Introduction In discussing the beatitudes, we have been studying those who would have the character to be citizens of His kingdom. Jesus said, “unless your righteousness surpasses Jesus said, “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20) The problem with the scribes and Pharisees was they were self righteous, hypocritical, and unmerciful.

The Pharisees were Unmerciful Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.” (Matthew 23:23) They not only didn’t show mercy to others, they bound heavy burdens on people and didn’t lift a finger to help them (Matt. 23:4).

The Pharisees Didn’t Receive Mercy They had not emptied themselves of … …their pride so that they would become poor in spirit; …their pride so that they would become poor in spirit; …their contempt for others that they might become mournful; …their power so that they would be under control of God’s word;

The Pharisees Didn’t Receive Mercy …thus they were not satisfied with God’s righteousness so as to hunger & thirst for it; …and were not merciful and did not receive mercy from the Lord. We must do much better than that!

The Merciful Do Not Condone Sin But on the other hand, you aren’t merciful just because you are willing to overlook, excuse or forgive any sin that someone commits. We must study the Bible so that we handle it We must study the Bible so that we handle it accurately and be approved to God. (2 Timothy 2:15) Mercy must be in accordance with God’s truth to be pleasing to Him (Psalm 85:10).

What is Mercy? “Compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power…the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment…” - dictionary.com unabridged

Differences (law, mercy, & grace) The Law (getting what we deserve) Punishment- Hebrews 2:2 Mercy (not getting what we deserve) Unmerited pardon from condemnation- Luke 18:13 Grace (getting what we don’t deserve) Unmerited favor- Eternal life- Eph. 2:5ff

God is Merciful God showed mercy in redeeming the Israelites from Egyptian God showed mercy in redeeming the Israelites from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 15:13). God is merciful and keeps his covenant to a thousand generations to those who love Him and keep His commandments (Deut. 7:9). God’s justice demands punishment for sin but because of His rich mercy, He sent Jesus to suffer the penalty for our sins, sparing us of Divine wrath (Rom. 5:6-9; Eph. 2:1-4).

Jesus is Merciful Along with preaching and teaching, Jesus was healing every kind Along with preaching and teaching, Jesus was healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness (Matt. 9:35). “Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd “ (Matt. 9:36). Instead of requesting punishment upon those who demanded that he be crucified, He asked the Father that they be forgiven (Luke 23:34).

Jesus is Merciful Jesus practiced what he preached. He said, "But love your enemies, and do good… Be merciful, Jesus practiced what he preached. He said, "But love your enemies, and do good… Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36) Before you can truly show mercy to others, you must realize how much you have been forgiven. Under the new covenant, God says, “I will be merciful to their iniquities and I will remember their sins no more” (Heb. 8:12).

Those Forgiven Much Love Much The immoral woman owed a greater debt than Simon because of her sins but she was forgiven and Simon The immoral woman owed a greater debt than Simon because of her sins but she was forgiven and Simon wasn’t (Luke 7:36-50). The apostle Paul was a great sinner but realized God’s mercy and preached it the rest of his life (1 Timothy 1:12-16). Paul desired that Onesiphorus receive mercy from God for demonstrating mercy to him while in prison (2 Timothy 1:16).

The Good Samaritan Showed Mercy While the Levite and the priest ignored the beaten wounded man While the Levite and the priest ignored the beaten wounded man, the Samaritan saw him and felt compassion (Luke 10:33). He didn’t just feel bad for him but sacrificed his time to relieve him from pain (Luke 10:34). He also sacrificed his money to pay all his costs for an inn to take care of him (Luke 10:35). He did this even though the man likely would have hated him (his race and religion).

Do We Show Mercy? Are you merciful? Do you use your time and/or your money to relieve the needs of the saints, family, or strangers Do you use your time and/or your money to relieve the needs of the saints, family, or strangers (Gal. 6:10; 1 John 3:16-18)? Do you take the time to show God’s mercy to those who are lost or need to be restored? (Jude 1:20-23) Do you show mercy by forgiving those who have repented and asked for your forgiveness? (Luke 17:3-4; Matt. 6:14-15; 18:21ff)

Conclusion "Blessed are the "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7). But some people are filled with anger, bitterness, envy, jealousy, malice, and are unmerciful with their slander, gossip, and backbiting. (Romans 1:29ff) God shows mercy to even the worst sinner who deserves condemnation through obedience to the gospel of Christ (Hebrews 5:8-9).

Conclusion Everyone of every nation no matter how rich or poor will be gathered before the glorious throne of our Lord and we will be judged by if we were merciful to our Everyone of every nation no matter how rich or poor will be gathered before the glorious throne of our Lord and we will be judged by if we were merciful to our Lord (Mt. 25:31ff). If we didn’t do it to the least of our brethren, we did not do it to the Lord and we will go away into eternal punishment (Matt. 25:45-46). Some will be like the rich man who in torment begged for mercy but showed none to the poor man Lazarus. Too late! (Luke 16:24)

Conclusion “For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; “For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). But it is not too late to receive God’s mercy today if you believe, repent, confess and are baptized you can receive the forgiveness of sins right now (Acts 2:37-38; 8:36-38). As a Christian you can go boldly to the throne of grace through Christ to receive mercy in your time of need (Heb. 4:14-16).