Blessed are the Merciful
Matt. 5:7
Introduction:
A. Jesus began his “sermon on the mount” in Matt. 5 with some rather interesting statements
B. These are called the “beatitudes”, meaning “state of utmost bliss” (Merr. Webster Dict.)
C. These beatitudes consist of statements that seem like paradoxes:
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
D. And then Jesus made this statement, which is our text for this lesson:
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
E. Why are the merciful blessed? Because they will obtain mercy! What greater gift could one desire?
I. We Need Mercy
A. God expects us to be holy: “Be ye holy, as I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16)
B. Yet we fail Him: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23)
C. We seek not justice, but mercy, as did David after convicted of his sin with Bathsheba Psalm 51:1-10
D. God has promised to forgive: “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Heb. 10:17)
E. The merciful are “blessed” with mercy, the unmerciful are doomed without hope
II. We Must Be Merciful to Obtain Mercy
A. The parable of the unmerciful servant: Matt. 18:21-35
1. Peter seemed to want a limit to God’s expectations of mercy. How often shall I forgive? Seven times?
2. Jesus answered, “Until seventy times seven.
3. He did not mean 490 times. Seven is completeness. Seventy times seven signifies the fullest extent.
4. Jesus then illustrates with a parable of a man who received forgiveness from his master for a great debt
5. The same man found one who owed him a meager sum, and cast him into prison for the debt
6. Matt. 18:31-35 demonstrates how God feels toward the unforgiving person
B. Matt. 6:9-15 In the same sermon, Jesus taught us to pray for forgiveness
1. After the “model prayer’ he reiterates the necessity of forgiving others
2. Jesus states that if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us. What horror!
C. Again in
D.
“he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment”
III. We Are Motivated to Forgive Because We Are Forgiven
A. Psalm 18:25 says “with the merciful, thou wilt show thyself merciful”
B. We are commanded to be tenderhearted and forgiving Eph. 4:31-32
1. Bitterness, malice, evil speaking are not the nature of the child of God
2. Rather we are to be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving
3. To what extent shall we forgive, as God has forgiven us!
C. The merciful have:
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace with others Rom. 12:17-21
3. Peace with God
a. Col. 3:12-15
b.
Conclusion: The merciful are blessed because they receive God’s mercy, and God’s peace.
Michael E. Grooms