Honoring God with Mercy

Introduction

Welcome back everyone. Last week, we kicked off a new series with a focus on how we honor God - in our homes, our communities, our churches, where we work, where we play, and so on. We talked about honoring God with our obedience.

Today, we’re going to be talking about honoring God with mercy. And if you have a Bible with you, you can make your way over to and read along. As usual, the passage will also be displayed on these screens.

Now, when we talk about mercy, I’m not talking about the exclamation: “Mercy!” or “Lawd, have mercy!” The dictionary defines mercy as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within’s one power to punish or harm, or treating someone in distress compassionately.

What does the Word of God say about mercy? Let’s find out. Would you pray with me?

When I was a young boy, there was this place. It was quite special. It had a massive structure made of wood and metal - and a bridge that you could run across that made the most glorious sound. Next to that, an assortment of games that spit tickets out at you to reward you for excellent performance, and next to those there were coin operated arcade games. It was a child’s paradise.

Oh - yeah, there was also food. Scrumptious pepperoni pizzas that cost $3.95 - and that’s not per slice - that’s for a whole large pizza. That place is still around, but Peter Piper Pizza is nothing like it was back in my day. My mother called ahead to order some so that on our way back from an errand we could pick it up and take it back home. She gave me some money and sent me in to pick up our order.

When I got to the counter, it wasn’t ready. Apparently someone forgot to make it, but they told me they’d get right on it. I happily stared off at the arcade while our delicious pizzas were being made. Suddenly, my mom came in. She was *not* happy. She began yelling at me loud enough to cause a scene, thinking I got distracted and that’s why I hadn’t rushed out with our pizzas. When I finally got across to her that it wasn’t my fault, she turned her wrath briefly to the order counter, but she was probably a bit embarrassed that she had yelled at me when it wasn’t my fault. She then stormed off back to the car, leaving me waiting for our order.

I guess the lady working the order counter felt so bad for me that she gave me our order without charging me for it.

There are two opportunities for mercy here, and one was taken.

Let’s read

Matthew 9:13 NLT

13 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.”

(history of Pharisaical attitudes)

New Living Translation Chapter 9

13 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.”

Ever done something good to look good? Or done it for a good reason, but still wear it like a badge of honor? Ever shown mercy in a way that others have found offensive? Ever been on the side of the Pharisees? Wanna have a gut check? Give an obviously drunk beggar the money they are asking for. You might even take offense at the thought of doing that? Why is that?

4 Phases of Engagement (Neel Burton, M.D.)

Pity -> Sympathy -> Empathy -> Compassion (Mercy)

Pity: I acknowledge your suffering

Sympathy: I care about your suffering

Empathy: I feel your suffering

Compassion (Mercy): I want to relieve your suffering

Extending mercy to do a good deed before God - to be obedient? Or...

(Moral Monday)

When we perform acts of mercy, who is the recipient?

Matthew 25:34–40 NLT

34 “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. 35 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. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37 “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? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 “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!’

Matthew 25:34 NLT

34 “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.

Jesus is calling us to something much different.

The ultimate display of mercy for me, is Jesus saving me.

New Living Translation Chapter 25

34 “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. 35 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. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

37 “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? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 “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!’

Balance vs tension