“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy”

Mercy: Feeling sorrow over someone’s bad situation and doing something about it.

Exodus 34:6 – “The Lord passed before him (Moses) and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love for thousands.”

II Samuel 24:14, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercy is great.”

 “Blessed are the merciful”

I.                   Beware barriers to extending mercy to others

1. Self-centeredness

2. Self-pity

3. Pride

4. Selfishness 

II.                Be a channel of God’s mercy

Luke 10: 36-37, “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers? He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go and do likewise.’”

Picture of mercy:

1. Sees distress (vs. 33)
2. Feels compassion (vs. 33)
3. Responds with action (vs. 34-35)
4. Neglects race or religion (vs. 33)

“for they shall receive mercy”

III.               Extend mercy and receive mercy…keep the cycle moving