The Blessings
5 – The Merciful
A. THE “BLESSINGS,” OR “BEATITUDES,” ARE WELL KNOWN.
B. BOTH THE BLESSINGS AND THE TRAITS ARE COMPOSITES.
C. SERMON’S THEME (5:20).
A. eloes, NOUN “is the outward manifestation of pity;” VERB “to feel sympathy with the misery of another," and especially sympathy manifested in act,” ADJECTIVE “actively compassionate” – Vine KINDNESS IN EXCESS OF FAIRNESS.
1. We are to feel pity (1 Pet. 3:8; Rom. 13:15; 1 Cor. 12:25-26).
2. Feeling is not enough (Jas. 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17-18).
B. GOD IS THE EPITOME OF MERCY.
1. Mercy springs up from love (Eph. 2:4).
2. Our hope is the product of mercy (1 Pet. 1:3).
3. So is our cleansing (Titus 3:4-7).
a. Jesus sent to die in our place (Rom. 5:6-8).
b. Mercy manifested here (2 Cor. 4:1; 5:14-15).
4. Not limited to redemption.
a. Help in trial (Heb. 4:16; 1 Cor. 10:13).
b. Jesus instrumental here (Heb. 2:17-18).
c. Physical blessings (Matt. 9:27; Phil. 2:25-27).
C. BE YE IMITATORS OF GOD (Eph. 5:1; Luke 6:36).
1. Luke 10:25-37.
a. Pity in action (1 John 3:16-18).
b. Springs from love (John 13:34-35; see vs. 25-29).
2. Jude 22-23. Spiritual Needs – Gal. 6:1.
3. Matt. 18:21-35. Forgiveness.
a. Contrary to the natural inclinations (Matt. 5:43-48).
b. Not necessarily deserving – We are to be longsuffering (1 Cor. 13:4; Eph. 4:1-3).
c. No limit – what about us (Matt. 18:21-22; 1 John 2:1-2).
d. Must have it to get it (Matt. 5:7; 6:12-15).
e. Grudge bearing not allowed (Matt. 18:15; Eph. 4:31-32).
A. MERCY IS THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR FAITH.
1. Pitiful feelings.
2. Active
B. SEEN IN ACTS OF KINDNESS IN GENERAL.
C. SEEN IN FORGIVENESS.
D. IF WE WANT IT, WE MUST GIVE IT (Matt. 18:21-35).
E. TO BE LIKE GOD (Matt. 6:12-15).
A. ARE YOU STILL IN YOUR SIN?
B. WOULD YOU SHARE IN THE MERCY OF GOD?