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BLESSED
ARE THE MERCIFUL
(MATTHEW
5:7)
…An ancient
Roman philosopher called mercy “the __disease__ of the soul.” It was
thought to be the supreme sign of __weakness__, for to show mercy was to
prove that he was not a real man. At least, he was not a real Roman.
…In Rome, the father had the right of “Patria Opitesta” which was the right to
decide whether or not a newborn baby would live or die. Thumb up…or thumb down. __Abortion__
reflects this mercilessness.
…Our great
need is for God’s __mercy__. Furthermore, the Lord requires His people
to follow His example by extending mercy to others. It was the Christians who
began the __hospitals__, orphanages, and schools…
…This 5th
Beatitude is a __turning__ point. The first four dealt with inner
principles; they were concerned with the way we see ourselves before God. The
last four are the __outward__ manifestations of those attitudes.
THREE
STATEMENTS CLARIFYING THE NEED FOR US TO BE MERCY GIVERS.
I.
Mercy is the
Tender Expression of Love Providing
__Relief__
To One who Is Suffering.
A.
Mercy tries to relieve
the consequences of
__sin__
in the lives of others. (Both sinners and those who are sinned against) One
man said, ”mercy gets down on ones hands and knees and does what it can to help
relieve suffering.”
1.
Luke 10:30-37…The Good Samaritan provides a story teaching the meaning of
mercy. The good Samaritan took
__care__
of the injured man. It was merciful to bind up his wounds. It was
__grace__
to provide for the inn. The priest and the Levi passed by on the other
side…uninvolved.
2.
Mercy is
__more__
than pity. It is more than compassion. It is compassion
__linked__
to action. It is not just a feeling.
3.
How can we explain the merciless behavior of the priest and Levi?
…Perhaps
they refused to pay the price of being inconvenienced?
…Perhaps
they just refused to die to their own __plans__ and to discern the
providence of God in their lives. They were unconcerned or __unaware__
of what God was doing in the lives of those near them.
B.
This Beatitude does
__not__
mean that if you are merciful to others, they will be merciful to you. Many
teach this, but it is wrong. It means far more than that. Nor does it mean
that if I am merciful to others,
__God__
will be merciful to me, and save me. No!! This would be a kind of works
salvation. Never!
C.
It means, since the Lord God
has given us His mercy and saved us, we too will freely give mercy to those we
meet who
__need__
our help. This should
__flow__
from us. It is not being hard-hearted with those in need. It is not justice.
II.
God is the
__Source__
of All Mercy; Jesus is the Greatest Example of Mercy.
A.
Jesus was the
most merciful human being who ever lived.
1.
He reached out His hand to heal the sick…He
__touched__
them. (Mark 1:41)
2.
He was merciful to everyone, except the religious leaders who perverted the
Scriptures and
__lead__
the people to hell.
…Even at the
cross, He prayed for those who put Him there. (Luke 23:34)
B.
__Forgiveness__
flows out of mercy, and mercy flows out of love. (Eph 2:4-5)
…The
greatest act of mercy was when God sent His own Son to die for us. “But God,
being rich in mercy, because of His great love…”
III.
God Extends His
Mercy to us by Saving Us, and When We Extend Mercy To Others,
__God__
gives Us More and More.
This produces deep happiness within.
A.
The true nature and character
of mercy is
__giving__.
Giving what, when, and where needed. It is giving: compassion,
__help__,
time, money, forgiveness, and even ourselves. It gives comfort to the bereaved,
__love__
to the rejected, forgiveness to the offender,
__care__
for the sick, and companionship to the lonely.
B.
If you do not have mercy for
others, then you are
__lost__.
If you exercise it, God will give you more. (Matthew 18:21-35) The story of
the merciless servant.
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1. Those of
you who know you have received mercy, that is you're saved, you will show mercy
to others.
2. Let's
resist the temptation to walk on the other side.
3. The most
merciful thing you can give others is the gospel.
4. The Bible
tells of a special blessing given when we give to those who can never return the
favor.
5. If you
don't know Christ as Savior, you can receive the incredible mercy of God.
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