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.

The Sermon on the Mount: An Introduction (Matthew 5:1-2; 7:28-29)

                                                                                                                       Visit fbcpierz.org/sermons to listen to this sermon. 
Outline: Matthew 5:1-2; 7:28-29

1.              Authority Anticipated (5:1-2)

2.              Authority Experienced (7:28-29)

Summary: After his baptism and victory over temptations in the wilderness, Jesus chose his first disciples and began his public ministry (Matt. 3-4).  Jesus started teaching, preaching, and healing with the result that his “fame spread” and “great crowds followed him” from virtually every surrounding region (4:25). As the crowds drew near to the mountain, Jesus saw them and took his seat on the mountain (5:1).  And with an air of solemnity and anticipation, the God-Man began to teach (5:2).  By the end of the sermon, the crowds were astonished, awestruck by the message, but more than that, by the Messenger himself (7:28-29).  Why?  Because Jesus taught with a unique, yes even a heavenly authority.  Jesus taught with an unmatched confidence and clarity, a level of dignity and depth that left a deep impression on the hearts of his hearers.

Discussion Questions:

• Describe the context in general and where the crowds come from in particular (cf. 4:25).
• Who is Jesus teaching and where do you see this in the text (hint: there are two groups)?
• How did the crowds respond to Jesus’ sermon (7:28)? Why that response? (7:29)?
• What does this teach us about the uniqueness of Jesus?

Application Questions:

• How should what you learned about Jesus’ authority effect the way you think about and respond to the teaching on the Sermon on the Mount in the weeks and months ahead?
• How have you been responding to the authority of God’s Word as of late?
• Applying the gospel: How should the truth that Jesus alone has authority to forgive sin affect the way we deal with our failures, shame, and guilt?
• Has Jesus’ authority made you bolder in talking to others about the things of God? How can a renewed understanding of Jesus’ authority help you grow in boldness?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus that he alone has authority to forgive your sins and that he has done so!
• Confess to God any failures to honor Jesus’ authority in your life.
• Ask God to help you be regularly astonished by and submissive to his Word.