Practical Christianity

1. Practical Christianity Mercy – The ultimate Christian test! June 2018

2. Readings Matthew 5 : 1-16 Luke 10:30-37 Reference: Martyn Lloyd-Jones “Studies in the Sermon on the Mount”

3. Building Something Tangible Practical Christianity Meekness is real strength “Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth “Without sorrow there is no joy” Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted Humility before Christ Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the KOG Mercy – the ultimate Christian test! Righteousness the road to blessedness and fulfilment Building the Foundation

4. The progression thus far Poor in Spirit (Helplessness and humility) Mourn for sin of self and others Blessed are the meek (in relation to others) Hunger & thirst for righteousness – the only way to real peace & fulfilment

5. Is this the missing ingredient? In the world? In your life?

6. Our focus Matthew 5 vs 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown (obtain) mercy A shift in focus in that Jesus is here teaching us not so much about the Christian in terms of his/her need or even the solution but rather the disposition that results from everything that has gone before

7. Remember the problem of superficial faith? • It is easy for us to profess our Christianity • But do we live it? Do our lives mirror our espoused faith? • Is your life one that is characterised by merciful conduct? • The ultimate test of our Christian faith!

8. Once we understand what Jesus really meant by this statement we will see that we are not by nature merciful people

9. Check!! Our motives Be discerning of religious blackmail Our Father God does not blackmail us into believing in Him – through Grace He allows us to choose whether we want to follow Him Do we as professing Christians do what we do for the right reasons?

10. This applies to our text this morning! • Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown (obtain) mercy • We dare not misinterpret Jesus’ teaching on this!

11. The Christian defined • The Christian gospel places its primary emphasis on being rather than doing • Our attitudes rather than our actions • The Christian is something before he/she does something • Defined by character and not by actions But......

12. Does this contradict other teaching? • It comes back to Motive! • We are not to control our Christianity but our Christianity controls us!!! • Paul: “I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me!” • He is in control, not I • The holy Spirit controls me • We do not act to become a Christian, we act because we are Christians

13. Are you trying hard to be a Christian? • Are you doing all the right things? • Why? What is your motive? • Careful! Christianity is not a veneer of actions on the outside but a rebirth! • A new nature and a new disposition that results in new behaviour • How we act manifests our spirit • Our actions proclaim whether we are poor in spirit, mourn for our and others’ sins, meek when confronted, hunger after righteousness or merciful

14. Our lives are an expression and proclamation of what we really are

15. And this is where being merciful really tests us

16. What is mercy? • It is NOT turning a blind eye or adopting an attitude of its doesn’t matter • God is merciful – it is this mercy that we need to emulate • Grace is associated with men in their sin and Mercy is associated with men in the misery • Mercy is a sense of pity PLUS a desire to relieve the suffering (Pity plus action)

17. The Christian is anxious to relieve the misery of men • Relate to “mourning” • The best NT illustration is the Parable of the good Samaritan • The others had pity but they did nothing about it! • What is your motive? • What is your personal testimony? • The beggar • The poor & destitute • The ill

18. The ultimate example • God’s mercy • He saw our pitiful state and sent His Son to come and deal with our condition • We dare not pollute God’s example in how we exercise mercy • Do you and I relate to God’s example?

19. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” • Many similar scriptural examples of what appears to be “earned” blessings: • Parable of the debtors • The Lords prayer • Two reasons why it can’t mean that it is earned: • If we were to be judged like that none of us would ever be forgiven and ever see heaven • Cancel the whole doctrine of Grace • “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” • Mercy and forgiveness are integrally linked

20. Our Lord is really saying ... • I am only truly forgiven when I am truly repentant • To be truly repentant means that I realize that I deserve nothing but punishment and that if I am forgiven then it is to be attributed entirely and ONLY to the love of God and to His mercy and grace • If I realize THAT then of necessity I shall forgive those who trespass against me • Our forgiveness of others is PROOF of our repentant hearts

21. What this means is... • We are able to differentiate between the sinner and the sin – able to love the person and not what they do! • “Forgive them for they know not what they do!” • We are to feel a sense of sorrow and act upon the need for those who are slaves of sin • Tough love??? • We may burn our fingers but we dare not give up! God didn’t!!!!

22. The same principle applies with “obtaining mercy” • When we have mercy on others it brings us back to say “Have mercy on me Lord” • It is a step in our sanctification process • Where does this leave us? • Do you have a forgiving spirit? • Do you have a merciful spirit? • If not ... Then the real test is ... Are we truly forgiven? Are we right with God?

23. So, let’s apply this • Who have you not forgiven? • To whom have you not shown mercy?

24. The acid truth is .... • If I am merciful then it is only by the Grace of God alone! • If I am not merciful, I am outside of the grace of God – I am outside Christ – I am yet in my sins – unforgiven!!! • Do you and I pass this ultimate test?

25. Let us pray!