Sermon on the Mount

Message 6

Mercy Me!

Matthew 5:7 (NIV) — 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

1. PTSD.
   1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
      1. Someone confessed to me their issue with this disorder.
      2. The Lord brought to my mind that I may be suffering from the same disorder.
      3. Have you suffered from this? ____________
   2. Merciless.
      1. Those symptoms could lead a person to having a lack of mercy.
      2. To always be on guard never to trust.
      3. An unwillingness to forgive or forget.
   3. Breaking free.
      1. Confession – Admit my need to God.
      2. Scripture – Blessed are the merciful.
      3. Begin by showing mercy.
      4. The smile of God.
2. The Good Samaritan.
   1. The two great commandments
      1. Love God & Love your neighbor
      2. Luke 10:29 (NLT) — 29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
   2. A man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho.
      1. Luke 10:36–37
3. What is Mercy?
   1. Defined
      1. Greek word translated merciful is “to give help to the wretched, to relieve the miserable.”
      2. Mercy gives attention to those in misery.
      3. Grace is shown to the undeserving.
      4. Mercy is compassion to the miserable.
   2. Mercy is also forgiving.
      1. Joseph of the Old Testament.
      2. Genesis 50:20 (NIV) — 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
      3. The merciful person remembers his own sin and God’s mercy to him.
      4. He understands the weaknesses of others, and he forgives.
   3. The test of mercy.
      1. Parable of the Unmerciful Slave.Matthew 18:32–35
      2. “The Lord here warns the religious person who attends church, can recite the appropriate answers, leads an outwardly moral life, but holds a death grip on his grudges.”
      3. “He warns the one who nourishes hatreds, cherishes animosities, and otherwise lives in settled malice.”
      4. “Such a person had better take stock of his life.”
4. Finding Mercy.
   1. Confess your sin.
      1. Pray this - “Father, I know your mercy. I have been merciful at times. But, God, I need more compassion, and I need to forgive. I know this is your will for me. Help me.”
   2. Turn to God’s word.
      1. Read the Scriptures that have to do with mercy and compassion.
         1. Matthew 9:9-13 – Matthew 23:23 – Amos 5:21-24 – Luke 10:30-37
      2. See what God says about forgiveness.
         1. Matthew 6:14-15 – 18:21-35
5. The power of the Holy Spirit.
   1. He can change your life.