THE FLOW OF GOD’S MERCY

SERIES: KEYS TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD

TEXT: MATTHEW 5:7.

God’s favor rests on those who live in the flow of His mercy. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy”-Matt. 5:7.

The beatitudes seem to fall into 2 distinct categories. The first four deal with our relationship to God.

1. We are “poor in spirit,” admitting our need for Him.
2. We “mourn.” We see our sin in the light of what Jesus sacrificed for us.

• We empty ourselves of self-sufficiency and exhibit Christ dependency.

3. We are “meak”-we admit sin and we are saved.
4. We hunger and we are filled.

Today let us talk about mercy.

In the first century Roman culture, mercy was not seen as a virtue, but was seen as a weakness.

• One Roman philosopher called mercy “A disease of the soul.”
• To them mercy was a sign that you are not a real man, a real Roman.
• The Romans gloried courage, justice, discipline and absolute power.
• They look down on mercy because they saw it as a sign of weakness and weakness was despised above all other human limitations.
• So mercy was very hard to find in those days of the Roman Empire.
• When Jesus Christ came into the Roman Empire, He was full of mercy and kindness and He freely gave it to countless members of people to whom He ministered.
• He showed mercy to people who were poor, sick, blind, crippled, discouraged, rejected and abused.
• God rewards the merciful with His mercy.
• God will never let “mercy” go unrewarded.
• Mercy pleases God the Father.
• What do we mean by the flow of mercy? Let us look at mercy from four perspectives.

THE DOWNWARD FLOW OF MERCY; Mercy offered.

• Mercy is available to all people –Matt. 5:45.
• No one deserves God’s mercy, because of sin.
• Mercy is showing great concern, for someone in need, having compassion, sympathy or pity.
• Mercy is one of God’s attributes-Eph. 2:4, “God is rich in mercy.
• Grace is God’s free gift displayed in the forgiveness of sin.
• Grace is extended to men as they are guilty-mercy is extended to them because they are miserable.
• Many people don’t know and realize that God’s kindness is available to them in the midst of their misery.
• God has great concern for those who are hurting-He is willing to help them if they are willing to let Him.
• Some people are experiencing physical misery because they are sick.
• Some live in emotional misery-They have fears and insecurities and emotional wounds from the past.
• Some people live in spiritual misery-They regret past mistakes, mental anguish and confusion.
• To receive God’s mercy we must take off our umbrellas of defense and let the kindness of God wash over them.
• Just accept God’s mercy upon your miserable life.

THE INWARD FLOW OF MERCY; Mercy received.

• When someone asks God for mercy, they are really asking for relief from whatever misery they are in.
• God’s mercy comes in form of grace and forgiveness.
• God’s mercy is to those who are obedient and to the unobedient-Matt. 5:45.
• The offer of mercy and its universal availability brings no benefits unless it is accepted.

THE OUTWARD FLOW OF MERCY; Mercy extended.

1. Merciful people help hurting people (divorce, bereavement, abuse, shut-ins)

• These are people living in misery or suffering in some way.
• When we help those in misery we are showing them mercy.
• Mercy may come in form of a smile, a handshake, a hug, a kind word, a kind act, taking meals to people, visiting, praying for them, alleviating their pain and suffering.
• Merciful people assist those who are hurting.

2. Merciful people are patient with those who struggle-Gal. 6:1-2.

• God is patient with us, let us show the same grace and patience for others.
• Walk patiently with those who are struggling-that is mercy.

3. Merciful people are kind, even to their enemies-Matt. 5:46, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?”

• The true tests of a Christ’s follower is not to pay evil with evil, but to pay evil with good.
• How do you treat those who mistreat you?

4. Merciful are forgiving people-Gal. 3:13.

“Bear with one another and forgive whatever grievances you may have against each other.” Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

• “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.”
• We show mercy, because we have received God’s mercy.
• If we allow mercy to flow out from us to others, it will change our lives and many lives around us.

THE RECIPROCAL FLOW OF MERCY; Mercy rewarded.

• Merciful people are only merciful because they themselves have received mercy.
• The more they allow mercy to flow in and out of their lives, the more it will be available to them-Luke 6:38.
• We need to live in the follow of God’s mercy.

CONCLUSION

• “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.”
• Are you a merciful person?
• Will you show mercy to someone today?