1. Misplaced Mercy

2. God is merciful  God withholds mercy at times (Ro. 9)  Pharaoh was already evil Hard-hearted; rebel; enemy of God God would use him to display power  Ro.9:18 (15)  Ro.9:19-20  Ro.9:22-23 Destroyed Pharaoh ‘Mercied’ Israel

3. God is merciful Mercy imitates God and disappoints satan  Many have it in reverse. Ps.85:10  Mercy is good  There are counterfeits Ps.23:6 Grace, Mercy Goodness Kindness; Love Mt.5:7; 9:13; 12:7; 23:23 Compassion Mercy; Pity

4. I. Conceited Mercy

5. Josh.23:6-16 1 Pt.2:11, conflict, wage battle, fight… Jg.1:27-35 – 2:1-6 1 Sm.15:3, 9, 15 [Ex.17; Dt.25] 1 K.20:…31 1 Tim.6:12, our fight To spare evil invites future slaughter 1 Sm.15:22-23 [Gn.22]

6. I. Conceited Mercy II. Child Mercy

7. Prov.13:24 Once saved rebellious children Look around: which is more merciful? Prov.23:13-14 Illustrated: 1 Sm.2-3 Illustrated: 1 K.1:6 Overlooking sin = hatred, not mercy ‘Teach’ child to smoke? drink?... Flesh suffers in time or soul in eternity?

8. I. Conceited Mercy III. Credulous Mercy II. Child Mercy

9. Gedaliah, Jer.40:12-16 Jer.41:1-2 We cannot believe the best about everyone. Ro.16:17-18 What: watch out! Ac.20:28f; Ezk.3:17 Who: cause doctrinal divisions How: avoid! Don’t shut eyes… Why: protect naïve, unsuspecting

10. Simple (naïve) “He who himself means no evil to others, oftentimes fears no evil from others. Conscious of truth in his own heart, he believes truth in the hearts of all: a noble quality, yet in a world like ours capable of being pushed too far, where, if in malice we are to be children, yet in understand- ing to be men (1 Cor. 14:20); if ‘simple concerning evil,’ yet ‘wise unto that which is good’ (Rom. 16:19)” – Trench

11. Simple (naïve) be men wise “He who himself means no evil to others, oftentimes fears no evil from others. Conscious of truth in his own heart, he believes truth in the hearts of all: a noble quality, yet in a world like ours capable of being pushed too far, where, if in malice we are to be children, yet in understand- ing to be men (1 Cor. 14:20); if ‘simple concerning evil,’ yet ‘wise unto that which is good’ (Rom. 16:19)” – Trench

12. Simple (naïve) “…it is in the mouth of the rogue Autolycus that Shakespeare put the words, ‘What a fool Honesty is, and Trust, his sworn brother, a very simple gentleman”’ – Winter’s Tale, act iv. sc. 3

13. I. Conceited Mercy IV. Church Mercy II. Child Mercy III. Credulous Mercy

14. 1 Co.5 “I’ve never seen anything so unloving…” “I love him too much…” “I’m too merciful” 2 Co.2 Loving discipline displayed love for... 1. Holy God (Jn.14:23) 2. Lost sinner (1 Co.5:4-5) 3. Proud church (1 Co.5; Rv.3) Loving discipline displayed love for... 1. Holy God (Jn.14:23) 2. Lost sinner (1 Co.5:4-5) 3. Proud church (1 Co.5; Rv.3)

15. Mercy illustrated  Child cuts leg...  Burn victim...  Physical therapy...  Luke 16: rich man finally under- stood true mercy.  Mercy warns people of eternal danger…though it disturbs worldly peace of mind.

16. Ep.2:4  God is merciful  God requires us to meet conditions to receive it  One who substitutes counterfeit medicine does not show mercy