The Miracle Of Mercy

INTRODUCTION

A teacher once gave her class an assignment:

“Bring something tomorrow that represents mercy.”

The next day, children brought many things:

• One brought a small first-aid kit—“Mercy helps people who get hurt.”

• Another brought an eraser—“Mercy erases mistakes.”

• One little boy brought a flashlight—“Mercy gives light when someone is in a dark place.”

But a small girl quietly placed a broken toy on the desk.

The teacher asked, “Honey, what does this mean?”

She said, “Mercy is when someone doesn’t throw you away… even when you’re broken.”

Church—tonight Jesus says:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” — Matthew 5:7 (NKJV)

And tonight, during this Lenten season, He reminds us that God does not throw away broken people—He restores them.

That’s mercy.

1. WHAT IS MERCY?

Mercy is more than a feeling.

More than pity.

More than sympathy.

In Scripture, mercy means:

• Compassion in action

• Kindness that costs something

• Grace toward the undeserving

• Forgiveness given freely

• Love expressed to the hurting

Mercy is when God looks at us—broken, wounded, flawed—

and chooses not to condemn, but to heal.

The Psalmist declared:

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.”

— Psalm 103:8 (NKJV)

Mercy is God’s heartbeat.

2. WHY MERCY MATTERS TO GOD

Jesus makes mercy the centerpiece of the Beatitudes:

“Blessed are the merciful…”

Mercy matters because:

A. Mercy Reflects God’s Character

Mercy is not something God does—

It is something God is.

B. Mercy Is the Language of the Cross

At Calvary, mercy spoke louder than sin.

Louder than failure.

Louder than judgment.

Jesus cried:

“Father, forgive them…” — Luke 23:34 (NKJV)

That is mercy.

C. Mercy Heals What Judgment Cannot

You can judge a person and still not help them.

But mercy stoops… lifts… restores.

Mercy is heaven’s medicine—

and every one of us needed it to breathe.

3. HOW DOES MERCY SHOW UP IN OUR LIVES?

A merciful heart is not a soft heart—

it is a strong one.

A merciful Christian:

1. Forgives Quickly

Not because the other person deserves it…

but because God forgave us first.

“Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” — Luke 6:37 (NKJV)

2. Helps Willingly

Mercy doesn’t wait to be asked.

Mercy sees the need…

and responds.

3. Judges Slowly

Mercy gives people time to grow.

Time to repent.

Time to heal.

Time to change.

4. Loves Deeply

Mercy loves with no strings attached—

no conditions, no negotiations.

4. THE BEAUTY OF MERCY IN COMMUNITY

Tonight we stand together—

Fifteen churches.

Many traditions.

Many worship styles.

Many backgrounds.

But mercy is the place where we all meet at the foot of the cross.

Mercy tears down walls…

Heals old wounds…

Brings unity where division once lived.

We don’t all worship the same way,

but we worship the same Savior.

And His mercy flows for all.

When His mercy fills our hearts,

we don’t look at each other as “them”…

but as brothers and sisters.

5. WHY DOES JESUS PROMISE MERCY TO THE MERCIFUL?

Jesus says:

“…for they shall obtain mercy.”

Why?

Because:

A. Mercy Goes Out… and Mercy Comes Back

When you show mercy, God pours more into your life.

B. Mercy Opens the Floodgates of Grace

You can’t receive fully when your heart is tight and closed.

But mercy keeps the heart open.

C. Mercy Trains Us to Resemble Christ

When we show mercy, we look like Jesus.

We talk like Jesus.

We act like Jesus.

And Heaven recognizes His reflection in us.

6. HOW DO WE BECOME MERCIFUL?

1. Remember the Mercy You’ve Received

If God kept score—

we’d all be in trouble.

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed…”

— Lamentations 3:22 (NKJV)

2. Let the Holy Spirit Soften Your Heart

Mercy grows where the Spirit has room to work.

3. Pray for Eyes Like Jesus

Lord, help me see:

• The hurting

• The lonely

• The broken

• The discouraged

• The overlooked

• The difficult

• The lost

The way You see them.

4. Choose Mercy Over Being Right

You can win an argument and lose a heart.

Mercy chooses people over pride.

7. A LENTEN MOMENT — MERCY AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS

Lent is the journey toward the greatest act of mercy ever shown.

At the cross:

• Our guilt met His grace

• Our sin met His sacrifice

• Our darkness met His light

• Our shame met His love

Mercy didn’t just visit us—

Mercy was nailed for us.

Because of that mercy, we stand together tonight…

as one redeemed family.

CLOSING CALL – THE MIRACLE OF MERCY

If you need mercy tonight—

God has more than enough.

If you need to forgive—

He will help you.

If your heart is tired—