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From need to character. Beatitudes showing our needPoor in spiritNeed for GodMourningNeed for forgivenessMeeknessNeed for certain salvationCraving righteousnessNeed for the gospelNow a few beatitudes showing our character. What is Mercy?. Greek word eleosNot the same as grace (Gr. Charis)
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1. The Beatitudes “Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.”
2. From need to character Beatitudes showing our need
Poor in spirit
Need for God
Mourning
Need for forgiveness
Meekness
Need for certain salvation
Craving righteousness
Need for the gospel
Now a few beatitudes showing our character
3. What is Mercy? Greek word eleos
Not the same as grace (Gr. Charis)
Grace - “Kindness which bestows upon one what he has not deserved”
Mercy – “Kindness or good will towards the miserable and afflicted, joined with a desire to relieve them”
Therefore, mercy leads to grace.
Grace is given to relieve the misery seen by the merciful
4. Grace vs Mercy From God’s perspective
His mercy preceded His grace
i.e., He saw man’s miserable condition and desired to help man (Mercy) and sent His Son to save man (Grace)
Eph 2:4-9
5. Grace vs Mercy From man’s perspective
Man receives grace because of another’s mercy
i.e., at the moment of salvation, man’s guilt is removed and man begins a new life (grace) because God is merciful
You could say “Grace is mercy obtained”
6. Blessed are the merciful God calls upon us to have a merciful character like His own
We need to be looking at the misery of others and desiring to relieve that misery
7. Examples The Good Samaritan (Lk 10:30-37)
The priest and Levite had an appearance of righteousness, but were not merciful
Because no grace given
The Samaritan was merciful, and so bestowed a gracious gift on the man
The man obtained mercy in the form of the gracious gift
8. Examples The Unforgiving Servant
Matt 18:21-22
Peter’s question: “How long do we have to be merciful to an undeserving man?”
Matt 18:23-35
The king was merciful, and graciously forgave the debt
The slave was unmerciful
Therefore, though the king was merciful (his character), the slave would not obtain mercy
9. Application Mercy is part of one’s character
A gift that is forced is not merciful
We forgive because we have been forgiven
We are merciful because we received mercy
But mercy can only be obtained by those who are willing to give it away
Much like the manna for Israel (Ex 16:14-20)
A principle of love (1 Jn 3:17)
10. Conclusion Do you want to obtain mercy?
God is merciful and offers you forgiveness of your sins.
You will be a new creature, gone the misery of a wasted life.
Then share the mercy with others so they too can begin a new life
Will you accept God’s mercy and grace that was offered on Calvary?