important.
Too many people say, I don’t know what they want… I give them everything… Listen. They want your time and attention.
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
If you love people, you see them, you notice them, and you look at them.
2. Don’t be offended by other people’s sins.
2. Don’t be offended by other people’s sins.
Grace is messy, but it’s unconditional. Grace and Mercy say “I care about you whether you get your act together or not.” If you are going to be an agent of mercy, and that’s what God wants all of us to be, you cannot be offended by the people God wants you to show mercy to.
Jesus wasn’t offended by people, and he hung out with some pretty bad folks. He was actually accused of being a sinner because he hung out with sinners and tax collectors. He wasn’t offended by their sin, but he did not let them drag him into it.
Jesus tells us to look out for others, but not to look down on them. We can’t follow Jesus, who never looked down in anyone, and look down on other people.
If you are going to be an agent of Mercy, you have to show it to everyone.
If you are going to be an agent of Mercy, you have to show it to everyone.
22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.
Showing Mercy Doesn’t Mean You Excuse Everything and Say It’s OK.
Showing Mercy Doesn’t Mean You Excuse Everything and Say It’s OK.
Sin is not ok. If you are addicted to alcohol, drugs, porn, gambling, work, eating… it’s not ok. Showing mercy doesn’t mean that you get addicted with the person. We help others with great caution.
You may not be the right person to help someone due to the fact of your own struggle.
There is a Difference Between ACCEPTANCE and APPROVAL.
There is a Difference Between ACCEPTANCE and APPROVAL.
Jesus accepts each one of us completely. He doesn’t approve of everything you do, but he loves and accepts you. There is a fine difference. We are to love and accept people where they are, but that doesn’t mean that we approve of what they are doing.
Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
When we love someone, we often don’t notice their short comings or their sins. Look out for people’s needs and for people’s sins.
Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
IOW, cut them some slack. Can you imagine if every Christian at River Church practiced this verse… if every Christian on the WB practiced this verse?
Write this next one down…
DON’T EXPECT UNBELIEVERS TO ACT LIKE BELIEVERS UNTIL THEY ARE.
DON’T EXPECT UNBELIEVERS TO ACT LIKE BELIEVERS UNTIL THEY ARE.
This is simple, but we don’t do it. We expect people to act like someone who’s been serving the Lord for 50 years on the day they come to faith in Jesus. It doesn’t happen that way. You cannot make rules to force people to follow Jesus when they are not Christians.
The Bible says that they actually don’t have the power to change. I could not and would not be doing the right things in my life without Jesus in my life and I suspect that applies to you as well. So to ask a Non Believer to act like a Believer… to have the same moral compass that you may have won’t work. It’s like asking the cart to pull the horse.
Think about it. If you passed a law that said prejudice or bigotry is illegal, is that going to turn a bigot into a loving and accepting person? NO. Only Jesus can do that.
Matthew was a tax collector and was hated by both Jews and Romans. talk about that
Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Jesus didn’t try to force people who were in denial to think that they are ok. He came to rescue who realize that they are sinners. I know I am a sinner…
The Pharisees hated Jesus because he hung our with a sinners. But Jesus wasn’t looking for approval. He was listening to the needs of people. He was going out where the needs were and He wasn’t offended by their sins.
3. Choose your words carefully.
3. Choose your words carefully.
If you are going to be an agent of mercy at work / home / neighborhood, you will have to watch what you say… to choose your words carefully. As agent of mercy, there are some things we cannot say. Does that make sense? You can’t be rude to people… mean to people… or put them down…
When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should.
Write this down…
You are Never Persuasive When You are Abrasive.
You are Never Persuasive When You are Abrasive.
If you are being offensive or rude to someone… waitress… store clerk… anyone, you are not representing Christ well and you are not being an agent of mercy.
Paul said that when we talk to others we are to be kind and pleasant. That’s what agents of mercy do.
Paul -
When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.
We have to say words that build other people up, not tear them down.
ill: Lincoln elementary when the principle called about the kids saying nice things…
As an Agent of Mercy, We Must Speak in ways that Make People Stronger.
As an Agent of Mercy, We Must Speak in ways that Make People Stronger.
How Do You Do That?
How Do You Do That?
You ask God for help. He will give you wisdom as to what to say and do.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
We will always run into people who are hard to show mercy to, who do not love peace but thrive on conflict. We fight that with mercy. God will give you wisdom as to what to say. And the more your life is filled with mercy, the more wisdom you will have.
4. Value people over keeping rules.
4. Value people over keeping rules.
God is more interested in people coming to faith in Him than he is about people following rules we have put into place. Rules are never as important as relationships. Jesus valued saving people over following rules.
Jesus Defended the Disciples Eating Grain on the Sabbath (Matt 12:1-8)
Jesus Defended the Disciples Eating Grain on the Sabbath (Matt 12:1-8)
It was against the Law to work on the Sabbath which included picking grain and eating it.
At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.” Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”
Look at the difference between Jesus and the Pharisees. The Pharisees loved the LAW… legalism… following rules to the letter.
Jesus didn’t have a lot of sympathy for those who were so legalistic.
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
Even though Jesus did not approve of the Pharisees, he complemented them on one thing - tithing. That’s the only thing Jesus ever complimented them on. Value people over rules.
Those are 4 principles of mercy. Now I want to give you 6 places where you can be an agent of mercy.
Six Places to be An Agent of Mercy
Six Places to be An Agent of Mercy
1. Look for people in a crisis.
1. Look for people in a crisis.
When people are in a crisis, they need someone to be there… to listen… to be there. We call it the ministry of presence.
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Carry each other’s burdens. A burden could be a lot of things… physical burden / financial burden / relationship burden / emotional stress…
How do you help carry these burdens – you listen.
You may run into someone or know someone who doesn’t want anything to do with Jesus until they are in a crisis.
When you listen to somebody going through a crisis you’re carrying their burden.
When you listen to somebody going through a crisis you’re carrying their burden.
2. Look for people with unmet needs and help them
2. Look for people with unmet needs and help them
These are practical needs… home repair… car repair… an errand… baby-sitting… cleaning …
Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled,” is the way Scripture puts it.
School supplies for folks who are short on finances / feeding program for hungry kids / helping families of inmates and former inmates / encouraging the elderly /
Mercy looks for people’s unmet needs and helps them.
Mercy looks for people’s unmet needs and helps them.
3. Look for people who are grieving and comfort them.
3. Look for people who are grieving and comfort them.
Maybe they lost a job… a loved one… their health… money…
Loss is a universal problem. We all experience it. People will experience loss and pain and all of the grief that goes with it.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
Some of my friendships have come from walking through a loss with someone who is hurting.
Every Day there are people we come in contact with who have suffered some type of loss.
4. Look for people needing friends, and show hospitality.
4. Look for people needing friends, and show hospitality.
Look for people who need friends and show them hospitality. People who are shy / who are not the life of the party / socially awkward… not popular
Everyone needs friends in their lives. One way you can be an agent of mercy is by simply finding someone who needs friends and be a friend.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
IOW, look for ways to be hospitable. Hospitality is a lost art in our culture. First we don’t do it because we get too busy, then we don’t do it because we are too self-centered
People are hungry for hospitality. Jesus said that we will be judged on how we treat other people.
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
Let me ask, when was the last time you showed someone hospitality?
5. Look for people who need a second chance.
5. Look for people who need a second chance.
These folks are all over the place. Everyone stumbles. We all blow it with someone at some point.
Maybe they had a failed marriage, failed relationship, failed business… had a moral failure
One of the ways you know when somebody needs a second chance is often they’re depressed or angry.
One of the ways you know when somebody needs a second chance is often they’re depressed or angry.
Many people are frustrated and act out and many are depressed. Suicide is very prevalent.
When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won’t give up in despair.
Giving someone a second… third chance is a great way to show mercy.
6. Look for people who are rude
6. Look for people who are rude
These are easy to find. We run into them everywhere. Instead of being rude back, Paul says…
Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
If you want God’s Blessing in Your Life, learn how to be NICE.
If you want God’s Blessing in Your Life, learn how to be NICE.
Learn how to be kind to rude people…
You can do these things, but it will cost you. Living a lifestyle of mercy will cost you but God will bless you in amazing ways.
ILL – Guy who had a neighbor who said he would never go to church with him. Five years into it, he had a crisis and the man listened to his neighbor at Starbucks, led him faith in Christ right there and guess who went to church
One day…
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
Living a lifestyle of Mercy is where we want to be. One day God is going to judge us on how we treated people with mercy and I don’t want you to go ugh. Too busy… didn’t care…
10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.
Altar -