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Saturday, November 7, 2015

Blessed Are the Merciful (Matt. 5:7)

Outline: Matthew 5:7
  1. The Merciful Person
  2. The Promise of Mercy
Summary: Jesus again invites us to experience deep joy in the Father.  He does this by telling us about another character quality that attracts the Father's blessing and favor: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." Mercy is one of the most foundational acts of righteousness that the Father expects His Children to hunger and thirst after (5:6).  God's mercy toward us is meant to shape and energize our mercy toward others.  God is pleased when His children feel genuine concern and sympathy for others who are in need and find compassionate ways to help them.  And when God's children sow seeds of mercy in this life, their Father will make sure they reap a harvest of mercy in the life to come.  

Discussion Questions:
  • Why do merciful people attract the blessing and favor of God? (cf. Luke 6:35-36)
  • Does being a merciful person get you to heaven? Explain your answer  (cf. John 1:11-14).
  • Gospel: Think about the greatness of our need and the bigness of God's heart.  How has God shown His mercy to us as sinners? How should one respond to such mercy (cf. Matt. 18:9-14)?
  • Exercise: Pick a need of someone you know (physical, emotional, or spiritual).  Ask the old question: "what would Jesus do to meet that need?"
  • How will we be shown mercy in heaven? [Hint: Jesus, our High Priest, and His vial of blood].
Application Questions:
  • Exercise: take time to consider what physical, emotional, and spiritual needs two people in your life have.  Make a list of those needs.  Pray about how to show mercy.  Then act.
  • What physical, emotional, and spiritual needs to you currently have?  How might you share these burdens with others so that they can be channels of God's mercy to you?  
Prayer Points:
  • Confess to God your lack of mercy towards others.
  • Thank God for sending Jesus to incarnate His mercy in order to save you.
  • Praise God that His heart is so big with mercy and so willing to care for you and that your every need (physical, emotional, spiritual) will be met, either now or later.   
  • Pray that God would grant you the eyes and heart of Christ to see and meet the needs of others.