Blessed are the Merciful

I: MERCY DEFINED

• Merciful means beneficial or charitable.
Mercy is love for those in misery and a forgiving spirit toward the sinner. It embraces both kind feelings and kind acts. W. Hendricksen.

• Setting the context: The Jewish and Roman ideas of mercy.

• Defined and revealed in Christ.

II: MERCY RECEIVED

• None of us are naturally merciful

• Mercy cannot be earned.

• Mercy comes from Christ.

III: MERCY REFLECTED

• Mercy is demonstrated in both our attitudes and actions
“This mercy is something more than a feeling: it is an operative principle. It not only stirs the heart, but it moves the hand to render help unto those in need, for the one cannot be severed from the other. It does not exhaust itself in profitless words, but is accompanied by helpful deeds.” J. C. Ryle

• The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)

 o Mercy attempts to relieve the consequences of sin in the lives of others.

 o Mercy does not hide behind unbiblical excuses to avoid self-sacrifice. (Job 6:14)

Conclusion