1. Practical Christianity
Mercy – The ultimate Christian test!
June 2018

2. Readings
Matthew 5 : 1-16 Luke 10:30-37 Reference: Martyn Lloyd-Jones “Studies in the Sermon on the Mount”

3. Building Something Tangible
Practical Christianity
Meekness is real strength “Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth
Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the KOG
Humility before Christ
“Without sorrow there is no joy” Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted
Righteousness the road to blessedness and fulfilment
Mercy – the ultimate Christian test!
Building the Foundation

4. The progression thus far
Poor in Spirit (Helplessness and humility) Mourn for sin of self and others Blessed are the meek (in relation to others) Hunger & thirst for righteousness – the only way to real peace & fulfilment

5. Is this the missing ingredient? In the world? In your life?

6. Our focus
Matthew 5 vs 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown (obtain) mercy
A shift in focus in that Jesus is here teaching us not so much about the Christian in terms of his/her need or even the solution but rather the disposition that results from everything that has gone before

7. Remember the problem of superficial faith?
It is easy for us to profess our Christianity
But do we live it? Do our lives mirror our espoused faith?
Is your life one that is characterised by merciful conduct?
The ultimate test of our Christian faith!

8. Once we understand what Jesus really meant by this statement we will see that we are not by nature merciful people

9. Be discerning of religious blackmail
Check!!
Our motives
Be discerning of religious blackmail
Our Father God does not blackmail us into believing in Him – through Grace He allows us to choose whether we want to follow Him
Do we as professing Christians do what we do for the right reasons?

10. This applies to our text this morning!
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown (obtain) mercy
We dare not misinterpret Jesus’ teaching on this!

11. But...... The Christian defined
The Christian gospel places its primary emphasis on being rather than doing
Our attitudes rather than our actions
The Christian is something before he/she does something
Defined by character and not by actions
But......

12. Does this contradict other teaching?
It comes back to Motive!
We are not to control our Christianity but our Christianity controls us!!!
Paul: “I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me!”
He is in control, not I
The holy Spirit controls me
We do not act to become a Christian, we act because we are Christians

13. Are you trying hard to be a Christian?
Are you doing all the right things?
Why? What is your motive?
Careful! Christianity is not a veneer of actions on the outside but a rebirth!
A new nature and a new disposition that results in new behaviour
How we act manifests our spirit
Our actions proclaim whether we are poor in spirit, mourn for our and others’ sins, meek when confronted, hunger after righteousness or merciful

14. Our lives are an expression and proclamation of what we really are

15. And this is where being merciful really tests us

16. What is mercy?
It is NOT turning a blind eye or adopting an attitude of its doesn’t matter
God is merciful – it is this mercy that we need to emulate
Grace is associated with men in their sin and Mercy is associated with men in the misery
Mercy is a sense of pity PLUS a desire to relieve the suffering (Pity plus action)

17. The Christian is anxious to relieve the misery of men
Relate to “mourning”
The best NT illustration is the Parable of the good Samaritan
The others had pity but they did nothing about it!
What is your motive?
What is your personal testimony?
The beggar
The poor & destitute
The ill

18. The ultimate example God’s mercy
He saw our pitiful state and sent His Son to come and deal with our condition
We dare not pollute God’s example in how we exercise mercy
Do you and I relate to God’s example?

19. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy”
Many similar scriptural examples of what appears to be “earned” blessings:
Parable of the debtors
The Lords prayer
Two reasons why it can’t mean that it is earned:
If we were to be judged like that none of us would ever be forgiven and ever see heaven
Cancel the whole doctrine of Grace
“While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”
Mercy and forgiveness are integrally linked

20. Our Lord is really saying ...
I am only truly forgiven when I am truly repentant
To be truly repentant means that I realize that I deserve nothing but punishment and that if I am forgiven then it is to be attributed entirely and ONLY to the love of God and to His mercy and grace
If I realize THAT then of necessity I shall forgive those who trespass against me
Our forgiveness of others is PROOF of our repentant hearts

21. What this means is...
We are able to differentiate between the sinner and the sin – able to love the person and not what they do!
“Forgive them for they know not what they do!”
We are to feel a sense of sorrow and act upon the need for those who are slaves of sin
Tough love???
We may burn our fingers but we dare not give up! God didn’t!!!!

22. The same principle applies with “obtaining mercy”
When we have mercy on others it brings us back to say “Have mercy on me Lord”
It is a step in our sanctification process
Where does this leave us?
Do you have a forgiving spirit?
Do you have a merciful spirit?
If not ... Then the real test is ... Are we truly forgiven? Are we right with God?

23. So, let’s apply this Who have you not forgiven?
To whom have you not shown mercy?

24. The acid truth is ....
If I am merciful then it is only by the Grace of God alone!
If I am not merciful, I am outside of the grace of God – I am outside Christ – I am yet in my sins – unforgiven!!!
Do you and I pass this ultimate test?

25. Let us pray!