WEBVTT 00:00:00.380 --> 00:00:07.660 Good morning, church. Would you turn with me to Matthew chapter 5? That's page 759 in the Pew 00:00:07.660 --> 00:00:13.720 Bible, if you want to follow along there. This summer, we've been walking through what are called 00:00:13.720 --> 00:00:18.679 the Beatitudes. Beatitudes are statements of blessing. That's what the Latin word 00:00:18.679 --> 00:00:25.780 beatus means, blessing. But these statements of blessing don't describe how to earn God's favor. 00:00:25.780 --> 00:00:31.100 It's not that sort of blessing that we're talking about. Rather, what these statements describe, 00:00:32.300 --> 00:00:41.719 they describe the kind of life that's worth living. According to Jesus, this is the genuinely 00:00:41.719 --> 00:00:47.620 flourishing life, a life centered on God and God's kingdom. And Jesus says, it looks like this. 00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:52.659 And today, we come to the fifth of these statements in Matthew 5, 7. 00:00:52.659 --> 00:00:57.659 Blessed are the merciful, Jesus says, for they shall receive mercy. 00:00:58.879 --> 00:01:04.099 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. So I'm going to read again these opening 00:01:04.099 --> 00:01:10.280 verses of the Sermon on the Mount in page 759, and then we'll look more closely at the virtue of mercy. 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:12.799 So let me read Matthew 5, 1 through 10. 00:01:14.179 --> 00:01:18.560 Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 00:01:18.560 --> 00:01:24.560 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the 00:01:24.560 --> 00:01:31.140 kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, 00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:37.000 for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 00:01:37.719 --> 00:01:43.760 for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 00:01:43.760 --> 00:01:49.600 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be 00:01:49.600 --> 00:01:56.520 called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is 00:01:56.520 --> 00:02:03.280 the kingdom of heaven. All right, let's pray together. Father, your word is a lamp unto our feet and a light 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:09.700 unto our path. By your Spirit, would you illuminate our minds and our hearts to hear what you're saying to us. 00:02:09.699 --> 00:02:17.659 By your grace, help us to see more of Jesus this morning, and in beholding him, to become more and 00:02:17.659 --> 00:02:26.500 more like him for our own good, and most of all, for your glory. We pray these things, Father, in the 00:02:26.500 --> 00:02:32.859 name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. So, so briefly, I want us to consider three things before we go to the Lord's 00:02:32.859 --> 00:02:38.099 table this morning, as we think about this beatitude. First, what does it mean to be merciful? What does it 00:02:38.099 --> 00:02:43.639 mean to be merciful? And then second, what does being merciful lead to? What does being merciful lead to? 00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:50.359 And then lastly, how do we become merciful? How do we become merciful? So first, what does it mean to be 00:02:50.359 --> 00:02:57.740 merciful? What does it mean? The story is told of a mother who once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon 00:02:57.740 --> 00:03:03.539 for her son, and the emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense, not just once, 00:03:03.539 --> 00:03:10.199 but twice, but twice, and justice demanded death. But I don't ask for justice, the mother explained. 00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:19.459 I plead for mercy. Napoleon replies, but your son doesn't deserve mercy. Sir, the woman responds, 00:03:20.379 --> 00:03:26.280 it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for. 00:03:26.280 --> 00:03:34.280 Well, then the emperor said, I will have mercy, and he spares the woman's son. Now, I don't know if 00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:39.039 that's a true story. It might be apocryphal, but isn't that how we often think of mercy, right? 00:03:39.340 --> 00:03:45.120 Mercy, it is said, is not receiving something that we deserve, something's withheld. 00:03:47.039 --> 00:03:52.659 And sometimes, popularly, mercy is contrasted with grace, right? Grace, it is said, is getting 00:03:52.659 --> 00:03:59.500 something we don't deserve. Mercy is not getting something that we do deserve. And as we look 00:03:59.500 --> 00:04:04.800 through the New Testament, especially at the life of Jesus, we see that there is some truth to this 00:04:04.800 --> 00:04:12.719 popular idea of mercy. Jesus often does not give people what they deserve, at least what the surrounding 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:18.379 religious culture thinks people deserve, right? The tax collectors and the sinners supposedly deserve 00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:24.819 to be excluded and shamed, but that's not what they receive from Jesus. Instead, he gives them his 00:04:24.819 --> 00:04:33.680 attention and his welcome and his forgiveness. But as we study the idea of mercy more closely, we see 00:04:33.680 --> 00:04:42.360 that the New Testament concept is broader than simply not giving people what they deserve. Mercy in the New 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:49.160 Testament seems to include a more active, positive meaning as well. For example, remember when Jesus 00:04:49.160 --> 00:04:54.920 was walking down the road and the blind man cries out, Son of David, have mercy on me. Well, what is that 00:04:54.920 --> 00:05:02.259 man asking for? He's asking for compassion and for healing and for deliverance. And that's what Jesus 00:05:02.259 --> 00:05:11.259 gives him, compassion and deliverance. He heals his sight. Or remember when the Canaanite woman came to 00:05:11.259 --> 00:05:15.740 Jesus in the region of Jesus in the region of Tyre and Sidon, and she comes and she says, have mercy on me, 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:23.719 O Lord, Son of David, because my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon. She's asking for compassion and 00:05:23.719 --> 00:05:32.480 for deliverance for her daughter, and that's what Jesus gave to her. So in the New Testament, mercy means 00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:39.300 both pardon for the one who's done wrong, but it also means kindness to one in need of help. 00:05:41.259 --> 00:05:47.360 Mercy has a positive aspect. It's seeing a need, feeling moved by it, and acting to help. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:57.500 Of course, we don't live in a very merciful age, do we? We celebrate power, and we celebrate victory, 00:05:57.680 --> 00:06:04.920 and we celebrate vengeance, right? The movies we watch glamorize violence and getting even, you know? 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:09.879 You watch some of these movies, and you find yourself cheering by the end, yes, kill them, right? 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:17.139 We're just swept up along in the story. You know, and you think about sort of pop culture relationship 00:06:17.139 --> 00:06:21.939 advice that, what does it tell us? It tells us, oh, limit the time you spend with people that you 00:06:21.939 --> 00:06:25.600 don't like because they're going to drain your energy, and you really want to be your best self, 00:06:25.719 --> 00:06:29.759 so don't spend time with those people because apparently being our best self means not spending 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:36.139 time with people who are hard, right? Or think about it, you know, what if you ever make a misstep? 00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:42.899 What if you ever mess up? Well, make one social misstep, and social media is ready to pounce, 00:06:43.019 --> 00:06:48.740 right? To humiliate, to shame, to exclude. It's a very merciless age that we live in. 00:06:52.099 --> 00:06:59.419 And the first century was just as merciless as ours, perhaps more so when Jesus spoke these words. 00:06:59.420 --> 00:07:07.180 You know, for the typical Jew listening to Jesus' sermon on that day, they could probably resonate 00:07:07.180 --> 00:07:13.340 with the fourth beatitude, right? To hunger and thirst for justice. You know, justice, we talked 00:07:13.340 --> 00:07:19.220 about last week, part of justice means the end of oppression and oppressors, means the end of evil 00:07:19.220 --> 00:07:26.520 and evildoers. And to a people overrun by a violent and greedy Roman empire, justice sounded pretty good. 00:07:26.519 --> 00:07:29.459 But mercy. 00:07:32.459 --> 00:07:41.779 To lay down one's weapons and forgive? To look on those who suffer and to suffer with them? 00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:51.419 To acknowledge the common humanity in everyone, Jew and Gentile, friend and neighbor and enemy? 00:07:51.419 --> 00:07:53.319 To be merciful? 00:07:56.519 --> 00:08:00.659 That sounds as countercultural then as it does now. 00:08:00.660 --> 00:08:08.780 And yet, that is what Jesus says is the truly flourishing life. 00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:16.180 The life with God and God's kingdom at its center will be a life rich with mercy. 00:08:17.780 --> 00:08:21.120 A life not consumed by giving people what we think they deserve, 00:08:21.820 --> 00:08:26.680 but seeing them as human beings made in God's image, just like ourselves. 00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:32.519 Seeing the misery that they might be in and having a desire to relieve their suffering. 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:39.039 Now, notice what mercy is not. 00:08:40.340 --> 00:08:44.360 Mercy is not overlooking what is right or just. 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:49.399 You know, we can't separate the fourth and the fifth beatitude. 00:08:49.399 --> 00:08:55.340 We can't separate our hunger and thirst for righteousness with a needing to be merciful, 00:08:55.779 --> 00:09:00.159 just as God can never separate righteousness and mercy in His own character. 00:09:02.299 --> 00:09:08.519 Mercy then is not overlooking the law or ignoring righteousness or not caring when people do wrong. 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:16.759 Nor, I think maybe more apropos, mercy is not simply letting people have their own way. 00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:20.759 Mercy is not permissiveness. 00:09:23.259 --> 00:09:25.379 You know, a merciful parent, for example. 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:29.899 A merciful parent sort of doesn't just let their children sort of run amok and disobey. 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:32.100 You know, sure, play with knives. 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:33.759 You know, touch boiling stoves. 00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:35.539 Do whatever you want. 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:36.580 I'm a merciful parent, right? 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:37.480 It's not actually merciful. 00:09:37.620 --> 00:09:38.080 It's harmful. 00:09:38.659 --> 00:09:38.779 Yeah? 00:09:38.779 --> 00:09:47.179 A merciful friend doesn't just let their acquaintance ridicule them or take advantage of them, right? 00:09:47.199 --> 00:09:47.919 They speak up. 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:49.459 They correct the wrong. 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:54.720 So we mustn't confuse being merciful with being permissive. 00:09:54.720 --> 00:10:05.240 But just as we can err on the side of permissiveness, so we mustn't err on the side of always giving people what they deserve, 00:10:05.660 --> 00:10:07.759 of making them pay, of getting even. 00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:16.399 Martin Lloyd-Jones, the 20th century pastor in London, writing about this beatitude, he puts it this way. 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:26.279 He says, a great test is when someone wrongs you, when you find yourself in the position of having in your power someone who's transgressed against you. 00:10:27.799 --> 00:10:33.919 He says, now, the way to know whether you're merciful or not is to consider how you feel towards that person. 00:10:35.459 --> 00:10:40.480 Are you going to say, well, now I'm going to exert my rights at this point. 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:41.480 I'm going to be legal. 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:45.539 This person has transgressed against me, and here comes my opportunity, right? 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:50.419 In other words, he's saying, do you find yourself having a vindictive spirit? 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:59.000 Or is there a spirit of pity, of sorrow, a spirit of kindness toward your enemy in distress? 00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:05.459 Now, again, in such an instance, we won't pretend like nothing wrong has been done, 00:11:05.740 --> 00:11:10.120 nor will we keep putting ourselves in a position to continue to be sinned against. 00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:17.659 But we can forgive the wrong and release the dead and seek to be reconciled. 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:25.519 Or another instance, a different instance, when you see someone in need, when you see someone in need, 00:11:25.560 --> 00:11:29.820 is your first thought, well, they've made foolish choices. 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:31.620 They're reaping what they've sown. 00:11:31.700 --> 00:11:34.460 Why should I have to dig them out of the hole that they've dug, right? 00:11:34.460 --> 00:11:37.960 Or do you feel compassion? 00:11:40.060 --> 00:11:44.820 Perhaps they did end up in a bad place through their own poor choices, maybe through their own sinful choices. 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:49.220 But does your heart still have compassion for them in their sorrow? 00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:56.460 Do you see them not simply as reaping what they've sown, but as trapped, as afflicted? 00:11:56.460 --> 00:12:03.300 And by the sinful world that we live in, by the flesh, by the world, by the devil, 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:07.860 do you see them in some sense as in need and in despair? 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:18.100 And do we pray, God, what are you calling me to do to respond to this neighbor or this fellow church member, 00:12:18.180 --> 00:12:20.700 this co-worker, this family member, whoever it might be? 00:12:20.700 --> 00:12:28.200 What might you be calling me to do to help alleviate and relieve the distress that they're in? 00:12:31.560 --> 00:12:37.360 So that's a bit of what it means to be merciful, some of the picture that the New Testament paints for us. 00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:41.879 Second, let's consider what does this kind of mercifulness lead to? 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:42.800 What does it lead to? 00:12:42.799 --> 00:12:51.939 Well, one fear that we have, I think, is that if we're merciful, if that's the kind of people we are, 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:56.039 if that's the kind of habit and virtue and character we develop, 00:12:56.120 --> 00:13:00.479 I think we fear that we'll end up just being overrun by the powerful, right? 00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:05.620 We'll end up just being overrun by people who don't care about mercy and only want what they want. 00:13:07.699 --> 00:13:12.219 But as we've already said, you know, being merciful doesn't mean being a doormat, right? 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:14.120 Mercy is not just mere permissiveness. 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:19.840 Being merciful is having compassion towards those in need and having a heart to alleviate their burden. 00:13:20.420 --> 00:13:22.460 None of that means just sort of ignoring what's wrong. 00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:29.820 But still, we can still wonder, is showing mercy, is being merciful, is it wise? 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:30.740 Is it safe? 00:13:31.540 --> 00:13:33.259 After all, it's a harsh world, right? 00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:36.840 Don't we have to fight fire with fire sometimes? 00:13:36.840 --> 00:13:37.040 Friends? 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:44.100 But friends, Jesus will never let us as disciples. 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:46.420 He will never let us go that route. 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:53.019 In the kingdom of God, the ends never justify the means. 00:13:53.019 --> 00:14:01.939 And the reality is, part of what Jesus is pointing us to here is that we reap what we sow. 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:06.740 If we sow vengeance, we're going to reap vengeance. 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:09.559 If we sow unforgiveness, we'll reap it. 00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:14.840 If we sow a rigid, give people what they deserve, we will reap it. 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:27.820 But Jesus shows us here that if we sow mercy, if we spread mercy, if we live out of mercy, then we receive mercy. 00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:34.860 Why are so many churches full of bitterness and gossip and infighting? 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:38.220 Because of this very principle. 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:47.300 For years, church members, maybe even church leaders, they sow to bitterness and external religion and to grudges and unforgiveness. 00:14:47.440 --> 00:14:52.200 And before long, the church is not characterized by mercy and forgiveness and grace. 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:54.180 It's characterized by the opposite. 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:58.919 It's not just true in Christian churches. 00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:00.179 It's true in families. 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:02.719 Even Christian families. 00:15:03.459 --> 00:15:06.959 When a couple sows to just giving each other what they think they deserve. 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:09.599 When spouses stop asking for forgiveness. 00:15:10.439 --> 00:15:12.239 When spouses stop granting it. 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:19.240 When couples stop striving to be kind and to show compassion towards one another. 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:24.700 When there's no compassion for each other's failings and sins. 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:31.279 Well then, friends, that marriage, that family will not be a garden of mercy. 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:35.600 It will be a desert of bitterness and loneliness. 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:41.779 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:47.319 So on the human level, Jesus' words are certainly true. 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:50.279 When we sow to mercy, we're cultivating a culture of mercy. 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:54.759 And then, in those times when we are in need of mercy and who is not in need of mercy, 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:59.919 when we've sown to a culture of that, we find that we receive it. 00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:06.079 But there's also a vertical dimension to Jesus' words here. 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:08.599 There's also a divine reality that he's talking about. 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:13.419 But at that point, we need to be really careful. 00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:19.240 When Jesus says, blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy, 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:26.539 he is not saying, God will only be merciful to you if you are merciful to others. 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:29.839 Now, let's think about that for a second. 00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:33.299 If we think about it, that cannot be what Jesus means. 00:16:34.279 --> 00:16:34.519 Right? 00:16:34.819 --> 00:16:35.139 Why? 00:16:35.959 --> 00:16:39.959 Because if God's mercy only comes to us when we're merciful to others, 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:43.799 then we're basically saying God is only merciful to us when we deserve it. 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:47.819 Do you see the contradiction there? 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:51.740 If God's only merciful to us when we deserve it, 00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:54.719 then that means God isn't actually merciful at all. 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:57.160 Because mercy is giving people what they don't deserve. 00:16:58.040 --> 00:17:01.180 It's having pity on them and giving them deliverance when they don't deserve it. 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:05.120 So if God is merciful, and he most certainly is, 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:09.579 then he must be a God who is merciful to the unmerciful. 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:17.100 So Jesus can't mean here God's only going to be merciful to you if you're merciful to others. 00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:21.659 Okay, so what does Jesus mean then? 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:26.480 How is our mercy that we show connected to God's mercy? 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:32.279 In what sense will we receive God's mercy when we show mercy to others? 00:17:34.179 --> 00:17:37.079 Well, I think in order to understand what Jesus means, 00:17:37.639 --> 00:17:44.139 we have to understand the difference between earning something and being assured of something. 00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:49.480 We have to understand the difference between earning something and being assured of something. 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:54.259 Earning something means I don't have it, but I can get it through my effort. 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:55.300 Right? 00:17:55.380 --> 00:18:00.780 If I get a job and save up enough, then I can earn the money to buy whatever, a classic car. 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:01.080 Right? 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:04.820 Which is sort of funny driving around now that I'm getting older. 00:18:05.060 --> 00:18:06.860 You see classic car license plates on cars. 00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:08.400 You're like, I think I drove that as a kid. 00:18:08.560 --> 00:18:09.980 Like, my family had one of those. 00:18:10.280 --> 00:18:11.460 The 92 Taurus. 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:12.940 I'm like, classic car. 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:14.500 I don't know about that. 00:18:15.120 --> 00:18:17.120 So maybe you're saving up for a nicer car than that. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:18.279 But you're earning it, right? 00:18:18.340 --> 00:18:18.940 That's the point. 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:28.220 On the other hand, being assured of something, being assured of something means I already have it. 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:34.279 But there's something that I do that reminds me of it or makes it even more real to me. 00:18:34.600 --> 00:18:34.700 Right? 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:40.360 Taking this car example, you know, maybe your great-grandfather has put you in his will, 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:44.640 and one day you'll inherit his classic car, that 92 Taurus. 00:18:44.900 --> 00:18:45.019 Right? 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:50.720 And every month you do a family dinner with your great-grandfather, and you enjoy your relationship 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:54.440 with him, and it kind of reminds you of the relationship that you have and the blessings 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:56.240 that he's going to bestow upon you. 00:18:56.240 --> 00:19:02.299 Does that family dinner earn your place in his will? 00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:05.140 Does it earn you the classic car one day? 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:05.519 No. 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:10.339 It's the love of your great-grandfather that gave it to you. 00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:15.440 The family dinner simply assure you and remind you of that relationship. 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:21.259 So you see, there's a difference between earning something and between being assured of something. 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:24.720 Now, let's apply that to our relationship with God. 00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:25.519 Right? 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:28.879 Think about the Lord's Supper that we're going to partake in a little bit. 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:32.140 In a few minutes, we're going to celebrate communion. 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:38.400 Now, does eating the bread and drinking the cup earn God's grace and forgiveness in your life? 00:19:39.839 --> 00:19:44.619 You know, if you eat three packets instead of one, do you get three times the forgiveness 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.420 for the coming week? 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:49.579 And some of you are like, those packets are so disgusting, I'm not eating three of them. 00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:50.200 Right? 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:53.259 But that's not how it works, right? 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:57.279 You're not earning God's forgiveness by partaking in the Lord's Supper. 00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:57.980 What are you doing? 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:01.279 We're being assured of something that we already have. 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:09.579 The bread and the cup assure us that Christ's body was broken for us, that his blood was shed for us, 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:16.279 that he did something bitter so that we could have something sweet. 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:26.200 And this meal that we share, it assures us that we will feast with Christ one day in the new heavens and new earth. 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:36.080 You know, we can genuinely say, if you eat this now in faith, you will eat with him in glory in the age to come. 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:41.819 And when we say that, we're not saying eating now earns your place in the future banquet. 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:43.640 No, we're saying it assures you of it. 00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:47.680 It comes and it reminds you and it gives you assurance in your heart. 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:51.840 Now let's go back to the fifth beatitude. 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:56.460 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 00:20:58.300 --> 00:21:00.360 Friends, that's an assurance statement. 00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:06.719 When the Holy Spirit works in your heart and over time you become more and more merciful, 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:09.719 it assures us that we are God's children. 00:21:10.859 --> 00:21:14.579 And that there's coming a day when he will shower us with his mercy. 00:21:15.199 --> 00:21:17.839 Mercy that's already ours through faith in Christ. 00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:23.179 So brothers and sisters, keep fanning the flame of mercy in your hearts. 00:21:23.919 --> 00:21:28.559 For in living a life of mercy, you're anticipating the great day of mercy to come. 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:32.659 God's future, friends, is a future of mercy. 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:36.079 What does the future hold? 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:39.700 What is the angle of the universe that God has made? 00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:43.440 God's future is a future of mercy. 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:46.940 It's a future of sinners forgiven. 00:21:48.679 --> 00:21:51.659 Of a church cleansed of every spot and stain. 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:57.099 It's a future of reconciliation between sworn enemies. 00:21:58.559 --> 00:22:00.599 It's a future of families being healed. 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:02.579 It's a future of friendships being restored. 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:06.419 It's a future where none of us will get what we deserve. 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.259 Instead, we'll get mercy. 00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:15.220 So live that mercy now. 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:18.960 Live now like that day is coming. 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:25.539 Live now like that day is more real than this passing world of petty vengeance and harsh bitterness. 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:27.940 Because that day is more real, you see. 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:35.240 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:37.579 Be assured of it, Jesus says. 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:46.939 But on the other hand, if our hearts are perpetually hard and cold, 00:22:47.939 --> 00:22:51.119 if we care nothing for the suffering in the world, 00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:54.720 if we'd rather see people get what they deserve, 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:59.220 then, friends, we have no grounds for assurance. 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:04.259 There's an invitation to self-examination here. 00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:09.100 Is there evidence of mercy in your heart? 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:14.839 Now, such an examination can be sobering, can't it? 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:21.380 Some of us might fear that we aren't actually the sort of person that Jesus describes here. 00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:27.460 Perhaps we fear that we know nothing of this true mercy that Jesus describes. 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.560 Where do we go? 00:23:30.040 --> 00:23:30.680 What do we do? 00:23:33.620 --> 00:23:37.180 Or perhaps, you know, perhaps you see sort of little flickers of mercy, 00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:39.380 but you know they're just that. 00:23:40.280 --> 00:23:41.240 They're so small. 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.560 They're so little. 00:23:43.880 --> 00:23:45.260 And you hunger for more. 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:49.579 How can mercy become a greater reality in your life? 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:52.740 Not just a fleeting thought from time to time, 00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:56.640 but how can it become more and more your way of being in the world? 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:01.819 Well, if you find yourself in either of those camps, 00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:04.819 either worrying that you don't really know mercy at all 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:06.819 or wanting to grow in your life, 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:10.859 friends, the answer for both of us is the same. 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:14.160 And that takes us to our third and our last point. 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:16.400 How do we become merciful? 00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:25.180 You know, the truth is we can't just will ourselves to become merciful. 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:28.320 We can't simply just try harder and become it. 00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:32.380 Now, of course, that's not to say that we shouldn't try to be merciful, right? 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:34.779 It's not as if we should just throw up our hands and give up. 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:36.900 You know, it's better to try to be merciful than the opposite. 00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:39.460 We should seek to be merciful, 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:45.600 but simply trying in our own efforts to get there won't be enough. 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:53.179 The truth is it's only an experience of mercy, 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:58.199 internalized, known, that will make us merciful. 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:03.480 Do you remember Jesus' parable of the unforgiving servant? 00:25:04.939 --> 00:25:06.399 The story goes like this. 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:08.060 Jesus said, 00:25:08.560 --> 00:25:09.320 He says, 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:11.400 The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:15.259 who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.960 And when the king began to settle, 00:25:18.300 --> 00:25:21.460 one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents. 00:25:22.060 --> 00:25:23.140 Okay, now that's a lot of money. 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:24.420 That's like a lot, a lot of money. 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:26.880 It's like six billion dollars or something like that. 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:28.960 You know, sort of like this guy was in charge 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:31.700 of a major corporation or a major investment firm, 00:25:31.820 --> 00:25:33.340 and then he lost everybody's money. 00:25:33.540 --> 00:25:34.880 That's how much money we're talking about. 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.300 He's in a lot of trouble. 00:25:38.580 --> 00:25:39.780 Okay, the story goes on. 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:42.320 And since he could not pay, 00:25:43.300 --> 00:25:45.120 his master ordered him to be sold 00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:46.240 with his wife and his children 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:48.100 and all that he had in payment to be made. 00:25:49.020 --> 00:25:51.300 So the servant fell on his knees imploring him, 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:53.800 Have patience with me, and I'll pay you everything. 00:25:55.520 --> 00:25:56.460 And then Jesus says, 00:25:56.560 --> 00:25:57.580 Out of pity for him, 00:25:58.200 --> 00:26:00.260 the master of that servant released him 00:26:00.260 --> 00:26:01.900 and forgave him the debt. 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.140 Wow. 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.220 Wow. 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:05.420 This guy is free. 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:07.740 You know, have you ever had that sinking feeling 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:09.500 in your stomach because you knew something bad 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.100 was going to happen? 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.320 Like, it was coming. 00:26:11.780 --> 00:26:12.380 And then you realize, 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:12.680 Oh, wait. 00:26:13.520 --> 00:26:14.000 It's okay. 00:26:14.360 --> 00:26:15.460 The debt's been paid. 00:26:16.080 --> 00:26:16.360 Right? 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:18.600 That's how this guy should have been feeling. 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:20.780 He should have been feeling just elated, 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:22.440 released, changed. 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:25.640 However, let's pick up in verse 28. 00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:30.680 But when the same servant went out, 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:32.900 he found one of his fellow servants 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:34.440 who owed him a hundred denarii. 00:26:35.020 --> 00:26:37.160 Okay, now a hundred denarii is still like a lot of money. 00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:38.880 It's like fifteen, twenty thousand dollars. 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:40.120 You know, it's not chump change. 00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:43.940 So he finds someone who owes him a hundred denarii, 00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:45.480 and then he seized him 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.940 and began to choke him, saying, 00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:48.120 Pay what you owe. 00:26:49.100 --> 00:26:50.759 His fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 00:26:50.800 --> 00:26:52.220 Have patience on me, and I'll pay you. 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:54.140 But the man refused, 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:56.720 and he went and put him in prison 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.920 until he should pay his debt. 00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:01.680 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.799 they were greatly distressed, 00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:05.019 and they went and reported to their master 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:06.259 all that had taken place. 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:08.779 Then his master summoned him and said, 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:09.519 You wicked servant, 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:12.019 I forgave you all that debt 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:13.819 because you pleaded with me. 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:16.960 Should you not have had mercy 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:18.700 on your fellow servant 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:20.700 as I had mercy on you? 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:26.660 It's a pretty powerful parable, isn't it? 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:28.980 And the point is this. 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:33.200 The debt that God has forgiven us 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:34.600 is massive. 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:38.559 The mercy that we've been shown 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:41.600 almost cannot be calculated. 00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:44.299 And if you come to grips with that, 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:47.500 you'll never be like this unforgiving servant. 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:51.000 The mercy that we've been shown, 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:52.480 it almost can't be calculated. 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.880 You know, how do we know that? 00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:55.839 Well, friends, 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:57.779 look at what it cost God 00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:59.119 to forgive you. 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:02.019 You know, forgiveness is always costly. 00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:03.480 Mercy is always costly. 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:04.640 Why? 00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:07.519 Because the one who forgives, 00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:08.740 the one who shows mercy, 00:28:09.140 --> 00:28:09.339 right, 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:11.279 they're absorbing the cost 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:12.119 of whatever happened. 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:13.759 When the good Samaritan 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:14.599 took care of the man 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:15.339 who was left for dead 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.179 at the side of the road, 00:28:17.379 --> 00:28:17.539 you know, 00:28:17.619 --> 00:28:19.539 he pays for the care 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.359 and the rehabilitation 00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:21.419 of that person. 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:23.459 The good Samaritan absorbs the cost 00:28:23.459 --> 00:28:25.099 to show mercy to that man. 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:27.159 And in forgiveness, 00:28:27.379 --> 00:28:28.179 the same thing is true. 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:29.879 If someone breaks something 00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:30.919 of value to you, 00:28:31.779 --> 00:28:33.559 you can either make them pay for it 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:35.199 or you can absorb that cost yourself 00:28:35.199 --> 00:28:36.279 and not make them pay. 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:36.979 That's forgiveness. 00:28:39.139 --> 00:28:39.739 And of course, 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:40.500 small offenses, 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.980 they don't really require much, 00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:42.279 right? 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:45.380 But what about big offenses? 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:48.940 They cost a lot. 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.819 Especially when we're talking, 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:52.460 you know, 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:54.119 not about just like damaging property, 00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:55.180 but something greater. 00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:57.599 What does it take 00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:58.779 to absorb the cost 00:28:58.779 --> 00:29:01.059 of relational betrayal 00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:03.259 or someone hurting a loved one 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:04.839 or someone destroying something 00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:05.859 that's irreplaceable? 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:09.180 That cost is great. 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:13.420 But what about the cost 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:14.140 of our sin, 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:17.059 our rebellion against God? 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:19.099 How great was that debt? 00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:21.799 How deep was the tear 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:24.140 that our sin had made 00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:25.599 in our world 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:27.539 and in our relationship with God? 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:32.039 The only way we know 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:34.299 how great the cost really was 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:36.420 is by looking at the place 00:29:36.420 --> 00:29:38.700 where God absorbed the cost 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:39.620 and paid the debt. 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:42.380 And it's there 00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:43.660 that we see how infinite 00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:45.740 and how precious 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:48.920 and how unfathomable 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:53.700 the depths that God went 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:55.060 to pay this debt. 00:29:55.059 --> 00:29:57.480 for the cost 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:59.559 was nothing less 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:00.940 than the death 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:01.940 of the Son of God. 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:04.339 Friends, 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:06.460 what unspeakable mercy. 00:30:07.879 --> 00:30:09.019 When God viewed us 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:09.599 in our sin, 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.819 deserving of wrath, 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:13.200 He viewed us with mercy. 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:16.559 When billions upon billions 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:18.059 couldn't even get close, 00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:23.740 God lovingly offered 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:24.980 everything 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:27.039 to forgive our sins 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:28.559 and reconcile us to Himself. 00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:31.899 And we will spend eternity 00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:33.819 worshiping the risen Jesus. 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:35.799 And even into eternity, 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:37.259 we're never going to plumb 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:37.799 the depths 00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:39.460 of the mercy of the cross. 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:43.700 So how do you become merciful? 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:46.920 You look at the cross 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:48.160 with eyes of faith 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:49.539 and you see 00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:50.980 what the Lord Jesus did there 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.519 and you see 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.640 that He did it for you, 00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:54.519 for your sin. 00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:57.440 Not because you deserved it, 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:59.319 but because He is rich in mercy 00:30:59.319 --> 00:31:01.600 and He chose to love you. 00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:04.799 Three days later, 00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:06.279 Jesus rose from the grave 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:07.980 to demonstrate 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:09.440 that the debt had been paid 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:11.580 for all who trust in Him. 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.799 The burden of your guilt 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:15.660 is left in the grave. 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:18.539 For those who trust in Jesus, 00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:20.160 your life can be lived 00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:22.320 in the freedom of mercy. 00:31:25.320 --> 00:31:26.299 That's what it takes 00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:27.200 to become merciful, 00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:29.740 to behold Christ 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:32.519 eradicating your debt 00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:34.080 and showering you 00:31:34.080 --> 00:31:36.820 with just unimaginable mercy. 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:40.200 And what we do 00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:41.100 at the Lord's table 00:31:41.100 --> 00:31:43.799 is we re-encounter 00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:44.539 once again 00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:45.860 this great mercy 00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:47.840 because we're 00:31:47.840 --> 00:31:48.860 a forgetful people, 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:49.440 right? 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.779 I think it was Charles Spurgeon 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.420 who once said, 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:53.200 you know, 00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:53.620 Lord, 00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:55.580 fill me with the Holy Spirit. 00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:56.519 We need the Holy Spirit 00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:56.980 to fill us. 00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:57.340 Why? 00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:58.519 He said, 00:31:58.580 --> 00:31:59.400 because we leak, 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:00.200 right? 00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:02.440 And it's like that. 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.259 You know, 00:32:04.340 --> 00:32:05.400 everyone who's a Christian 00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:07.120 has come into an encounter 00:32:07.120 --> 00:32:08.240 with the majesty 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:09.440 of the cross for us, 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.880 of who Jesus is 00:32:10.880 --> 00:32:11.600 and what He's done. 00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:14.120 But we're forgetful. 00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:15.960 We're forgetful, 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:17.200 and like the unforgiving servant, 00:32:17.340 --> 00:32:19.220 we can go out 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:19.980 and we can demand 00:32:19.980 --> 00:32:20.900 that the people around us 00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:21.819 pay for what they did 00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:22.940 and pay for what they owe us. 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:23.120 Why? 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:24.480 Because we so quickly forget 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:25.920 what Jesus has done for us. 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:28.740 And that's where 00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:30.060 the Lord's Supper comes in. 00:32:31.560 --> 00:32:32.700 The Lord's Supper 00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:34.019 reminds us 00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:35.759 that Jesus' body 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:36.360 was broken 00:32:36.360 --> 00:32:37.480 to pay our debt 00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:38.900 and His blood 00:32:38.900 --> 00:32:39.240 was shed 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:40.279 to cover our sin. 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.860 And we eat the bread 00:32:41.860 --> 00:32:42.880 and we drink the cup 00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:44.240 to re-encounter 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:45.380 the truth of it again, 00:32:46.380 --> 00:32:48.500 to leave its taste 00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:49.680 literally in our mouth 00:32:49.680 --> 00:32:51.880 and to leave its mark 00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:52.660 on our hearts, 00:32:52.660 --> 00:32:57.080 to experience mercy again, 00:32:57.880 --> 00:32:59.019 that we might go out 00:32:59.019 --> 00:33:00.440 and show mercy to the world. 00:33:02.300 --> 00:33:03.019 So I'm going to invite 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:04.019 the music team to come up. 00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.860 I hope they're here. 00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:07.019 Come on up, guys, 00:33:07.080 --> 00:33:07.940 and we're going to sing 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:09.120 as we prepare 00:33:09.120 --> 00:33:09.980 to take the Lord's Supper. 00:33:10.120 --> 00:33:10.660 So if you're able, 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.400 please stand. 00:33:12.180 --> 00:33:12.860 If you didn't get 00:33:12.860 --> 00:33:13.740 a communion packet, 00:33:13.860 --> 00:33:14.640 the ushers have more 00:33:14.640 --> 00:33:15.180 at the doors. 00:33:15.540 --> 00:33:16.300 They can come around 00:33:16.300 --> 00:33:17.200 or feel free to get up 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:17.820 and get one. 00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:19.180 We're going to prepare 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:19.779 our hearts 00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:21.680 to take the Lord's Supper. 00:33:22.660 --> 00:33:23.800 and to be reminded 00:33:23.800 --> 00:33:24.680 of this great mercy. 00:33:24.840 --> 00:33:25.480 Why don't I pray 00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:26.560 before we sing? 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:29.540 Father, as we turn 00:33:29.540 --> 00:33:30.259 to your table, 00:33:31.140 --> 00:33:32.300 prepare our hearts 00:33:32.300 --> 00:33:33.380 to receive again 00:33:33.380 --> 00:33:34.840 these signs 00:33:34.840 --> 00:33:35.519 of your great work 00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:36.140 on the cross, 00:33:36.660 --> 00:33:37.480 your great display 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.620 of unspeakable mercy, 00:33:39.400 --> 00:33:40.360 and make us 00:33:40.360 --> 00:33:41.100 through your word, 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.460 through your spirit, 00:33:42.560 --> 00:33:43.660 and through these signs 00:33:43.660 --> 00:33:45.380 a people of mercy. 00:33:46.060 --> 00:33:47.480 In Jesus' name, amen.