EQUIPPED TO CARE:
Showing Mercy
Introduction
Today, we are concluding our visit to God’s Workshop as we see the various tools he is creating to serve in the Kingdom. In the book of Romans is a core theme of accepting and working together with your brothers and sisters, even if there are major differences between you.
In chapter 12 Paul begins with the transformation that comes from the gospel. Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)”...Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” That transformation and renewal recognizes that GOD Equips us with skills and abilities that bring unity and strength to the Body of Christ.
We’ve seen how God equips His people with gifts like prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, giving, and leadership. Today we come to the seventh gift: mercy.
The Seventh gift is mercy.
- Michael Fox: The ability to bring comfort and aid to the afflicted.
- Lexham Theological Wordbook defines Mercy as, “Taking pity on someone or sparing them from something.”
- Mercy is an action word - taking action to alleviate the suffering of others.
Our text translated…
-AMPC he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.
- NCV Whoever has the gift of showing mercy to others should do so with joy.
- NIV if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
- NLT And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Bradford Reaves notes, “These gifts are not for personal glory but for the building up of the church.”
1. God is the Model of Mercy
From Genesis to Revelation, God shows His Mercy when He acts on behalf of those who are in trouble. Mercy is when God, out of His lovingkindness, withholds punishment that we rightfully deserve because of our sin. In Genesis, God shows His Mercy to Adam and Eve by providing a covering for them after they had sinned against Him (Genesis 3). Throughout Scripture, God reveals His merciful character:
-God is “the Father of mercies” (2 Cor. 1:3)
-God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4)
-God`s mercy is great (Daniel 9:9)
-God is merciful to those who are undeserving of it (Romans 9:15-16)
God showed us His great Mercy when He gave His only son to die for a world of people who are in need of rescue. Sin separated us from God and He took pity on us. Jesus paid the price for our sin which we could not do.
1 Peter 2:24 (NLT) “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.”
Because of Christ, I have eternal life. God be praised!
In Titus 3:4–7, the apostle Paul shares that God’s mercy is revealed in Jesus Christ: “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”
2. How Should Believers Show Mercy?
Speak mercy (words of kindness, sharing truth).
-Tell others about Christ - the news everyone needs to hear!
-Speak kindly to someone who needs to be comforted during a critical time in their life.
-Colossians 3:12 “...clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Show mercy (acts of compassion, meeting needs).
-Demonstrate concern for others in their suffering.
-Listen to those who struggle and share truth with them.
-Meet needs of those who cannot help themselves.
-Watch for occasions to show random acts of kindness, making the world a better place for strangers.
Share mercy (giving, patience, forgiveness).
-Donate to organizations that help others by donating clothing, food, and other resources.
-Be patient with others' shortcomings and mistakes. Patience is a component of mercy.
-Luke 6:36-37, "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not
condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
3. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7)
Mercy is one of the core characteristics of Christians.
If you wonder what mercy looks like today, listen to the testimony of refugees. Darren Carlson, the President of
Training Leaders International, shared this conversation with refugees while visiting Christians in Athens. They said:
“I left my country, and everywhere on my way to Greece, there were Christians. As I left my country, Muslims were literally shooting at me and my family. But in Turkey and Greece, Christians have welcomed me, clothed me, and fed me. When I got off the boat, it was Christians that were passing out food and water. When I came to Athens, it was Christians who gave me a shower, helped me with a medical issue, and gave me a meal with spices from my home. I became a Christian because they were so different than Muslims.”
They weren’t convinced by arguments. They were convinced by mercy.
To Grow in the practice of mercy means…
-To remember our own sin and desperate situation.
-To Identify with others. An aspect of mercy is sympathy and compassion. It is identifying with others’ pain and
struggles.
-To develop our love for others. God wants love and mercy to be in our hearts. “If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Cor 13:3).
Conclusion
The attitude of offering kindness and mercy to others: JOY! Osborne: Never do so in a grudging or gloomy manner, but must feel the joy of the Lord in their hearts, recognizing the great privilege of helping others.
Yarbrough: “Part of this gift is finding refreshment in Christ to renew ones’ capacity to extend care in demanding situations.
Two ways of experiencing mercy:
-In our encounter with God. Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
-In our encounter with others. Jms 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”
So where can you show mercy this week? Who around you needs a kind word, a listening ear, or a patient response? Remember—when we show mercy, we reflect our Father in heaven.
_________________________
To watch videos of sermons from Forsythe Church of Christ:
https://www.youtube.com/ForsytheChurchofChrist
Our church website is http://facoc.org
Forsythe Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3T2VA3IW7IRDB
To receive sermon notes in your email inbox, subscribe here:
https://forsythesermons.substack.com/
To receive John Dobbs’ newsletter with photographs, books, Christian thoughts, and miscellany, Subscribe Here:
https://johndobbs.substack.com
John Dobbs is the author of several books. Find them on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/John-E.-Dobbs/author/B0CZLPDWHL
___________________
Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think Paul includes *mercy* in his list of spiritual gifts alongside things like prophecy, teaching, and leadership?
2. What does it mean to show mercy “cheerfully” or “gladly”? Why might Paul emphasize the *attitude* behind mercy?
3. How does God show mercy to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, even after their disobedience?
4. How is God’s mercy most fully revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?
5. Why is it important to remember that mercy is not just a *feeling* but an *action*?
6. Of the practical examples listed (listening, meeting needs, speaking kindly, showing patience, etc.), which one do you find the easiest? Which is the hardest?
7. How do “random acts of kindness” reflect God’s mercy, and how do they differ from secular ideas of kindness?
8. Why is patience with others’ shortcomings a key part of mercy?
9. Jesus promised that “the merciful will receive mercy” (Matt. 5:7). What does that mean in practice?
10. What struck you most about the testimony of refugees in Athens and how Christians’ mercy led them to Christ?
11. Why do you think mercy has such a powerful evangelistic impact?
12. Hebrews 4:16 says we can “receive mercy” from God. How does regularly receiving God’s mercy help us extend it to others?
________________
Resources
Brown, Gregory. Blessed are the Merciful.
https://bible.org/seriespage/5-blessed-are-merciful-matthew-57
Davey, Stephen. Mercy. https://www.wisdomonline.org/blog/mercy/
Field, Hope. Biblical Definition of Mercy
https://e360bible.org/blog/mercy-biblical-definition/
Steckbauer, Justin. Seven Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ. https://sermoncentral.com/sermons/seven-spiritual-gifts-in-the-body-of-christ-justin-steckbauer-sermon-on-spiritual-gifts-280845
https://www.gotquestions.org/definition-of-mercy.html
https://www.pray.com/articles/mercy-christian-definition-and-examples-from-the-bible
