1. Reaching for spirituality
Weightier matters
Mk 12:28-34
Mt 5:7

2. Reaching for spirituality
Where do we look?
Finding Spirituality in Life
True Spirituality can only be found through the one true God who created us
All others lack lasting substance
Struggle is real, even for Christians

3. Reaching for spirituality
Where do we look?
In the Church
Mt 23:23-24, Focus on Doctrine in Absence of the Spiritual
One Dimensional Christianity Lacks
Heb 5:11-6:3, Babes vs. mature
II Pet 1:5-11, Add to’s; The Blind
One dimensional Christianity: No such thing!
Doctrine, discipline, mercy, justice, love
Pharisees were one dimensional spiritually: Doctrine

4. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
Definitions:
Judgment – giving what is deserved
Mercy – not giving what is deserved
Grace – giving what is not deserved
Pity - sympathetic sorrow
Compassion - sympathetic sorrow with a desire to alleviate
Mt 23:23, these three are things one does or gives; not necessarily what one receives. Jesus assigns the responsibility to give these

5. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
Attribute of God
II Cor 1:3, Father of mercies
Eph 2:4, is rich in mercy
Jas 5:11, tender mercy
I Pet 1:3-4, Abundant mercy

6. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
God can Withhold
Rom 9:15-18, he has mercy on whom he will and hardens who he will
God’s mercy is Conditional
Study this more

7. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
Jesus is Most Qualified to Show Mercy
Heb 4:14-16, was in all points tempted like as we are
Heb 2:16-18, made like unto his brethren
“Common Mans” King
Empathy
Discuss empathy that Jesus can have; our limitation of having in those we don’t understand

8. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
God Rejects Worship He Commanded
Isa 1:2-27, lacked judgment, benevolence
Amos 5:10-12, tread upon the poor and afflict the just
Amos 5:21-23, Obeyed the Law and worshiped Idols
Jesus quotes Mic in Matthew
Mt 9:11-13; Mt 12:6-8

9. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
God Rejects Worship He Commanded
Hos 6:4-7, For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice
Mic 6:6-8, love mercy
Jesus quotes Mic in Matthew
Mt 9:11-13; Mt 12:6-8

10. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
God Prefers Mercy over Obedience
Mt 9:11-13, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice
Mt 12:1-8, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice

11. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
Christians have Obtained Mercy
I Pet 1:3-4, begotten again to a lively hope
I Pet 2:10, now have obtained mercy
Eph 2:4-7, made alive with Christ
Rom 5:8-10, were enemies, now reconciled

12. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
Integral to Christian Behavior
Col 3:12-17, Put on … bowels of mercy…
Lk 6:36, Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful
I Pet 3:8-9, have compassion, be pitiful…

13. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
Contrasting Behaviors
I Pet 3:8-9, Contrast against vengeance
Eph 4:31-32, Contrast against ill will
I Jn 3:16-19, Contrast against love of God
Lk 10:25-37, Contrast against those who ignored the needy

14. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
To be Given with Cheerfulness
Rom 12:8, he that shews mercy, with cheerfulness
Jon 4:1-3, Contrasting Jonah’s attitude

15. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
Mercy will be Shown in Kind
Mt 5:7, Blessed are the merciful 
Mt 6:14-15, For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you 
Mt 18:21-35, Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

16. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
Mercy will be Shown in Kind
Jas 2:12-13, he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy

17. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
Definitions:
Judgment – giving what is deserved
Mercy – not giving what is deserved
Grace – giving what is not deserved
Pity - sympathetic sorrow
Compassion - sympathetic sorrow with a desire to alleviate
Mt 23:23, these three are things one does or gives; not necessarily what one receives. Jesus assigns the responsibility to give these

18. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
Lessons
Our Responsibility Goes Beyond Obedience and Doctrine
Mercy is God’s Nature
Mercy is Righteousness
Mercy Contrasted
Mercy will be Shown in Kind

19. Reaching for spirituality
The Weightier matters
Mt 23:23 - Mercy
God is not Wholly Merciful
God Offers Mercy in Place of Justice
Rom 3:23, all have sinned
Rom 6:23, wages of sin is death
Jam 2:13, Mercy rejoices against Judgment
God is not one dimensional!