“Managing Mercy” Matthew 5:1-7

A Survey of Mercy “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Ephesians 2:4-5) Grace – getting what we don’t deserve Mercy – not getting what we DO deserve (punishment withheld)

His Mercies are… A gift from our sovereign God “For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Romans 9:15) “Because of the LORD's faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!” (Lamentations 3:22-23) “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

Mercy Appears Where “Undeserving” People Gather “And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:10-13).

How to Become Merciful? First, experience the Lord’s mercy! But how? Be poor in spirit, mourn, meek, hunger thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:3-6) That person realizes God’s 100% holiness + * undeserving, “guilty as charged” “red-handed” * broken in humility * by faith, sees fabulous future = grace and mercy * accepts that He forgives when we trust Him

Mercy is a Learned Behavior (Yes! We Can GROW in Mercy!) Mercy is born of AGAPE love “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us…” (Eph. 2:4) More we comprehend our sinfulness, more we see God’s grace (Romans 5:20) More we see His grace, more we can extend to others + the more we see His mercy… Mercy consists of treating people better than they deserve from us: e.g.

Example of Learning Mercy: King Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 4 “Break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor” (Daniel 4:27). Judgment falls (Daniel 4:29-33) 12 months later Repentance realized (Daniel 4:34-37) Romans 12:1 – the appeal to sacrificial living is BASED/FOUNDED ON “THE MERCIES OF GOD.”

Should Christians Always Extend Mercy? Times when God does not extend mercy: * “dealing out retribution” (2 Thessalonians 1:8) * “God gave them over…” (Romans 1:18-32) “But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Romans 2:5) * God disciplines those whom He loves (Hebrews 12:6)

So Is This Salvation By Works? “If” you forgive, you will be forgiven; “If” you are merciful, you will obtain mercy” Does salvation turn “on and off” like a light switch? But both forgiveness + mercy are “real-time” spiritual realities (day after day opportunities) (Conclusion) – 1 John 1:9 -- “all sin” Spirit-filled heart WILL exhibit these qualities in a growing manner; we recognize the call of God on us to bear this fruit

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” At the end of time, the fork in the road: * mercy – not getting what we deserve Fully understood: View of heaven – 1 Cor. 2:9 vs. What we deserve – torment day and night hell, “weeping, gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 13:42)