March 2, 2025
SERMON SERIES: MOVE INTO BLESSED LIVING
(A STUDY OF THE BEATITUDES) Tommy C. Higle
Matthew 5:1-12
SERMON # 6: BEING MERCIFUL, WE HAVE BENEFITS
Matthew 5:7
Can God trust you to obey His Word and follow Him---even during the heat of battle? Many people find it easier to be a Christian when everything around is peaceful and serene. But it does not take long for life to become complicated when people begin to take other positions or disagree with us. We tend to quickly defend our own position and vow to gain the advantage. Whether the opposition comes from friend or foe, our natural man wants to trust in the power of the flesh. God has a much better plan of response when we are threatened or opposed.
If we initiate the first four Beatitudes in our lives, the fifth Beatitude will be the natural result. “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (KJV). There are great benefits of being merciful. To understand these benefits, let’s look at three questions.
I. WHAT IS MERCY?
Understanding Mercy: A Reflection of God’s Character
Mercy is more than just a feeling of pity; it is active compassion that moves us to help others. The Greek word used for mercy here is ELEEO (el-lay-oh) ), which means an attitude of kindness and forgiveness toward those in distress.
One of the most striking attributes of God is His mercy. Throughout Scripture, we see that our Lord is a merciful God: Lamentations 3:22-23; Ephesians 2:4-5
God’s mercy is not something we deserve, yet He lavishes it upon us. As recipients of His mercy, we are called to extend that same mercy to others.
Mercy is being compassionate, kind, and forgiving.
To understand these benefits of mercy, we need to look at three questions:
1. What Is Mercy?
II. HOW CAN I BE MERCIFUL?
Being merciful requires three actions.
A. Be Patient With Difficult People. A successful ingredient in human relationships is patience.
B. Help Those In Need. Merciful people are generous people.
C. Forgive. Forgiving others is the most difficult part of being merciful. God forgives only those who forgive others. A person only receives mercy if he or she is merciful. Peter wanted to know how merciful he should be in Matthew 18:21. Jewish rabbis taught that forgiveness need only be extended three times. However, peter trying to show generosity, doubles that amount and throws in one more for good measure. But Jesus insisted that forgiveness has no
limit.
To understand these benefits of mercy, we need to look at three questions:
1. What Is Mercy?
2. How Can I Be Merciful
III. WHY SHOULD I BE MERCIFUL?
There are three reasons why we should be merciful.
A. Being Merciful Is The Only Way To Obtain Mercy. If we refuse to give mercy to others, God will refuse to give mercy to us. Refusing to give mercy to others, will result in harsh judgment.
B. Being Merciful Makes Me More Like God. God leaves us on this earth so people can see His love dwelling in us. He leaves us here so people can see His mercy in us. Being merciful - means we choose to forgive instead of harboring bitterness.
C. Being Merciful Makes Me happy. Jesus says, if we are merciful, we will be blessed. When you forgive someone, you have a happy and cheerful spirit.
As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect the mercy we have received. In a world filled with judgment and division, let us be a people known for our mercy. Let us commit to living mercifully, not just in words, but in action. Let us be the hands and feet of Jesus, extending mercy to a broken world!
To understand these benefits of mercy, let’s look at three questions.
1. What Is Mercy?
2. How Can I Be Merciful?
3. Why Should I Be Merciful?
Responsive Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Comments