Main Idea: God’s mercy is so rich that it flows through us, healing relationships with others.

• Jesus is shaping our Kingdom perspective – just as he did with the listeners of the Sermon on the Mount
• The first 4 “blessed are” statements tend to focus on our relationship with God, while the next 4 seem to focus on our relationship with others.
• Jesus’ ministry had a theme of restoring relationships with God and others

Matthew 5:7 NIV

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

• “The simplest way to understand the difference between grace and mercy is that they are flip sides of the coin of His love. In other words, God’s mercy is NOT giving sinners what they DO DESERVE. And God’s grace is POSITIVELY GIVING sinners what they DO NOT DESERVE.” – Mark Altrogge

Ephesians 2:4–5 NLT

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!”

• God’s wrath and death is what we DO DESERVE, but we have received mercy
• God generously gave us Grace, which we DO NOT DESERVE

Mercy is often connected to those who have power over another, which is partly what Jesus is addressing in the Sermon on the Mount and specifically “Blessed are the merciful…”

• Understanding the contextual hearing of this is vital (Who, What, Where, Why)
  • Pharisees – claiming mosaic authority for their interpretation of Jewish religious Law
  • Sadducees – representing the authority of priestly privileges
  • Roman Rule – strong arm of the government representing most of the known world
  • Common Citizen – had multiple layers of heavy handed (merciless) leadership

Matthew 23:2–4 NIV – “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.”

Mercy & Healing

Greek for Merciful: eleos  derived from the word for Olive Oil elaion – used to sooth, comfort, heal

• Mercy is equated to healing. Just as we’ve been healed, so we help heal: broken, hurting, fractured relationship
• Similar to “salt of the earth” – we make things better.

How do we bring Healing?

• Most importantly, we point people to God to heal/restore the most important relationship
• Secondly, we help heal relationship with others…in every Sphere of our Life

James 3:2 NIV

“We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.”

Philip & the Ethiopian Eunuch / Acts 8:26-39 NLT

In every situation God is working, I have a role, and each person has a response (God’s Part, My Part, Their Part) … and knowing the difference is vital. In this story:

1. God’s Part:
   1. God was already working in both Phillip and the Ethiopians life – He orchestrated this meeting
   2. God gave His Word and ultimate truth
   3. God provides the Grace and Justice (not us)

1. Phillip Did His Part
   1. He was available
   2. He listened and responded to God’s leading
   3. He graciously entered in and asked questions
   4. He spoke truth in a loving way
2. The Ethiopian Did His Part:
   1. He was curious and open
   2. He responded to truth
   3. He accepted Jesus and was baptized

What is Your Part in Being a Healer (Mercy-Bringer) to every Sphere in your life?

• Healing In your Home Sphere:
  1. Merciless: “I do so much for this family, no one appreciates me…”
  2. Merciful: “How can I make each person’s life better?”
• Healing in your World Sphere:
  1. Merciless: “How could anyone vote for ________?”
  2. Merciful: “How could I show the love of Christ to someone who I dramatically disagree with”
• Healing in the Church Sphere:
  1. Merciless: “No one greeted me today”
  2. Merciful: “Who is a new person I could make feel welcome today?”
• Healing in your Abiding Relationship with God:
  1. Merciless: “I don’t need God”
  2. Merciful: “I can’t do anything apart from Him.”

Micah 6:8 NLT

“O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

For Small Group Discussion

Main Point:  The world often emphasizes self-preservation, strength, and justice.  It teaches that showing mercy and compassion can be seen as a weakness and can potentially lead to being taken advantage of.   Jesus teaches that true blessedness and favor comes from showing mercy and compassion to others, even if the world might see mercy as something risky, vulnerable, or could come with some liability.  Jesus reveals mercy as a source of spiritual strength.

Main Scripture: Matthew 5:7, Zechariah 7:1-14

Head Questions

• What does Matthew 5:7 reveal about God’s character?
• Why do you think Jesus emphasized mercy in the Beatitudes?  What was going on then?
• Think about other instances of mercy described in the Bible.  How does this passage compare to those instances?

Heart Questions

• Think about your present or recent interactions with others.  Are you lacking mercy or compassion?
• How does God’s mercy towards you challenge or change your view of yourself and your actions?
• What personal barriers or attitudes might be preventing you from fully embracing and showing mercy and compassion?

Hands Questions

• Think about a situation where you withheld mercy.  How can you approach it differently now, and what step will you take this week to act on this change?
• What is one specific way you can demonstrate mercy in your relationships this week?
• Does your attitude of mercy need to start with receiving the mercy God gives you? (Mark 5:19, 1 Timothy 1:13)

Additional Scripture: Exodus 34:6-7, Nehemiah 9:31, Luke 1:78, Titus 3:4-7