Thrive Through Mercy
Notes
Transcript
Thrive Through Mercy
Main Point: God shows us mercy, therefore we must show mercy.
INTRODUCTION
ILL- Amber Guyger was a Dallas police offer. After responding to the wrong address for an intruder call she shot and killed Botham Jean, a black man, while he ate ice cream in his own apartment. At the trial the brother of Botham was allowed to address the jury concerning sentencing. What this 18 year old man said was that he did not hold any ill will toward her and wished that she did not have to go to prison. He went on to say, “"If you truly are sorry, I know… I can speak for myself, I forgive you," "And I know if you go to God and ask him, he will forgive you. He then asked if he could give her a hug and the judge allowed it. Here was a black man hugging and forgiving the white cop who killed his brother. He said, "Again, I'm speaking for myself, not even on behalf of my family, but I love you, just like anyone else. I'm not going to say I hope you rot and die just like my brother did, but I, personally, want the best for you.
The world was watching and he had every right to point out the injustice that had occured. But he chose mercy instead.
We usually do a good job justifying in our own mind why we do not like someone. One race despises another race or the rich think the poor are lazy and the poor think the rich are selfish… we use whatever rational is needed to help feel justified.
God is a God of mercy. His children should be known by their mercy. and Mercy allows for unity.
Jesus’ final prayer in John 17 he ends by praying for us (those who were yet to believe)
John 17:20-21
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
READ James 2:8-13
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Pray
3 Truths Concerning Judgment and Mercy
There is One Standard (8-11)
There is One Standard (8-11)
Jesus’ summary of the 10 Commandants
ILL- Lawyer- What shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Great Commandment
Vs 29 “Desiring to justify himself...”
We all fall short of this standard- standard is perfection.
vs 9- this sin causes guilt just like murder.
Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Don’t try to justify your feelings about others.
Jesus washed Judas’ feet.
There is One Hope (12)
There is One Hope (12)
“Law of Liberty”
O.T. Law condemned (vs 9)
O.T. Law condemned (vs 9)
Law of Liberty sets free those oppressed.
John 8:34-36
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Christianity isn’t about rules. It’s about freedom.
He changes our heart. He changes our “want to”.
We live in unity because we desire unity. He changes us from inside out.
There is One Response (13)
There is One Response (13)
Mercy as we’ve received mercy.
What should be our response as believers. Show the same mercy.
Matthew 18:21-35 (Unforgiving Servant)
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.
When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.
So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’
And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.
But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’
So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’
He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.
When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.
Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’
And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.
So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
We must not hold other’s sins against them. We show mercy.
Ephesians 2:4-10
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
CONCLUSION
Greatest act of Mercy- Jesus died on the cross for our sin.
Do you show mercy as Jesus showed you mercy?
I Corinthians 11:27-29, 33-34
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.
Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.
So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—
if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
Invitation
Lord’s Supper