Blessed Are The Merciful

Matthew 5:1-7Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.The BeatitudesHe said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Dynamics of BeatitudesSpiritual Poverty --> Mourning over sins --> Attitude of Meekness --> Hunger for Righteousness --> Mercy, Purity, Peacemaking What is Mercy?Mercy is not…1.    Emotionalism2.    Humanitarianism What is mercy? A Legal Term - “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.”"God's mercy is his tenderhearted, loving compassion for his people. It is his tenderness of heart toward the needy. If grace contemplates humans as sinful, guilty, and condemned, mercy sees them as miserable and needy." – Millard Erickson"Mercy is kindness exercised toward the miserable, and includes pity, compassion, forbearance, and gentleness, which the Scriptures so abundantly ascribe to God." – Charles HodgeMercy is...1.     Mercy is one of God’s fundamental attributes. 2. Mercy is God’s calling for God’s people.  What is it to be merciful?Luke 10:33-3433 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.1. See the need 2. Feel the need 3. Feed the need  How do we receive mercy? Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.        Mercy Earned or Mercy Given?Romans 9:15, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”   "Being merciful is an indication of being saved."