Exposition of Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

I.     Blessed: Happiness or inward joy that comes from God

       A.  Blessed are those who seek to be emptied: the spiritually poor, those who mourn, those who are gentle

       B.  Blessed are those who seek to be filled: with righteousness and mercy

II.   Mercy defined and distinguished

• With reference to human suffering
  • Apathy – Indifference toward those who are suffering
  • Sympathy – Feeling sorrow and empathy for those in need
  • Mercy – Through personal cost and effort relieving the suffering of others
• With reference to human sin
  • Condemnation – Severe treatment, to cut off from restoration
  • Judgment – Hold accountable for sin, to punish
  • Mercy – withholding judgment from those who deserve it

III.     Mercy demonstrated

• Relief provided for pain and suffering, Matthew 9:27, 15:22, 17:15, 20:30
• Release from the punishment for sin, Matthew 18:33

IV.     Application:

• Merciful individuals have sympathy for hurting individuals and at personal cost move to relieve suffering
• Merciful individuals absorb offenses and do not harbor bitterness
• Merciful individuals forgive quickly and completely
• Merciful individuals demonstrate kingdom living and as kingdom citizens will be treated mercifully by the King