Mercy

MERCY

Luke 18:9-14

I. THE REASON (vs.9-10)

A. The “certain” were there and needed to hear.

1. The “certain” who pointed to other’s short comings.

2. He spoke to the “certain” He singled them out.

B. “trusted in themselves that they were righteous” (v.9)

1. Mistaken God’s mercy for His approval

2. God is long suffering not willing that any should perish but all to come to (repentance)

C. “despised others” (v.9)

1. Despising others always comes when we measure by our own standards instead of God’s

2. The Publican

a. Society despised him for lifestyle, crookedness, traitor, and outcast

b. Jesus loved him for his humility, repentant-heart and his faith in God

c. He came to the temple to make his request.

3. The Pharisee

a. Society respected, upheld, and honored them (Paul and Nicodemus)

b. God despised him for his pride, hard heart and his faith in self.

c. He came to the temple to make his appearance.

D. “Two men” (v.10) From God’s view they were just two men, neither one without need of God’s grace. Their response on the altar made the difference.

E. The Lord’s gracious salvation is given in order for the saved to bring blessing to other men through good works, to bring blessing to believers themselves, and above all to bring glory to Himself. He is gracious for the world’s sake, for His children’s sake, and for His own sake. ( MacArthur, John F)

II. THE REDEMPTION (v.11-13)

Definition: deliverance by payment of a price.

In the New Testament it refers to loosing (Luke 2:38; Heb. 9:12) and loosing away (Luke 21:28; Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:14). In the Old Testament redemption was applied to property, animals, persons, and the nation of Israel as a whole. In nearly every instance, freedom from obligation, bondage, or danger was secured by the payment of a price, a ransom, bribe, satisfaction, or sum of money paid to obtain freedom, favor, or reconciliation. People may redeem property, animals, and individuals (slaves, prisoners, relatives) who are legally obligated to God or in bondage for other reasons. God alone, however, is able to redeem from the slavery of sin (Ps. 130:7–8), enemy oppressors (Deut. 15:15), and the power of death (Job 19:25–26; Ps. 49:8–9).

(John 8: 36) If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

A. The Pharisee

1. He trusted in himself, that he was righteous and stood “with himself” (v.11a)

2. He boasted (not prayed) of his adherence to the law. (This only pointed to Christ)

3. His thanks a mere formality (v. 11b) He doesn’t say as Paul “by the grace of God”

4. He thought meanly of all mankind except himself (v.11b)

5. He couldn’t say his prayers without bashing his neighbors. (v.11c)

6. He was just as pleased with the Publican’s badness as he was his own goodness. (v.11, 12)

B. The Publican

1. He expressed his repentance and humility in what he did (v.13)

a. the publican “stood afar off”

b. not lifting “up so much as his eyes unto heaven” (instead he lifted his heart)

c. allowed himself to feel the conviction of the Lord

d. Therefore, he “smote upon his breast” (showing his rebuke and remorse)

2. He expressed his repentance and humility in what he said. (v.13)

a. he took full responsibility for his sins “be merciful to me a sinner”

b. he depended upon the mercy of God

c. his pray was sincere

d. his prayer was short “God be merciful to me a sinner”

1. Face to face with The Almighty; his words left him.

2. He throws himself at the mercy of The High Court.

3. He makes the only plea he could “be merciful to me (I’m guilty) a sinner”

C. The mercy

1. “merciful” is verb form of the word used for mercy seat.

2. The mercy seat was the lid that covered the Ark of the Covenant.

3. The ark contained the law of the covenant

4. The blood of the sacrifice was applied to the mercy seat (the top, and covered the Law)

III. THE RESULT (v.14)

A. “justified”

1. Brings peace; peace with God (Rom. 5:1-5)

2. Access to grace (Rom.1-5)

3. Rejoicing (Rom.1-5)

4. Holy Ghost (Rom.1-5)

5. Saved from God’s wrath (Rom. 5:9)

6. Glorification (Rom. 8:30)

7. Redemption of his body (Rom. 8:23)

8. Eternal inheritance (Rom. 8:17; 1 Pet. 1:4)

B. “exalted”

1. Given a higher positon

2. Notice he was exalted, not was going to be but already; at least partly.

3. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

C. Forgiven (implied)

D. Adopted