Introduction

In the Bible, people often sought the mercy of God or threw themselves upon His mercy. This is something we don't do as much today, but it is something we should embrace. In this sermon, we will explore the concept of God's mercy and how it can transform our lives.

Scripture

Matthew 15:21-22 (NIV)

"Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.'"

God's Mercy

Throughout the Bible, we see that God is described as a merciful God. Deuteronomy 4:31 states, "For the Lord your God is a merciful God." Mercy is an inherent part of God's nature. It is His compassionate response to the needs of others. Mercy means feeling the pain of another so deeply that we are compelled to take action and help them.

Definition of Mercy

Mercy can be defined as having goodwill towards those who are suffering and a desire to alleviate their pain. It means getting inside someone's skin, seeing things from their perspective, and acting on their behalf. When Jesus saw the crowds in Matthew 14:14, He had compassion on them and healed their sick. His compassion moved Him to take action.

The Importance of Mercy

Mercy is not just a theoretical concept; it must move us to action. The emphasis in the beatitude "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7) is on those who consistently show mercy as a way of life. We should strive to be people who are inclined to show mercy regularly, rather than occasionally.

God's Mercy Towards Us

We are saved because of God's mercy, not because of our own righteousness. Titus 3:5 says, "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." God's mercy washes away our sins and gives us new life through the Holy Spirit.

Appealing for Mercy

In the Bible, many people approached Jesus and pleaded for His mercy. Blind Bartimaeus in Matthew 20:30 cried out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" A gentile woman in Matthew 15:20 pleaded, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." These individuals recognized their need for mercy and sought it from Jesus.

The Lepers

Luke 17:11-13 tells the story of ten lepers who cried out to Jesus for mercy. Leprosy was a dreadful disease that not only caused physical suffering but also social isolation. These lepers broke the rules and approached Jesus, asking for His mercy. Jesus instructed them to go show themselves to the priests, and as they obeyed, they were cleansed of their leprosy. However, only one of them returned to thank Jesus and give glory to God.

Transformation through Mercy

It is not enough to simply need God's mercy or benefit from it; we must be transformed by it. As recipients of God's mercy, we should be moved with compassion and mercy towards others. We are called to be instruments of God's mercy on earth, creating a community of compassion.

Creating a Community of Compassion

To become a community of compassion, we must:

1. Fall in love with mercy.

2. Demonstrate mercy towards one another.

3. Respond to God's mercy by offering ourselves as living sacrifices.

4. Clothe ourselves with compassion daily.

5. Let our ministry flow from the mercy we have received.

6. Default to mercy instead of judgment.

Conclusion

God is a God of mercy, and we have the privilege of benefiting from His mercy. However, it is not enough to receive His mercy; we must be transformed by it. Let us embrace God's mercy and allow it to move us to show compassion and mercy to others. May we become a community that reflects the mercy of God in our words and actions.

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